I wish some of the products now available for periods were available when I was younger, as there are so many options for people now. I started out using sanitary pads and did for a long time until I started using tampons, as preferred for a while; less mess! However, there was a lot of chat on social media about reusable options, including reusable sanitary pads . At first I wasn’t keen. I have friends who use mooncups and considering I’ve never had any issues with tampons and hate the applicators, I still didn’t fancy a mooncup. However, I did start using period pants a while back and have written about my experiences. I find them much more comfy and easier but on my heaviest days, have to change them a lot or tend to leak. I have had to change my jeans about three times in the past!!
I’m definitely looking into reusable options for when my girls start their periods and my eldest is pretty clued up on what is available now and has already said she’d like to use something like period pants.
Trade to Aid
I know I don’t know how lucky I am when it comes to period poverty. I was educated about periods by my Mum when I was 8 years old and I knew what was coming. I took a little pack of spare pants to school and a pad for when that day came. It didn’t for 7 years after that conversation (!) but I had supplies to help me cope with my period.
For me making periods a normal part of life for my children is something I’m very keen on. I’ve never hidden it, never hidden blood and I want them to be a nonchalant about starting; nothing to be worried or embarrassed about.
However for many this is not the case with period poverty being a real issue, affecting over 500 million women world-wide. It keeps girls out of school and the workplace. Trade to Aid want to end period poverty and provide women and girls in refugee camps with sanitary products to support them on their periods.
For every pack of pads you buy from Trade To Aid, they give a free pack to someone in need in a refugee camp. They also support menstrual education programmes for young people in West Africa.
Their mission as taken from online:
- No child missing school because of their period.
- No woman missing work because of their period.
- No girls or women banished to separate huts or outhouses when on their period.
- Alleviating the taboo of periods and myths surrounding period products.
- Providing menstrual hygiene education.
- Providing education for men and women to better understand what periods are and why they happen.
- Facilitating easy, low-cost access to sustainable period products.
Trade to Aid – Reusable Sanitary Pads
I was kindly sent one of the Trade to Aid Reusable Sanitary Pad packs. This retails at £29.97 and as mentioned, for every pack bought, one is donated to someone in a refugee camp. Some of the benefits of using these pads include saving money, less plastic, sustainable and ethical and allow someone else to have a better period. They are comfy, secure and made if recycled materials.
The pack includes:
- Two light flow pads
- Two medium flow pads
- Two heavy flow pads
- One waterproof wet bag
The link here gives some very thorough details on how many pads you may need, how to wash and store them. Also some FAQs.
Using Reusable Sanitary Pads
I was very keen to try these pads, in addition to using period pants. They will help with leaking and be better on my heavier flow days. The packs are perfect to help you throughout your period and you can pick on your days which one to wear.
The soft material is much more comfortable than the plastic I would have against myself, if using normal sanitary pads, which can irritate and be itchy sometimes. Comfort is very important for your period.
You are likely to need to buy more than one box, depending on how much washing you do and what other products you use for your period. However, it is an investment and each box you buy, of course one is donated to a refugee.
They look very easy to attach and store after use. I would usually rinse and then put in the storage bag for washing. Like period pants, you shouldn’t put in the tumble dryer and should be allowed to air dry.
I am so impressed with this initiative from Trade to Aid. Buying a product for your period that is reusable, ethical, comfortable and provides another person with products to help them on their period. Period Poverty should be a thing of the past and Trade to Aid are working towards that goal.
Would you like to Win a Trade to Aid – box of Reusable Sanitary Pads?
We have three to giveaway.
Please enter via Rafflecopter below.
All terms and conditions can be found here.
Disclosure – we were provided with this product in exchange for an honest post and review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.