You’ve probably thought about your carbon footprint when it comes to your car, groceries, or home, but what about your rules?
According Stanford magazine, nearly 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are thrown away each year. Plastic applicators end up in landfills, while other by-products pollute our oceans and other aquatic ecosystems. Creating plastic for vintage products releases a ton of carbon dioxide, trap heat in our atmosphere and fanning the flame of global warming.
If you care about the well-being of our planet, start by considering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional pads and tampons! Read on to find out which durable menstrual products are right for you.
5 things to consider when buying period products
Every woman is different and will have different feminine care needs. Anatomy, flow and biology are all deciding factors when choosing their products. Below, we’ve listed a set of criteria you should consider when choosing the best menstrual products for you!
Cramps
Many women report that the worst menstrual products for bad cramps tend to be tampons. In an interview with O.school, a pelvic floor therapist explains that the tampons themselves do not cause pain, but they can irritate the problem. If you already have problems with pelvic floor pain, your tampon could irritate your pelvic muscles, making menstrual cramps worse.
Those who have switched to sanitary pads, menstrual cups and period panties may find their cramps more manageable. The pads do not touch the pelvic floor muscles at all. And since the menstrual cups are made of silicone, they tend to move with you, instead of being lodged firmly in place.
To flow
Understanding your flow is key to choosing the right menstrual products. If you have a heavier flow: You will need to use pads and tampons designed for heavy flow, or menstrual cups that retain more fluid. Otherwise, you risk leaking or changing pads, tampons, or cups very frequently.
Leaks are often a common concern for people with heavy flows. Waterproof or reusable cotton pads can help ease your worries. Menstrual cups are another great option, but you can wear reusable period panties for added safety against leaks.
For lighter flows: a sanitary napkin, tampon or menstrual panties used alone may be sufficient. You may be able to change your tampon less often, but make sure you don’t leave your tampon in for more than 8 hours.
PRO TIP: Your periods may be too heavy if your period lasts more than a week, if you have anemia, or if you use more than 6 pads and tampons a day. Talk to your doctor or gynecologist if you have any concerns.
Use at night
Sanitary pads and period panties are the best option for nighttime use. Although rare, both tampons and menstrual cups can cause toxic shock syndrome if left on too long. Toxic shock syndrome is a serious and life-threatening side effect of a bacterial infection usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Since tampons and sanitary cups absorb liquids for a long time, they can create a environment for the bacterial infection to develop. The risk most often occurs after leaving a tampon or cup after 8 hours. If you decide to use an overnight tampon or cup, keep this in mind.
Postpartum
If you have given birth, you may have bleeding and clots for the next 6 weeks. Throughout the process, sanitary pads and period panties will be your best option while your body recovers. You shouldn’t insert anything for at least these 6 weeks – some women need a bit longer before they can use tampons or cups again. Consult with your primary care physician or postpartum doula to understand the best schedule for you and your body.
The heaviest bleeding usually occurs in 24 hours after birth. As the bleeding becomes lighter, you may find that you can switch to lighter pads or period panties. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what normal bleeding and clotting looks like at each stage.
Activity level
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to sacrifice your exercise routine because of heavy flow! But if you’re regularly active or have a labor-intensive job, you may find the pads uncomfortable and bulky (especially when you sweat).
If your go-to activity is swimming, sanitary pads and period panties aren’t really an option. Instead, many women prefer tampons and menstrual cups while staying active.
Harmful ingredients in common feminine care products
Not only are conventional menstrual products more harmful to the environment, but they can also contain toxins that can interfere with our body’s natural functions. Fragrances, dyes, s, furans, pesticide residues and other carcinogens have been found in pads and tampons.
Consider this:
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The dyes, perfumes and odor neutralizers found in pads and tampons have the potential to irritate delicate skin.
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Bleach is used to bleach pads and tampons, which can lead to the creation of dioxin and trihalomethane.
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Speak CDCpeople exposed to large amounts of dioxins and furans develop chloride acne, liver problems, and higher levels of fat in the blood.
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Conventional pesticide residues can remain in cotton hygiene products.
According to research presented by Huffpost, “conventional sanitary napkins can hold the equivalent of about four plastic bags!” Considering the damage petroleum by-products like BPA and BPS do to our environment (and our bodies), we’d rather retire!
Unfortunately, the companies that create and distribute these menstrual products are not legally required to list the ingredients that make them up. This is where the much safer eco-friendly alternatives come in!
Alternatives to conventional feminine care products
Want to make the change? We’ve got you covered with a list of alternative menstrual products!
Kora
Cora Tampons and Pads are made of organic cotton to ensure that conventional pesticide residues are not transferred to your most delicate areas. Their towels are plastic-free — just cotton — so you stay cool and comfortable all day (conventional plastic products can leave you feeling hot and heavy).
Their tampons come with and without applicators. You can even create your own personalized collection, choosing a specific number of pads and tampons that will be delivered to you each month!
Honest company.
Similar to Cora, Honest sells organic cotton pads and pads without petroleum by-products. They provide tampons with of plant origin plastic applicators and tampons without applicators, which avoids the problem of plastic pollution. Both are super absorbent for heavy flows. Their pads, on the other hand, are made for those with regular flows.
intimidate
Menstrual cups are great waste-free menstrual products. Unlike conventional pads and tampons, you buy a menstrual cup and use it repeatedly until you need to replace it. Intimina Lily Cup is angled to conform to your anatomy, which can make it more comfortable to use than conventional tampons.
You can also choose between two options for optimal comfort. Size “A” is smaller, made for women who have not delivered vaginally or who have average flows. The “B” size is made for women who have given birth, have weaker pelvic muscles or heavier flow.
Thinx
Thinx period panties are made of nylon. Although they are energy efficient and not fully biodegradable, nylon period panties are still a more sustainable option than single-use pads and tampons. This is because you can wash and reuse them countless times, just like you do with regular underwear. Thinx Panties come in a variety of styles, so you can choose the one that suits your body and feels the most comfortable.
Whichever durable menstrual product you choose, be sure to pick one that matches your anatomy and flow. If you are a beginner, do not hesitate to try several products to find the one that suits you! Women aren’t one size fits all – and neither should your menstrual products.
