Traditional disposable pads and tampons offer reliable leak protection, but also produce significant amounts of waste. Reusable menstrual products like cups and discs as well as cloth pads offer an eco-friendly alternative.
However, some participants reported an information deficit regarding reusable products or an unfamiliarity with how to insert and remove them.
Cost
Many people living in poverty who menstruate lack access to affordable, hygienic, and eco-friendly period products; without these essentials girls and women resort to unhygienic practices that may leave lasting health impacts – including toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
Disposable pads and tampons generate enormous amounts of waste, with hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic ending up in landfills and waterways each year. By contrast, reusable menstrual products can last years with proper care, eliminating waste completely while simultaneously saving money in the form of reduced fees for disposal costs.
Menstrual cups or cloth pads require an upfront investment that may seem higher than disposable products; however, over time they could save hundreds of dollars over time. Finding the ideal product depends on your priorities for ease of use and cost savings.
Hygiene
When it comes to periods, disposable pads and tampons have traditionally been the go-to products; they’re convenient and readily available from stores; however, their use has a substantial environmental footprint which takes centuries for decomposition in landfills.
Reusable menstrual products like cloth pads and cups offer a sustainable option, and may also be healthier options since they do not contain toxic chemicals commonly found in conventional tampons and pads.
While making the switch to reusable feminine hygiene can be easy, the transition can still be daunting depending on your lifestyle, daily schedule, and how comfortable you are with washing and managing reusables. This chart can help you compare options and choose one that meets your needs and priorities. For instance, if leakage is an issue for you, try selecting a cloth pad with snaps; this will prevent leakage while simultaneously keeping it snugly in place. Be certain your reusables are safe. Recent research from Notre Dame discovered that some reusable feminine hygiene products, including period underwear and pads, may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) commonly known as “forever chemicals.” These chemicals pose potential health risks.
Convenience
Menstrual cups, flexible discs, and period underwear offer an eco-friendly alternative to disposable pads and tampons. While using these reusable products may require more effort up front, in the long run they save both time and money while being better for the environment. Disposable pads generate massive amounts of waste that clog landfills for years after use; with proper care reusable products like menstrual cups can outlive disposable ones!
While reusable menstrual products may seem convenient, many young people experience difficulty switching. Many encounter a learning curve for insertion and removal while others struggle with comfort or leakage issues. Furthermore, upfront costs and cleaning duties for reusable products may pose barriers; targeted education initiatives and community-based initiatives may help promote their benefits; healthcare providers may assist their patients in selecting an optimal product by providing education and resources.
Environment
Reusable menstrual products are an easy way to help protect our planet. Reusable products are safer for the planet than disposable pads made of plastic that take centuries to break down in landfills. In addition, disposable pads pollute waterways and cause blockages in toilets – another great way for consumers to save our planet!
Reusable menstrual products like cups or discs offer an environmentally-friendly solution to the 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampon applicators used annually in the U.S. These single-use items contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals”, that don’t degrade in either human bodies or the environment.
When asked to list their top three priorities when ranking menstrual products, participants who used reusables highlighted comfort and protection from leakage as the two most crucial features, followed by cost and ease of changing them. Conversely, participants who had never tried reusables before prioritised low cost, confidence using material, environmental sustainability as their most desired traits; many expressed worries over washing reusables regularly while finding fitting menstrual cups for themselves.
