Help end #periodpoverty, reusable pads are a solid solution

Period poverty is sadly not a unique situation as I too had to make tough choices between purchasing food or protection.

This is an unedited testimony to the value of education and having options in protection; the writer requested to remain anonymous:

A little story

I got my period when I was 11 and it was so scary! We didn’t learn about puberty until the following school year so i thought something was horribly wrong. I didn’t tell my mom because i thought it would hurt her feelings that her daughter was in danger. I then told my best-friend who told her mom and she helped me. Taught me how to use a pad. And of course, my best-friends mom told my mom. That wasn’t even the worse experience for me.

Whats worse is, my next period came and i had to use a sock because we didn’t have it in the budget to get pads or tampons. It was awful. I used a couple different socks for four months. I asked friends for pads when i could but it was still tough. At 11 you are nervous and not comfortable asking friends.

A little later, i wanted to try and find a cheaper way — so when i was 16 i tried to use a menstrual cup and i found that it wasn’t for me.

I then found reusable cloth pads when i was 18, I joined groups on facebook and found that theres actually a lot of people who can help you find what exactly your looking for. Shapes, sizes, lengths, absorbency, and even colours and patterns!
Reusables pads are customizable to your body and your day to day life. And ohh so comfy!
Yes cloth pads cost upfront, anywhere from 3-25 dollars but they can last up to 25 years. so over time, it’s absolutely worth it to me!

Thanks for reading my story!

 

Email sarah.rabelrags@gmail.com if you would like your story shared.