Modern Menstruation: How To Make The Transition To Reusable Sanitary Products
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By PAGE Editor
Environmentally conscious consumption has been a hot topic issue for the past few years now, and we are absolutely thrilled. Thinking critically about all the single-use items we purchase daily has allowed us to find greener alternatives that have the potential to not only clean up our oceans and local waterways but to also keep more cash in our pockets. And now, the green movement has come for the red devil too – pardon this turn of phrase!
Sanitary products have always been considered to be a necessary evil. Their traditionally single-use design made a lot of sense upon their conception and original development for 20th century markets. But now, pads and tampons have become recognised as another common source of single use plastic litter.
This has inspired millions if not billions across the globe to take action against their period’s carbon footprint, swapping out their monthly purchase of single use pads and tampons for reusable sanitary products. And if you’re looking to make this change yourself, then this is the guide for you.
Let’s unpack how you can modernise your menstruation by making a sustainable switch to reusable sanitary products.
Balance sustainability with your gender expression
First, we want to start this guide with a small disclaimer for all our trans men who still menstruate: don’t feel pressured to buy the period undies if you don’t want them. You reserve the right to invest in gender affirming underwear for your wardrobe – even if you are still menstruating.
Whether you’re yet to undergo bottom surgery and are planning to, don’t want to spend on period underwear when you’re expecting to stop menstruating or start menstruating less in the very near future, or simply don’t want to buy bikini briefs or boylegs that are in total contrast to your gender identity – all of these reasons are perfectly valid for leaving period underwear on the store shelf.
Besides, there are other reusable sanitary product options out there other than period undies. And some of these alternatives can actually be more appealing alongside being more flexible. But more on this below!
Select your preferred reusable sanitary products
As we briefly mentioned, there are a variety of reusable sanitary products available on the market today, so you don’t just have to buy period underwear if you’d prefer to wear your own intimates. There are actually three main types of reusable sanitary products to choose from today, these being:
Menstrual cups – typically made of silicon or elastomers and available in various flow capacities
Reusable pads – typically made of cotton cloth and available in various flow capacities
Period underwear – available in a variety of cuts/styles
1. Menstrual cups
If you’ve been wearing tampons all your life, making the switch to menstrual cups (or moon cups) actually isn’t that far of a stretch. There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to inserting your moon cup, but once you’ve got the hang of it, inserting and removing your cup as needed becomes just as natural as working with a tampon.
2. Reusable pads
For those of us who prefer pads over tampons, however, you have the option of investing in reusable cotton or cloth pads. These nifty reusable pads can stay in position in your underwear much like a regular single use pad, but instead of using an adhesive, it uses a clip or a button via its wings. These cotton pads are a great alternative to single use pads, and are just as easy to wash as your custom socks and jocks. Their built-in clips and buttons make them effortless to hang up on clotheslines or to even dry out in the middle of the week, allowing you to maintain your supply of fresh pads without even needing to buy a week’s worth at once.
3. Period underwear
Typically made from cotton or polycotton blends, period underwear was originally only available for purchase in brief or boyleg cuts and in full coverage ‘granny panty’ styles. Nowadays, however, you can actually find period underwear in a range of other flattering styles, including lacey briefs, high bikini cuts, and even in thong styles.
Like reusable pads and menstrual cups, period underwear is available at different flow capacities, boasting differing levels of absorbency to cater to light, medium, and heavier flows.
Transition the reusable products into your cycle
Once you’ve equipped yourself with your preferred reusable products, it’s time to start transitioning these new assets into your cycle – and the word ‘transition’ is key here. Like all green initiatives, you don’t have to expect your swap to be instantaneous. In fact, the best approach to ensuring that you use your reusable products over the long term is to phase the use of these new eco-friendly alternatives into your pre-existing habits.
This can mean simply swapping out a single-use pad for a reusable fabric pad every other day, or even just carrying your moon cup around with you to make sure it’s on hand if you feel comfortable trialing it instead of using a tampon. The most important thing is to keep the use of your eco-friendly products sustainable and comfortable. That’s the secret to maintaining these greener menstruation management habits.
Keep experimenting and assessing your period product consumption
Finally and in the spirit of letting yourself phase in greener habits, it’s important to keep in mind that the single most important quality that any eco-conscious consumer can have is simply being open to the idea of ongoing improvements. These new reusable sanitary products are definitely a step up from the single-use products of the past, but there is always room for improvement.
The primary objective at all times is really to reduce the amount of single-use plastic waste generated by period products globally. As 4.8 pieces of menstrual waste are found per 100 metres of beach cleaned (according to the Marine Conservation Society), any level of reduction in the consumption of single-use pads and tampons will truly make a world of difference.
Tackling consumer waste is a marathon and not a sprint, so keep comfy and flexible as you make your sustainable swap to reusable period products.
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