3 Powerful Solutions for Periods: Zero Waste Menstrual Products for Sustainable Living

Zero Waste menstrual Products are critical for minimizing the environmental impact of menstruation hygiene. Most females begin their periods at the age of 12 and continue to menstruate monthly for the next 40-45 years. Every month, millions of women use disposable sanitary pads or tampons, which are frequently constructed of non-biodegradable materials and can take hundreds of years to degrade if decomposed properly. This causes a large amount of plastic waste to accumulate in landfills. If only 10% of women switched to zero-waste menstruation products like menstrual cups, reusable cloth pads, or period underwear, the decrease in plastic waste would be significant.

These eco-friendly options not only reduce environmental impact but also provide long-term economic savings and health benefits by avoiding toxic chemicals usually found in disposable products. Making the move to zero waste menstrual products is a significant step toward a more sustainable future.

Zero Waste Menstrual Products

While this post focuses on zero-waste menstruation products, it is important to note that many women around the world do not have access to any sanitary goods at all. This critical issue will be the subject of a future post, in which I will discuss how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) might assist these women in providing zero-waste menstruation solutions.

For now, let us assume that the majority of women and girls around the world have access to and utilize sanitary pads or tampons during their monthly menstruation. The importance of these items is well understood; yet, it is critical to highlight the hidden risks they present. Most traditional sanitary pads and tampons contain toxic chemicals that can irritate the skin and trigger allergic responses.

I think anyone can understand that blood is liquid and anything which is holding it in another form need some type of adhesive and that is nothing but chemical. Sanitary pads convers the blood into a gel form using the chemical and hold it for hours. According to studies, the smells of scented sanitary pads and the chemical MDBGN (methyldibromo glutaronitrile) in their adhesives are common causes of contact dermatitis.

If you are just starting your journey towards sustainable living, you might want to check my post about which is just about 2 items which are very small but will make a substantial impact on

In the past few years, many women switched from sanitary pads to tampons, finding them more convenient and easier to dispose of. There was also a misconception that tampons, being smaller, would be less harmful to the environment. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Tampons are just as harmful to the environment and can pose significant health risks to women. Prolonged tampon use has been linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by bacterial toxins.

These challenges underscore the need for safer and more sustainable menstrual products. Zero waste menstrual products provide a healthier alternative free from harmful chemicals and environmental damage. By adopting these products, we can protect our bodies and contribute to a more sustainable planet.

We are lucky to be living in current times where there are several zero waste menstrual products available in the market. We have several options to choose from. I will explain pros and cons of most of these options. Hope that his will help you move from chemical and harmful products to zero waste menstrual products.

Now without delay, lets start with all the various options available for zero waste menstrual products in the market.

Reusable Menstrual Cup

When I initially discovered the menstrual cup, I was scared to insert a foreign object into my body. My dissatisfaction with sanitary pads and tampons, which frequently irritated my pelvic area, prompted me to seek a better solution. Furthermore, I was becoming more conscious of my environmental influence and wanted to make more sustainable decisions and go for zero waste menstrual products.

A college acquaintance, who had been using a menstrual cup for almost two years, first introduced me to the concept. Her excitement and extensive explanations made me interested, particularly since there wasn’t much material available online at the time. She gently took me through the procedure, answering all of my fears until I felt comfortable enough to try it.

Initially, the idea of wearing a menstrual cup seemed scary. However, I chose to try it since I trusted my friend’s counsel and was committed to making a difference. It took a few attempts to get comfortable, but the secret was to practice during my periods when the vagina is naturally lubricated and insertion is simpler. Attempting it outside of menstrual days, when the vagina is drier, might be more difficult and unpleasant.

After more than eight years of using a menstrual cup, I can confidently state that it is the best zero waste menstrual product available. It has greatly enhanced my comfort and convenience during periods while still being consistent with my environmental principles. If you’re considering making the switch, believe in yourself and give it a few tries—it might just be the solution you’ve been looking for.

