It’s estimated that each person who menstruates uses around 11,000 disposable pads or tampons in their lifetime. These plastic-filled products end up in piling up in landfills, washed up on a beach or resting at the bottom of our oceans. This upsets the natural environment and poses threat to wildlife. With billions of traditional period products being thrown away each year, this simply isn’t sustainable.
Not only can traditional period products be harmful to the environment, but also to our personal health. Pads and tampons contain toxins and are bleached to give them their ultra white appearance. With our skin being the largest organ in our body, anything that touches it is absorbed straight into our blood stream. A good rule of thumb is to not put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat or drink. So if you don’t want to cause your Mama Earth to suffer, or fancy a bleach mocktail, then it’s probably best to look into a gentler option. Here are 6 reusable alternatives to traditional pads and tampons:
1. Menstrual Cup
Many people are curious about reusable period products. However, we can be apprehensive about trying out a menstrual cup for the first time and it’s easy to see why. They look intimidating. They seem way more complex than tampons, and are especially off-putting if you are thinking of transitioning from pads. It seems like it’s going to be impossible to insert properly unless you gain some serious origami skills, and pronto. But it only takes around 2-3 periods to fully get used to using a menstrual cup. And they really aren’t as scary as they look!
Like vaginas, menstrual cups come in all shapes and sizes so make sure to choose the right cup for you. Choosing your first menstrual cup is almost as daunting as first using one. The amount of available brands, sizes and designs can be overwhelming. And with every vagina being different, there is no one size fits all solution. Brands usually offer two sizes and the cup that suits you will vary based on various factors. This can include things like your age, flow and whether or not you’ve given birth. Just do your research and if you’re lucky you’ll find your goldilocks cup on your first try. It’s also important to make sure that your cup is FDA approved so it’s safe to use. A good quality, well cared for menstrual cup can last up to ten years!
2. Cloth Pads
Cloth pads are arguably the most similar to traditional period products. This is probably the easiest way to make the transition to a more sustainable period. They work just like a traditional pad, except they’re reusable! Just clip them onto your underwear and you’re good to go. They are so easy to use and such a small change from the traditional product, making these great for teenagers. There is an abundance of cloth pad brands available. You can find numerous lengths, cuts and thicknesses so you’ll easily get one to fit your body and your flow. Cloth pads often come in really cute patterns (teenager brownie points!) so it can actually be quite fun choosing ones that you like. Who knew that buying period products could actually be enjoyable?! Not to mention all the money that you’d save in the long run!
3. Reusable Tampons
There is an array of reusable tampons available and they can actually differ from each other quite a lot. You can find a range of patterns and fabrics, and some have been sewn, knitted or even crocheted! If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can always make your own tampons, provided that you have the necessary materials. Reusable tampons are an inexpensive alternative to their traditional counterpart. They are even a lot cheaper than some other reusable period products, especially if you’re happy to do a bit of DIY.
4. Period Underwear
If you often find yourself missing out on some much needed shut-eye to change your pad/tampon in the night to avoid any leakages (or worse, TSS!), then period underwear is for you. The underwear holds 1/2-4 tampons’ worth and you’re able to wear the underwear for 8-12 hours. The snooze-lover’s dream has become a reality! If your period makes its appearance in the early hours, just change into the underwear and slip right back into your slumber before you even realise you’re awake. There are a variety of brands available that offer a range of styles, sizes and absorbencies, so it’s easy to choose something that fits both you and your period. You can use period underwear as a back up to another alternative such as a menstrual cup for extra protection. With proper care, the underwear can last for around 2 years.
5. Sea Sponge Tampons
This one has people divided for a couple of reasons. For many people, this is the ultimate, all-natural period product, created for us by Mama Nature herself. But for others, sea sponges are unsafe and may contain things that quite frankly, you wouldn’t want inside your vagina. While sea sponges are completely natural and eco-friendly, they may not be as risk-free as we are often led to believe, so please do your research before investing in one. Sea sponges come in different sizes but if your sponge is too big you can trim it to size. If well cared for, they last around 3-6 months. However, as they are an absorbable substance, they do also carry a risk of TSS so remember to bear this in mind if using one for any length of time.
Another reason that leads to split opinions is that a sea sponge is actually an animal. The sponge’s lack of animal characteristics mean that it is often mistaken for a plant. This product may be off-putting to some vegans. Does the sea sponge appeal to you? If you do decide to give it a go, it may take a bit of getting used to. To insert, wet the sponge until it becomes soft, squeeze out the water, then insert with your fingers, just like you would a non-applicator tampon. Sea sponges don’t have a string or stem like with tampons or a menstrual cup. If you aren’t used to using this product, they can be challenging to remove. Things may get a bit messy and you probably don’t want to opt for this product if you aren’t willing to get a little intimate with your body.
6. Period Clothing
How convenient would it be to get dressed and go about your day without having to think about what period product you should use? Well this is now becoming a reality with a growing selection of period clothing available, including period activewear such as yoga pants, leggings, and shorts and even period swimwear. Whether you use it as your main period product if your period is light, or as a back up for extra security on your heavier days, period clothing is an excellent way to be free from the stress of any visible leaks. And with an assortment of patterns and styles, you won’t have to compromise your fashion and can still look great. These reusable period products can be a bit pricey, but if you live an active lifestyle and want quality protection while doing all your favourite activities, then these are definitely worth the investment.
