Periods are painful and uncomfortable as it is, now add the stress of learning that some of the common period products you may be using may have high levels of toxic heavy metals like lead and arsenic in them. One shouldn’t have to worry about getting dangerous infections that can lead to toxic shock syndrome and cancer just from taking care of their monthly flow. Let’s also factor in the “pink tax” of how expensive it is to have to constantly buy these products over a lifetime… which also leads to how wasteful they are! But there is a solution!! There are an increasing number of sustainable period products out there that are safe for your body, cheaper (in the long run), much less wasteful for the planet, and it is rumored that using these products can often decrease cramps and maybe even the length of a period (of course there are no studies because no one studies women’s health). Sounds like wins all around to me! Let’s dive into some great options below!

The idea of reusable period products is revolutionary. If women had this option a decade ago, the planet and their menstrual cycles would be in better condition today. But it’s never too late to start caring for yourself and the planet. There’s a variety of options for reusable period products based on your comfort and what your body needs, products including underwear, pads, pantiliners, tampons, cups, and discs. A study conducted in Kenya found that using menstrual cups lowers the risk of bacterial infection in comparison to women who use sanitary pads. There are at least three main reasons for investing in reusable period products: financial, environmental, and health. This trifecta of reasoning is rare in products from any brand, much less in period products. Adjusting to new products may be messy at first, but it will benefit you and the planet in the long run.

REUSABLE PERIOD UNDERWEAR

If you don’t know where to start, reusable period underwear is a great entry into the world of reusable period products. Similar to pads, they come in various absorbency levels for flows ranging from light to heavy, panty-liner to maxi pad-level coverage. The best quality of this product is that it feels like regular underwear, so there’s no discomfort and you don’t need to stress about leaks.

With this reusable product, you don’t need to worry about doubling up on pads or tampons, resulting in financial strain. Live stress-free with reusable period underwear from Modibodi, a PFAS-free period care brand that offers period underwear for every flow from super light to max absorbency. Not only does the brand offer period underwear, but they offer period swimwear. Their most sustainable product is the Biodegradable full brief and bikini. An alternative to Modibodi would be Saalt as they offer period panties made from medical-grade materials and they donate 2% of the proceeds to initiatives in menstrual health.

REUSABLE PERIOD PADS

Sanitary pads give young girls their introduction to period care. All women and young girls should have access to safe and sufficient period care and education. Their choice starts with their menstrual health and what products they believe fit their needs. There are still parts of the world where women’s health is taken for granted, costing some women their lives and traumatizing others. Women might be half of the population, but they are the part that’s seriously underfunded, especially where their health is concerned. Having access to the most basic period product should be a fundamental right. The National Library of Medicine found that of the menstrual education websites around the world, only 30% mentioned menstrual cups and 22% mentioned reusable pads.

This lack of information negatively impacts women’s health and the environment’s health. Never fear, Jejune has your back on which reusable period pad brands will help you live sustainably and protect your health. DAME is a fantastic option for reusable period pads as their products are toxin-free and they replace at least five million disposable pads when you use their clean, reusable ones. The best part is that they use organic cotton in their products. Another sustainable option is the brand Cora as they avoid toxic dyes and chemicals in their products. The brand also believes in the importance of educating women on their health, so for every period product purchased, the company donates 1 month’s worth of that product in addition to health education.

REUSABLE PERIOD CUPS/DISCS

Making the switch from underwear and pads to period cups and discs can be a daunting thought and experience. However, once you’ve acclimated yourself to them, there’s a whole new world you’ve entered, one that’s stress-free. Similar to the function of multiple tampons, cups and discs are made of medical-grade silicone that can last up to five years. The best feature is that you only need to remove it twice a day, a complete game changer. The main difference between a period cup and disc, other than the shape, is the positioning of the product. Cups are placed lower in the vaginal canal, while discs are placed higher in the vaginal fornix.

Jejune recommends Flex for their reusable cups and discs. By reusing these products, you can reduce the amount of waste by 60-71% and help the planet through your eco-conscious efforts. The B-certified sustainable brand, All Matters, is another great option for reusable period cups as they avoid color additives in their production stage and you can add to the incredible 844 million pads/tampons that are avoided when you use and reuse their cups.

Invest in yourself and the planet with reusable period products that will benefit your health and the world you live in. Don’t take for granted the privilege of being able to invest in period care.

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