When it comes to the zero waste lifestyle, I think a lot of people have their reservations, particularly women with their menstrual periods. If I have a nickel for every time someone asks me about the menstrual cup—which, by the way, I had actually gone into full detail here. The thing is, it’s a deeply personal process, in which there shouldn’t be any right or wrong, just personal preference.
The good news is, however, there are a few other options to go for, when it comes to menstrual products. If one isn’t to your liking, you can always pick a different method—anything that would keep as much trash out of the landfills would be nice. Unlike something extra like straws or deodorant, menstrual products are practically essential to women’s lives—so trial and error may be more frustrating than you think.
Lucky for you, I’ve got your back 😉 I’ve tried three zero-waste menstrual products, so you don’t have to. Let me walk you through my review of them so far.
Reusable Pads
Recommended use: Up to 4-6 hours at a time
Cons: In terms of convenience, it needs to get changed very frequently, as it can only be worn for a few hours. It also needs to get washed everyday—if not every few hours. It may become tedious, as the should only be hand-washed. It is not waterproof, so it will be useless when wet.
Comfort-wise, you’ll definitely feel the blood on your crotch at all times, not to mention the feel of something mildly lodged between your legs. Your movements may be somewhat limited—no swimming, for instance. In regards to security, the pad may move slightly every time you move—it could be a cause for concern. It can also leak to the sides, when the flow is heavy.
Pros: It can conveniently be folded and buttoned, to be carried around during commute. When you’re out and about, you also won’t need to wash it straight away, just fold it up and deal with it at home.
Unlike its plastic counterpart, a reusable pad doesn’t cause irritation after longer use. It can last up to 2 years, when cared for correctly. It also offers security at night, as it tends to hold out rather well during sleep. Aesthetically speaking, it tends to come in various colours and patterns, so you’re free to choose a cute one that you like.
Personal Note: These ones I’ve got are from Ekko Store and Lilypads, but you can also easily find one in any zero-waste and/or bulk store of your choice. Check out my highlight for more info.
Menstrual Panties
Recommended use: 4-6 hours at a time (depending on flow)
Cons: Convenience-wise, not unlike the pads, these panties need to be washed a few times a day, as it can only be worn for a few hours—although it depends on your flow. It can be quite a chore to wash, as you need to hand wash and wring them out. You will need to change your whole underwear once it’s filled up too, so it may not be convenient when you’re out and about. It will also leave your crotch feeling wet from the blood.
It is also not waterproof, so going swimming is off the table. Depending on your form, the panties might get caught up in your butt cracks and becomes a leak threat. There is also the possibility of the blood leaking from the sides.
Pros: Wearing them will feel no different from wearing your regular panties, so it will surely be very comfortable. When cared properly, they can last up to 2 years. You can also find a specific materials for your panties—cotton or lace, perhaps—for your maximum comfort.
Security-wise, it is also rather safe to wear to sleep—although, again, it depends on your flow. Aesthetically speaking, they come in numerous styles, colours and patterns, so you can still look cute underneath, even on your period.
Personal Note: I’ve got my pairs of menstrual panties from Moonrise, the only Indonesian menstrual panties brand that I know. However, internationally, I have seen other brands, such as Thinx and Modibodi.
Menstrual Cup
Recommended use: 8-12 hours at a time
Cons: The biggest thing people are concerned about: it might be tricky to figure out. It may also not be very convenient to wear out of home—as it can be hard to wash in public bathrooms. Taking it out can also create a mess—at the very least, on your hands. It also needs to be sterilised after every period. When put on wrong, it can actually be very painful—although it may only happen the first time.
You need to know which size and shape will best suit your cervix before purchasing—as it is quite expensive. Your cervix might not be shaped to accommodate a menstrual cup. Also, you need to change the size after giving birth. You may forget that you have it on at all.
Pros: It can contain a lot of blood and be worn for a very long period of time, which means you may only need to wash it twice a day. You can put it in a pouch and carry it in your bag before or after your period. There are a few folds you can try for putting it on and taking it off, which are very easy to get used to. It is also very easy to wash—with only water and a little soap. In fact, you don’t always have to wash it after you empty it, you can also use sanitary wipes.
Once it’s inside, you will hardly feel it’s there—if at all. Your panties will also remain dry and clean. You can wear it for any activity—even swimming, since it’s waterproof! It can last for up to 10 years. It hardly ever leaks—and when it does, usually very little—so it offers total security at night.
Personal Note: Let me address the elephant in the room: menstrual cups will not cause you to lose your virginity—trust me, losing virginity isn’t that easy. It also will not get lost in your cervix, like tampon. There are numerous shapes and sizes of menstrual cups in the market. Mine is from OrganiCup, but there are a lot of other great options out there, including Diva Cup, Lunette Cup and Mooncup.
There you have it! I’ve laid down all the pros and cons of each product that I found in my own experience. Of course, you should take it with a grain of salt. Each product has its own advantages and pitfalls, but I find that mixing them up may be the best approach. You could, for instance, wear the menstrual panties layered with the pads, so you can simply take off the pad and keep wearing the panties afterwards.
Or—another idea—you can wear the cup and the panties at the same time, for maximum security—especially at night. DIY is also an option here, as making your own menstrual pads, or maybe even panties, can be pretty simple—or so I hear, at least. Should you choose to purchase, however, I suggest you do some research on any of these products first, to make sure you won’t regret buying it.
What else would you want me to review next? Let me know!
