Disposable sanitary products contribute to a ridiculous amount of pollution due to all the plastic and chemicals used in them. The chemicals in them are just as toxic for our bodies as they are the environment.
I am sure many people are starting to realise that looking after our bodies is really our first priority. Unfortunately, there are still many people worldwide (especially in the developing world) where there is a lack of awareness about this and most importantly, they do not know that there are alternative options. These sustainable options are so much better for our bodies and the planet as they do not have any harsh chemicals and most importantly, they are so much more cost efficient in the long run!
Menstraul cup
These are normally made out of medical grade silicone (low chance to contract any vaginal infections), latex or thermoplastic elastomer and can last 5-10 years. They are usually leak proof and do not need to be changed often. Most brands come in more than one size and they range from soft to firm. A firmer cup pops open more easily after insertion and may hold a more consistent seal against the vaginal wall (preventing leaks), but many women find softer cups more comfortable.
It is inserted into the vagina by squeezing it and then pops open when you let go, it then collects the fluid instead of absorbing it like pads or tampons. The bell-shaped cup seals against the vaginal wall just below the cervix and can be changed every 4-12 hours (depending on the flow). The cup is then removed, rinsed and reinserted. After each period the cup should be boiled for at least 5 minutes and stored for use the next month.
Some brands include:
OrganiCup
Lunacups
Intimina compress
Surprisingly these have actually been around since the 1930’s!
Reusable cloth pads
If you do not like the feeling or idea of inserting something into your vagina these are a great option for you! They are especially beneficial for women with sensitive skin and are usually made out of cotton, bamboo or hemp fibre. From my experience the bamboo fibre ones are great as they are really absorbent and you do not get that wet feeling as they get full, but I have never tried the hemp ones. They come in a range of sizes and shapes so it is easy to find the ones perfect for you.
These are so easy to use as they are just like disposable pads, they have a snap on button on the wings and you just clip them on around your underwear. Change them as often as needed depending on your flow and wash (with cold water) after use. Make sure they have properly dried before putting away or reusing again. I hand wash mine, but they can go in the washing machine. Don not put them into a dryer as this will deteriorate them and they won’t last long.
Some brands include:
Period underwear
My personal favourite, these are designed in triple or even four layers of different materials usually, a moisture wicking layer, a deodorizing layer, an absorbent layer and a leak resistant layer. These can be worn with cups or tampons for extra protection or some of them can be worn as they are instead of using anything else.
The same as the cloth pads, these should be washed with cold water and always air dried!
Some brands include:
Reusable tampons
I have always found this one an interesting one, I personally wouldn’t try these because I remember when I first tried using a disposable tampon I just did not like the feeling or idea of them and have never tried them since. Some people love tampons and it is the only thing they use so I think this is the perfect option if you are one of those people.
Unfortunately, similar to disposable tampons the risk of getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is quite high. These can also be harder to clean as they are much smaller.
The only brand I came across was ImseVimse.
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