Cloth pads = lighter period, but how? Am I pregnant?

[Katy]

Okay I saw the threads here before about cloth pads.  I bought one once maybe 10 years ago, it was super expensive and shrunk in the wash.  Then recently a YouTube channel I follow did a video on Chinese Cheapie pads ordered from Amazon.  I decided to risk it. I used them last month. My first period seemed normal, flow wise, if a day longer than normal, and without the flooding I typically get on the second day.

 

This month has been five days of VERY light flow/what I used to consider spotting.  Is there this dramatic a difference for other people?  Am I just late?  Do I need to go get a pregnancy test?  I have no other symptoms, and we were so overwhelmed with sick kids and stuff to do this past month, I think pregnancy is nearly impossible.

 

And if there IS this dramatic a difference for everyone, how is that possible?  And why?

 

One other thing that might be a factor:  I've been much better at taking Iron supplements during my period for the past 3 months. Still, no difference until now, and I don't take them all month long.

[Tanaqui]

Many people report this effect, though I certainly don't understand the mechanism behind it. Still, it's not unusual to have a lighter period when using cloth pads.

[maize]

Disposable pads are full of a variety of chemicals from the manufacturing process; anecdotally I hear that some women are sensitive to them and this causes heavier and/or more painful periods.

 

No experience myself, I've never tried cloth to compare.

[prairiewindmomma]

My periods became much, much lighter when I moved to all organics materials.  Enjoy!

[redsquirrel]

how could switching to a cloth pad change your period?  I've used both cloth and disposable pads and the Keeper and I've never noticed a correlation in change of flow.  Your menstrual blood builds up during the preceding month and is shed. How does what you are using at the moment you shed the lining change that?

 

Does using cloth diapers, instead of disposable, make your baby pee or poop less often? Conversely, do disposable diapers cause more peeing and pooping? 

 

Does switching from paper kleenex to a cloth handkerchief cause your nose to run less when you have a cold?

 

Does using a cloth napkin cause fewer crumbs and spills when eating?

 

I am open to the possibility, but I'm going to need to know by what mechanism it happens, beyond 'chemicals'.  Or, is it possible that our periods change from month to month and sometimes we have a light one and sometimes we have a heavy one?  Or is it possible that your period looks different on a cloth pad than a disposable one. When switching to the keeper from pads or disposable tampons a lot of women say that they never realized that their periods weren't as heavy as they thought. When you are literally catching the blood and dumping it in the toilet you see that what looks like a huge amount on a pad isn't that big a deal.  OTOH, when you have a heavy period with a cup you really know it, lol. But you do become very familiar with the ebb and flow of things, so to speak.

 

[73349]

I would think a bit more about how much variation is normal for you over the course of a few years. It may well be a coincidence. I have used both disposable and cloth, and the differences don't seem to be related to the products I'm using.

 

I do see significant variations over time, and the only correlations seem to be with small changes in my weight (within a 6-lb. range).

Edited April 25, 2017 by whitehawk

[maize]

how could switching to a cloth pad change your period? I've used both cloth and disposable pads and the Keeper and I've never noticed a correlation in change of flow. Your menstrual blood builds up during the preceding month and is shed. How does what you are using at the moment you shed the lining change that?

 

Does using cloth diapers, instead of disposable, make your baby pee or poop less often? Conversely, do disposable diapers cause more peeing and pooping?

 

Does switching from paper kleenex to a cloth handkerchief cause your nose to run less when you have a cold?

 

Does using a cloth napkin cause fewer crumbs and spills when eating?

 

I am open to the possibility, but I'm going to need to know by what mechanism it happens, beyond 'chemicals'. Or, is it possible that our periods change from month to month and sometimes we have a light one and sometimes we have a heavy one? Or is it possible that your period looks different on a cloth pad than a disposable one. When switching to the keeper from pads or disposable tampons a lot of women say that they never realized that their periods weren't as heavy as they thought. When you are literally catching the blood and dumping it in the toilet you see that what looks like a huge amount on a pad isn't that big a deal. OTOH, when you have a heavy period with a cup you really know it, lol. But you do become very familiar with the ebb and flow of things, so to speak.

