Real talk: Rethink your period with reusable menstrual products
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The Zero Waste movement has infiltrated the mainstream consciousness, with an increase in households choosing reusable straws, water bottles, napkins, and household cleaning materials. But we have a question…
Come in a little closer, this is going to get personal…have you tried going zero waste in your, um, underwear? Reusable menstrual products are gaining popularity, and we asked our CityMoms about their favorites.
But before we dive into all the deets, let’s talk about why you might want to make the switch. Over a woman’s lifetime, she’s going to toss an average of 250 to 300 pounds of used menstrual products into the trash, much of which is plastic. Think about the wrappers, the applicators, and even the products themselves are primarily composed of plastic materials. Scientists estimate it takes hundreds of years for those plastics to break down. So that applicator you used for 0.01 seconds, yeah it will still be around when your great, great, great, grandchildren are alive.
In addition to the environmental burden one-time-use menstrual products cause, there have been questions about the chemicals in tampons and pads and whether they can cause any long-term health complications. Tampon companies say this isn’t a concern, but not all scientists are convinced there shouldn’t be a concern over potential hormone disruption.
If you are able to splurge on the up-front cost of reusable menstrual products, you’ll save big in the long run. Most last for upwards of a decade, saving you hundreds and eliminating that last-minute trip to the store to stock up when your supply is low.
The Menstrual Cup and Disc
The menstrual cup is the most well-known reusable menstrual product, but taking the plunge can feel overwhelming. The sizes, the styles, do they really work? Menstrual cup fans swear by them, and if your girlfriend uses one, you can be sure she's told you all about it.
Menstrual cups are typically made of flexible, soft silicone and can be safely worn for 8-12 hours (hallelujah!). Yes, there is a learning curve as you figure out how to wear it and clean it, but most users swear they will never go back.
“My periods are extra-long. The cup and disc have made the extended periods manageable. I empty a few times a day, and otherwise, I don’t have to worry about it. I haven’t had any leaks, and I think my cramps are actually better than before! Overall I love saving money and love saving the Earth in this little way.”
Many menstrual cup users claim they experience shorter periods and less cramping. Other benefits include decreased vaginal dryness (tampons can strip your vaginal walls of moisture), decreased risk of toxic shock syndrome, can be used for any stage of your period, and, best of all, some cups can be worn during intercourse (bonus!).
“My advice to new cup users is to expect a bit of a learning curve; there was a pretty big one for me.”
Katie continued, “My best friend is a long-time cup user, and I definitely called her from the bathroom the first time I was trying to use the cup! Be prepared to ‘get up in there’ much more than you do when inserting a tampon. Read and watch videos so you understand the different folds you can try and how to best insert and remove the cup. When it’s properly inserted, it’s so comfortable you don’t feel it at all. It can be a bit cumbersome trying to empty and reinsert, but since you can leave a menstrual cup in for up to 12 hours, you can almost always plan to do this while at home if you like.”
Most users report a month or two of wear before they have the hang of insertion and removal.
Our CityMom favorite cup brands: June Cup (special shout out for their gender-inclusive advertising!), Saalt, MeLuna, Ziggy by Intimina, Lunette
Stacey and several of our CityMoms recommended checking out cup quizzes from Period Nirvana or Put A Cup In It to find a specific brand that works for each person. Cup lengths, sizes, and styles vary slightly.
Reusable Tampon Applicators
Cups aren’t for you? A small percentage of women’s anatomy isn’t compatible with a menstrual cup, which fits closely around your cervix, and prefers tampons. But what can we do about all those tampon applicators ending up in the trash? Reusable tampon applicators may be the solution. Take your favorite natural tampons and load them into the applicator, wash them, and reuse them.
Our CityMom favorite reusable applicator brand: Dame
Reusable Pads
Reusable pads are a fan-favorite reusable menstrual product for our CityMoms, with many stating it was the entry point for more reusable products. Like disposable pads, they can come in various thicknesses and generally snap around your underwear. Some have removable inserts for increased absorption.
“I’ve always been a fan of reusable menstrual products. Before kids, I had and loved my Diva cup, but it never fit well again after. A friend suggested looking into reusable pads, and I was hooked! They have all sizes, from spotting days to those heavy overnight ones. They even have cute prints (even though I’m the only one who sees and enjoys them).”
OK, you like the idea of a reusable pad, but washing seems scary… fear not, it is simple. You can wash your pads with other laundry, and no it won’t stain your other clothes.
CityMom L throws her pads in with her lighter-colored clothes and washes on warm and has no issues with stains. “I don’t do a thing, but throw them in the laundry basket,” she said. “They also don’t have an odor like traditional pads would in the trash.”
However, if you are concerned about stains, you can rinse your pads in cold water between putting them in the laundry.
Our CityMom favorite reusable pad brands: Party in My Pants, GladRags, New Moon Pads , Wegreeco
Period Underwear
The newest kid on the reusable scene is period underwear, and this revolutionary undergarment has garnered a lot of attention from awestruck women. Can we really just wear our underwear? Yes, yes, you can! They look and feel just like underwear while doing the work of a traditional pad.
Our CityMom favorite period panties: Bambody, Thinx, The Period Company
Honorable Mention: Reusable Nursing Pads
If you’re an expectant or nursing mom, skip the disposable nursing pads and invest in some seriously soft and comfortable reusable ones. They simply slip into your bra and change as needed. You can launder them with your other clothes.
Bonus: Repurpose them as facial rounds once you are done nursing!
Our CityMom favorite reusable nursing pad brands: Bamboobies and Lansinoh
Take the plunge and make a small change to lower your environmental impact by finding a reusable menstrual product that works for your life.
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