Sustainable Feminism: Period Products?

By Diya Nathan

Plastic is everywhere, and menstrual products are no exception. The most common products such as tampons and disposable pads are loaded with plastic, from design to packaging, and once discarded, like any plastic product, they end up in landfills and take thousands of years to biodegrade. National Geographic estimates that just in the US alone, nearly 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are disposed of every year. However, it is hard to tell, in that menstrual products are not monitored, since they are often labeled as medical waste.

Why care?

Not only are standard disposable products bad for the environment, but they are also bad for the consumer. The thin layer of plastic in pads allows many brands to advertise their products as leakproof, but it also traps moisture and heat, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Along with plastic, many pads and tampons contain different chemicals to achieve their white, sterile look, such as dioxin and various pesticides. Constant exposure to these chemicals can lead to pelvic cancer, infertility, thyroid malfunction, diabetes, and depression.

Menstrual Cups

If you’ve thought about whether or not to switch to a reusable menstrual product, you’ve most likely heard of the menstrual cup. Exactly what it sounds like, the menstrual cup is a flexible cup made from latex rubber or silicone that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual flow. Instead of throwing something away each time you have to tend to your period, simply dump, rinse, and reinsert the cup. Although it may seem complicated and painful, Dr. Vanessa Cullins, Vice President of External Medical Affairs of Planned Parenthood, has explained that after you find the right size (most often based on age) along with some practice, the process becomes easy and should not cause any pain regardless of how skilled you are with it. Menstrual cups are also less expensive, as one purchase can last anywhere from six months to ten years.

Reusable Pads

If the menstrual cup seems uncomfortable to use, there is always the reusable pad. Even if the image of something bulky and uncomfortable comes to mind, many are light, flexible, and thin. Reusable pads last for nearly five to seven years and are also more absorbent than the standard disposable model. It is true that reusable pads may be more of a hassle in that consumers must find the right size, carry the pad around in waterproof bags, and wash and sterilize them after use. However, it is one of the safest menstrual products in that reusable pads are made from biodegradable products such as cotton, and bamboo, and they do not hold chemicals within. Instead, they are more breathable than their disposable counterparts, which presents less risk of bacteria growth and yeast infections.

What else?

Even though the menstrual cup and reusable pads are the most discussed sustainable period products, they are not the only ones. Period underwear has also become more popular in recent years. Being on your period with nothing but your pants and underwear on may seem scary, but period underwear can hold up three to five tablespoons of menstrual blood. They feel and look like normal underwear but contain a special layer that holds the menstrual blood like a pad, which can be washed and reused like normal underwear for six months to two years (depending on wash and care). However, if the whole concept of having to wash or clean your period products seems like an inconvenience, there are disposable products that you may use. Brands like Saathi, Veeda, and Organyc create organic, chemical free pads and tampons made from plant products, such as cotton, bamboo and banana leaf, so once thrown out, they biodegrade naturally and as quickly as in six months. Just like wearing reusable pads, there is less chance of bacteria growth and yeast infection due to the lack of chemicals and the breathable, all-natural materials of these brands.

While period products are often left out of the conversation when it comes to sustainability, the waste that they produce cannot be denied. As the push for more sustainable and safe products has grown, big name brands such as Tampax and Always have both released products that are made completely from cotton, so consumers do not have to choose between something better for the environment and something convenient. If the demand for safer and more eco-friendly products continues to grow, more companies will produce those types of menstrual products. By simply using more sustainable products and discussing the benefits of them, it is possible to create more conversations about sustainability and spur change for the better.

Collage Credits: Yamila Frej

Collage Images (from Top Left to Bottom Right): refinedprose.com, theveganreview.com, bebadass.in