Billions of women and girls menstruate every month, yet they are faced with the stigma that continues to surround periods; that is: women around the world are looking for their own solutions around disposal, pricing, health and comfort.
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What’s the environmental impact of my period?
In many countries, cloth is the go-to material for women, which helps to tackle disposal issues in places where facilities are lacking.
The environmental impact of disposable sanitary pads is huge. For example, in India, there are about 121 million women of reproductive age; if all of them use just eight sanitary pads a month, this amounts to 12 billion pads annually.
According to the new book Flow: The Cultural History of Menstruation, the average woman throws away 250 to 300 pounds of “pads, plugs, and applicators” in her lifetime. That sounds like a lot. But how much is 300 pounds in the grand scheme of things?
Consider that the average American woman menstruates for 38 years—a period during which she can be expected to produce a grand total of 62,415 pounds of garbage .
Thus, during your fertile years, period-related detritus should make up about 0.5 percent of your personal landfill load.
The Plastic Period Problem
Getting a handle on how much plastic waste comes from menstrual products is tough, in part because it’s labeled as medical waste and does not need to be tracked, and in part because so little research has even looked at the scope of the problem.
But rough estimates for the likely output are staggering: In 2018 alone, people in the U.S. bought 5.8 billion tampons, and over the course of a lifetime, a single menstruator will use somewhere between 5 and 15 thousand pads and tampons, the vast majority of which will wind up in landfills as plastic waste.
The most common menstrual products are a veritable cornucopia of plastic. Tampons come wrapped in plastic, encased in plastic applicators, with plastic strings dangling from one end, and many even include a thin layer of plastic in the absorbent part.
Pads generally incorporate even more plastic, from the leak-proof base to the synthetics that soak up fluid to the packaging.
Have you made the switch to period underwear?
Period underwear has been gaining a lot of popularity over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why. They have a ton of incredible benefits and make that time of the month so much easier.
The power of period underwear
Period underwear is an eco-friendlier alternative to disposable pads and tampons (even organic ones!) designed to be used and washed over and over again – simply rinse and add to your normal cold wash in a delicates bag!
They are also a great option for anyone who cannot use menstrual cups or tampons.
With maximum absorbency to banish worry and stress about unexpected leaks and stains, they can be worn on their own on light days, or as a backup along with a tampon or menstrual cup on heavy days. It all depends on your flow!
Support your local Australian Eco Store
My Humble Earth’s period undies are crafted with soft and breathable fabrics such as certified organic cotton or smooth bamboo, all designed to be absorbent, antibacterial, and moisture-wicking to manage your flow.
Slim and discreet, they also work to naturally combat odour and bacteria, with a leak-proof outer barrier for ultimate peace of mind
Stop relying on disposables and switch to beautiful, reusable, and comfortable period underwear. Whether you have a light flow or a heavy flow, My Humble Earth has designed protection that’s there for you throughout your whole cycle!
Period Underwear Benefits – SHOP NOW!
- They’re thinner than pads, meaning you won’t have that bulky, nappy-like feeling.
- They’re perfect for the lead-up and end to your period. Realistically, it’s hard to predict the start of your period with absolute accuracy. That’s where period underwear comes in. You no longer have to worry about your period sneaking up on you, or returning for one more hoorah at the very end (why does it have to do that?!).
- They’re a lifesaver at night. Anyone else sleep like a stiff plank on your period because you’re worried any movement will result in mass bed sheet carnage? Period underwear takes the stress out of sleeping because there’s pretty much zero risk of leakage. A period underwear can hold up to four tampons-worth of liquid, meaning you get sweet dreams all night long.
- They’re great for more than periods. Period underwear can be used at any point of your cycle, including those times when discharge is happening and you don’t want to have to wear a liner. They’re also fantastic for postpartum use and any incontinence issues you may have. Or long bike rides to help you with that arse sweat in your sexy tight bike shorts!
- They’re sustainable (and money-saving)! Because they’re reusable, period underwear are saving our environment and our wallets. Let’s face it, the pink tax is real, and it’s painful having to fork out cash every month on more products that are just going straight to landfill, and aren’t even good for your vagina anyway!
- Easy to clean. Simply rinse out and chuck in a wash bag in the washing machine on cold wash. Easy as that!
- Better for your vagina. No nasty chemicals to be seen and usually made from great eco-friendly materials, like bamboo and cotton for extra breathability.
- Great for school-aged children. Remember the old “Can you check the back of my dress/skirt/pants?” you’d ask your friends after every class? Period underwear is a great way to reduce that stress and allow kids to focus on school and not on potential accidents.
Prepare to be amazed at how comfy High Rise Period Underwears are. Made out of organic cotton, they have 4 layers of protection to prevent any unwanted leakage and odours.
These Period Underwear fit like a ‘hip hugger’ and hold up to 4 regular tampons worth, so you will remain dry all day and/or night without a worry.
Get yours today HERE!
FAQs
Is there underwear for periods?
Every body and flow is different, but the short answer is yes, period underwear can replace pads. This special fabric can hold multiple tampons worth of blood.
How often do you change period underwear?
If you’re first trying them out, you’ll probably want several pairs to replace your traditional period products on your lighter days. If you decide to commit, you’ll likely want a full five- to seven-day set depending on the length of your flow, so you’re not laundering every other day.
