I'm just finishing up my first period using these pads. I ordered several different ones in different sizes/fabrics to find which one(s) I like the best. So this review is for all the pads I purchased, not just this one. My background: I've used Softcups/ (previously Instead brand) for the last 18+ years. It's been that long since I've used tampons because I hate them with a passion. I am 54 and will probably be going into menopause soon. My periods are heavy and last a long time. I've felt over the last couple of years that my body is rejecting the softcups. It has be just the right scenario that it stays in place (empty bowels, etc.), which only happens maybe 1/2 of one day of my 6-7 day period. So, I'm always wearing a medium pad for when the softcup fails which is several times a day on my heavy days. In the last year I've added period panties, which I also don't trust, but as another layer of safety just in case. Even with all this in place, I still get blow-outs first thing in the morning or in the afternoon where I'm washing out everything and starting over. It's a good thing I don't work full-time anymore, lol. So, I knew changing to these pads would be an adjustment, especially without the Softcup as my first line of defense.
First of all, I love how comfortable these pads are. I don't mind wearing them at all, even the XL sizes. The snaps are unobtrusive and easy to snap and unsnap when needed. They stay put and don't slide around. So far the pads are easy to rinse out immediately, then throw in my laundry. I'm at home most of the time, so this is easy for me. I washed my first load yesterday and there is no staining whatsoever on any of the fabrics. I didn't find any type of fabric to be any more comfortable than another, but I think my fav is the minky.
I do wish I had ordered more of the XL/Max Zorb for night-time and day-time heavy days. I could tell they absorbed more, so the leakage was less. I found the blood would soak in and go down around to the snaps and leak out there. The other thing I found was that when I gushed, the fabric didn't immediately absorb all the blood and the blood would just follow the path of least resistance. I took a nap the other day and the moment I stood up out of bed, I had a gush, so I rushed in the bathroom, but it was too late. I had to strip it all down and rinse out everything including the pink capris I was wearing. The pad I was wearing, I believe, was a Large/Regular.
I did try the petal things, they lasted only about 20 min or until the first gush. They were comfortable, but I think my gushes were no match for them.
I'm hoping to figure out the best way to use these successfully because I don't want to go back to the softcup as my go-to and these as my backup to the softcup. I think I just need to change them more often and realize that my gushing isn't normal and just deal with the fallout.
