When females are on their periods, a high percentage reach for pads or tampons. However, several alternatives are available if you want to change from single-use products. These alternatives are reusable, reducing the waste caused by pads and tampons, usually the most waste from bathroom and hygiene products.
These alternatives are also more natural, meaning better health for your reproductive system. These products are increasingly becoming popular as companies and individuals try to make more efforts to preserve the environment. Depending on your period needs and preferences, tampon alternatives include:
Menstrual cup
These are small, flexible, funnel-shaped, and sometimes collapsible cups made from silicone, latex, or rubber. They can hold up to one ounce of liquid, approximately twice as much as tampons usually hold.
You can wear them for around 6-12 hours, after which you need to wash and dry them. With the proper care, you can use them for up to 10 years. With a price of between $20 and $40, their initial cost is more than tampons and pads, but they help you save more in the long run.
Period underwear
If you want an external tampon alternative, these are the best choice. They feel and look like regular underwear but have thick padding in the middle, which acts as a pad. One of the main advantages is that they are comfortable and easy to put on, unlike other tampon alternatives.
According to WUKA, you can choose period underwear depending on your flow. You can get heavy or light flow period pants, and you can choose whichever design you want them in, whether a bikini, brief, thong, or seamless style.
They hold around one or two tampons worth of blood, and you can wear them for up to 12 hours. After that, ensure you wash them and let them dry completely before wearing them. Like menstrual cups, they have a higher upfront cost, between $15 and $50 a pair, but are cheaper than tampons in the long term.
Menstrual discs
These are similar to menstrual cups in that you have to insert them to collect blood. However, they sit deeper into the vaginal canal, which makes them more comfortable and better at preventing leaks. They can be messy to put in and remove, especially for the first few times.
They hold around an ounce of liquid, and you can wear them for up to 12 hours. While most menstrual disks are for one-time uses, you can find other reusable options better for the environment. Most menstrual disks cost between $14 and $50.
Reusable cloth pads
This is the best option for ladies who love using pads but are looking for a more environmentally friendly option. These are simply reusable pads and also come in different sizes, depending on your flow, and they cost around $10 to $40.
They have the same absorbency as regular pads, and you can wear them for between four and eight hours, after which you just need to throw them into the washing machine.
Like regular pads, these can be uncomfortable because they might move around. Therefore, if you gave an activity-filled day, they might not be the best.
When choosing a tampon alternative, consider your flow and comfort levels. Internally worn options tend to hold more blood and are more comfortable, but you can find period underwear or reusable pads with higher absorbency levels if you don’t love them.
