Looking to make the switch to plastic-free period products? There's been a lot of talk these past few years about natural period products. But what options are available? And why is it worth trying?
Firstly, a healthy body and a healthy mind doesn’t stop at food and supplements. What we choose to put in and on our bodies including skincare, cosmetics and feminine hygiene products can have a strong impact on our health and wellness goals. And it can also impact our environment.
Conventional sanitary pads and tampons are full of plastic (more on that below) which is not only bad for our bodies but also the planet. We delve in to all this and more below in this handy guide to plastic-free period products.
Why Should I Make the Switch to Plastic-Free Period Products?
Wondering why you should give plastic-free period products a go? Here’s the low down on just some of the benefits of changing over to a more natural feminine menstrual care.
Reduce your Chemical Exposure
Did you know that conventional sanitary pads and tampons are roughly 90% plastic? And according to Natracare, just one pack of conventional pads is the equivalent to up to five carrier bags worth of plastic? On top of this, they use a host of other not so friendly ingredients including polyester, nayon, perfume, deodorants, artificial dyes, acetophenone, chlorine or chlorine dioxide processing - and the list goes on.
And we’re exposing our most sensitive area to these ingredients on a monthly basis. Many gynecologists are advising women to reduce their exposure to these chemicals and synthetic plastics as they can disrupt your natural pH and vaginal bacterial environment. Upsetting your pH balance can lead to the likes of thrush, BV (Bacterial Vaginosis) or vulval itching.
Environmental Benefits
Not only does our choice of period products directly impact our health, it affects our carbon footprint. Over 45 billion (again, billion!!) feminine hygiene products are exposed somewhere every year. Sanitary waste is either incinerated, which releases harmful gases and toxic waste in to the air, or sent to a landfill. And plastics used in sanitary pads, liners and tampon applicators aren’t biodegradable so they’ll remain in the environment, unchanged for hundreds of years.
Plastic-Free Period Products: Alternatives
At Evergreen Healthfoods we proudly stock a number of high quality brands providing high quality and natural feminine hygiene products. Reduce your carbon footprint by choosing 100% organic cotton and chemical free pads and tampons or consider a menstrual cup. Here's more info about these plastic-free period products.
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual cups are made from soft medical-grade silicone and are inserted in to the vagina. Unlike tampons, they catch and collect the blood rather than absorb it. While tampons and sanitary pads are thrown away, menstrual cups are simply emptied in to the toilet, washed and reused.
They typically hold three times as much as your average tampon so are ideal if you’re having a heavy period and need longer-lasting protection. They can can be worn for up 12 hours and because they don’t absorb the fluid, they won’t cause dryness.
They can take a little while to get used (and can be messy while you adjust) but they’re also super convenient - they’re there and ready to use, unlike sanitary pads or tampons that may run out when you need them! There’s also several sizes available and various brands.
We stock:
- Mooncup Reusable Menstrual Cups - they're available in all stores and online in Size A & Size B
100% Organic Cotton Sanitary Pads, Liners & Tampons
Cotton is widely used to make conventional tampons and pads and a lot of people aren’t aware of the sheer number of pesticides sprayed on this crop. Avoid unnecessary exposure by opting for organic cotton, natural products.
Plastic-free, and made from biodegradable materials, 100% organic cotton sanitary pads, liners and tampons will not only make a difference to your body but leave a softer footprint on our environment. By going for natural organic cotton products, you’re reducing your exposure to these chemicals and pesticides and other potentially toxic residues.
We stock:
- the full range of Natracare products both online and in stores. They are made from natural materials, are animal friendly and vegetarian approved, gynaecologist recommended, sustainably sourced, multi-award winning, certified organic AND Totally Chlorine Free (TCF).
- Flo: Their tampons use certified organic cotton, meaning no toxic substances on your bits and higher labour standards. They use biodegradable + compostable plant cellulose for their pad, liner and tampon wrappers, and sugarcane biopolymer for the applicators (95% plant-based) - absolutely NO plastic here.
Period Pants
Period pants are underwear that fully absorb your menstrual flow, so that you can say goodbye to tampons and pads, allowing you the freedom to simply bleed into your underwear… WITHOUT leaks.
Wuka Hipster Period Pants: Wuka stands for 'Wake Up Kick Ass' as they believe that nothing should hold you back on your period. Wuka period pants are made from Tencel, an eco-friendly fabric. The fibres are compostable and biodegradable, which means they can fully revert back to nature.
References:
https://www.natracare.com/why-natracare/intimate-health/
http://coconutsandkettlebells.com/natural-feminine-hygiene-products/
Please note, this blog is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice.
It’s always best to consult your doctor before taking any new supplements, treatments or remedies if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication.
Checked and updated: 27 January 2023
