A guide to environmentally-friendly menstrual products
Written by Shanté Honeycutt
Do you recall getting your first period? For many of us, it probably occurred at the most inopportune time — for instance, at school while wearing white pants and lacking appropriate protection (or perhaps I’m just recalling “that infamous episode” of the classic teen drama “Degrassi” when Emma experienced her first visit from Aunt Flo during a class presentation). Even if this wasn’t your exact experience, it’s become a common media trope for menstruators to dread their monthly cycle, which definitely holds weight in the real world. Much of this likely stems from the insecurity of using products that could cause leakage and leave one feeling less than fresh.
If the average menstruator bleeds between three to seven days a month (over a span of 30+ years until menopause), why should we experience this natural occurrence as an inconvenience? Better yet, shouldn’t we be more concerned about the quality of products used near sensitive nether regions? Billions of pads and tampons are discarded yearly, adding both a financial and environmental burden as these items are produced with toxic chemicals and synthetic materials that can irritate our bodies and end up in our waterways. Or in the case of conventional tampons, they come with plastic applicators that never fully degrade and increase landfill pollution.
Thus, when shopping for menstrual care, it’s important to find products that are kind to both your body and the environment. The availability of eco-friendly menstrual products has increased over the last few years with organic cotton products, cups and leakproof underwear growing in popularity. Even traditional companies like Always have begun making pads free of chlorine bleach, dyes and fragrances. Since everyone’s cycle is different, it’s best to find products that work based on one’s individual needs. But whatever you decide, aim for products that provide longevity in usage and those free from offenders like pesticides, dioxins, dyes and synthetic material.
What follows is a selection of brands specializing in eco-friendly menstrual care. This all-inclusive guide has been divided into two main categories: reusable menstrual products (including cups, cloth pads and period underwear) and sustainable disposable alternatives to conventional pads and tampons. Note: many of these brands make products within both of these categories, therefore, this list leans into the ones that they are best known for.
Photo via Sarah Chai / Pexels
Reusable cups/discs
Menstrual cups differ from other period products in that they don’t absorb one’s flow, but collect blood once appropriately inserted into the vagina. Cups can hold a maximum of one ounce of blood in a single wear — up to 12 hours depending on flow. With menstrual cups, the average user can estimate having this product in rotation up to 10 years with consistent disinfection and proper storage — many brands sell cup cleansers and offer pouches to store cups in while not in use.
Admittedly, there is often a learning curve when it comes to testing out a menstrual cup, but many companies include tutorials in their packaging, while others have informational videos. If you have the flexibility to work from home during your cycle, it’s an ideal time to test reusable menstrual products to gauge whether you’ve obtained the appropriate absorbency for your flow. Check product descriptions to determine the appropriate size for your anatomy: some companies divide their size options based on the heaviness of one’s flow, while others have different sizes to account for whether the wearer has previously given birth.
The June Cup is one of the more affordable options on this list, as the company sells their products at market price. Starting at just $6, this basic cup is meant to last up to five years. It also has a shorter stem for less irritation and a ball grip to better locate the cup for removal.
Available in an array of fun colors, the hypoallergenic Hello Cup is made from medical-grade TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) and was designed by a registered nurse. The company also sells a starter pack to ease the transition to cups.
Saalt sells menstrual cups in a duo pack for those whose flow varies throughout their monthly cycle. They also make cups of varying firmness for customizable comfortability. Saalt even designs period underwear, and there’s an option to bundle these products on their website for maximum savings.
In addition to their disposable menstrual discs, Flex makes a cup most similar to tampons as it has a unique pull tab that makes removal easier. According to their site, the Flex cup is a zero-waste product, while their discs reduce waste by 60 percent.
This brand touts that there’s no suction involved in wearing their product — it’s meant to be one size fits all and adhere better to the length of one’s cervix than other cups. The Nixit cup is comparable to a menstrual disc in design.
Photo via Karolina Grabowska / Pexels
Cloth pads
Like their wearable undergarment counterpart, cloth pads are reusable and machine-washable. Use as you would a conventional pad, but instead of an adhesive that sticks to underwear, these typically snap around the gusset where your crotch goes.
Formerly known as LunaPads, Aisle rebranded in 2020 to better match their company’s intentions and expanded product offerings. These reusable pads come in a variety of fun patterns and hold up to four tampons worth of liquid.
This independent women-owned company has been around since 1993. As with many other companies on this list, GladRags is a certified B corporation, which testifies to their overall societal and environmental impact.
Photo via Sora Shimazaki / Pexels
Leakproof underwear
It’s safe to say that leakproof underwear redefined the term “period panties.” This market has grown tremendously in recent years, with companies making more fashionable options and finding innovative ways to cater to different age groups. Speaking from personal experience, a menstruator with a light flow may have success wearing solely period-proof undies, while those with a moderate-to-heavy flow would benefit from doubling their protection — for instance, wearing a cup with Ieakproof underwear for extra security.
Thinx has been at the forefront of the period-proof panties movement since their debut in 2013. Though other options preceded them, this company has become well known for its cute and colorful styles in varying absorbency options (and its ambassador program). More recently, Thinx introduced a reusable applicator to use with applicator-free tampons.
Knix is an intimate brand that also sells leakproof underwear for periods and incontinence. Their products range in absorbency, with a secure pair of leakproof shorts made for overnight use among their catalog.
Aisle makes this list once again for having a gender-affirming option with their absorbent boxer briefs. They’ve got other styles in their roster, some of which feature a prominent monogrammed waistband.
Photo via Karolina Grabowska / Pexels
Disposables (tampons, pads and liners)
It’s rare that a company sells pads without also offering tampons and liners, thus this next group of brands have their hands on all three. Though the below options still require immediate disposal, it’s fair that there would be some instances where this is quite necessary. The key to bleeding more sustainably is finding products that reduce an overall environmental impact — be it with less packaging or undyed materials. The following goods are often made with sustainable, organic cotton and generally include applicator-free tampons.
The Canadian company Rael is a well-rounded personal goods brand, with skincare and period products among their selection. In terms of menstrual care, they sell quite a few period kits, like the essentials set that’s stocked with pads, heating patches, wipes and a wash so you can stay fully prepared.
Cora is also a period one-stop-shop, as their products are designed to meet a variety of menstrual needs. With every product sold, they provide an equivalent amount of period supplies to those in need, in addition to promoting health education.
This U.K.-based company was the first to develop a reusable tampon applicator, which is made of a patented medical grade TPE called Mediprene. Among their catalog, you’ll also find tampons and reusable pads, with underwear soon to come.
This is definitely one of the O.G.s of organic cotton menstrual care, as their products are commonly found at health food stores like Whole Foods Market and Sprouts. Though the company makes a variety of green household goods like detergent and paper products, their best-sellers include “free and clear” tampons, pads and pantiliners.
Public Goods specializes in healthy and sustainable lifestyle products with minimal packaging and design. Their tampons are made with organic cotton, while their pads are made of bamboo.
In addition to making their best-selling intimate hygiene wash, The Honey Pot sells plant-based menstrual care including pads, liners and tampons. A handful of the products are infused with herbs in order to neutralize odors and provide soothing relief during that time of the month.
Header photo via Sora Shimazaki / Pexels
