By Amanda Jowsey
Period underwear, menstrual cups & discs, and organic tampons-- Oh, my!
If you’re a girl, your period will be the reason you use between five and 15,000 pads and tampons in your lifetime—all of which break down into microplastics that end up in landfills and waterways. Chlorine, dioxin and other harmful chemicals in these products take hundreds of years to decompose and produce 200,000 tons of waste per year in the United States alone.
Traditional feminine hygiene products pose a risk to our environment and our bodies. Toxic shock syndrome and damage to the vaginal canal from rayon and polyester fibers in tampons are leading concerns.
The average menstruating person has about 450 periods in their lifetime and spends an average of $20 on menstrual products every cycle. This is estimated to add up to more than $9,000 a lifetime.
We need more sustainable products for our health, our planet and our budgets. I did the work for you and compared the top 3 kinds of alternatives to traditional tampons and pads. You can read about them here and find links to the products if you’re interested in trying to take a more natural approach to your period.
1.) Period Underwear from The Period Company:
“This specially designed, non-toxic period underwear can absorb up to nine tampons worth of period blood and stay dry feeling. It is highly absorbent, washable, reusable, relatively comfortable and reliable,” according to TPC.
Just one pair can last up to five years. There is nothing complicated about them. They are simply worn like regular underwear through regular daily activities. Sort of...
Okay, so I tend to have a heavier flow. I bought the thickest pair thinking I'd need it. Turns out, I didn't. It was a little bulky, but otherwise not unattractive. You can size down depending on your flow. They make different levels for your needs.
The best part about these undies — they save money and frustration dealing with trips to the store and the bathroom. There are different sizes and styles available. Prices range from $12 to $30.
Help support a good cause when you shop with The Period Company. They partner with several other women-forward organizations including the PAD Project, “a women’s health program used to educate women on their monthly menstrual cycles,” and provide “sustainable hygienic kits to promote menstrual health to women who do not have access to menstrual hygiene products.”
TPC also partners with Love Your Menses, a nonprofit organization that promotes menstrual equity and supports girls and women “through education, resource connection, and mentorship.” With the TPC Community Donation program, if you buy a pair for someone else, the company will donate it to persons in need. A $20 donation covers the cost to ship four pairs to “a featured organization.”
2.) Menstrual cups & Discs:
The menstrual cup is inserted and removed like a tampon and is made of medical grade silicon. It’s designed to sit in the vaginal canal to collect flow rather than absorb it. They can be less messy than the disc option and come in more shapes and sizes.
Menstrual cups can last several years and can be recycled when it’s time for a replacement, so less product ends up in landfills.
Menstrual discs have many similar features of cups, but the biggest selling point is that it offers mess-free period sex. You should not have sex with a menstrual cup in. Because discs sit at the base of your cervix, not in the vaginal canal, you and your partner shouldn’t be able to feel it if it’s been inserted properly. It still does its job and makes life a lot less complicated.
Menstrual discs are better for your body, but they are not the most eco-friendly option. They can be changed less often than pads and tampons, offering 12-hour wear, but still take up landfills the same way as they are single use.
Their price ranges from $20 to $40 and they can be found at most drug stores and large chain stores.
DivaCup has been leading the way in sales and through Diva’s new Impact Program, they are now joining other companies to promote menstrual equity and improve the lives of women in communities nationwide.
3.) Reusable pads & organic tampons:
Reusable pads are softer, more effective, washable and more comfortable. TPC, The Eco Woman, and Gladrags are the leading companies who offer this option. One pad costs around $15. Most packs come with two or three pads. They reduce waste on the planet and on your wallet.
Some companies are now offering chlorine-free, “organic,” biodegradable menstrual hygiene options that use little to no plastic. These are better on your body as they contain less chemicals. They still create waste and pollution, but they take less time to decompose and break down into natural components. They are not the most financially friendly, costing more than a regular box of tampons. But they are more natural and environmentally friendly.
Finding sustainable products that benefit our health and the environment is more important than ever. Why not let the products we use be as natural as the periods we have?
If you or someone you know need period products:
• Call 211 or visit 211.org using keywords “feminine hygiene products” or “period supplies.”
• Erie County Alliance for Period Supplies through the Every Bottom Covered organization www.eriecountyallianceforperiodsupplies.org
• Erie County Alliance for Period Supplies eriecountyafps@gmail.com 877 E Delavan Ave Buffalo, NY 14215
•The Alliance for Period Supplies: info@allianceforperiodsupplies.org • 203-821-7348
• Planned Parenthood: plannedparenthood.org 1-800-230-7526
*look into affiliate programs with each of these places*
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