Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the average woman will use 12,000 to 16,000 disposable pads, liners and tampons in her lifetime. Imagine what that would look like piled up! That’s a lot of waste, simply by having a period. We have some easy ways you can make your period a little more earth-friendly!
Menstrual cups
There are many different menstrual cups on the market so picking the right one can be a little challenging. You may also need to try a couple of different options before you find the right one for you.
Here are a few of the ones we like:
Lunette – Available on Kibsons and in Waitrose and Spinneys
Lunette promises to be a more convenient, ecological and economical way to live with periods. The bell-shaped cup gives a comfortable, safe, odourless and eco-friendly period for up to 12 hours a day. It is reusable and lasts several years. This women-led company is a trusted name in the industry, now sold in over 45 countries.
Haakaa – Available on Mumzworld
Made from 100% soft and flexible silicone, the Haakaa Flow Cup is free from BPA, chlorine and other harsh chemicals that are found in conventional pads and tampons. As with most cups, the Haakaa can be work for up to 12 hours and is reusable. It also comes with a shorter stem for comfort and without the need to be trimmed.
Mooncup – available on feelunique.com
The Mooncup is around two inches long and made from soft medical grade silicone. It is worn internally a lot lower than a tampon but, while tampons and pads absorb menstrual fluid, the Mooncup collects it. Comfortable, convenient and safe: the Mooncup can be used overnight and when travelling, swimming or exercising.
Period underwear – Modibodi
When these were initially released into the market, they were met with a few not so convincing looks and thoughts, but they have come a long way since then and brands such as Modibodi have managed to create styles that are comfortable, super reliable and even, sexy (check out the sensual collection)!
The specially designed, super slim underwear uses the patented Modifier Technology which can hold up to 20ml (equivalent to 4 tampons’ worth). They have lots of different designs and absorbency depending on your need and most recently they have also released swimwear!
Tip – we highly recommend the high absorbency options for post-partum too.
Re-useable sanitary pads
Not only does this option reduce waste but re-useable pads do not contain the harmful chemicals that some disposable ones can.
Each pad is small envelope sized, buttons up and slips into a wet bag provided making them perfect for those on the move.
There are a lot of options on the market, Amazon have reasonably priced options available for delivery in the UAE.
Non-applicator tampons
We understand that perhaps a complete change from what you are used to might be a big step for some, but there are smaller ways you can make a change which includes moving from tampons with applicators to those that don’t use them, therefore reducing your plastic consumption. Just these small steps can make a big difference.
So, what are you waiting for? Not only will you be helping the planet, but you can save a lot of cash by being a little more eco-friendly!