When it comes to the zero waste lifestyle, I think a lot of people have their reservations, particularly women with their menstrual periods. If I have a nickel for every time someone asks me about the menstrual cup—which, by the way, I had actually gone into full detail here. The thing is, it’s a deeply personal process, in which there shouldn’t be any right or wrong, just personal preference.
The good news is, however, there are a few other options to go for, when it comes to menstrual products. If one isn’t to your liking, you can always pick a different method—anything that would keep as much trash out of the landfills would be nice. Unlike something extra like straws or deodorant, menstrual products are practically essential to women’s lives—so trial and error may be more frustrating than you think.
Lucky for you, I’ve got your back 😉 I’ve tried three zero-waste menstrual products, so you don’t have to. Let me walk you through my review of them so far.
Reusable Pads
Recommended use: Up to 4-6 hours at a time
Cons: In terms of convenience, it needs to get changed very frequently, as it can only be worn for a few hours. It also needs to get washed everyday—if not every few hours. It may become tedious, as the should only be hand-washed. It is not waterproof, so it will be useless when wet.
Comfort-wise, you’ll definitely feel the blood on your crotch at all times, not to mention the feel of something mildly lodged between your legs. Your movements may be somewhat limited—no swimming, for instance. In regards to security, the pad may move slightly every time you move—it could be a cause for concern. It can also leak to the sides, when the flow is heavy.
Pros: It can conveniently be folded and buttoned, to be carried around during commute. When you’re out and about, you also won’t need to wash it straight away, just fold it up and deal with it at home.
Unlike its plastic counterpart, a reusable pad doesn’t cause irritation after longer use. It can last up to 2 years, when cared for correctly. It also offers security at night, as it tends to hold out rather well during sleep. Aesthetically speaking, it tends to come in various colours and patterns, so you’re free to choose a cute one that you like.
Personal Note: These ones I’ve got are from Ekko Store and Lilypads, but you can also easily find one in any zero-waste and/or bulk store of your choice. Check out my highlight for more info.
Menstrual Panties
Recommended use: 4-6 hours at a time (depending on flow)
Cons: Convenience-wise, not unlike the pads, these panties need to be washed a few times a day, as it can only be worn for a few hours—although it depends on your flow. It can be quite a chore to wash, as you need to hand wash and wring them out. You will need to change your whole underwear once it’s filled up too, so it may not be convenient when you’re out and about. It will also leave your crotch feeling wet from the blood.
It is also not waterproof, so going swimming is off the table. Depending on your form, the panties might get caught up in your butt cracks and becomes a leak threat. There is also the possibility of the blood leaking from the sides.
Pros: Wearing them will feel no different from wearing your regular panties, so it will surely be very comfortable. When cared properly, they can last up to 2 years. You can also find a specific materials for your panties—cotton or lace, perhaps—for your maximum comfort.
Security-wise, it is also rather safe to wear to sleep—although, again, it depends on your flow. Aesthetically speaking, they come in numerous styles, colours and patterns, so you can still look cute underneath, even on your period.
Personal Note: I’ve got my pairs of menstrual panties from Moonrise, the only Indonesian menstrual panties brand that I know. However, internationally, I have seen other brands, such as Thinx and Modibodi.
Menstrual Cup
Recommended use: 8-12 hours at a time
Cons: The biggest thing people are concerned about: it might be tricky to figure out. It may also not be very convenient to wear out of home—as it can be hard to wash in public bathrooms. Taking it out can also create a mess—at the very least, on your hands. It also needs to be sterilised after every period. When put on wrong, it can actually be very painful—although it may only happen the first time.
You need to know which size and shape will best suit your cervix before purchasing—as it is quite expensive. Your cervix might not be shaped to accommodate a menstrual cup. Also, you need to change the size after giving birth. You may forget that you have it on at all.
Pros: It can contain a lot of blood and be worn for a very long period of time, which means you may only need to wash it twice a day. You can put it in a pouch and carry it in your bag before or after your period. There are a few folds you can try for putting it on and taking it off, which are very easy to get used to. It is also very easy to wash—with only water and a little soap. In fact, you don’t always have to wash it after you empty it, you can also use sanitary wipes.
Once it’s inside, you will hardly feel it’s there—if at all. Your panties will also remain dry and clean. You can wear it for any activity—even swimming, since it’s waterproof! It can last for up to 10 years. It hardly ever leaks—and when it does, usually very little—so it offers total security at night.
Personal Note: Let me address the elephant in the room: menstrual cups will not cause you to lose your virginity—trust me, losing virginity isn’t that easy. It also will not get lost in your cervix, like tampon. There are numerous shapes and sizes of menstrual cups in the market. Mine is from OrganiCup, but there are a lot of other great options out there, including Diva Cup, Lunette Cup and Mooncup.
There you have it! I’ve laid down all the pros and cons of each product that I found in my own experience. Of course, you should take it with a grain of salt. Each product has its own advantages and pitfalls, but I find that mixing them up may be the best approach. You could, for instance, wear the menstrual panties layered with the pads, so you can simply take off the pad and keep wearing the panties afterwards.
Or—another idea—you can wear the cup and the panties at the same time, for maximum security—especially at night. DIY is also an option here, as making your own menstrual pads, or maybe even panties, can be pretty simple—or so I hear, at least. Should you choose to purchase, however, I suggest you do some research on any of these products first, to make sure you won’t regret buying it.
What else would you want me to review next? Let me know!