PROS:

Just to name few advantages of menstrual cup i have listed below. Just start using it and get comfortable with it, you will feel that this is the best thing in your life and you won’t be able to imagine periods without it. I have personally gone for beach holidays, trekking and all my outdoor activities even in my heaviest bleeding days without any issue.

• Flexible 100% medical grade silicone folds for easy insertion, hence no risk of irritation or allergies. 
• Absolutely zero waste and no harm to the environment.
• In one go, a normal cup can hold up to 6 regular tampons of flow, so no need to rush to rest room during busy days. 
• Safe for up to 12 hours of continuous wear, which is a huge blessing. 
• Almost all of these menstrual cups are leakproof if inserted properly which takes a few tries to become expert.
• Most of these cups come with a strip which can be pulled for easy removal.
• Very easily washable and ready for reinsertion.
• Can be sterilized by dipping in boiling hot water for 10 min or you can use Sterilizer too.
• 1 Cup lasts almost 10 years that means in her entire lifetime a woman will use a maximum 6-8 cups assuming that you might lose some of them just like me 😊

CONS:

• Don’t need frequent breaks during work days. Which can get exhaustive at times but if you like your work the way I love it, it’s a blessing. 
• You need to sanitize it before periods. You can use it just by simply soaking it in 10 minutes in boiling hot water or you can get a simple menstrual cup sanitizer from Amazon which is extremely convenient.
• There are very rare chance that it might cause pain and urinary infection.
• Its very difficult to engage in sex while having the cup on. I would suggest to avoid any sex if you have the cup on.
• If you like your bio-degradable disposal person, you will not get to wait for him/her as there is nothing to dispose of 😊. But jokes apart in my 8 years of experience, I have not found any negatives of using the menstrual cup till today.

I think finding the perfect cup based on your body is the key to comfort. After few trials i found that the Diva Menstrual Cup and Rustic Art (an Indian brand) were the greatest fit for me. You can try different brands and select based on your preferences. There are several options available on Amazon.

I have a younger one and I do plan to give her a Menstrual cup when the time comes. That much comfortable i am with my selection of zero waste menstrual products and i do hope that you will also find something which you are comfortable with and will move to zero waste menstrual products journey.

Reusable Menstrual Disc

The menstrual disc is an innovative version of the menstrual cup. The fundamental distinction between the two is their positioning within the vaginal canal. Menstrual cups are placed in the lower vaginal canal, forming a barrier that prevents blood from spilling. This seal, while efficient, can occasionally be unpleasant or even painful during intercourse.

In contrast, monthly discs are located higher up in the vaginal canal, just past the cervix. They do not create a vacuum seal, making them more pleasant and less obstructive during intercourse. This design provides a more natural feel while avoiding the discomfort associated with menstrual cups during intimate moments.

Most menstruation cups feature a pull-tab or stem, making them simple to remove. The pull-tab allows for a tight grasp, simplifying the process and reducing clutter. Menstrual discs, which are higher in the vaginal canal, lack this useful characteristic. This can make them more difficult and messier to remove because reaching and detaching them takes more effort and accuracy. The elevated positioning and lack of a pull mechanism frequently need a more refined method to achieve a clean and seamless removal.

I have only tried the Diva mensuration disc as I was already very comfortable with the Diva mensuration cup.

PROS:

• There are no various sizes available. I bought only one available size and it fitted perfectly. The same size was tried by my friend who has a much bigger frame than me and it was a perfect fit for her too. 
• It has a slightly larger capacity than a menstrual cup as it can hold up to 7 regular tampons of flow (36mL capacity) 
• Safe for up to 12 hours of continuous wear without any leakage at all.
• It is made of 100% medical-grade silicone.
• Size is amazingly small and it folds to the size of a tampon. 
• Its shape is another big plus point. Its Oval-shaped design prevents rotation while wearing and makes it extremely leak proof.

CONS:

• I found the removal process quite messy, hence moved back to the menstrual cup. 
• Basically, in functionality I didn’t find any additional advantage of buying disc and inserting it up higher in my vaginal canal.
• I was a bit hesitant to insert anything so higher up in my body and was quite worried the whole time it was inside.