I don't think rigorous research has been done at this point, but it seems possible to me that chemical outgassing from the pads could irritate the lining of the uterus in such a way that bleeding was heavier or lasted longer and tissues take longer to heal.

 

There is some ongoing research on the way chemicals in various hygiene products and lubricants impact the female reproductive tract. These are very sensitive and absorbent tissues.

 

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/122-a70/

[Katy]

how could switching to a cloth pad change your period?  I've used both cloth and disposable pads and the Keeper and I've never noticed a correlation in change of flow.  Your menstrual blood builds up during the preceding month and is shed. How does what you are using at the moment you shed the lining change that?

 

Does using cloth diapers, instead of disposable, make your baby pee or poop less often? Conversely, do disposable diapers cause more peeing and pooping? 

 

Does switching from paper kleenex to a cloth handkerchief cause your nose to run less when you have a cold?

 

Does using a cloth napkin cause fewer crumbs and spills when eating?

 

I am open to the possibility, but I'm going to need to know by what mechanism it happens, beyond 'chemicals'.  Or, is it possible that our periods change from month to month and sometimes we have a light one and sometimes we have a heavy one?  Or is it possible that your period looks different on a cloth pad than a disposable one. When switching to the keeper from pads or disposable tampons a lot of women say that they never realized that their periods weren't as heavy as they thought. When you are literally catching the blood and dumping it in the toilet you see that what looks like a huge amount on a pad isn't that big a deal.  OTOH, when you have a heavy period with a cup you really know it, lol. But you do become very familiar with the ebb and flow of things, so to speak.

 

Well, one thought is that for women with very heavy flow, most of their period ISN'T uterine lining, but a reaction to a prostglandin buildup that causes localized inflammation and bleeding beyond a typical period.  The prostglandins prevent clotting, causing a period to last much longer. Other factors in the blood that prevent clotting (low iron) can also cause heavy bleeding, which is why when you get ultra-heavy bleeding, bordering on hemorrhage, a woman will often need a blood transfusion and heavy iron supplements to stop the bleeding weeks after all uterine lining remnants are gone.

 

I don't have that heavy of a period typically - day two maybe, but that's it.  On day two there's no point in using a menstrual cup or in leaving the house really, I spend all day long bleeding at a level that is just slow enough to not go to the emergency room.  Overflow a mentrual cup in 20 minutes, an Ultra tampon and overnight pad in two hours heavy bleeding. And I used to be a nurse on a gynecology floor, so I know what hemorrhaging looks like.  Some women have that kind of flow for half the month and have disabling medical problems as a result of losing that much blood.  Those were the types of women that would end up in my care, mostly getting transfusions, ablation, or hysterectomy.

 

I've had a mentrual cup for more than 10 years, so I'm also well aware of exactly how much I bleed. I've always paired it with a disposable pad or liner before.  But at the moment there is no point in the cup. Most of the time on the toilet paper I have plenty of clear pink-tinged discharge with a drop or two of blood mixed in.  The way I typically do the day before my period.  For a few hours here or there I had enough of a light bleed that I could see anything on the cloth pads, but this isn't remotely what it looked like last month when I washed them out.  It's more like what I typically get on the first or last day of my period, not the whole 5 days.  And I am on day 5 now.

 

I'm simply shocked that a disposable pad or tampon can make this much difference in hormones, because at this point that's the only thing I can guess at that changed.

[zoobie]

I think it has more to do with the way a cloth pad absorbs vs a paper pad. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Mine have been ridiculously lighter lately.  I haven't changed anything. 

 

So my theory is it's a coincidence. 

 

 

[redsquirrel]

I don't think rigorous research has been done at this point, but it seems possible to me that chemical outgassing from the pads could irritate the lining of the uterus in such a way that bleeding was heavier or lasted longer and tissues take longer to heal.

