Allergy to Sanitary Pads - I turn to Seventh Generation and Natracare

I always knew that I have very sensitive skin down there, even as a teenager I would avoid Laurier ultra thin pads (the ones with the plastic surface) as I would get itchy using the pads during my period. I survived my teenage years with SOFY (the ultra long overnight wings one as I have really heavy flow the first few days). I also avoid scented pantiliners as they also make me itch. 

Sometime in  2003 (I think) my sister's (then) company was commissioned to do an ad for Kotex Luxe and she got one whole carton of Kotex Luxe pads that she gave to me and lasted me for about a year. Haha.. I never turned back since and always used Kotex Luxe until a few months back. I realized that since my body has recovered from all the hormonal changes of my no 2 pregnancy, my period is slowly reverting back to my original (pre-pregnancy) cycle. So, instead of 5 days of period every month, I am gradually going back to my 10-12 days period. The last 2 months, I realized that after using Kotex Luxe for 7 days.. I would break out with red bumps on the 8th day and it really made life miserable. It was difficult to walk and pee and it's not comfortable at all. 

So, I decided to search for organic pads. A quick search about allergies to sanitary pads reveals that Natracare and Seventh Generation came recommended, though Natracare is more "earth-friendly" as compared to Seventh Generation. Some also suggested going for the menstruation cup to be even more green but err.. I don't think I can do that! I'm scared to even put a tampon in there let alone a menstruation cup! Having to fold it a certain way and taking it out when full.. OMG I don't think so!

Pads for sensitive skin: Seventh Generation

So, I was thinking where to get Seventh Generation in Kuala Lumpur? Tesco? I don't think so.. I think maybe Cold Storage will be a better bet. I headed to Cold Storage at Ikano Power Ctr and yes they do carry Seventh Generation pads but woah is it expensive. But for the sake of my sensitive *down there* sigh.. what choice do I have? I bought Overnight Maxi Pads with Wings and Chlorine free super long ultra thin pads with wings. 

The description on the packaging says :

*Chlorine Free (surface pads)

*Fragrance and dye free

* Gynaecologist tested

Sevenths Generation Ultra Thin Pads with Wings

Seventh Generation Ultra Thin Pads

I tried the ultra thin pads first since it was my first day of period and boy was it really thin. I was a bit skeptical whether it can do its job well. But surprisingly, it really works and no leaks! Just for experimenting I tried the maxi pad the next change. I really like the maxi pad, the cotton surface is really soft and err the 1 cm thickness give me an added assurance (Ok I know thickness shouldn't matter BUT it's just a psychological thing for me).

Seventh Generation Maxi Pads with Wings: I love this pad!

Seventh Generation Maxi Pads With Wings :Thickness is about 1 cm

So, yup last month's period, I was using 7-G's (the slang for seventh generation) all the way and yeay no more red bumps!

Then, a few weeks back I decided to go to "JustLife" shop at Ikano Basement 1 (the organic shop) and saw that they carry "Natracare"! I thought hey I must try this brand but I bought a panty liner cos ever since the breakout and reading up on all the nasty things that are put in normal liners and pads, I am like ewww.. no way.." But it is hard not to use a panty liner, unless you change underwear 3-4 times a day. My make-shift solution was to use 2-3 cotton pads to replace the liners but its not practical as you have to change cotton pads every time you visit the toilet.

Natracare Panty Liner

Natracare Panty Liner (Normal)

Natracare (organic and natural) Panty Liners (Normal) (RM18.90 for 18 liners -man that's expensive!)

The description on the box says:

*  Organic Cotton Cover

* Plastic Free

* Perfume Free

*Chlorine Free

The panty liner is really thin but I don't like the surface, its kind of rough plus it doesn't really stick on the underwear if you are using other than cotton underwear. It also bunches up and the cover seams break easily. So, after using this for a few times, I decided to try another brand.

