Also, there are cloth, reusable pads to consider. You can buy them or make them yourself. I find about four layers of cotton flannel sewed together around the edges in a “pad” shape to be great. Soak them in cold water a few hours or overnight then offer the water to your outdoor plants (I prefer to feed non-food plants). Wash them in a warm water wash, with a oxygen-type cleaner if you like. Dry in the dryer and/or put them in the sun to dry.

If I will be out in public for an extended period of time, I might revert to the store-bought variety since cloth doesn’t offer a water-proof backing to prevent leaking, and cotton pads are usually thicker than the thin disposable pads. I am always happy to go home and change back into the feeling of cotton. Besides, in the long run it saves money, and definitely reduces waste.

Despite heavy pressure from my daughter and sister, who both swear by Kotex Security tampons, I find them draining, and drying, and encouraging big clots to form which come out later, sometimes not at a good time. I’m glad I have sympathy!! Mary

“Until recently, I hadn’t thought much about “free bleeding,” because it seemed very obviously impractical to me to refrain from any kind of menstrual product and just bleed all over things during magic time. It seemed like a lot of laundry and public concern would ensue. I couldn’t think of any motivation to consider the idea, nor could I see any practical way to implement it even if I did decide it was a great plan. (”Hello coworkers– don’t be concerned. I’m not hemorraging; I’m a natural woman! Oh sorry, was that your upholstered chair?…”)

It suddenly occurred to me one morning that I am already, in fact, quite a shamelessly free bleeder. Up until then, I had considered myself just lazy about product refreshment schedules. I tend to go productless in the bath and shower, and often to bed for convenience in bedtime seductions (and afterwards, while all comfy and warm, how could I want to hop up to find a tampon or whatever?). Also, I tend to ignore signs that my products are becoming squishy and about to lose all effectiveness if I am doing something interesting. If I am not bleeding heavily, as is common these days on the evil pill, I often leave the house in a productless state, carrying something with me if I anticipate an emergency…”