 

There is some ongoing research on the way chemicals in various hygiene products and lubricants impact the female reproductive tract. These are very sensitive and absorbent tissues.

 

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/122-a70/

 

Not really seeing anything there that convinces me that there is a known mechanism that is going to cause a difference in flow. And it seems to be referring to research from 1992 and was published in 2014?    Mostly it says don't douche, don't use tampons because of TSS and fragrances with parabens are bad for the vagina. And it says that there is the possibility of absorption of some chemicals, but that it has never been studied and doesn't say that there is an indication that absorption would cause a change in flow.

 

I've read that chemicals like dioxin build up in our bodies so something like changing your tampon might stop one avenue of exposure, but it wouldn't remove what is already there. So that seems like it wouldn't cause a change in menstrual flow.

 

Much more likely that we see changes in our menstrual flow because it changes naturally.

 

It just reminds me of my college roommate telling me that she was taught not to drink a lot of water when she had her period because that would make her period lighter. Again, considering that the lining of the uterus builds up over a period of weeks before it is shed, I'm not sure how mildly dehydrating yourself is going to have much of an effect on that.  But she was the same girl who absolutely believed that dying your hair made it grow in darker so....

[IfIOnly]

I have VVS and was just reading about someone who put their VVS into remission by switching to all natural products including laundry soap. This after try all kinds of other treatments and therapies. I have chemical sensitivities and totally react less or not at all to more natural products. I'm going to try switching, and although I already use no SLS shower products, there is room for improvement. I do use organic or at least chlorine and fragrance free hygiene products.

 

http://www.experienceproject.com/stories/Have-Vulvar-Vestibulitis-Syndrome/1324024

[prairiewindmomma]

Katy--if all you're seeing is pink tinged mucus, then yes, I probably would test for pregnancy.  My flow went from near-hemmorhage (they were treating me for anemia) to light/manageable. I still see the same amount of "debris", but overall flow is less. My tissues were being very irritated by non-organic materials. I made the switch on the recommendation of my ob-gyn.   The other thing I've noticed, as I'm pushing into peri-menopause, is that I have several days of spotting before AF fully arrives.  

[Excelsior! Academy]

I know my flow is much less and shorter since I've started using a menstrual cup.  The first couple of months it was the same and the third month it lightened and shortened.  It has been fairly consistent ever since.  Science or not, my flow changed.

[zoobie]

It's worth a dollar store test. I had what seemed like a regular cycle with my last baby. 

[Katy]

Okay, I just dug out and took an old Wondfo test.  It expired 6 months ago, but is clearly negative. I'm under the impression they are actually good for at least 12 months after expiration.

 

I suppose I might have been so stressed earlier in the month I didn't ovulate, and that has led to general wonkiness.  I don't think so, because I remember having ovulation pain on my right side at about the right time, but you never know.

 

 

 

[SquirrellyMama]

My flow did not lighten with the use of cloth pads :(

[wintermom]

And you think cheap Chinese anything isn't laced with any cheap chemicals available? I'd be more scared about putting those next to my private parts. 

[Guest]

And you think cheap Chinese anything isn't laced with any cheap chemicals available? I'd be more scared about putting those next to my private parts.

What's a Chinese anything?

[Lang Syne Boardie]

And you think cheap Chinese anything isn't laced with any cheap chemicals available? I'd be more scared about putting those next to my private parts. 

 

What are you talking about?

[IfIOnly]

Probably referring to the cloth pads from China mentioned in OP

[Lang Syne Boardie]

Probably referring to the cloth pads from China mentioned in OP

 

Thank you, I totally missed that.

[rebbyribs]

Are you breastfeeding?  I've had cycle wonkiness during weaning / nursing strikes and when toddlers that weren't nursing much suddenly started to nurse a whole lot more (often when sick).

[mamaofgirls]

Probably referring to the cloth pads from China mentioned in OP

 

I agree - I would not purchase China made cloth pads.

