I have suffered from incontinence for years. Neither the surgical removal of the uterus nor pelvic floor exercises helped.

I have suffered from light urinary incontinence for years. Neither the surgical removal of the uterus nor the pelvic floor exercises helped.

It goes without saying that the severity of incontinence increases with age. For a long time, I used an insert together with a pad, a pad for the day and an insert for the night. The consumption was enormous, on average one package per week.

At the beginning of this year, I came into contact with the idea of “One Planet Sustainables”. I was enthusiastic about the idea and wanted to try the products as a test person for incontinence. Since then, I'm happy not to have to keep buying disposable pads.

I have the feeling that I now enjoy a new level of comfort. The cotton supports my vaginal flora better. The pads absorb the urine well keeping me physically comfortable.

I've tried different sizes and noticed that size S is fine for me. The products do not leak and I was never «soaked through». The absorbency is good. I change pads daily or whenever it is necessary. I sometimes wash the products cold by hand and hang them up in the bathroom in winter or on the balcony in summer. Amazingly, there are no odours. Once a week I wash all pads in the washing machine at 60 °. This is how I get through the week with my six pads.

A few weeks ago, I had the idea that I could use a piece of matted sheep's wool fleece for the absorbent inner membrane. So, I made some pads myself. These pads also work well; I want to try to keep the inner part a little thinner, since the absorbency has long been given.

I am motivated and excited to see how the products will develop and prove themselves. At the moment the question is how long the pads last with daily use, as required by incontinence. So far, all products still look good after four months of use, some with daily washing and weekly machine washing.

An increasing number of women are getting enthusiastic about these sustainable methods, and we also would like to give women in low-income areas and developing countries the opportunity to sew sustainable and long-lasting pads for themselves using material that is locally available and affordable to them. That way women can also generate an income in and thus contribute to their independence.

Roggwil, June 27, 2021 Martha Grütter