Utilizing rags or toilet tissue instead of period products is not only wasteful, but can lead to leakage and infections as well as heavy bleeding which could indicate medical conditions requiring treatment.
Internal menstrual cups and period underwear have become more and more popular among AWHS participants as cost-cutting solutions that reduce plastic waste while offering comfort. Unfortunately, some people may find these reusable options challenging to use.
Tampons
Tampons have long been a go-to menstrual product. Used with an applicator to insert into the vagina, these absorbency options are FDA regulated medical devices and typically made of cotton or rayon (or both!).
Period products can help women manage heavy or light periods. Women often use multiple period products during their cycle – pads during the daytime and tampons at nighttime are common options – to find what best fits into their lifestyle in terms of activity level, flow intensity and comfort needs.
When choosing tampons for your flow, select those with the lowest absorbency to reduce risk of TSS. Always read and follow package instructions for best practices for usage.
Pads
Pads are rectangular pieces of absorbent material designed to adhere to the inside of your underwear and keep you dry during menstruation. As one of the most widely-used menstrual hygiene products, they come in various sizes and absorbencies for light to heavy flow days.
Pads may pose less of a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome than tampons and may also provide greater comfort if you have sensitive skin.
Pads come packaged in plastic packaging that adds unnecessary waste to landfills worldwide. To reduce plastic consumption and have minimal environmental impact, opt for plastic-free options made of natural organic materials. Avoid scented panty liners which can irritate skin of your vulva and lead to leakage issues; in addition never flush used pads down the toilet as this could clog pipes or cause severe environmental damage; use as backup product such as tampons or menstrual cups instead.
Cups
Menstrual cups are flexible silicone or rubber devices designed to collect blood during your period instead of absorbing it, like pads and tampons do. You can wear one for up to 12 hours of protection at one time (making them perfect for overnight protection) and it is reusuable.
These devices tend to be less leaky than tampons and pads, have less of an increase in toxic shock syndrome risk, and can even be used with intrauterine devices – but there may be a learning curve involved and need regular cleaning.
Once practice is accumulated, most women become adept at inserting menstrual cups. A water-based lubricant or even simply placing the cup in the shower may make this easier; to ensure hygiene after each use they should be sterilized in boiling water before being stored away again.
Discs
Discs offer a new reusable option to menstrual hygiene that offers several advantages over tampons and pads – longer wear times, eco-friendliness, leak protection. In contrast to changing them every 4-8 hours with pads or tampons, menstrual cups (like Flex) or discs can remain worn up to 12 hours without needing replacement and can even last over 10 years with proper care!
Flex Disc is designed to fit most vaginas and conveniently pinches in half for insertion and sits comfortably in the fornix of the vagina, below the cervix. One disc holds as much as three super tampons while cutting waste by two-thirds when compared with pads made of plastic or rayon applicators; plus they don’t contain chemicals that could trigger an allergic reaction.
Underwear
Women today have many choices when it comes to period products besides pads and tampons. According to our studies, internal menstrual cups (flexible rubber or silicone items inserted into the vagina to collect cycle flow) as well as period underwear (an absorbent garment designed to prevent leaks) were popular products among our study participants.
On lighter flow days, some women may opt for thinner pads that offer less coverage and absorbency; heavier flow days necessitate thicker pads that cover both front-to-back and side-to-side areas for maximum leakage prevention.
Some brands provide organic or unbleached pads and tampons free of bleach, pesticides and toxic chemicals – an option suitable for people concerned about dioxin exposure (which may occur through prolonged contact with bleached paper and pulp products, but is far lower than through ingestion via food). There is also cloth menstrual underwear available as well as both washable reusable menstrual cups that can be washed before reuse.
