The return of the maxi pad

03 April 2010

Well, it looks like the humble maxi pad and I are going to rekindle our friendship for a while. It's been many years since we were buddies, I was maybe 12 and was too grossed out by the thought of inserting a tampon down there. About 5 years ago I started using a Diva cup and haven't looked back. With my upcoming laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and D&C this week, I will need some exterior protection. The memory of the hospital issued sanitary napkin (circa 1960 with a garter belt and snaps) that the nurse handed me after my HSG motivated me to get stocked up on my own supply. So, what's new in the world of menstrual pads -well a lot it seems. 20 years ago I remember you had a choice of two brands Kotex or Always, that was that. You grabbed the one closest to your reach and quietly tucked them in the shopping cart while your dad pretended to look the other way. You blushed as you waited at the checkout hoping that they wouldn't have to announce a "price check on aisle 4 for Always Junior pads". While combing the drugstore shelves this morning, I discovered that there are now dozens of brands. With wings, without, extra long, regular, mini-maxi. There are lots of green choices too with biodegradable pads, unbleached pads, reusable cloth pads. The good old standard Kotex have a new box design but the contents are the same thick and bulky numbers I remember. Hmmm... well I think the cloth pad sounds good in theory, but do I really want to be standing over a sink wringing them out while recovering from surgery, not likely and hubbie would not be thrilled to volunteer to do that task either. I don't like the thought of adding more strain to the overflowing landfill, so the unbleached biodegradable ones seem like the best compromise. I'll give them a whirl. It might be a bit awkward at first, but hopefully we'll get comfortable with each other again very quickly just like an old girlfriend who you haven't seen in a while.