I Started My Period And Snapped A Reusable Menstrual Pad Onto My Underwear To Try It Out

Essentially, reusable pads are the same as disposable pads, except they're washable and can be used again (as the name suggests).

Like the period panties I tried, these pads are made of special fabric that is ultra-absorbent and moisture-wicking.

The pads I went with, Heart Felt Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads. These are made with a charcoal layer, which is "super absorbent, naturally neutralizes odors and is hypoallergenic," according to their description.

The pads are really easy to use — all you have to do is snap them onto your underwear.

While disposable pads often have sticky wings that you can attach to the underside of your panties, these reusable pads have a single snap that holds them in place.

And just like disposable pads, they fold up nicely before using them. However, these are significantly cuter and more nondescript than disposable pads.

If this floral pattern doesn't suit you, they come in a variety of other patterns as well. Don't worry about blood leaking through and staining the outside of the pads. The charcoal will absorb it.

Like some of the other menstrual products I've tested out, these pads are great for the environment and your wallet.

The brand writes, "Save hundreds of dollars by switching to reusable washable cloth menstrual pads. Within 2 months they will pay for themselves and you will no longer need to purchase disposable tampons or panty liners which will end up in a landfill after a single use."

Since discovering menstrual cups and period panties, I have definitely cut down on my waste by a lot, but that doesn't mean I don't still keep pads and tampons around for convenience.

Usually, I sleep with my menstrual cup in and a pad as backup. On particularly heavy period days I use pads throughout the day, as backup.

The first time I put the pad on, it was a little bulky, but surprisingly comfortable.

I'm not saying that disposable pads aren't comfortable, but they definitely aren't made of super-soft fleece like the reusable alternatives are.

And when it comes to having something pressed against your delicate lady parts, softer is always better.

That being said, when I walked or did anything active, it got pretty warm down there.

I was really impressed by how well the pads worked.

I won't lie, I was initially expecting it to feel like I just had a few layers of blood-soaked fabric in my underwear. Luckily, it didn't feel like that at all.

In fact, I barely felt any moistness.

The biggest issue I had with the reusable pads is the same issue I had with the period panties — they don't only absorb blood.

They also absorb sweat. This is a big challenge for anyone who tries to stay active, because as we all know, sweat doesn't exactly smell the best.

Unfortunately, after a good workout, I could tell that the pads were also holding some odor from my sweat. That said, once I took them off and washed them, it wasn't an issue anymore.

Washing the pads is actually really straightforward: You can wash them in the washing machine with your other clothes, then hang them to dry.

You can put them in the dryer for up to 15 minutes, but you shouldn't dry them fully in the machine.

I had absolutely no issues with washing my reusable pads. To be fair, I also used my menstrual cup on my heaviest days, so none of the pads were soaked with blood, but it definitely all came out without incident.

Would I use these pads again? Yeah, definitely! I probably won't use them in the summer, or when I'm working out, but otherwise I'll definitely use them. I see myself using them as my primary menstrual product while I'm sleeping.

Would I recommend these pads to a friend? Sure! If you're someone who uses disposable pads regularly, it's worth giving reusable pads a try. It could end up saving you a ton of money.

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