Reusable menstrual products like period underwear, reusable pads, and menstrual cups offer greater environmental and cost sustainability compared to disposable period products; however, these reusable options may present additional challenges to some women.
Multiple participants noted a desire for additional information regarding reusable menstrual products. Menstrual cup users experienced an initial learning curve as well as challenges such as pain or discomfort, light bleeding and cleaning.
Cost
Traditional disposable pads and tampons contain plastic that takes 500-800 years to break down in landfill, contributing to pollution by blocking sewers and leading to backflows. Menstrual cups made of medical-grade silicone or rubber offer an alternative, lasting for 10+ years before needing replacing.
Our study demonstrated the correlations between use of reusables and age, place of birth and education completion; those who reported having enough knowledge about reusable products being more likely to utilize them.
Reusable pads may initially cost more than their conventional counterparts and require water and electricity for washing; additionally, they may leak blood, necessitating an appropriate storage location. According to this research, many individuals require assistance navigating sustainable period care options; we must strive towards offering accessible yet culturally sensitive sanitary product choices at an affordable cost.
Environment
Menstrual cycles are natural processes, yet disposable products pose significant environmental concerns and contribute to plastic waste accumulation worldwide. Cloth pads, menstrual underwear and cups made from biodegradable materials such as organic cotton or recycled polyester offer more eco-friendly options that may cost more initially but may last for many years with proper care.
These products are free from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), an environmental chemical group known for lingering in the environment and potentially being harmful to health. They can be found in waterproof clothing, nonstick pans and personal hygiene items like sanitary pads and tampons containing these harmful PFAS chemicals.
Our study revealed that participants who used reusables acknowledged their environmental sustainability when selecting menstrual products; however, open-text responses indicated barriers to uptake such as high upfront costs, difficulties using menstrual cups and concerns about using them outside of the home. These results illustrate the need for improved information and menstrual care services to encourage increased uptake of sustainable options.
Hygiene
Before disposable pads became widely used, women would sew cloth menstrual products out of whatever absorbent material was available. Today, reusable cloth pads can be found both as washable menstrual underwear and through online marketplaces; each length and thickness can be purchased. Cloth pads use less synthetic chemicals than their disposable counterparts while creating less waste overall.
When participants were asked to nominate the top three features of reusable menstrual products, comfort and protection against leakage were ranked as most essential features across all groups. Cost, confidence with the materials used and ease of changing were also noted as being important by some groups.
Some reusable menstrual products, including tampons and sanitary towels, have been discovered to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These man-made chemicals have been linked with numerous health conditions and are being phased out across North America and Europe. Unfortunately, PFAS chemicals can persist for decades in both their environment as well as human bodies, potentially increasing your chances of disease development.
Comfort
Participants identified multiple barriers to using menstrual cups and cloth pads, including upfront costs, challenges associated with product accessibility and perceived hygiene concerns. Open text responses also cited difficulties associated with inserting/removing cups as well as difficulties switching reusable products outside the home.
Participants were asked to identify three crucial features when purchasing menstrual products; most prioritized comfort and leakage protection as being of top priority. The third most essential feature differed depending on whether or not individuals currently used reusables, with cost, confidence in using and ease of changing being prioritised by those who never use them and those currently using reusables respectively. Current users of reusables reported feeling they had sufficient information about them, consistent with prior audits on online availability of menstrual cup and reusable pad information. However, identified barriers indicate further research is required into supporting young people accessing and using menstrual cup/reusable pad products.
