For many people, tampons are the way to go. For others, they might choose pads. But there are more than just these two options when you’re considering switching up your monthly menstrual routine, especially concerning the waste that disposable products produce and their lack of reusability.
However, if you have more concerns than eco-friendliness, there are some specific options you might want to look into. For example, if you’re tired of inserting period products or have an aversion to them, here are a few different products that may suit you.
Period Underwear
Just like they sound, cotton period underwear is a way to have the protection and absorbency of a pad with added eco-friendliness since they’re washable and reusable. Since they’re made of natural materials, they’re more breathable and comfortable, which means that unlike pads you won’t have the worry about them slipping out of place or not being able to find that perfect fit, as they come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit your lifestyle.
One of the biggest benefits of period underwear is that you don’t need to use any extra protection, unless you want to of course. That means you can buy a week or so’s worth of pairs and be set until you want to replace them, rather than having to buy disposable options every few months. All of these non-disposable menstrual products are much more environmentally friendly than regular tampons and pads, but period underwear specifically combines this with their other benefits to create a product that’s the ultimate ‘one and done’ solution.
Reusable Pads
These can be a great way to have the protection of a pad without having to dispose of them after use. These are usually made out of cloth and have around the same absorbency as a regular pad, so they’ll be good for around 6-8 hours of use, although you can add a few hours by getting a more absorbent type. However, they do come with the problems that pads usually do, such as moving out of place which may ruin the underwear you’re wearing it on.
But some advantages of cloth pads are that they tend to be healthier and easier on your body, as they don’t contain the chemicals, fragrances, and adhesives that disposable pads do. If disposable pads cause you irritation or you find them sticking uncomfortably, cloth pads can be a great alternative. And they can take away some of the potential embarrassment of having to open a disposable pad or tampon in the bathroom, as they don’t come with that telltale crinkling of the packaging or paper that disposable products come with.
Menstrual Sponges
Menstrual sponges are also thought to be an option if you’re looking for maximum usage and sustainability while making sure that your underwear and outer clothes are fully protected from your flow. They’re supposedly able to be used anywhere from six months to a full year.
But these come with a severe hang-up in that they aren’t federally regulated, which means that there are no guidelines or legal constrictions that they have to follow or abide by. Because of this, they can contain several particles and unsanitary bacteria that can knock off the health of your private parts and even cause toxic shock syndrome.
A scary fact about these sponges is also that they can’t be properly cleaned, as even if they’re boiled that can’t guarantee that they’ll be proper for usage since this doesn’t mean that any bacteria or other potentially harmful materials will be removed. If you’re looking for a proper alternative menstrual product, you should cross this one out.
Why Buy Eco-friendly Menstrual Products?
So why is buying eco-friendly menstrual products so important? Well, firstly because you won’t have to buy them every month or every few months as is the case with disposable products, as people can spend over $5,000 on menstrual products over their lifetime. And even just in the U.S., 7 billion tampons and over 10 billion pads are discarded each year.
Compare that to the usage timeline of period underwear which can reach up to 2 years. The difference is incredible. And on top of that, they’re completely safe to use, as opposed to tampons and non-reusable pads where you may have to worry about toxic shock syndrome and irritation.
Consider the Alternatives
Menstrual products are phasing away from disposable products and further into sustainable and reusable options, some of which can be especially useful for those with aversions to or incapability of inserting them. Although they may seem like a high up-front cost, the long-term financial benefits can’t be ignored. And since they’re healthier and have fewer chemicals than tampons and regular pads, they’re a great alternative that helps you save money while taking care of your physical health.