What Are 5 Eco-friendly Period Products You Can Use?
When you first started your period, you were probably given two options: pads or tampons. To be fair, those were the only two mainstream options available for women back in the day. Now, there are several menstrual products available, which include eco-friendly products as well.
The word “eco-friendly” is important here because the old options are not only costly, but also not environmentally-friendly. Here are some eye-opening facts for you:
In the United States, the average woman throws a total of 62,415 pounds of menstrual products during her menstrual years, thus making up around 250 to 300 pounds of the landfill.
You can limit your use of pads and tampons by opting for eco-friendly period products. For most, the switch to using organic menstrual products will not be easy, as we have gotten accustomed to using traditional menstrual products from a young age.
Does that make it impossible to master using alternative period products? — Not one bit!
A little effort goes a long way, right? And if you’re determined to use eco-friendly period products to reduce the dent in your bank account caused by traditional period products and give back to the environment, nothing will stop you from getting the hang of using them.
Fortunately for you, you have choices for reusable period products — some more known than others, which means you can select an eco-friendly menstrual product that works best for you. You can also try more than one to make up your mind about which one is right for you.
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups or moon cups are an alternative to tampons. Just like a tampon, they are designed to catch your flow. You insert them into your vagina and then go on about your day. Unlike tampons, menstrual cups aren’t absorbent, which means you need to empty, wash and wear them again.
Isn’t that tedious? A hassle? No, not really when you look at the big picture. You won’t be changing your menstrual cup each time you use the toilet. You can wear it for several hours before you need to empty it out, wash, and reinsert it.
Since there are several sizes available for different period flows, you can get a menstrual cup that suits your period flow needs. You can buy a new menstrual cup each year; meaning one menstrual cup can last you an entire year.
If you take care of your menstrual cups properly, you can make them last longer than a year. In the beginning, it may seem annoying, but with menstrual cups, the more you use them, the more you’ll start loving them. If you want to give menstrual cups a trial run, but aren’t ready to fully invest in them, try soft cups.
Soft Cups
The difference between menstrual cups and soft cups is that they aren’t reusable. Even though they aren’t biodegradable, they produce 60% less waste than conventional period products. You can wear them up to 12 hours.
If you decide to use them, try to go longer between changes to reduce waste. A soft cup is also a good option for people who don’t want to deal with the maintenance and hygiene required with a moon cup. If menstrual cups and soft cups still aren’t for you, you can move on to the next eco-friendly option.
Period Panties
Are you a fan of free bleeding? If you are, period panties are right up your alley. Period panties or underwear are super absorbent. On top of that, you won’t need to use any other period product if you’re wearing period panties.
They’re slightly more expensive than your usual underwear, but then again, they aren’t exactly your standard pair of underwear. Not only do they catch your flow throughout the day, but you will not feel the discomfort of wearing a pad or tampon.
You can use period panties for several years because they’re reusable and easy to wash. You just need to wash them under the sink and then cold wash in the washing machine. Once they are dry, wear them again. You should get several pairs of reusable period panties during your cycle. Three is a good number, but it also depends on your period flow.
One period panty can hold up to 20ml of period blood. You can choose one based on your size by measuring your waist and hip. You can wear it at night and even enjoy everyday activities, such as sports. This might be the best option for women who are not fond of wearing pads and don’t want to insert anything in their vagina.
If menstrual cups didn’t work for you, you can try another great product i.e. reusable pads.
Reusable Pads
Reusable pads are just like disposable pads, but you can reuse them. They are made from either 100% organic cotton or 100% organic bamboo fiber. You just need to rinse them in cold water until its run clear or leave it in cold water overnight. Next, machine or handwash them, hang them to dry, and wear them again.
If you want the feel of the pad but want to be eco-friendly at the same time, use a reusable pad. They’re available in an assortment of different sizes, colors, designs, and patterns. They’re softer and more comfortable than your usual period products. If you’re a tampon kind of woman and have said no to menstrual cups, try the next option.
Tampons without an Applicator
If you find wearing tampons comfortable but care about the environment too, tampons without an applicator will fulfill both your requirements. You can insert them just like a tampon. Using a tampon without a plastic applicator creates less waste than tampons with an applicator.
Which One Will You Choose?
You can stick with the more popular eco-friendly products, menstrual cups and period panties. You can try them first before you try other eco-friendly options. Chances are that you’ll find your perfect fit with one of them. It’s also not unusual for women to use both menstrual cups and period panties at the same time.
You can learn more about how menstrual cups and period panties work here. If you need more guidance in choosing an eco-friendly option, contact us.