The average period-haver throws away up to 300 pounds of menstrual hygiene related products in a lifetime, including pads and tampons and their wrappers. Even if a tampon or pad doesn’t end up collecting any blood, it still has to be thrown away. Tampons and pads don’t come cheap either, and many women feel that they are forced to spend their money on them each month because there are no other options. But what if I told you there was? Reusable menstrual products are becoming more popular and are seen as an eco-friendly alternative to disposable hygiene products. Personally, switching to these products has changed my life, and I think everyone should be aware of their options and be free to discuss them without stigma.
Reusable Pads
These are the most straightforward product. A reusable version of a pad simply eliminates the waste of the pad itself and the packaging. Not only do you not have to worry about the sticky lining, but also the odor that comes from menstrual fluid interacting with the chemicals in traditional pads. When a pad is used, simply store it in a bag until you can go home and wash it! They come in all kinds of sizes and patterns as well.
Cups
My choice of product, cups, are an easy switch for tampon users looking to be more friendly to the environment and their bodies. Similar to tampons, cups sit inside the body and collect blood, but the cup does not absorb it, it just holds it. Tampons should be changed once at least every 8 hours. It is recommended to change a cup every 12 hours, although you can leave it in longer and still not be at risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). TSS is caused by bacteria entering the blood stream. The bacteria breeds in saturated tampons, and can enter the bloodstream through microabrasions in the vaginal walls caused by tampon fibers. A silicone cup offers no breeding ground for bacteria, and won’t create abrasions either. To clean, simply empty the fluids out and rinse with water or wipe with toilet paper, then insert it back in. At the end of your cycle, clean with soap and water and store until next month.
Reusable Tampons
For tampon users that aren’t ready for a major switch, there exist more sustainable versions of this product. While the risk for TSS is the same as traditional tampons, the environmental risk is lessened. Options like a sponge and crocheted tampons offer the same benefits of a traditional tampon, minus the waste of applicators and packaging. Each variety of reusable tampon is different, but in general, the cleaning mechanism is similar to pads.
Aside from the health and environmental benefits, reusable menstrual products can be a monetary life saver as well. Although prices vary, a pack of 36 tampons typically cost about $7. If a person uses about 20 tampons per cycle, and has 12 cycles a year, they will spend about $45 a year on tampons. On the other hand, a cup normally costs $25, and can be used for 10 years! This is a savings of hundreds of dollars over the years which could be spent on much more important things. I challenge you to make the to reusable menstrual products before your next period. The earth, your body, and your wallet will thank you.
