Aditi Singh
May 4, 20222 min
Are you tired from using the same disposable pads over and over again? Annoyed with how uncomfortable it is, and even further, the rashes? We got you covered!
Here are some great alternatives to disposable pads. There are a wide range of period products that you can choose. Some of these, unfortunately are not commercially advertised but packs a great deal and can have significant advantages over others. We have also listed all the pros and cons of the products for better understanding and to help you choose whichever works the best for you.
A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup made of silicone or rubber that is inserted into the vagina to catch menstrual flow, rather than absorbing it like a tampon or pad.
Cost Effective and Durable : Most menstrual cups are priced between 500 to 1000 INR and last as long as 8-10 years. This is better as compared to other products like disposable pads which cost about 500 INR per year.
Environment-friendly : Cups are not one-time use products. Since cups can be used upto 10 years, using them does not add to biomedical waste like sanitary pad waste does.
Longer usage hours : Cups can be used for as long as 8 to 10 hours at one stretch before washing and re-inserting saving you those urgent toilet runs due to fear of leakage.
Cloth pads are a type of reusable menstrual hygiene product, and are an alternative to disposable sanitary napkins. These mostly have bio-degradable fabric and some may have a PU layer to make it completely leak-proof. A cloth, if layered, can also be used and reused similarly.
A tampon is a menstrual product designed to absorb blood and vaginal secretions by insertion into the vagina during menstruation. They can be either reusable or disposable.
Some other period products that are new to the Indian market :
Both disposable and reusable, period panties are underwear garments meant to be used specifically during menstruation to absorb the flow (just like a baby's napkin, you got it right!).
Like menstrual cups, menstrual discs are silicone-based insertible period products. (Some discs are also disposable) Because of their shape, menstrual discs can stay in place without having to strain against the vaginal muscles.
Sources used : Piedmont.org, Healthline.com, Indiatimes.com , Insider.com
Which product do you prefer? let us know in the comments!