Menstrual cups, reusable pads & Co. can seem a bit strange at first. But after a short period of familiarization and correct use, they are a great asset. Because they not only save money in the long term, but are also better for you and the environment.
Many commercially available panty liners and tampons contain plastic or even chemicals that actually have no place in or on the body.
On average, people use 9,000 tampons in their lifetime. This corresponds to approx. 90kg of raw material. If you line up these 9,000 tampons, the route becomes approx. 414m long 🤯
So a LOT of cotton & Co. is needed. This need not be. With reusable products, you only need a fraction of that raw material.
In this article I would like to show you alternatives and maybe take away some of your fears. Because periods are natural; it should not be taboo.
So let's get started:
menstrual cup
If you've used tampons before, this will probably be your new favorite. A menstrual cup is a small silicone cup that is used like a tampon. Because it contains no chemicals, it can stay in the body for up to 12 hours.
Like a tampon, you don't feel or see them in everyday life and you can do sports or go to the pool without any problems.
For the very first application, it is advisable to take your time. You can find an explanation video HERE.
You can use them with panty liners or period panties to get used to them and leave them off once you feel comfortable.
When you empty the menstrual cup for the first time, it's a good idea to do it in the shower.
If the cup is full, you can simply empty it in the toilet. Before putting them back in, simply wash them with gentle soap.
As already mentioned, the cup can remain in the body for up to 12 hours. The vacuum makes it leak-proof and absorbs much more blood than a tampon. So most will only need to empty the cup in the morning and evening, so there is no need to empty it on the go, at work or at school.
Because the cup does not let blood through, it is also absolutely hygienic and odorless. The cup is also invisible, no threads or the like that could be spotted.
When your period is over you can wash the cup as usual and then boil it for 3-5 minutes so it is sterile for the next use. If you don't have the opportunity to cook them in the kitchen, there are also special small cookers. Just google it :)
Our menstrual cups are from OrganiCup : They are made of medical-grade silicone and are available in 3 sizes.
Reusable menstrual pads
Put simply, these are washable panty liners. You use them exactly like commercial panty liners. They are attached to your panties with a button.
The menstrual pads do not require any time to get used to.
Taynie washable pads have a PUL layer and are impervious to liquids.
They contain no chemicals or additives. This is not only healthier, but also counteracts odor formation. Because the period blood of a healthy person does not naturally stink.
After use, the pads can simply be taken home in a stasher bag or wet bag ; then wash them with cold water (if you don't wash them right away). Then you can wash them directly in the washing machine.
The great thing about cotton pads: you can even sew them yourself! :)
period panties
A period panty is actually a fusion between a panty and reusable menstrual pads. They are excellent as a back-up; you don't realize they are period panties and they are very comfortable. Period panties are available in many designs and colors.
Our panties are from Taynie (available from us in many designs and sizes) . They contain no silver ions or biocides. Thanks to the thin TPU or PUL layer (without plasticizer), they are leak-proof.
Period panties are also suitable for people who practice "free bleeding".
You can wear the panties for a maximum of 10-12 hours, then you should change them. As with the cotton pads, it's best to give them a quick rinse in cold water and then machine wash them with the rest of your laundry.
washable tampons
As an alternative to the period cup, there are also washable tampons. They are very similar to disposable products in terms of handling and size. That's why they are ideal for people who don't get along with the menstrual cup or who don't want to or can't use it for a variety of reasons.
Our washable Taynie tampons are made from 100% organic cotton and are available in 3 absorbency levels.
sponge
There are also sponges. But the sponges are either made of natural sponge (not vegan, the sponge is actually an animal) or plastic. That's why you won't find them in the shop.
Even if we do not have these two products in our range, we still think it is important to mention them.
final word
We hope we were able to show you some alternatives and arouse your enthusiasm for reusable period products. Because these products are clearly ahead of disposable products: They are cheaper, more sustainable and healthier. But it is also important here to use good manufacturers and avoid cheap products and imitations.
You can find all of our monthly hygiene products HERE .
Do you have any questions or additions? We are happy to supplement and expand our knowledge :)
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