h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I recently came across the suggestion of using socks as liners. This is a very simple method:
-Buy thick pair of socks.
-Fold sock in half.
-Place sock in knickers.
-Change when necessary.
-Machine wash, hot.
That's it.

I could theoretically see using socks in a pinch, but getting them to stay in place properly would be a bit of a problem, especially with any level of activity. Plus, you definitely wouldn't want to wash them in hot water -- just like with cloth pads, that actually would encourage staining rather than remove it.

Off subject totally, but it's always intrigued me. Does menstrual blood clot?

Alex

As far as I know menstrual flow is more than just blood. There is also endometrial tissue in with the blood and the blood may have clotted already in the uterus and then liquified again to flow out. Some women pass clots as part of their flow too.

turvy

Never having kept it around to see, I don't know if menstrual fluid clots. Certainly there are things called clots, but I don't believe they are blood clots.

What does it matter if the socks stain? Use dark socks. Better yet, keep your pad-socks seperate from your feet-socks. But yes, hot water will make them stain. It will also kill off the germs - better discoloured socks than infected privates.

Infection isn't nearly the risk people seem to think it is here. Neither disposable tampons nor disposable pads are sterilized -- both have bacteria aplenty.


Mikey