Choosing More Sustainable Period Products
How sustainable are your periods? Until recently, this wasn’t a question many people ask themselves, and women’s choices for menstruation products were pretty limited. It was either tampons or sanitary pads with a few big-name brands dominating the market. Keep reading to find out more about sustainable period products.
As society moves to a more convenience-based lifestyle, these products’ damage to our environment becomes clear. In recent years, however, there has been a sizable shift in how people discuss periods and the products available and the impact these products have on both your health and the world around us.
On average, it takes around 800 years for one single sanitary pad to break down. In the UK, reports suggest that one person who menstruates will use 350 packs of sanitary pads in their lifetime. The typical size of these packs is around 12 pads.
As more people take notice of the enormity of this problem, so becomes the availability of more eco-friendly period products and alternatives to predominantly plastic-based products.
Sustainable Period Products
Eco-Friendly Pads
You don’t need to forgo wearing pads if this is your preference, but choosing a more sustainable product and design using alternative materials can considerably impact your lifestyle and the world around you. Choose pads that are recyclable or made from organic materials such as cotton. You can purchase sanitary pads coles on the high street or even make your washable pads with a lining to absorb your blood.
Period Underwear
A big thing right now is the use of period underwear. They have been around for some time but have recently become more well known and recommended. Basically, period underwear allows you to skip out on using any period products at all, and you choose the right level of absorbency for you, change them frequently and make sure to rinse them until they run clear as soon as you change them. Then pop them in the washing machine without a fabric conditioner.
Menstrual Cups
This is a tiny, flexible silicone or latex cup. Unlike a tampon or pad, it catches and gathers your flow.
Just before your period, fold the menstrual cup securely and insert it like a tampon. It shouldn’t be felt. It’s like putting on a diaphragm or a birth control ring. In a few seconds, your cup will pop open (you may need to rotate it first). It prevents leaks by sealing and allowing the blood to drip into the cup.
Once removed, pour away the blood and clean the cup. Use boiling water to sterilise your menstrual cup.
Organic Tampons
If you’re not ready to give up on single-use period products, choosing organic cotton tampons can be a great compromise. Choose tampons that come without all the excess packaging (typically called naked tampons) and use only sustainable materials making them better for your body and the environment. For an added boost, you can buy eco-friendly tampons infused with CBD products which can help with a range of menstruating issues such as mood swings and pain.
Switching from your favoured period products can be intimidating at first, especially if you have a heavier flow. But experiment to find out what works best for you and helps you to make better, more sustainable period choices.