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Do you have a heavy menstrual flow and want to switch to reusable cloth pads?
You’ve gone your whole life having to deal with figuring out how to get through that time of the month. You’ve tried different types of pads and period products, and you’re sick of it! Maybe you have a super heavy flow and disposable pads are just not cutting it, or you can’t use a cup or tampon. Or you can use these products, but you still need to wear a pad with them. Polycystic ovary syndrom or PCOS (which can result in a super light or heavy flow), fibroids, thyroid issues, pelvic trauma, and genetics can also lead to a heavy flow.
There must be an answer out there—and I’m happy to tell you, there is! Watch the video above to help you start your journey with resuable cloth pads for heavy menstrual flow!
Resuable Cloth Pads for Heavy Menstrual Flow
You’ve heard that reusable cloth pads absorb well, they’re naturally-made, they’re safer for you and the environment, and cost so much less money. But can a cloth pad hold all of your heavy flow? And how do you pick the right reusable cloth pad for you?
Below is a list of specific fabrics you need to look for when you choose your reusable menstrual pads. I’ve also shared a list below of the pads from my shop designed for all of us with super heavy flows.
Before we can get into the details of what to look for when picking out reusable cloth pads for heavy menstrual flow, you need to determine if your period is actually heavy. Think about your heaviest day while you’re on your period. For me it’s day two, I actually have to change my pad at least once an hour.
If you change your pad every one to two hours on your heaviest day, then your period is a heavy flow. If you change your pad on your heaviest day every four to six hours that is not a super heavy flow. This is a regular flow and any type of reusable pad will work well for you.
Fabrics for Reusable Pads
Fabrics play a huge factor in determining if a pad is going to be able to handle a super heavy flow. There are seven different fabrics that influence just how well a reusable cloth pad works.
Waterproof or PUL
The first fabric we’re going to go over is the back of the pad, which is the side that goes against your underwear. This needs to be a waterproof fabric and not cotton or anything that fluid can go right through. I do not recommend pads that have anti-pill fleece on the back for super heavy flows because they are more suited for regular flow days. This is the most important fabric on your pad.
Waterproof Zorb or PUL, a polyurethane laminate used in reusable diapers that keeps the outside shell dry, are two fabrics you will want to look for.
Flannel and Cotton
Let’s chat about the hidden layer of a cloth pad. Flannel or basic cotton are the most common fabrics inside a pad. To increase absorption, the hidden layer is made of two to six layers of flannel or basic cotton. These fabrics don’t absorb a lot so you want to stay away from pads that have a hidden layer of flannel or cotton during your heavy flow. However, these two fabrics are great for your regulars days!
Bamboo and Hemp
The hidden layers that you do want to look for are hemp, bamboo, or my ultimate and personal favorite, Zorb.
Bamboo can soak up a lot of fluid especially if you use the super heavy kind. It’s also a natural fiber and soft to the touch. Diapers use bamboo as their hidden layer and in their soaker system because as bamboo is prepped and washed over time, its absorption improves. Like bamboo, hemp is a natural fabric and absorbs really well.
Zorb
Zorb is an Ameican-made fabric that is completely free of chemicals such as phthalates, pfoas, pfos, lead, dioxins, heavy metals, and it’s hypoallergenic. It’s a super innovative fabric designed to capture and evenly distribute fluid. It is a blend of cotton, bamboo, and tencel interspered in polyester nylon.
Zorb can soak up ten times its own weight under two seconds and is specifically designed for diapers and reusable pads. It can also absorb up to 20 times faster than bamboo and hemp. Two layers of Zorb can replace up to eight layers of flannel, six layers of french terry, and five layers of fleece.
SILVADUR
Our reusable pads are made with SILVADUR, which infuses silver ions into the fabric, and it is both tested and proven to be safe for the skin. They’re also an antimicrobial ion that inhibits bacteria, fungi, and algae growth which helps control bad odors!
Minky
The last piece of fabric that you need to consider when purchasing reusable pads for a super heavy flow is minky. Minky is not a very absorbent fabric, but it is the perfect top layer because it helps spread fluid through the fabric and down the pad.
Gusher Pads for Heavy Periods
Gusher pads are larger pads designed with several layers from the back to the front. There are slits that go across the front and all the way down the pad. Inside those slits are even more layers that capture blood clots and spread your flow throughout the different layers.
They are awesome, I will give you that! However, they are very expensive—kind of like the “top dog” of reusable cloth pads for heavy menstrual flow. They take a lot of time and fabric to create, making them very expensive to produce and purchase.
I personally don’t provide these in my shop, but there are so many makers out there who sell them. I recommend having at least one of them in your stash just to see how you like it!
Menstrual Blood Clots
Let’s talk about blood clots. What happens to blood clots when you’re wearing a reusable pad? Gusher pads are good at capturing them, but nothing special is going to happen with any other pad. You’ll have to dispose of them in the toilet or wipe them off with toilet paper.