 

I do not even like the bamboo/cotton velour pads (like Luna Pads). I use cotton, flannel style - with cotton terry inner. I LOVE them. Honestly, I get excited for my period :D I can not even feel the pads when I wear them - they are super thin, my periods are light and I have no cramping. With disposable pads I would get so much irritation down there it would take a week to recover (my skin!)... not sure if the bleeding is more/less but if the chemicals and plastics cause so much irritation to my skin I can see how they would affect hormones. Oh - and I tried the 'natural' cotton topped disposable pads, those also irritated my skin!!

[kentuckymom]

I have no scientific explanation for it, but I used to get debilitating cramps during my period, and I have only occasional light cramping since switching to cloth pads. However, I also switched to cloth pads after my son was born, so it's possible that pregnancy and childbirth were what changed my cycle. I've used disposable pads a handful of times since due to being a trip during my period and it seems to last slightly longer than when I'm home and be slightly more crampy, but not like before my son was born.

[mamashark]

Disposable pads are full of a variety of chemicals from the manufacturing process; anecdotally I hear that some women are sensitive to them and this causes heavier and/or more painful periods.

 

No experience myself, I've never tried cloth to compare.

 

I switched to cloth pads because of painful cramping and heavy bleeding. The first month was significantly better. Instead of 7 days of painful cramping and heavy bleeding, I have 4 days of light bleeding and mild cramps. Will never go back to disposable again!

[rocassie]

My flow and duration did not change, but my skin irritation completely went away.  I would feel dry and itchy from day 3 through day 7, and then I would be very dry for about 3-5 days followings my period requiring lubrication if I wished to be intimate with DH.  The month I switched over to clothe pads and menstrual cups from tampons and pads made a world of difference in my comfort.

[nansk]

... and we were so overwhelmed with sick kids and stuff to do this past month...

Stress can affect our cycles, too. Even positive stress, like starting an exercise programme or losing a bit of weight.

[wintermom]

What's a Chinese anything?

 

Yes, I was referring to the "Chinese Cheapie pads" from the OP. 

 

There are a lot of products manufactured in China that are recalled due to the low quality of their contents. The manufacturers in China have much different rules about what's safe and what's not, and the goal is to make the cheapest possible product for the most profit. And still, those that do make it through the North American government health regulations are still pretty questionable. Take a look at the list of ingredients in foods imported from China. It's pretty scary. 

Edited April 26, 2017 by wintermom

[Katy]

Yes, I was referring to the "Chinese Cheapie pads" from the OP. 

 

There are a lot of products manufactured in China that are recalled due to the low quality of their contents. The manufacturers in China have much different rules about what's safe and what's not, and the goal is to make the cheapest possible product for the most profit. And still, those that do make it through the North American government health regulations are still pretty questionable. Take a look at the list of ingredients in foods imported from China. It's pretty scary. 

 

Sure, but garments are not generally one of them.  It's clearly PUL and bamboo fleece, and they're absorbent and wash out well so I doubt they could be made of anything other than what they say.

 

[solascriptura]

I eagerly anticipated a shorter period using a cup, but nope. It didn't change at all.

[mamaofgirls]

Sure, but garments are not generally one of them.  It's clearly PUL and bamboo fleece, and they're absorbent and wash out well so I doubt they could be made of anything other than what they say.

 

First, I am a huge fan of cloth pads :) Love them!! But... one thing to remember about the pads you purchased is that they have microfiber layer inside them, that is what is drawing in the moisture (blood) and it is topped with bamboo fleece to make it more of a 'stay dry' affect. Microfiber is not natural at all - it is plastic! We can all agree that plastic is not healthy. Secondly, bamboo fleece is SO processed - I would hardly call it natural (and I think it is illegal to do so in the US?).

 

Here is a link regarding Bamboo fleece: http://www.ecobabysteps.com/2013/06/25/whats-the-deal-with-charcoal-bamboo/

 

Have you looked into cotton pads? I think they feel better, more like my underwear (which is cotton! lol) and best of all they are much easier to clean. Cleaning 'plastic' oh - I mean microfiber and fleece is never easy! I am a huge cotton fan.... cotton sheets, cotton pj's, socks, ect... Our skin is one of the most absorbent organs in our body so we should be careful what we put on it.

