There’s more to sustainable menstruation products than them just being good for the environment. It is better and safe for your body and health in comparison to any other disposable product. The reason for this is simple—sustainable period products are made of materials that are supposedly safe for your body.
Disposable period products, which we have been using for years, are known to contain upto 90% plastic and chemicals which cause skin infections—like vaginal, vulva, urinary, reproductive tract—and even cancer. But then, if not the usual sanitary pads, what should a menstruator use? That’s where sustainable menstruation comes in.
We got in touch with Artika Singh, Menstrual Health Educator and Founder of Taarini Foundation, to recommend some alternate sustainable products.
1. Menstrual cups
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A single cup lasts over 10 years. It saves you from buying products for each cycle. It’s easy to clean and maintain during and in between cycles. They’re made from medical grade silicone, an inert material, which is why they are safe for internal use.
Downside: In areas where clean running water is not available all day, this may not be the best option. Some menstruators may also find it difficult or painful to use owing to anxiety of inserting, vulvodynia, vaginismus, etc.
2. Reusable cloth pads
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This is very close to using disposable pads we are already accustomed to using, except they’re made from pure cotton cloth. The idea of using cloth to absorb period blood is age old, but the cloth used must be clean and of a certain quality to be safe for use. Cloth pads ensure that only safe quality cloth is used as a product. One pad (depending on the brand) can last upto five years.
Downside: These have to be washed after each use just how you would wash clothes/bed sheets that get stained with blood and have to be dried adequately, which could be time consuming. Additionally, one must be careful to change these timely to avoid accumulation of moisture which can cause infections.
3. Period underwear
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Imagine an underwear that will absorb your period blood where you don’t need to wear anything else. This is real and possible. These can either have an inbuilt padding or just be of a thicker material. It’s a great option for absorbing vaginal discharge other than just period blood. Additionally, it can be used in combination with another product for extra coverage.
Downside: It may cause leakage if the flow is heavy. Some of them are thick and may cause discomfort to the person wearing them.
4. Biodegradable tampons and pads
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These are exactly like the disposable tampons and pads and are even disposable, but they’re biodegradable. They contain much less plastic.
Downside: While picking out a biodegradable product, make sure to get enough information. At times, only certain components of the pad are biodegradable and the label could be misleading. It’s important to seek information from the company, which are now easily accessible on social media.
Changing the product we buy is only half the solution. It is important that this is aided by companies being held accountable for producing good quality and safe products.
Lead Image Credit: Pad Man, Hope Productions
