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Ladies, not only do you learn why you would want to have an eco-friendly period but it gives you the various ways to make that possible!
We’re talking about ways to have an eco-friendly period. That’s right, your period.
Have you ever thought about how not green feminine products are?
We will be covering a lot in this post so get ready for some great info that will hopefully change how you deal with “that time of the month”.
Why Switch to Eco-Friendly Feminine Products
Reduces Waste
This should be a no brainer. Obviously, switching to eco-friendly (read: reusable) feminine products will reduce waste.
How much waste will it reduce? It’s estimated that one woman will use over 10,000 disposable feminine products in her lifetime. Whoa!
Saves Money
If saving the earth isn’t enough to get you on board then perhaps saving some cash will! Think about how much money you spend every single month on feminine products.
$120 is what the average woman spends each year. That is a lot of money spent over the course of a lifetime!
Buying reusable feminine products might feel more expensive up front (depending on which products you choose) but they will last for years.
Healthier for You
We all know that tampons come with Toxic Shock Syndrome warnings but did you ever think about what chemicals are lurking in tampons and pads?
Disposable feminine products contain synthetic materials, bleach, dioxin, fake fragrances, chlorine, adhesives, and so much more!
I don’t like that stuff touching any part of my body but feminine care products are not just surface of the skin products; those products are in (or nearly in) our bodies which means those chemicals are in our bodies.
Less Cramps and Lighter Periods
This one is a huge perk! Did you know that the lack of chemicals in reusable feminine products means many women experience less cramps and lighter periods!
Can we get a huge round of applause for these game changers?! (psst… need cramp relief? Check out my cramp relief tea and cramp relief salve.)
More Comfort
Tampons can dry you out or fit funny. Pads can crinkle around and bunch up. Reusable feminine products do not. (I’ll be talking more about the options below)
Fun Colors and Prints
Ok, so this isn’t a huge reason to switch to reusable products but it is a reason! Why use boring white (which you have to toss every use) when you can have fun colors or patterns that fit your personality?!
Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Period
What Are Your Options?
Mama Cloth / Cloth Pads
Mama cloth is the ummm… fun name? for the reusable cloth version of pads. Yes, the idea of reusing pads might seem gross at first but it’s not as gross as you’d think.
We’ve all leaked on our underwear ladies and you don’t throw away your underwear right? Similar concept. Or if you are a mom, you’ve dealt with all kind of underwear issues during the potty training years!
Perks (in addition to those listed above):
Custom sizing (mama cloth/cloth pads come in a variety of sizes and absorbencies: mini, thong, overnight, postpartum even!)
Cons:
You have to wash them. It’s not hard but it is one thing that you’d have to do.
If you are looking for great mama cloth in tons of fabrics and patterns than I recommend Pink Lemonade Shop.
Want more info on Mama Cloth? You can read more in my post about mama cloth and how to make the switch!
Menstrual Cups
These are the reusable alternative to tampons. Like their name suggests, they are a cup; they collect the blood instead of soaking it up.
Like mama cloth, they do come with their own gross factor but once again, it’s not as gross or messy as you would imagine (especially when you consider some of the perks).
Perks (in addition to those listed above):
A menstrual cup can be worn for up to 12 hours straight that means you can sleep with one!
Non-drying because they do not absorb moisture like tampons do.
No worrying about leaks! Ok there is a learning curve but once you’ve mastered it; there are no leaks!
No need to pack extras. Just one product for your entire period.
You forget you are even wearing one!
Cons:
Slightly mess as you do have to dump and rinse but it’s not like horror movie messy. I promise.
Learning curve. There are folding methods to try out and perfect as well as learning how to get a good seal.
SckoonCup is my current favorite brand for menstrual cups.
Want more info on menstrual cups? You can read all about them in my post on menstrual cups.
Period Panties
These are one of the newest reusable feminine products. Period panties are literally underwear that are extra absorbent so that they hold the blood and you don’t need a pad. They are underwear plus pads.
