Menstruate much? Then you’re no stranger to the plethora of period products on the market for folks with monthly menses. In 2020 alone, global sales for the period industry reached $21.6 billion. Whoa. That’s a lot of period pads, period panties, tampons, and menstrual cups being sold. And with so many options, how is one to choose the best product for their time of the month?
Enter Grove. We’re like that friend who can’t stop trying new products and is always ready with new rec’s for whatever your latest Google search happened to be. Period pads are no different! We’ve gathered up our fav natural period pads in a nice lil’ list so you can find what you’re looking for, then get back to watching The Great British Baking Show while eating copious amounts of Ben & Jerry’s on the couch (we’ve got other ideas for dealing with PMS if reality TV and ice cream aren’t your bag of chips, though).
This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.
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Hitting the hay during your period doesn’t have to be scary. Use these Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Maxi Pads with wings – Overnight to protect you (and your sheets) while your sleep. These overnight maxi pads are made with leak-proof protection for a moderate to heavy flow, and they feature a PureFit design to comfortably conform to your …
Get absolute absorbing protection and natural, biodegradable, and compostable ingredients with these Natracare Ultra Pads Regular with Wings 14ct. These regular pads with wings are made with 100% organic cotton, and they’re rayon-free, chlorine-free, USDA organic, and vegan. They offer a slim-style fit, so that they can fit on your underwear …
Your visit from Aunt Flo may not be your favorite part of the month, but Seventh Generation can help you make it more comfortable. These Seventh Generation Ultra Thin Pads with Wings are chlorine-free, fragrance-free, and deodorant-free. They use an innovative Purefit™ flexible protection that’s specifically designed to conform to your body and its …
Cue the superhero music, these Natracare Ultra Pads Super with Wings 12ct are ready to save the day. Stock up on these super pads with wings for medium to heavy flow days of your menstrual cycle and be prepared to tackle anything. They’re rayon-free, chlorine-free, biodegradable, compostable, and vegan — plus, they’re made with a certified organic …
Put your period in its place with Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Ultra Thin Pads with Wings - Super Long. These super-long, highly absorbent, ultra-thin Seventh Generation pads provide the protection you need — even overnight — without exposing your most sensitive areas to unnecessary chemicals. Made for moderate to heavy flow, the innovative …
When it comes to that time of the month, don’t settle for bulky, chemical-infused products. These Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Maxi Pads – Regular give you the protection you need without bringing unnecessary chemicals close to your most sensitive body parts. Plus, these 7th generation pads are dye- and fragrance-free, along with being Leaping …
Don’t compromise on comfort even at night. These Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Ultra Thin Pads with wings – Overnight are made with an innovative PureFit design that conforms to your unique body so you can sleep easy. These bleach-free pads also give you leak-free protection and feature a secure, no-slip adhesive for safety for all types of …
Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Pantyliners aren't like the rest of the bunch because unlike other traditional pantyliners, you won't have to worry about them bunching up. You can rest easy knowing these 7th Generation liners have you covered. They feature an innovative PureFit design and no-slip adhesive strip to keep them securely in place, so …
Period pads, also referred to as the much more stuffy-sounding “sanitary napkins” on pad dispensers in most school bathrooms, are rectangles of absorbent material with sticky stuff on the bottom that adheres to the inside of your skivvies. Some of them have “wings” on the sides that fold over the edges of your underwear to prevent any slippage throughout the day.
But how do they work? Pads collect the blood and tissue that come out of your vagina during your period. Generally, period pads are made for one-time use and contain cotton and non-biodegradable plastic. There are some pads available that are made from biodegradable bamboo and sugarcane, and others still that are made from fabric that can be washed and used multiple times. For more advice on how to use period pads and other menstrual products, check out this article from the period experts at Planned Parenthood.
Pads are super absorbent and suck up liquids within seconds, so going for a swim on your period with a pad tucked in your trunks isn’t the best idea. Don’t let your period stop you from swimming, though! If Elaine Howley can swim the English Channel on the heaviest day of her period, so can you (er — well, you get the idea).
If you’re gonna hit the pool on your period, consider wearing a menstrual cup (dive into our beginner’s guide on using menstrual cups for more info) or a tampon. Any period product that’s worn internally is going to be a-ok for swimming. For folks who really don’t want to stick anything up their vag, there are period swimsuits. You read that correctly — swimsuits made for swimming on your period, no tampon required. What a time to be alive!
Sleeping with a pad might lead to leaks, but the best way to ensure your sheets stay spot-free is to sleep on your side in the fetal position. This position relieves period cramps, releases abdominal pressure, and because your legs are pressed together, it can help prevent accidental stains from happening.
For a more comfortable nighttime option, there are always period panties. Period panties are kind of like underwear with a built-in pad — they’ve got super absorbent material in the crotch that soaks up your menses. Period panties have the added bonus of not shifting around whilst you slumber like a pad would, plus they’re super comfy and come in a bunch of different sizes and absorbency levels.
Is your interest piqued? Grove writer Mackenzie tried out period underwear for a week and reported back on the pros, cons, myths, and misconceptions about the 21st century’s latest innovation.
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