Sustainable Period Products
The environmental impact of disposable pads and tampons is not fully understood, but many of these products end up in landfills or are incinerated and flushed into water systems. These products are often made of highly processed materials that are difficult to degrade in landfills. Each year in North America, nearly 20 billion pads, tampons, and applicators are sent to landfills, but the largest impact disposable menstrual products have on the environment is due to the processing of the materials used to create the plastic applicators. Environmentally-conscious menstruators may opt to include reusable menstrual products in their menstruation management regimen to lighten their carbon footprints.
Menstrual cups are small, funnel-shaped cups designed to insert into the vagina and collect menstrual fluid. Most menstrual cup brands sell different sizes to cater to different flows. Determining the right size may depend on the length of your cervix, age, flow, pelvic floor strength, and whether or not you’ve given birth vaginally. The menstrual cup can be worn for up to twelve hours, depending on the volume of the wearer’s flow. Though the likelihood of dislodging an IUD with a menstrual cup is low, concerned individuals with IUDs may check with their gynecologist before using a menstrual cup.
Period underwear, though it looks like regular underwear, is made from absorbent materials to soak up period blood. The underwear must be changed and cleaned every 12 hours or as needed. With proper care, most period underwear will last between six months and two years.
Period underwear, though it looks like regular underwear, is made from absorbent materials to soak up period blood. The underwear must be changed and cleaned every 12 hours or as needed. With proper care, most period underwear will last between six months and two years.
Reusable tampon applicators function like any tampon applicator, but can be used up to 3,000 times. To use, place a cotton tampon into the applicator and insert it as you would any tampon. Sanitize the applicator between uses with hot water.
