Reusable Period Products

HEALTH · GLOBAL

Reusable Period Products

Cups, discs, pads and underwear, safety and hygiene, and getting started

Reusable period products save a substantial amount of money and waste over years, and the practical questions are about fit and about a small number of safety points.

The options

Menstrual cups sit in the vaginal canal and seal by suction. Discs sit differently, behind the pubic bone. Reusable pads and period underwear sit outside and absorb, which suits people who dislike internal products.

Capacity is considerably higher than a tampon, which is why many people use one all day.

Toxic shock syndrome

Rare and serious, and associated with internal products. Do not exceed the manufacturer's stated wear time, usually up to twelve hours for a cup, and wash hands before insertion and removal.

Sudden high fever, vomiting, a sunburn-like rash, dizziness or confusion during a period means removing the product and seeking urgent medical help.

Fit and getting started

Cups come in sizes based on age, births and flow, and firmness varies. Expect a few cycles to get used to insertion and removal, and use the first ones at home.

To remove a cup, break the seal by pinching the base rather than pulling the stem. Pulling on the stem is uncomfortable and does not work.

Cleaning

Rinse and wash with a mild unscented soap during the period, and sterilise by boiling between cycles as the manufacturer directs. Store dry in a breathable bag rather than sealed.

Wash pads and underwear cold first to prevent staining, then as instructed, and skip fabric softener, which ruins absorbency.

Who should check first

Anyone with an IUD, a prolapse or a recent gynaecological procedure should ask a clinician before using a cup.

Cost and environment

A cup or a set of period underwear pays for itself within a few cycles and lasts years, which makes the saving substantial over a lifetime of periods.

It also removes a considerable amount of waste, since disposable products are used and binned monthly for decades.

Out and about

Carry a small bottle of water or wipes for rinsing a cup in a cubicle, or use a second cup and swap. Period underwear avoids the problem entirely for a day out.

Getting the size right

Cup sizing usually depends on age, whether you have given birth and how high or low the cervix sits, which varies through a cycle. Many people need a second attempt to find the right one.

Firmness matters as much as size — a firmer cup opens more reliably and can feel more noticeable.

Period underwear

Sized like ordinary underwear with a stated absorbency in millilitres or tampon equivalents. They suit light days, overnight and as backup, and several pairs are needed for a whole period.

Cost

A cup lasts years, which makes the saving substantial.

WHERE TO BUY

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