Disposable pads and tampons contain numerous synthetic chemicals that are non-biodegradable, can irritate skin irritation, contain perfumes, bleach and other toxins – and must therefore be avoided as much as possible.
Reusable menstrual products such as cloth pads, period underwear and menstrual cups offer an eco-friendly solution, but can be costly to buy and use.
Cost
Reusable menstrual products not only benefit the environment, but they can be more cost effective too. Disposable pads and tampons contribute significantly to landfill waste while their production requires significant energy use, often including chemical chlorine bleaching or production using fossil fuels (for low density plastic, use low density plastic pads with no applicators instead). Organic all cotton pads or tampons without an applicator may help lower environmental impacts by providing less waste production.
Reusable options like cloth pads, period underwear, menstrual cups and sea sponges have expanded period care choices significantly. While their reusability offers cost and environmental advantages, it can be hard to say exactly how much the savings from their reuse will offset the initial upfront investment cost.
Environment
While many recognize the environmental ramifications of single-use plastic, one area where people often overlook its effects is menstrual products. According to studies, one woman disposes of 150 kilograms of non-biodegradable tampons and pads in their lifetime; most made from non-biodegradable plastic materials which take up to 800 years for breakdown if left in the ocean.
Reusable products have a lower environmental impact than disposable ones and can help address period waste management challenges in low-income settings. People in developing nations often resort to burying or throwing away used tampons which puts pressure on water and sanitation systems and may negatively affect environmental health and quality of life for those living nearby.
Menstrual products’ environmental impacts depend on various factors, including raw material growth and extraction, production processes, transportation logistics and recycling methods. Menstrual product manufacturers should include life cycle assessments on their products in order to educate customers about their environmental footprints and inform consumers accordingly.
Allergies
Menstrual products may cause skin rashes when their fragrances, dyes and synthetic materials come in contact with sensitive areas like fragrances and dyes. Reusable pads and liners made from natural fabrics tend to cause less skin irritation compared to disposable options that often include plastic or non-woven fibres dyed and scented with chemicals.
While our participants in this study weren’t explicitly asked about their sanitary pad choices, given COVID-19 lockdown restrictions many young people were studying or working from home during recruitment period, which may have had an influence. It may have affected product choice slightly but is unlikely to have altered results significantly; overall most participants reported no issues with leakage, itching or smelly discharge when using cloth sanitary pads – likely because reusable cloth sanitary pads made of more comfortable materials, like cotton fleece, typically provide more cushion and don’t cause friction against vulva region during use compared with disposable plastic models made from less comfortable materials which do cause friction while providing extra cushion against friction from vulva area during recruitment period.
Cleanliness
Reusable menstrual products offer many advantages over disposable pads in terms of cleanliness and ease of care, such as being easy to wash. No special storage area or extra bags are necessary as regular laundry soap can be used when laundering them after use and boiling after each use to sterilize and ensure hygiene and avoid infections.
Reusable menstrual products can be an invaluable resource for women without access to affordable and reliable sanitary supplies, helping reduce landfill waste while being more cost-effective than disposable alternatives.
Many disposable tampons and pads contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be hazardous to health. These harmful chemicals leach from the pad into the vagina and cause irritation, with benzene being one of the more hazardous VOCs commonly found in menstrual products; its link has even been associated with reproductive issues and cancer risk. By opting for reusable menstrual products instead, these harmful chemicals will be eliminated while simultaneously making an environmental difference.
