Before we have a nice long chat about how you can make your periods a more eco-friendly time… let’s start with a nice long caveat. Periods can be messy, painful, irritating, and a whole host of unpleasant things, along with being something natural, amazing, and spiritual, even. Periods are personal, and everyone has a different relationship with theirs.

[caption id="attachment_10267" align="alignnone" width="1130"] Relatable AF, no?[/caption]

So after hassled adolescent trial and errors, if you’ve managed to find the product that works for you, we are not here to tell you to give it up for the environment. But in case you do feel comfortable trying something new, and you’re looking for a few options other than pads and tampons… Well, then – here you go!

 

What’s wrong with old fashioned, anyway?

Again, if the pads and tampons are your solace and life support during red season, go for it! But the reason us eco-friends have reservations are simple:

Pads and tampons both contain chemicals (like bleach, for instance) that are bad for you – and cause everything from small rashes to toxic shock syndrome – and ultimately, bad for the environment.

[caption id="attachment_10271" align="alignnone" width="1130"] As if your PMS wasn't bad already, amiright?[/caption]

And if you’re looking to make a change to a greener life, and you’re open to some experimentation, the fact that you’re likely to use around eleven thousand pads or tampons (or both) in your lifetime should encourage you to try some new stuff out.

 

Bio-Degradable Pads and Tampons

For those who like where they are with pads, but wouldn’t mind a more eco-friendly and organic option, we have good news! India now has innumerable companies that make sanitary pads and tampons with organic, bio-degradable, materials. And they come in a host of price ranges too! However, if you’re looking for relatively thin pads with wings, extra length, and the like, we would advice you to go for brands like Purganics. If they seem out of your budget, you can always try for others, or go on to try something a little different.

Wash and Keep

Another alternative to those comfy with pads is to use reusable pads. And no, this does not mean you’re going back to the cloth. Reusable pads are becoming all the rage internationally as well as in niche groups in India.

They’re lined with odor resistant materials, are waterproof, easily taken care of and washed, and since they’re reusable, most of the ones in the market are worth the extra cost. Yes, you’ll have to wash it, but who hasn’t had to wash underwear, sheets, and more? This shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment.

 

Up for cups?

In this day and age, we’re sure you’ve heard of the menstrual cup. You may have heard of it as the Diva cup, the She cup, the Silky cup, Rustic Art Cups… but essentially, yes, we’re talking about a silicone cup that fits inside you, plugs you up, and can collect your menstrual blood for up to ten or twelve hours. They can be used repeatedly for up to ten years, are made with medical grade silicone by most brands, and are very easy to maintain once you get the hang of it.

[caption id="attachment_10275" align="alignnone" width="1130"] Feeling adventurous?[/caption]

That being said, some women report finding them a little uncomfortable, and may not be able to properly use it. Another tip for the new cup user is to practice using it at home. After all, figuring out how to take it out without creating a bloody mess, emptying it out in the toilet, and then pushing it back in may not be something you relish doing in the office bathroom stall.

 

Sea Sponge Tampons

We know – sounds crazy, right? But they exist. They’re reusable, obviously organic, and very hygienic. Like the diva cup, they’re reusable, and though pricier than the average pad, are well worth the money since you can get up to six months of regular use out of them. But also like the diva cup, almost every woman who tries them says they can be an adjustment initially, and they’re not the easiest to use in public restrooms – especially the first few times you use them.

At the end of the day, as we said, periods are very personal. And how you choose to confront them is entirely up to you. But gone are the days when the only options available to you was a piece of cloth, a plastic pad, or a bleached up tampon. So if even a small part of you would like to see if there are better options available to you, there’s literally no time like the present to give them a try!