Biosilk Panty Liner Malaysia

This time around, while shopping at Tesco, I saw Biosilk Liners. Description on the pack:

*Natural Herbs Lining

*Eliminates Odours

*Refreshing feeling

*Ultra thin / Superb Absorption

The refreshing feeling and superb absorption kind of trigger warning bells in my mind since the pack doesn't list what the liners are made of (which I think should be a standard enforced by a body), it could be anything my body might be allergic to. But then it also states that the liners:

Biosilk Liners @ Tesco

*relieves itching & curbs germs

*gets rid of peculiar smells and improves leucorrhoea (whatever that is)

Biosilk Liner

So, I thought yeah maybe I'll give it a try.  I opened it, the smells kind of strong, it is about the same thinness as natracare liner, surface is also rough but Natracare's surface is organic cotton while BioSilk surface I think has some plastic elements to it. I tried it and in a few seconds I yelped in agony and threw the thing away. The stinging feeling was terrible and in the evening my *down there* was very red and painful. It lasted till next day. I decided to google "Biosilk Liners Reviews" but couldn't seem to find anyone saying that they had an allergic reaction to it, in fact a few bloggers actually said that the liners helped them with their itchiness and discharge. So, am I the only one that is sensitive to it? I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Really, the pain was terrible and to think I only put it on less than 1 minute and the reaction was bad. What if I "persevered" and put in on the whole day? *shudder*

KL For Kids : Trial Class at Little Gym Malaysia - Sri Hartamas S.C.

Little Gym Malaysia @ Sri Hartamas S.C

We would usually head out for Hartamas Shopping Centre during weekend evenings if the kids want to go to Toys R US and we don't want the hassle of finding parking space at Ikano. I would always peer into Little Gym Malaysia but never had the chance to go in since they close at around 7-7.30pm. However, around 4 weeks back, we were having a super lazy weekend and decided to go to Sri Hartamas S.C for lunch and a trip to Toys R Us (where else?). I took the opportunity to pop by Little Gym just out of curiosity hehe.. 

I think when I went in, the trainers were preparing for a class and were disinfecting the training area (plus point, I feel good about the cleanliness already haha), the person who briefed me was super friendly and informed me that I can register for my kids for a free trial class and then see if they like it I can enrol them then. Well, since it's a free trial class why not?? hahaha.. but of course I had made up my mind to enrol the boys if they like it cos they need to get some form of exercise instead of just staying at home and watching tv or playing the ipad. 

Kids Waiting area @ Little Gym Malaysia, Sri Hartamas S.C

Since my two sons are 4 years old and 5.5 years old, the only combined class for them would be on weekdays cos on weekends they would have to be in two separate class and I think that would be a bit of a hassle for me. So we decided to take the friday session for the trial class. 

Having fun before class starts :)

We came early and the kids had fun at the waiting area playing with the puzzles, the cushions and of course finishing up the paper cups at the water dispenser area. I had to ask them to go to the toilet first before class starts :p luckily they have a kids toilet inside little gym itself and its very clean (another plus point cos I don't really like going to public toilets). 

The class starts and the trainers made it a point to greet all the kids with their names, the trainers are really fun and friendly and didn't really push the shy ones if they don't feel like joining first, but they would repeatedly call the shy ones by their names and ask if they would like to give it a try. Luckily for my two sons, my second one is very enthusiastic and gung-ho, so he is always ready to try something new, while my more reserved no 1 would wait for the lil brother to go first and then try it himself. 

Warming up at Little Gym Sri Hartamas Trial Class

Pretending to be aeroplanes @ Little Gym Malaysia Sri Hartamas

The session was full of energy with  upbeat music and the kids were just jumping around, rolling and balancing and doing what they basically want throughout the 1 hour session. I was just so happy that they enjoyed it and I enrolled them on the spot :) Fees per month is RM260 and you get a 10% discount for the second sibling, you also need to pay a RM160 annual membership fee (the fee is for the whole family not individual, so I just paid RM160 for both kids not RM160 each). 

waiting for their turn to do jumping and forward rolls :)

The next friday, we came for the class and it was sports day so they did more sports based activities rather that gymnastics but the kids love it too and my no 1 was more confident this time. After the class he even announced that he wants to go to the gym everyday haha but of course mummy said no its only once a week. 

The Little Gym Malaysia is also opening another branch soon at Encorp Strand Mall but I don't think I will be moving them to that branch since traffic and parking is horrendous at that area!

Having fun at Little Gym Malaysia @ Sri Hartamas S.C

Little Gym Malaysia offer classes from 10 months (with parent's participation of course) to 12 years old. Check out their website for more details.  

The Little Gym Sri Hartamas is at:

P-18 Plaza Ground Floor,

Hartamas Shopping Centre

Tel: 03-62119233

The Little Gym Kota Damansara is at:

F-37 Encorp Strand Mall

Tel: 03-22016292

Checkout their facebook here