Cloth pads and length of AF?

[Indadhanu]

I'm looking at the Wemoon website and in the Q & A section, it says some people say that AF is shorter when using cloth pads...?

Has anyone actually had that experience? I have 7 day flow, 5 of them are HEAVY. So I'm trying not to get excited over something that seems very far-fetched, but the more I google the more I read of people who say this has happened so...? Have you experienced this?

I've also heard the rumour (urban legend? lol) that disposables have some chemical or something in them that makes you bleed longer. That seems like a tall story, but is there any truth to it?

[Kitt3n]

wow havent heard of that one but i wouldnt be surprised......

good excuse to give them a go i guess?!

[alioops]

The heaviness of my Lochia decreased instantly when I stopped using disposables. I am emptying my cup twice a day and it isn't even quarter full. I am only spotting now. I only started using the cup after DTD didn't hurt. I did get a rash from disposable pads so if the chemicals in them can cause rashes it wouldn't surprise me if they had something that irritates enough to extend AF.

[Indadhanu]

I get a disgusting rash using disposables. I've made two pads, they look ... well they look good to me LOL and gonna make some more when I can be bothered. Now that AF has returned after a couple of months MIA I'm going to try cloth. Have tried to convert Shel, we'll see how she goes when she gets AF lol. Lucky for her she isn't too heavy, but mine are terrible. I go through a pack of disposables and a pack of tampons in a week (probably TMI sorry lol)!

[~Raven~]

Leasha I have heard this too around the traps. I haven't used cloth pads but am considering it for several reasons. If that's a "side effect" then I'm all for it

[Floweryfields]

I don't know why it would be that way - but I know I bleed over a shorter time if I use my mooncup over tampons. My theory on that is that the mooncup allows for 'freer' flow than a tampon does and it runs out faster. Don't know if that is true or not! Can see how pads would make any difference though as it's not blocking anything to start with.

[Muppity]

Girls - I just can't see how this could possibly be the case.

While there may be a slight difference between the length of AF if you were using cloth pads to if you were using a cup or tampons there would be no difference between a disposable and a cloth pad. It is a bit like saying that wearing tracksuit pants makes your AF shorter than when you are wearing jeans.

I say go for what is more comfortable but I just can't see how what you wear can have a biological effect on your body.

[chocolatecatty]

Google it. Wiki has a great amount of info on cups, including all the different brands and their sizing.

You'll find that yes, using either cloth pads or menstrual cups do shorten some (most?) women's bleeding, sometimes by up to two days.

Check out the nappycino cloth mama section - there will be a lot more women there who can speak from thier own experience.

Muppity - given that tampons are associated with TSS whereas cloth pads and menstrual cups are not, yes, what you do use on/for your body does have an impact. Also, tampons can 'dry you out' as they absorb all vaginal secretions, whereas menstrual cups only catch your period so they are a lot more comfortable (not to mention they remove all odours associated with periods, and they're soooo economical and environmentally friendly).

[squidipa]

leasha its funny you would say that i had just sent the ex an email saying something regarding tampons and whats in them

ill quote that bit here

"No wonder so many women in the world suffer from cervical cancer and womb tumors. Have you heard that tampon makers include asbestos in tampons? Why would they do this? Because asbestos makes you bleed more, if you bleed more, you're going to need to use more. Why this isn't against the law since asbestos is so dangerous? Because the powers that be, in all their wisdom (not), did not consider tampons as being ingested and, therefore, did not consider them illegal or dangerous"

i would be happy to send you the whole thing if you want?

UPDATE trillian has pointed out that this information is false

[Trillian]

Well what is the theory behind it making your af shorter by using it? I hardly see how using a cloth pad or mooncup can shorten a bleed, irrespective of what you use. I don't just want to take someones word for it or swallow the urban myth, I want a real reason why.

Squidipa, I suggest that you check out this link from snopes about that email you were sent http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/tampon.asp There is no asbestos in tampons.

[Macca79]

For the few months AF came after DS did and before this bub came I converted to cloth but my bleed length didn't really change. I just found it much more comfortable (I bought a few Rad Pads).

Just wondering leash what you made yours from? I have found a few sites that recommended this and that but prefer to hear what other womyn are actually using.

[Lockies-mumma]

I'm looking at the Wemoon website and in the Q & A section, it says some people say that AF is shorter when using cloth pads...?

Has anyone actually had that experience? I have 7 day flow, 5 of them are HEAVY. So I'm trying not to get excited over something that seems very far-fetched, but the more I google the more I read of people who say this has happened so...? Have you experienced this?

I've also heard the rumour (urban legend? lol) that disposables have some chemical or something in them that makes you bleed longer. That seems like a tall story, but is there any truth to it?

hey leasha.......
im new here to bb ive just bought a diva cup and am waiting for it to arrive it the post

now from what i have read in other forums and on the cup websites it seems ......
A cup can =a shorter af as apposed to using a tampon because apparently the tampon rubbing the cervix causes excess beeding ??? (this is what ive read)

but i dont see how a cloth pad would be any different to a sposie pad ??? (coz there is nothing inside kwim)

anyway....hope that wasnt too much babble ...hehehe

[*charmalea*]

also apparantley vegans bleed less because they dont eat dairy .

i have noticed a difference with the cloth pads .but it could just be coincidence , but usuing the cup has made it looked like ive bled less , but absobent things make it look like theres more blood than there actually is kwim ?

i made my own pads out of QC and terry towelling inner and double layer of fleece as the water proof .. no where near as nice as i can buy them for tho lol ..

but i love love love the cup esp coz i can use it over night with out a pad and feel free to move around .... the cup makes you for get you have AF lol !!!

[Indadhanu]

I've found cloth pads definitely make me feel like AF is lighter as I cant 'see' it on the pad, like you can SEE a disposable pad is full, but cloth I can tell its 'full' but because you can't really see the blood (the microfleece is GREAT for that) it feels a lot lighter than usual AF, although I'm fairly sure it isnt.

I am a dedicated convert!!! So glad I made the switch! Might be game enough to try a Diva cup eventually... not sure about that one yet...

[Visitor8]

I had a cramp free AF. I don't usually get BAD cramping, but I get small cramps the whole way through but nothing

And as normal it was 3 days so no change there

[Oorki Galoorki]

this thoery is similar to the one with breastpads.. those who dont use any or use cloth dont leak as much as the "crystals" in the pads(both breast and mentral) draws out the fluids..

i knew those who used cloth menstral pads usually have not as painful periods..

[maz]

BLAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

heheh

Ive used cloth since I had Vy....I havent looked back. Yes my period's have shortened over the years.....8 - 9 days was a normal flow for me....now im lucky to have 5 days. ALso I suffered terrible cramping and Period pains...nudda....I dont even know AF is here until I wipe

I to get rashes and chaffing from using disposables...and the thinner they are the more they seem to fold in the 'wrong' way . I use cloth pads with velour or bamboo velour on top, 2 layers of bamboo fleece and always with PUL and an outter cotton. I made my own post partam (maternity pads) and loved them, although they are all minkee topped and starting to look a bit shabby.

I ve got a pattern here somewere...when I find it leash I'll be more then happy to photocopy it for you and send it your way