[Review after 4 months] PLIM, washable sanitary pad, a complement to menstrual underwear
I often read comments from women with “hemorrhagic” periods saying no menstrual underwear can protect them for a full day. I understand and sympathize, as I have that type of period on the first day too, and even with the most absorbent models from Modibodi or Thinx, I feel more comfortable changing after 4 to 6 hours.
However, there’s another solution I find quite practical: using a washable sanitary pad as a complement, and removing it after 4 hours. That way, the combination (menstrual underwear & sanitary pad) will last a whole day. Plus, the washable pad is smaller than menstrual underwear, less odorous, and you can slip it into your bag without any problem—it’s very discreet.
I chose the Washable pad plus – medium to heavy flow from PLIM (size PLUS) for 18€ (Mlle bio link, you can get 5€ off by using me as a referrer: contact @ tourdumonde5continents . com, more info). I didn’t go for the more absorbent versions because right after lockdown, well, everything was out of stock.
As usual, nobody sponsors me, I paid for everything out of my own pocket:
Here’s what it looks like. It’s made of GOTS-certified organic cotton. Apparently, if you’re not super sure about your flow, you should go for this model. Then you’ll see if it’s too much, not enough, before moving on to the “hemorrhagic flow” or “heavy night flow” version, or conversely “light flow”
Before use, you need to wash it 1 to 2 times. I don’t know why. Personally, I toss it in the machine with regular detergent (I never fuss over detergents, it annoys me).
As you can see, there are two snap buttons to adjust the width of the pad and attach it to your underwear. This gives a crotch width between 7 and 8 cm. That’s a lot compared to period panties. In length, it’s 24 cm
The black side (with the label) goes against your underwear. The colored side is the surface that absorbs blood.
My review after 4 months of use
Feel : It’s cotton, the material I love most in the world. So I’m delighted! The patterns are really beautiful, and I gathered that the patterns vary from one absorbency level to another, making it easy to distinguish light flows from heavy ones, for example.
Thickness : According to the brand, “It’s only 2 mm thick and weighs just 22 g, you don’t feel it and quickly forget it’s there”. Hmm, are we using different units of measurement or what? I definitely feel it. I don’t forget it either. Even when worn with very thin underwear (normal stuff). I find it slips a little on very thin panties. You should instead use slightly thicker underwear like organic cotton or menstrual panties, so the pad stays in place.
Moisture : However, I still have a slight moisture issue. That’s a cotton problem anyway—it’s not a fabric that dries quickly. There are damp spots around the blood. Even though it’s not uncomfortable, I wish it were completely dry. You get better comfort than a disposable pad, but less than menstrual underwear.
Absorption : it gives me 4 extra hours of peace. So, 4 hours with the washable pad + 6 hours with menstrual underwear = a long day of heavy periods without leaks. If I had chosen a more absorbent model, I might have gained 1 or 2 extra hours.
Even though there’s a seam along the edges, that seam only goes through the first layer of fabric. So blood can seep toward the wings. Fortunately, the wings are absorbent too. Personally, after 4 hours, it’s full, and I don’t take risks => NO LEAKS to report.
So I’d say if you pay a bit of attention, there will be NO problem.
As usual, I’m going to show you a photo of the full pad, on a day with heavy flow (2nd day of period, worn from 3 pm to 8 pm). Watch out for your eyes, especially if you’re on your smartphone. You can see the blood dangerously migrating toward the wings. Click here
Care: as usual, I give it a quick rinse in water, then toss it in the washing machine. It doesn’t dry super fast (it’s organic cotton, you know!), but since it’s smaller than period panties, if I wash it at noon, the next morning, I have a dry pad. The patterns are nice and help hide any stains that remain. But personally, after 4 months, no stains settle in because I systematically wash it after use, precisely to avoid that.
Odor : no odor to report
Conclusion :
Absorption: 8/10. Moisture: 7/10. Comfort: 7/10.
I should also add that it’s made of organic cotton and manufactured in France.
I think it’s a great idea, to be used alongside period panties for heavy flow days.
But in terms of comfort, period panties are still more pleasant to wear and easier to forget about.
Prices : 18€ (Mlle bio link, you can get €5 off any order over €25 by mentioning me as your referrer: contact @ tourdumonde5continents . com, more info).
