A sustainable guide to your period

One of my aims when I started sharing my journey towards a more sustainable life was to make sustainability more accessible for everyone. Some people who start researching on sustainable topics might experience an initial burden-a burden that I want to remove. I want to show you that with some easy non-invasive transitions you can make a big step ahead in terms of sustainability-and it doesn't require you to ditch your smartphone and live in the Amazone forest.

So let's talk about...PERIODS. On average women experience about 13 cycles per year which adds up to as many as 520 periods a women goes through during her life. Considering the fact that one woman uses around 20 tampons per period amounts to as many as 10'400 tampons during the course of a woman's life (Source). This creates a considerable amount of waste that could easily be prevented by making some easy swaps. In the following I want to point out some more sustainable period options that allow you to do something good for the environment but also for for own health and your budgets' (as you will save money in the long run).

Menstrual Cups
Also known as period cups, lady cups etc. are cups mostly made of silicon that are inserted into the vagina to pick up the menstrual flow. The blood is collected inside the cup and allows you to have period-free thoughts for up to 10 hours. After that, the cup can simply be emptied out and cleaned before being reinserted. Personally, I only started using a cup a few months ago because I had some initial concerns. However, ever since using it I wonder how I did so long without it. It makes things so much easier and more convenient. A cup costs around 30 dollars and there are various brands that have them on the market such as Organicup, Fairsquared, Lunette etc. Besides being more convenient, a cup is also way more budget-friendly as one cup holds many years when handled correctly (cook before and after every period and properly rinse them between uses). On top of that comes the fact that a cup reduces the risk for Toxic Shock Syndrom (TSS) caused by bacteria toxins that can occur when a tampon is not regurly changed (Source). While it may take you a while to get used to handling it, once you get the hang of it you'll see you can do (almost) anything with it (be it swimming, dancing etc.) and be delighted by the freedom it gives you.

Organic Tampons
If you don't feel comfortable changing to a cup yet, you can consider organic tampons instead. While not being as environmentally friendly as cups, unbleached tampons made from organic cotton are still a more sustainable and health friendlier option than regular tampons. Research shows that using organic hygiene products, such as the one's from Natracare, can reduce the carbon footprint by around 35% (Source).
Furthermore, conventional tampons are filled with toxins such as dioxine and chlorine which are dangerous for both humans and environment (Source). Dioxine, amongst other things, can cause a series of health issues such as cancer, immune- as well as reproductive issues (Source). Whilst scientists argue that the dioxines found in tampons are minor they also point out that the high absorption capability of the vaginal mucosa can cause even minor quantities to be a health threat (Source).
Organic tampons such as the one's by Natracare for example are toxin- and plastic-free whilst also reducing the risk for TSS. There are organic tampons with and without (cardboard) applicators available on the market. If you don't want to abstain from tampon applicators, but also don't support single use applicators, there is good news. Shethinx makes reusable tampon applicators which is another simple way to reduce waste.

Reusable pads
If you're not so much of a cup nor tampon person but prefer to use pads instead, there are also eco-conscious alternatives available for pads. Conventional pads are made from up to 90% plastic (Source) and thereby amount to much unneccesary plastic pollution. There is a better alternative available: Reusable and washable menstrual pads made from cotton can easily be thrown into the wash (rather than into the bin) after every use. You can use them the same way you use disposable pads. There are many different sizes and varying absorption available. On Etsy for example you can find many different ones.

Period underwear
Then there is period underwear which are made from super absorbent materials that can hold up to four tampons' worth of blood. It's understandable if you might feel a bit sceptic at first but let me assure you that period underwear is an innovative new way that allows you to experience a stress-free period. Period underwear has anti-bacterial properties and the breathabiliy of the material ensures that it's smell-free. The period underwear currently available by brands such as shethinx or wuka are simple and inconspicuous-so no need to fear a diaper look. Whilst I personally haven't tried them yet, I've heard great things about them and they're also a great way to prevent period leaks from tampons or cups.

So if you're already an eco-warrior I'm sure those tips were just repetition. However, this post was more meant for people new to the topic and was intended as a guide to help them navigate what sometimes seems like a sustainability jungle. At this point I want to highlight again that these simple swaps can create a big impact. The amount of conventional hygiene products a woman uses per year amount to as many as 5.3 kg CO^2.
By implementing some of these tips you can reduce your CO²
footprint considerably (Source). As mentioned earlier, by swapping to organic products you can save already as much as 35% in carbon footprint (Source). Even the better, when you opt for waste-free options of course but I also think it's important to find the solution that works best for you. Anyways, I hope this article was in any way helpful to you and let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

*Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by the brands mentioned.