I would personally prefer Menstrual cup over menstrual disc as both cost almost the same and made of same material and provide more or less the same capacity and same 12 hours of continuous use while cup is easier to remove. If you like to have intercourse during period, you can opt for disc but otherwise i would recommend to use cup. Both costs also almost the same.

Period Underwear

Period underwear is a type of absorbent apparel intended to be worn during menstruation. It is typically constructed of many layers of microfiber polyester that can absorb your period blood. This is another decent product in the list of zero waste menstrual products.

Let me do a feature based comparison between Menstrual cup and period underwear. I hope that this will really help you to clearly understand the difference between the two.

Sustainability or Durability

Period underwear generally last from 6 months up to 2 years while a menstrual cup can last up to 10 years. In terms of sustainability, cups are more sustainable as a single cup can save up to 2000 sanitary pads while a single period underwear can same a maximum 360 sanitary pads.

Ease of Use

Period Underwear is surely much easier for beginners as there is no additional practice required. You can wear them like regular underwear and off you go. Menstrual cups require some patience and trial and error to become expert in using them. But once you become an expert it’s much easier to use a cup compared to period underwear.

Comfort or Feel after Wearing

While using period underwear I felt the menstrual flow as wetness, similar to a sanitary pad. Period underwear also felt little heavy but that might be due to the extra layer of absorbent material. Simultaneously, as i am already using the menstrual cup and i can proudly say that i do insert it correctly, I do not feel anything and was able to live my life normally.

Swimming and Exercising

Period underwear cannot be worn when swimming since it will leak in the water and are unsanitary.

I have been swimming in my menstrual cup for ages and never had any leakage or any other accident. They are ideal for swimming because they are insertable and continue to collect period flow while you are in the water.

You can exercise with both period pants and menstruation cups. That being said, period pants can be rather uncomfortable when exercising because they absorb more moisture as you sweat.

I have never missed any daily exercise in the past 8+ years due to periods and I love my treadmill in the gym or running in the park. Menstrual cups are the most user-friendly solution for exercising because you won’t feel it and may perform whatever physical activity you want!

Washing and Maintenance

In my experience washing Menstrual cup is a breeze while period underwear is a pain.

When you remove your period trousers, wash them in cold water to eliminate the majority of the menstrual flow. Then, run them through a cold, delicate cycle in the washing machine (with the detergent indicated by the manufacturer) to guarantee the blood comes out of the pants. Finally, air dry your period underwear thoroughly before use. Period pants cannot be dried on a radiator because they may damage the waterproof lining.

Menstrual cups just need to be emptied and rinse with clean water, and can be reinserted straight away.

Cost Comparison

I have been using 1 menstrual cup for the past 8+ years which cost me 35$ and I use the same cup for my entire monthly cycle.

In comparison, for every period cycle, I needed 4-5 pairs of period pants, and the cost of 1-period underwear is around 35$ so the total cost is around 160$ which is way higher than a menstrual cup.

Period underwear needs to be replaced in a maximum 2 years duration due to normal wear and tear so the overall cost is way higher than the menstrual cup.

Our Verdict

Over the last 8+ years, I’ve tried a variety of zero-waste menstruation devices, including menstrual cups, discs, period underwear, and even organic pads. I used organic pads made in India, which were far superior to commercially produced sanitary pads but mainly the issue with them was disposal and a wet feeling which I find very uncomfortable.

However, after trying all of these options, the menstrual cup is my top recommendation.

When the benefits and drawbacks are weighed, the menstrual cup emerges as an amazing product. It is quite affordable and a long-term money saver. A menstrual cup’s initial cost is similar to about 2-3 months’ worth of sanitary pads, making it an affordable option. Furthermore, menstruation cups are reusable and can last for years, lowering waste and environmental effect and are best zero waste menstrual products.

I hope that even if few of you can move to any of the above zero waste menstrual products after reading the above post, my objective of reducing plastic waste and moving to zero waste menstrual products is met and I do hope that you will be able to convince some of your family and friends and together as women we will make a different in our life and our environment.

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