How many reusable menstrual pads do you need?

Deciding how many reusable menstrual pads you need doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few things to consider:

How to decide how many reusable pads to buy

• Will you be using only pads?
  • If you are planning to use a menstrual cup, you might only need two or three pads as a backup at the end of your period.
  • Some people prefer to use pads at night, so then you would only need some larger nighttime pads.
• How long does your period last?
  • If your period is only a few days long, then you will need fewer pads than someone who has a long one.
  • Most people find that they need five or six pads for the first few days and then have to change less often.
  • The heavier your period, the more pads you are likely to get through. As a rule, washable pads tend to need changing less often than disposable ones.
• How often are you going to wash,
  • Some people prefer to wait until the end of their period before doing laundry. In that case, you’ll need as many pads as you’ll go through for your whole period.
  • Even if you intend to wash them once or twice during your period, you still need to have time for them to dry.
• Are they for something other than your period?
  • If you want the pads for postpartum use or to deal with bladder weakness, then how many reusable menstrual pads you need is different again.
  • Think about how often you want to wash and how many you are likely to get through in a day.

Choosing your pads

No matter how many pads you think that you are likely to need, you can always start with a small selection and build it over time. Five or six pads would be enough to get you started while you decide how well they work for you and which kind you like. We have a number of different pads to choose from. They are all priced to be affordable and give you the chance to build your stash without breaking the bank. You can find our full range here.