A Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Menstrual Products

The popularity of reusable menstrual care products has been on the rise over the previous years. Along with the advancement of technology, new products are constantly invented, such as menstrual cups. People have become more aware of the environmental and possible financial implications of using disposable menstrual products, which gives reusable products a better leverage. 

Reusable menstrual products have been around way longer than we thought, with one of the first recorded period products being invented all the way from the late 1800s to 1900s. Rags were commonly worn to absorb period discharge until the invention of sanitary belts, which were reusable pads held in place by a belt. 

The first tampons were invented in the 1930s, but it was not until the 1970s that the adhesive disposable pads that we know of today were invented. However, as the need for reducing waste increases to save our Earth, the detrimental effects of single-use products are now more obvious, leading to the switch to reusable hygiene products.

The main categories of reusable menstrual products include reusable sanitary pads, menstrual cups, and period pants.

1. Reusable Pads

A typical reusable pad functions like a normal disposable pad, with the exception that it is made from cloth that is washable and comes with a holder that fastens to your underwear to hold the pad in place to avoid leakage. Just like disposable pads, reusable pads come in different sizes to accommodate the varying amounts of discharge flow. It is also claimed by some brands that reusable pads are more absorbent than disposable ones.

Eco Femme’s reusable cloth pads are the perfect pads for beginners who are just learning to make the switch. Made from organic cotton, it carries different sizes to provide the best coverage according to your needs.

2. Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are the eco-friendly version of tampons. These funnel-shaped cups are typically made of silicon or rubber for flexibility and they collect discharge when inserted into your vagina.

They also come in a variety of sizes to suit your needs and all you have to do is take them out when they become full and wash them before reinserting again. Menstrual cups can hold more discharge than your typical tampon so it saves the hassle of constantly replacing them.

Saalt’s menstrual cups set comes in two sizes, the small one for a light flow which replaces 2-3 tampons, and the regular one for a heavier flow with more capacity. They are both made with an ultra-soft silicone formula that aids bladder sensitivity or discomfort.

3. Period Underwear

The idea is pretty straightforward, period underwear comes with paddings in-built in them which replaces the need for pads or tampons. There are also varying absorbency levels to suit your cycle. 

Love Luna has period panties made for different cycles and occasions. From bikini briefs with moderate absorbency to full briefs with heavy absorbency, you never have to worry about any leakages. They also come with a soft cotton lining for maximum comfort.

We’ve come a long way...

From rags and cotton to period products made with advanced technology. With all these alternatives, you don’t have to compromise on comfort to switch to sustainability. These products are relatively fuss-free, yet they provide the same or even better results. You can find all the menstrual products listed above at The Green Collective to better the comfort of your menstrual cycle.