I'm Switching To Reusable Sanitary Pads (Something I Never Thought I'd Say)

I really try to be as environmental as possible and, for the longest time, I’ve been trying to convert to a mooncup. The problem is, I never think about it, or remember to do it until my period comes and then, between the effort, the raging hormones and the hundreds of tampons I own and still have to use, I simply sigh and say, “Next month.”

Of course, it doesn’t happen next month either.

But, despite my woeful lack of commitment when it comes to the moon cup, I am proud to say that I have managed to make one enormous change that is definitely a step in the right direction. I say ‘step’, Wear ‘Em Out pads are actually a giant fucking leap towards a making a more sustainable period a reality for so many women. While moon cups are great, it’s a huge adjustment for many women. They can take a long time to get used to, they can be messy and they are big step away from what most women have been used to for a very long time.

The Wear ‘Em Out pads do not require the same mental and practical adjustments. Instead of whipping out your plastic wrapped, plastic based sanitary pad, that’s laced with a ridiculous amount of chemicals, you simply grab a reusable pad, use the press-studs to attach it around the gusset of your pants and that’s it. No mess, no plastic, no guilt.

And, here’s the best part - they bloody work too (pun intended). Not only did they not leak (essential, obvs), they didn’t have that weird ‘smell’ that you get when you’ve been wearing a regular pad for a few hours. Plus, when I wear a pad for 3-4 days, my vagina starts to get sore - it’s not sexy but it’s true. I don’t know what it is. - probably the eleventy billion chemicals that it’s being doused in 24 hours a day - but it gets well ouchy, and no one likes a sore fanny.

Once I’d used them, I either put them in the handy ‘Wash Me’ bag you get or I threw them straight in the washing machine, on a 30 degree wash with no fabric conditioner, popped them on the radiator and they were ready to go again. The navy blue colour means there’s no unpleasant stains to look at and even if there was, you’re saving the planet so let’s get our priorities straight shall we?

Overall, I cannot recommend Wear Em Out enough. Genuinely. If you can’t bring yourself to Mooncup yet, then this is a change you can make.