Girls used homemade flannel cloths before pads and tampons became available. Now there are more options, from period underwear and reusable pads to menstrual cups with no applicator that help control waste while reducing irritation.
As with all female hygiene products, ensure they’re fragrance-free and that you rinse and wash your hands after handling them. Also be sure to change pads, tampons, discs or cups as soon as possible – even overnight if possible.
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups (also referred to as period cups) are eco-friendly silicone devices designed for period use that can replace pads and tampons during your period. With proper care they can last up to ten years before needing replacing; plus they offer significant cost savings over time!
Menstrual cups are constructed from medical-grade silicone rubber that is latex-free and suitable for those with sensitive skin. Available in various sizes, smaller menstrual cups may be the better choice for light or medium flow periods while larger menstrual cups may be best for heavier flows or those who have given birth vaginally.
Menstrual cups provide an airtight seal to collect blood, preventing leakage and leaks. Worn for up to 12 hours at once, many women find they change them less often than traditional tampons due to being out of sight and thus eliminating embarrassing odor.
Menstrual Discs
Menstrual discs are like tampons that sit at the base of your cervix like diaphragms, providing protection for penetrative sex as well as heavy flows. Reusable and comfortable to wear, menstrual discs also work with intrauterine devices (IUDs).
Menstrual discs can leak if they’re improperly applied or left in for too long, though that’s far less likely than with cups and pads. Plus, unlike tampons, they don’t increase your risk for TSS or period infections!
Menstrual discs vary by brand, but usually consist of medical-grade silicone or body-friendly polymers of plastic and resins that are body friendly. Reusable menstrual cups should always be rinsed well after each use to avoid UTIs and other period-related illnesses; thorough handwashing when handling menstrual cups also helps avoid infection.
Period Underwear
Period underwear, designed to look and feel just like regular underwear, features absorbent layers to capture menstrual blood and prevent leaks. They’re reusable (and easy to wash in your washer) for full-protection protection at an eco-friendly alternative to pads and tampons.
Some people choose period underwear either solely or as an aid to pads, cups and tampons as an attempt to reduce social stigma surrounding periods. According to OB/GYN Karmon James MD of Texas Women’s Care Clinics in Fort Worth many of her patients appreciate its comfort, convenience and cost savings benefits.
He notes that period underwear may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on its outer layer and absorbent layers, which experts find concerning. To mitigate this situation, rinse your underwear under cold water prior to washing it and don’t add fabric softeners or bleach into the cycle.
Disposable Pads
Pads are a go-to period product for many girls and women, and come in various sizes, shapes, capacities and configurations to meet your specific needs.
They can help to absorb daily vaginal discharge, light menstrual flow, spotting and slight urinary incontinence; or they can act as backup to tampons or cups.
Some girls prefer washable fabric pads or reusable cloth pads during their menstrual cycles as these can save money and have less environmental impact than disposable pads that end up in landfill (where it could take 10 years or longer for their disposal).
Cloth pads are generally made from cotton flannel or bamboo and can be purchased in natural health stores or online. Thinner than disposable pads, cloth pads can be worn as underwear or inserted into pants/briefs without adding bulk; some pads have wings to secure around underpants while others may be held in place with belts or garments (without wings).