Your pad won’t magically absorb your blood clots. It’s the same as disposable pads, they just sit on top and you get rid of them in the trash.
How Much Do We Actually Bleed?
Even if you think you have a Niagara Falls period, we actually don’t bleed that much. On average, people menstruate approximately 70 to 80 milliliters of fluid, which is equal to a double shot of espresso. That’s it!
If you do have super heavy bleeding like me, you can lose between 80 to 200 milliliters of blood per period—some people can lose even more than that.
If you’re only bleeding a double shot of espresso, there’s no way one pad needs to hold a lot, right? Every single pad in our shop can hold about half a cup of fluid, which is a lot! Normally, you won’t even bleed that amount in one day.
The fabrics that I’ve chosen for the pads in our store are American-made and the highest quality fabrics designed for menstrual products.
Most of the pads in my shop are super absorbent, all the way from the extra small to the 18-inch. All of our pads have the same three layers. We do not have pads with more than three layers because it’s not needed.
The fabrics that we use on the inside can hold up to the maximum capacity of what is needed. They can also hold the minimum amount so there’s no reason to continue adding layers and make it feel like you’re wearing a diaper. Our pads are trim, comfortable, and can hold the maximum absorbency, all with just one layer!
Reusable Cloth Pads for Heavy Menstural Flow From My Shop
Interlabial Reusable Cloth Pads
The first product for heavy flows we’re going to talk about is what we call ILPS, which stands for interlabial pads.
We have three different kinds: overnight, cotton, and supers. The overnight and supers are both made with Zobra and the cotton is made with cotton velour.
The way that these work is going to blow your mind! They are light, little pads that you tuck between your labia. You can use these for your super light or heavy period or anywhere in between like discharge or light urinary incontinence. Here is a video explaining how they work.
Super Pads
Our second most popular reusable cloth pad for heavy menstrual flow is the “super” or super pad. The back is made with our waterproof Zorb that gives you a layer where nothing can leak out, plus a super thick layer of the absorbent Zorb on top of that. Talk about amazing protection!
Our original hidden Zorb layer is on the inside of our super. Between just the back and inside layers, you’ll have eight tablespoons of absorption.
On top of the inside layer is our 3D Stay Dry Dimples absorbent fabric that has very fast retention, which helps spread your blood evenly down the fabric. This fabric is made of Zorb with SILVADUR, making it the most absorbent piece.
Then you have our thick original Zorb that soaks up everything else that got past the previous layer. Next is another layer of Zorb that stops it even further; this side is completely waterproof, measures 13-inches, and is extremely comfortable.
Supers come in earth tone colors and are Stay Dry, so they keep your skin dry by wicking moisture away.
Overnight Reusable Pads
The overnight pad tops them all! This pad comes in two sizes: regular (14 inches) and XLXW (18 inches). You can order these in our regular/single style or our double stuffed style. The double stuffed has two layers of the hidden Zorb instead of one.
The overnight pads are thicker and a bit stiffer, but they hold twice as much fluid as the regulars. However, the regular holds a lot. They use our overnight 3D Dimple Zorb fabric and are very similar to the super pads. The hidden layer is our super soft antimicrobial SILVADUR Zorb with the same backing. The main difference between the regular and the overnight is the shape (the overnights have a much wider top and bottom).
Cotton Velour for Heavy Flow Pads
Cotton velour is a very soft fabric, similar to minky. It is 80% cotton on top and 20% polyester on the back. Our cotton velour pads are an excellent alternative if you need something beyond the Zorb level and something much softer. They are available in colorful sets of three or five.
Benefits of Switching to Reusable Cloth Pads When You Have a Heavy Menstrual Flow
Reusable cloth pads for heavy menstrual flow actually lighten your period. Your body adjusts to having natural fibers against your skin, and your flow will never return to the way it was when using disposable products! With reusables, you’ve removed all of the plastics, microplastics, and chemicals from touching your skin. Your body used to absorb these plastics and chemicals in it’s cavity and sweat glands.
With reusables, your skin is touching safe fabrics that can help tremendously with cramping and reducing your super heavy flow.
How Do I Wash a Reusable Cloth Pad Full of Blood?
What do you do with all the blood? Click here to watch a video that shows you how to wash reusable pads.
A great tip is to just rinse your pad off in the shower. Once you’ve completely rinsed it, you can store it in your menstrual bag. If you don’t have time to get in the shower, use cold water in the sink to rinse it out. When your period is over, wash all of your pads in the washing machine.
Read about washing reusable cloth menstrual pads!
Period Panties During Your Heavy Flow
One last very important thing: wear your reusable pads with period panties. When I know I’m going to be sleeping and I don’t want to get up in the middle of the night, I wear period panties to make myself feel a little bit more secure.
You may also have days during your period when your flow is light and you don’t need a pad, cup or tampon. On these days, you can wear your period panties because they have a waterproof lining that leaves you completely protected!
Here are some of my favorite period panties: https://a.co/9H5vXlV
