In this article I want to share what ILP's (Interlabial Pads) are, how our shop makes them, when and how they are used, and my personal experience with them.
When are they used? They can be used on their own or in conjunction with a panty liner, tampon, menstrual cup, or pad. They are very versatile!
1. On their own they are great for light discharge or very light spotting.
2. If you have very light incontinence, or light spotting, you could wear one with a panty liner for just an extra layer of absorbency/peace of mind.
3. If a tampon or menstrual cup generally work well for you but you want back up for peace of mind (and you don't want to wear a panty liner), they are an excellent choice.
4. Maybe you're on one of those days where you *think* your period is over, but it *might* not be, and you really don't want to wear a panty liner, tampon, or cup, that's where an ILP can shine.
5. You have a very heavy or gushy flow and you need an extra layer of absorbency to give your pad a chance to work.
6. You have a concentrated flow in just one place, and you need a way to direct the flow over the entire pad.
7. You need a little extra help at night making sure your flow goes where you want it to go.
Thinking of them like traffic directors directing or slowing your flow in a certain way, can help you determine the best way to fold or roll them because HOW they are folded will determine which WAY your flow goes. This is HIGHLY personal because not everyone's flow comes out in the same way or direction! You may only bleed on the front, center or back of your pad, wasting a lot of pad real estate! It can take some trial and error to figure out the best way to fold them, but once you do, they can really be a game changer.
So how do you fold them and use them?
1. They can be folded in half lengthwise or widthwise.
2. They can be rolled lengthwise or widthwise.
3. They can be folded part way down, and then in half, or whatever other way you see fit! There is no right way, it's what feels MOST comfortable to YOU.
After getting the shape you want, then tuck it in your labia and it's not going anywhere!
4. Some people who are very sensitive to anything between the labia, place them on the pad as an extra layer. But you have to be careful that you have a nice snug fit of your underwear/pad against your body, otherwise you might find it down at your ankle!
Word of Caution: They can’t be used while swimming, and they need to be removed before peeing. Be careful not to forget about them and drop them in the toilet when you sit down to go to the bathroom! They can be handwashed or washed with your pads. I highly recommend washing ILP'S in a mesh bag to avoid them ending up somewhere they shouldn't (like your drain pump... Don't ask how I know that. 🤪). (go here for more washing instructions)
My PERSONAL experience- I think I am on the brinks of perimenopause because my periods are all over the place- light, heavy, short, long. Sometimes they'll last weeks, but with random breaks, making me think it's over, but then I'll get a gush, spotting or clotting I wasn't expecting. It's CRAZY!! There also doesn't seem to be a regular length of time between periods either. This is one of the main reasons I switched so quickly and easily to cloth pads and started incorporating ILP's into my routine. I was SO tired of never knowing which tampon or pad to use, especially with occasional bladder leaks in the mix. I was also tired of wasting money on disposables, contributing to the huge amount of waste disposables create, not to mention all the icky chemicals I was exposing my body to!
Adding an ILP has helped tremendously when I do have gushy flows or clotting, or giving me an extra layer of protection and assurance when I'm wearing a panty liner. And, as someone who's flow is entirely concentrated in the front, I now have a way to direct the flow, utilizing more pad real estate! It did take time for me to get used to the feel of them, especially because now I tend to get very dry, and I can't tuck them too far into the labia. Sometimes it does feel slightly uncomfortable, but it's worth it for the coverage and peace of mind I'm getting. I'm not a person who wears them everyday though, but there are many who do. The only drawback for me is having to remember they are there when I sit down to pee!! I have definitely forgotten about them when going to the bathroom and dropped them in the toilet (but as a mom who has fished things out of the toilet before, it didn't bother me). The more I wore them though, the better I got at remembering! But for some, it's a reason not to use them.
I hope this article has given you a better idea of what ILP's are, their uses, and how to fold them. For the right person and in the right circumstances they can really be a game changer and offer added peace of mind. But they aren't for everyone. Before giving up on them though, try them for a few cycles or weeks. Good luck and please reach out with any questions, I'm here and happy to help!
With love,
Jenny
Contact: jenny@figtreestudio.Co. or fill out our contact form.