[Katy]

First, I am a huge fan of cloth pads :) Love them!! But... one thing to remember about the pads you purchased is that they have microfiber layer inside them, that is what is drawing in the moisture (blood) and it is topped with bamboo fleece to make it more of a 'stay dry' affect. Microfiber is not natural at all - it is plastic! We can all agree that plastic is not healthy. Secondly, bamboo fleece is SO processed - I would hardly call it natural (and I think it is illegal to do so in the US?).

 

Here is a link regarding Bamboo fleece: http://www.ecobabysteps.com/2013/06/25/whats-the-deal-with-charcoal-bamboo/

 

Have you looked into cotton pads? I think they feel better, more like my underwear (which is cotton! lol) and best of all they are much easier to clean. Cleaning 'plastic' oh - I mean microfiber and fleece is never easy! I am a huge cotton fan.... cotton sheets, cotton pj's, socks, ect... Our skin is one of the most absorbent organs in our body so we should be careful what we put on it.

 

Yes, I tried one.  It was ridiculously expensive and shrunk in the wash to the point that it was smaller than a pantiliner.  I sometimes use microfiber soakers in cloth diapers, so I don't have a problem with it at all, and it's not drying as long as it's not touching your skin.  It's just absorbent.

[mamaofgirls]

Yes, I tried one.  It was ridiculously expensive and shrunk in the wash to the point that it was smaller than a pantiliner.  I sometimes use microfiber soakers in cloth diapers, so I don't have a problem with it at all, and it's not drying as long as it's not touching your skin.  It's just absorbent.

 

Do you have trouble cleaning your microfiber inserts for diapers? They seem fine for the breastfeed stage but once my little ones are on solids they never come clean... ew!

 

These cotton pads are the same price as the china cheapies and since I line dry they have not shrunk. Be careful drying in the dryer - if can affect the PUL.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/241752364/set6-reusable-menstrual-pads-navy?ref=shop_home_active_23

[Katy]

Do you have trouble cleaning your microfiber inserts for diapers? They seem fine for the breastfeed stage but once my little ones are on solids they never come clean... ew!

 

These cotton pads are the same price as the china cheapies and since I line dry they have not shrunk. Be careful drying in the dryer - if can affect the PUL.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/241752364/set6-reusable-menstrual-pads-navy?ref=shop_home_active_23

 

No, but I got them from some online maker who basically sews some strips together at one side, so the layers flex apart in the wash. I can't remember her name or I'd send you a link. And I use a micro fleece liner to wick the moisture away, and that seems to stop staining.  Also, I put the liners, pad-fold flats and soakers in on the sanitize cycle (3 hours long), and only put the covers in the regular short cycle.  If something gets really gross and the stains don't come out in the wash, so far putting them in the sun for a few hours has gotten everything out.

 

And I figure you treat the pads like diaper covers - maybe use a dryer a few times a year if you get leaks around the seams to reseal the PUL a little, but otherwise line dry.  Even the white heavy flow pads (that I used last month only) rinsed clean in the bathroom sink before laundering though.

[jemsmom]

Truth, I would test. 

 

I don't think there's much to the idea that cloth pads lessen a period.  I mean, women have been having periods since before homo sapiens existed.  Disposable pads haven't been around THAT long and if we are saying that cloth pads lesson flow, then what we are actually saying is that disposable pads caused flow to increase, and yet women loved them so much they edged cloth out of the market. 

 

Also though...that whole "free bleeding" thing that I have seen a few articles about....not a one has touted "lighter period" as a benefit.  Which makes me suspect that "lighter period" is really just a marketing thing dreamed up by some mama cloth sellers.

 

OP, I would test, and if it's negative, I would chalk it up to a wonky period.  I am pretty regular still, but every so often, I get a wonky period.  Once I had a 42 day cycle for no reason (with MULTIPLE tests, including a doc office blood test that the office was convinced was going to be positive and ended up being a flat zero).

