As a woman, there are a lot of things you can do better for yourself and the environment. One of the things is to switch your usual woman product to reusable menstrual products.
There are a lot of menstrual products you can use within your period. And it might be the healthiest option for you.
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Why Should You Switch To Reusable Menstrual Products
You probably heard about Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), an illness that listed within every box of tampons.
We all know tampons can soak up the menstrual blood, unfortunately, it also absorbs the natural moisture out of the vagina, that’s why some of you who ever used tampons might experience some pain when you try to pull your tampon.
For some women, it might be weird to insert some item to their vagina, so they choose menstrual pads. Which is disposable by the way.
Imagine this. How many tampons or pads you use when you are on your period? 1 box? 2 boxes? Is it consists of 12 pieces or 20 pieces? How many time a day you change?
Now, you can time it on 12 months a year. That’s quite a lot, right? What about for the rest of your life before you get pregnant, or menopause? Well, according to Women’s Environmental Network, it could be more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products.
And last but not least, try to imagine how much garbage would pile up, if you consider half of the population in the world is women.
Scary isn’t it?! The good news is, there is a solution for that, and it’s a reusable menstrual products. The beauty of it is that you only need to buy them once and they can last for years.
Not only you will save a lot of money, but you will also contribute to saving the world and yourself (from the risk of TSS!)
All Reusable Menstrual Product You Can Use
Menstrual Cup
Its a bell-shaped cup made from medical grade silicone that is used to collect menstrual blood. To use it is quite similar to tampons, you have to insert it internally. The difference is, while tampons absorb, a menstrual cup only collect, so you don’t need to worry about TSS!
Reusable Cloth Pads
If the disposable pads made from plastic, fragrances, adhesives, and chemical gels, cloth pads are made from clothes. So you don’t have to worry about all the chemical things going near your sensitive parts. Cloth pads are free from irritating materials! To use cloth pads, you have to attach it to your panties.
Period Panties
Another option for you girls is period panties. It’s a panty made from special fabrics that absorb blood from your cycle. You can use it alone. You don’t have to attach it to another panty.
Or you can use it as a backup when you have a heavy flow, and you use a cup or cloth pads.
Menstrual discs
Its a disc with a thin plastic that can collect menstrual blood. You have to put it past the vaginal canal. And just like a menstrual cup, it only needs to be changed every twelve hours. Even though the menstrual disc isn’t reusable, they produce 60% less waste than tampons.
Sea Sponge Tampons
Just like tampons, you have to use it internally to absorb your period blood. But unlike regular tampons which is made from unnatural substances, this one is made from sea sponge. They are moistened for use and can be comfortable. You can reused it again after you clean it, by boiling it or sterilized the sponge.
Interlabial Pads
It’s a crossfunction pad between a tampon and a pad. Which is used to absorb menstrual blood. But you don’t need to worn it internally. It is worn externally in the labia. But the downside is, it is not suitable for activities like swimming or sports.
Tampliner
This is a combination between tampons and liners. It’s a liner with a special membrane that operates both a way to insert tampons safely and as a replacement for pads. Even though it is not reusable, it’s made of organic biodegradable cotton, so it won’t spend much time on the landfill after you dispose of it.
Menstrual Cup Vs Reusable Pad
Offers support to an active lifestyle
Unlike pad, a cup only needs to be changed once every twelve hours. So you don’t need to bring other pads with you every time you go to the toilet.
And it can be used while swimming, and exercising, without having any discomfort!
While pad needs to be changed several times a day and can be uncomfortable when worn during sports.
Not too mention how uncomfortable it is to wear a pad in hot weather, or when swimming.
Easier to clean
When you use reusable pads, it might be harder for you to clean it, because even though you have washed it with soap, there might still be a chance of the spots left behind.
While a menstrual cup doesn’t leave any stain after being cleaned and washed in the right way.
Most eco friendly option
You don’t need too many cups when you are on your period. Cups are very economical. One cup can last 5 years or longer.
Unlike pads. It can be tricky to guess how many pads you will need, and you run the risk of running out if your cycle is heavier or longer than expected or you don’t plan with your laundry.
More healthy
If you use a menstrual cup, it won’t encourage bacterial transfer from the anal area as pads can.
There are studies reported that using menstrual cups did not affect vaginal flora. Research that examined the vaginal canal and the cervix after a person used a menstrual cup showed that this product did not cause tissue damage.
Offer more discreet.
If you use a cup, you can put it into your pocket, as it is small and portable. Unlike pads, if you need to change a pad at school or work, you still have to carry the pad to the bathroom, and then carry the soiled one in your bag. This can be awkward or embarrassing for some people.
Conclusion
After you read all these facts below, you might think it will be scary to put some items into your vagina. Well, relax! You are not the only one who is afraid to try this!
My advice to you is to try to read reviews online. There are a lot of women who love menstrual cups. Have the courage to try one by Lazy Monk.
