Most people are probably familiar with pads and tampons as items that can be used to manage menstrual flow. There is a problem, however, with traditional brands, because what goes into the manufacturing of these products is not regulated by law. Studies have shown that many harmful ingredients can make their way into these products, such as pesticides used on the cotton. If that is a concern for you, we have compiled a list of alternative menstrual products that might be worth your time to look into. It should be mentioned that most of these alternative products are typically going to be more expensive initially, but in the long run are more cost effective. These include:
Free Bleeding Movement.
- Pads and tampons that are organic
- Re-useable cloth pads. Typically, these pads are made of a flannel material with wings that snap around the crotch of the underwear. Varying thickness/absorbencies are available. After use, the pads are rinsed out in cold water and tossed in the wash machine. These can usually be found at natural grocery stores or online -- for example, on Etsy.
- Period underwear -- absorbent underwear you can wear during your period, without having to worry about a pad. These are washable just like the re-useable pads. Two examples of these are Think and Ruby Love. To my knowledge, these can only be found online at this time.
- Menstrual cups. These cups are typically made of silicone, and are inserted into the vagina. Most can be worn for 12 (?) hours. After use, they are simply emptied and then can be cleaned for re-use. Menstrual cup sterilizers and cleaning kits are available.
- Flex. Similar to menstrual cup, but not. Need to do a little more research here.
- Sponges. Sea sponges that are inserted into the vagina. More research here also.
- Certain methods of hormonal birth control can be used to limit or completely halt the menstrual cycle. For example, continuous cycle birth control pills (taking an active pill every day and skipping the placebo pills) or certain IUDs.
Free Bleeding Movement.
- I think it'd be worth mentioning the Free Bleeding Movement here, but would like to do a little more research on it, so I'm getting my facts right.