Innovative New Period Products
Gianna Cox
Did you know that the average person who bleeds goes through around 17000 pads or tampons in their lifetime? This comes out to over $3000! This is an exorbitant amount of money to pay for something and, without access to these pricey products, the lack thereof can lead to serious medical conditions like fungal and bacterial infections, UTIs, yeast infections and even cervical cancer. Why are people required to pay so much money for a product that is necessary for survival? Luckily, some innovative companies have come up with some fascinating new products to deal with periods.
One such product is a menstrual cup. While the cup is now becoming more mainstream, at the time of its invention in the 1930s, few people felt comfortable using it. It wasn't until it was remarketed in the early 2000s with silicone that it started to gain traction, and sales have recently skyrocketed in the past 4-5 years. The menstrual cup is inserted into the vagina during menstruation and seals to the inner wall of the vagina. Rather than absorbing blood, it collects it for up to 4-6 hours until it is removed, emptied, cleaned and reinserted. While it costs around $40, it lasts up to 2 years. This will save you around $2200 over your lifetime!
GladRags are another interesting product. Although they resemble a regular pad, they contain a removable insert. After use, this insert can be removed and washed, while you replace it with a second, clean insert. This allows you to create less waste and saves you money in the process. Another benefit is that GladRags contain fewer chemicals than a traditional disposable pad does. It comes with three different types for different absorption rates, making it suitable for all levels of flow during your cycle. This product is good for up to 5 years, saving you close to $2500!
Menstrual sponges may sound odd, but they are reshaping the way we think about period products. These are natural sponges taken from the ocean, resulting in a product with no added chemicals. They can be found in all different shapes and sizes since they aren't man-made, meaning you can trim them if necessary! Sea sponges also contain enzymes that reduce smell and bacterial growth, making them perfect menstrual products. For those of us worried about our planet, there are companies that ethically harvest the sponges, by leaving a part of the sponge intact, in order for it to regrow. These sponges are biodegradable, and good for up to 6 months. This will save you around $1800 throughout your life.
Thinx makes underwear that are designed to absorb blood from periods. Although they may sound like an adult diaper, these underwear are thin and discrete, just like what you would normally wear. Although these err towards the side of a lighter flow, they're great for nighttime when paired with another method of protection. This will allow you to sleep comfortably, knowing that you won't stain your clean white sheets. Thinx uses material that is highly absorbent, and also has anti-microbial properties to prevent infection. These underwear can last around 2 years, saving you up to $1400.
Finally, there are non-applicator tampons that are biodegradable and compostable, which allows us to keep them out of landfills. Another advantage of these tampons when compared to regular ones is that they contain no harmful chemicals as they are 100% cotton. You can have them shipped to your door, and monthly subscriptions ensure that you'll never run out. They have different levels of absorbency, making them perfect for all different flows. Although not reusable, these tampons are making our planet healthier one tampon at a time. While this product may not save you any money, it's a good eco-friendly alternative if you want to continue using tampons in a safer way.
Regardless of which product(s) you decide to use for yourself, it's encouraging to know that there are people actively working towards better solutions. There is no reason for us to stick with what we know, and I plan on making good use of these options. Even if you decide to continue to use regular pads and tampons, the freedom of choice is yours; unlike many others who live with limited access to the most basic of sanitary products. I encourage you to start thinking about what period products would be best for you!