Perks (in addition to those listed above):
They can hold up to 2 tampons worth of blood (depending on what type of undies you get).
Custom sizing (period panties come in a variety of sizes and absorbencies depending on the underwear style)
Cons:
You have to wash them. It’s not hard but it is one thing that you’d have to do.
You have to remove pants/shorts in order to remove the panties. Not too big of a deal but still…
I haven’t tried period panties yet but THINX is a popular brand.
Sea Sponges
These are nature’s version of tampons. They are real live (used to be alive?) sponges. Not the weird synthetic sponges; these are the real deal.
Perks (in addition to those listed above):
Completely all natural. Nothing man made with these!
Cons:
Only last about a year.
Learning curve for how to insert them.
Only holds one tampon’s worth.
Not vegan
I’ve not tried sea sponges yet but Jade and Pearl looks like a popular choice.
Not ready to jump on the reusable feminine product wagon?
I know, it’s a big change and if you aren’t quite there yet that’s ok! There are some great organic tampons and pads available!
They are still disposable but they are chemical free! There are quite a few brands out there just make sure to read all those labels.
I like the idea of pads and tampons that are organic and toxin free. I want it to be comfortable and easy ( I definitely don’t want to wash any extra items )
I think that we need to compel manufacturers of feminine products to make them safe, disposable, and biodegradable. Women’s Voices for the Earth has such a campaign, called “Detox the Box” which I support.
Great article to help us to get to thinking about this subject. The menstrual cups are a great product. I have tried them but that ‘stick’ hanging down has prevented me from being comfortable therefore I reverted to simple cup. At least you only use two a day and it empties itself a little everytime you use the restroom so you usually only have to use one panti liner a day. Sadly, they have gone out of business. I would like to see a product made in a similar shape that is reusable. One without a ‘stick’. I have cut all mine off but the length of the cup is just as irritating to me. Anyway, your article got me thinking and determined to find a reusable solution and to keep trying!
Try femmycycle low cervix! I found it worked where others didn’t, no stick 😀
I’ve been using reusables for a few months now. Ive used cloth diapers with my children and actually made some myself so I made my own pads using left over pul, bamboo and flanellete plus kam snaps. This was very economical and worked out really well as it was customisable to my needs. I bleed allot to the back and gush which means no store bought pads would give me correct coverage. I was using 2 post partum pads end to end. Not very comfortable or economical. So I made my own pattern and found that since I stay at home it is actually easier for me. No pads that won’t stick properly or stick too much when I want to o remove it. I just quickly rinse the pad and squeeze out excess blood and then soak in a container in the laundry in a container filled with cold water name a tablespoon of oxyi soaker. After a day I remove, squeezing out the excess water and add to my towel wash (by this stage there is no blood. It all seeps into the water). I then hang on the line or dryer if it is raining. The water from the container gets dumped down the drain or if you like could be poured on the garden bed. Reusables are also good as a back up to disposables if you run when the store is closed they are there in the cupboard or would good for backup in the instance of natural disaster and would be a great addition to a prepper stock pile.
Any thoughts on what to use when your teen starts their period? I have been using a cup or cloth pads for years and feel it is so easy. But with my daughter turning 9 I’ve started thinking about how to guide her when her period starts. I am not sure I could have used cloth pads as a 13-year-old in junior high! Would love to hear advice from anyone with experience around this. 🙂
If she were to have a clutch size wet bag, she could store her dirty cloth pads in their (get a wet/dry bag and she can store clean ones in the dry section too!) Obviously a little harder to conceal than a pad would be… but a cute clutch could pretend to be a makeup bag. 😉
I’ve been considering the cup for awhile now. I’ll definitely have to try it out now. Thanks for sharing with the Homestead Blog Hop!
This is such great information, and it’s so important to spread it! Women need to know that there are so many other, healthier options out there. Thanks for writing this.
Thanks for sharing this amazing article, it is very informative post good work keep it up.