It doesn't happen for everyone that cloth pads lessen the flow and/or duration, but it does happen for some (it's not an idea "dreamed up" by people selling cloth pads).  I switched from tampons to a cup 16 years ago and my period dropped to 3 to 4 days.  My entire menstruating life up till that point, they had lasted *at least* 5 days, up to 7 full days. There was not a lot of corroboration on the internet back in those days for what I experienced, and I remember thinking, well maybe the suction of the cup is pulling the blood out faster, :). 

 

But you're right, it's not that cloth lessens, it's that disposables (with their host of plastics, synthetic fibers, gels, dyes, adhesives and perfumes) increase the amount of bleeding for some women.  I don't think the disposables of today bear much resemblance to the products that convinced our grandmothers (who couldn't do laundry with the touch of a button) to ditch their rags.

[Farrar]

This is sort of fascinating. I wonder how you could even just prove that the phenomenon is happening. Presumably you could enlist a large enough group to participate in a study (free products!) but measuring flow within that seems like it might be difficult. Like, even knowing how much has been absorbed in each seems like it might be difficult to measure.

[Farrar]

I am sure that pad companies have tests already designed that could be modified for this sort of thing.  I am sure these companies do ALL kinds of research before a product gets to the market, because they certainly don't want to lose money or be subject to some sort of recall.  I know that when parents are trying to measure "output" when their baby is nursing and they want to be sure that baby is getting enough, they will often weigh the diaper dry, then weigh it again after the baby pees.  I would think something similar could be used.

 

I also feel like it's important to point out, since cups were mentioned, that although most cups are silicone, some are made of plastic or latex, and some also contain dyes and such. 

 

But without any sort of actual study, I stand by my opinion. :-)

 

I guess I'm thinking that the things put in to absorb and measure would likely need to be different or would contain "chemicals" that could contaminate the results of the study.

 

Someone said above about being like obviously untrue advice... but it seems like there's enough anecdotal data to support having an actual study, which says to me that it could be true. Or it could be all in people's heads. But it's more worth finding out... I just think it's probably not as straightforward as all that to find out. I like the idea of weighing the products though. Evaporation is probably a bigger issue than with the diapers though. And while the tampon and pad industry has the cash to do it... the cloth pad "industry" that could benefit is a bunch of Etsy sellers and some overseas places trying to cash in on a trend with cheap products. It's not the same when you don't have the P&G labs working for you.

[Katy]

I agree a study should be done.  When I started using a menstrual cup I did get a shorter period too.  I figured it was due to suction also, but then it doesn't shorten my cycle at all if I use a tampon on heavy days instead (which I did, when I could find ultra-flow size tampons, which for some reason are frequently sold out).  So that's interesting.  I also notice huge period differences when I change the amount of fat or histamines I eat.  And my 23andme raw test results revealed I have a genetic problem breaking down excess estrogen, so my guess is that sooner or later scientists will link genetic results to hormone sensitivity and give health advice that's genome-specific.  We might be 50 years away from that though.

[Katy]

I also wonder how pads and tampons that are supposed to be made of organic/natural cotton etc would hold up with this sort of thing.

 

I imagine they will seem worse but not actually be worse.  I tried organic, unbleached tampons once and they were worthless.  It was only later I found out that bleaching the cotton strips the oils out of it, and those oils block absorption.  Which is why you need to wash unbleached diapers a dozen more times than regular ones for them to work well.

[mamaofgirls]

I also wonder how pads and tampons that are supposed to be made of organic/natural cotton etc would hold up with this sort of thing.

 

I also tried the natural/organic pads - they did not change how my skin felt. There was no breathing room down there. Sure the top might have unbleached cotton but the bottom was still plastic. ouch :(

[mamaofgirls]

I also wonder how pads and tampons that are supposed to be made of organic/natural cotton etc would hold up with this sort of thing.

 

I also tried the natural/organic pads - they did not change how my skin felt. There was no breathing room down there. Sure the top might have unbleached cotton but the bottom was still plastic. ouch :(