As every body is different, different pads suit different people.  So there is no hard and fast rule about which pads are the “best” or will work for everyone.

We generally don’t advise anyone runs out and buys a full stash of pads from the one seller straight away, because its hard to know what is going to suit you looking at pictures and descriptions of pads. We recommend buying 1 or 2 of a style or size to try out and if you like them go back for more. You may find you need or want different pads for different stages in your period.

Some people need longer pads to catch the “channelling effect” (where you leak out the front and/or back), some prefer just a wider back, some just need a small pad. So try to think of what you disliked about disposables (if you are switching to cloth from disposables), what would be nice to have in cloth, and what needs you may have for your body shape/size.

Also think about how your menstrual flow goes.  If you have a lighter flow that spreads out over the top of the pad more, then you may find light to regular pads work for you, and you may not need any waterproofing or leak resistant fabrics.  If you find your flow is heavier or “gushes” then you may find a pad would soak through quickly, and a pad with waterproofing may offer more protection.  If you bleed towards the front of the pad, then you may need a pad with a longer front section or a longer pad overall.  If you bleed towards the back then you may need a pad with a wider flared section at the back.

If you want something for discharge, after intercourse/pelvic exams, light spotting or “just in case”, then a pantyliner might be appropriate. These are smaller pads with a lighter absorbency, so shouldn’t feel too bulky when you don’t need a lot of absorbency. If your flow is “light”, you may be able to wear pantyliners, or you may want to go for light to regular absorbency pad.

For a heavier flow, you’ll need to either change regularly, or look for pads with a higher absorbency and/or waterproofing. Night pads are designed for longer length to help catch “Channelling” as well as providing more absorbency for the longer time they are worn for.  Many people use night pads during the day as well, for that extra coverage and absorbency.  Night pads can also be useful for Post Partum bleeding and urinary incontinence.

To find the right length of pad for you, check the measurements with a ruler or tape measure to see exactly how that size looks. Perhaps even measuring it against pads you already have. Don’t forget to measure the crotch of your underpants to check the width of the pad against those too.  A pad that is too narrow for the style of underpants you wear, can pull the crotch in (“bunch”) too much, which you may not like, and a pad that is too wide for your underpants may not snap securely around the crotch and can slide around.   The pads should snap around the crotch tightly to make sure they don’t slide around, and the overall width of the pad shouldn’t feel too bulky when you are wearing it.  Some pads come with 2 snap settings to allow you to choose between the settings to better fit your preferences and your underwear.  You may need to wear different underpants with your cloth pads than you might wear normally, to provide the best fit.

It is also important to pay attention to measurements to avoid being disappointed when you get your pads.  You don’t want to have the excitement of your “fluffy mail” to be ruined by receiving a pad that is longer or smaller than you imagined.

Of course not all pads will fit well for everyone! There are a multitude of different shapes and sizes of people, as well as different shapes and sizes of pad.  Some people prefer a big pad so they feel secure, some prefer a small one so they don’t feel it at all. So it is impossible for a cloth pad to suit everyone.

Unfortunately due to the personal nature of cloth pads, and health reasons, we cannot accept returns of cloth pads, even those that have not been worn.  If you have an issue with your pads due to a sewing flaw or other defect, you should contact the seller to discuss what options may be available.