Does it actually matter which menstrual product you use? Crazy question. Of course it matters! For your own vaginal health, but also for the environment. These two things are more connected than it might seem at first sight. We explain. For starters, you need quite a few pads and tampons in your life. Do the math: about 5 products per day, for 5 days on average, and this 13 times a year. That’s about 325 products per year. Apart from all the panty liners and sanitary towels you’re using just in case – after all, you never know when exactly the bleeding will start. Based on 40 fertile years, that means at least 13,000 products per lifetime.

Since a pack of regular sanitary towels can contain the equivalent of up to five plastic carrier bags, it’s clear that by using an alternative product that’s more recyclable quite a bit of environmental damage can be prevented. Environmental damage on a macro level (to the planet) and on a micro level (to yourself). That’s because you’re wearing these 13,000 menstrual products on one of the most absorbent and sensitive parts of your body (your vulva) or even internally (your vagina).

Vulvar and vaginal problems are more common than you might think

Being kind to your vulva and vagina is important if you want to prevent all kinds of complaints. Such as itching. Pain. Rash. Too much discharge. Unpleasant smells. Or even vaginal infections. Vulvar and vaginal problems are more common than you might think. Strangely enough, these complaints often arise when you want to be too clean. It’s not without reason that gynecologists advise using unscented cotton pads and tampons and washing your vulva not with soap, but with only lukewarm water.

In a nutshell: for decades, discreet menstruation has been more important than healthy menstruation. That’s due to the age-old menstrual taboo. Manufacturers responded by coming up with products that made it possible to have an invisible period (even if you couldn’t walk because of cramps). Some examples: individually wrapped sanitary towels or tampons with applicators that fit exactly in the palm of your hand, so you can smuggle them to the toilet unseen. Whisper-soft packaging that doesn’t creak when opening. Maximum absorption capacity (due to the plastics and absorbent granules). A snow-white color (thanks to the chlorine). Added perfumes to prevent odors. Not required: an ingredient list. It was never entirely clear what exactly these products contain.

Hardly any legal rules apply to things that you put in your vagina

Pretty peculiar. Almost everything you can buy in the shops – from food to cosmetics – is required to contain a comprehensive list of ingredients and/or information about production and manufacturing processes. This way, consumers know exactly what they put on their skin or in their mouth. Strangely enough, other hardly any legal rules apply to things that you put in your vulva/vagina.

A person who also found this particularly troubling was the British environmental activist Susie Hewson. In 1989, she launched the world’s very first ecological sanitary towel brand: Natracare. However, Hewson’s efforts to create an alternative to regular menstrual products that was free from plastics, toxins and animal testing weren’t well received. Countless lawsuits were filed against her by the handful of multinationals that had controlled the menstrual market until then. Hewson won them one by one, paving the way for an army of new and hip brands.

Nowadays, the choice seems huge for those who want to menstruate environmentally friendly. Both in disposable and reusable products. Is the latter option better? By now you’d almost feel guilty if you prefer to opt for disposable products. However, reusable unfortunately isn’t always the greenest choice. For example, a well-known brand of menstrual underwear recently got into a lawsuit when it turned out their claim ‘without chemical substances’ was false. Chemical per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were found in the underwear.

What about the menstrual cup, you might say? You only need one and it will last up to ten years. That’s right. But not all cups are made of medical grade silicone. In fact, the market is flooded with cheap cups from Asian countries that are made of so-called food-grade silicone – material that’s unsuitable for internal use. Those mountains of discarded cups in nice colours, of which it is unclear how and what exactly they’re made of, will soon have to be broken down again.

‘Cotton’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘green’

Don’t become discouraged now: it’s certainly possible to be kind to your vulva/vagina and to the planet at the same time. Also when using disposable menstrual products. You just have to remain critical. Read the packaging and/or the manufacturer’s website carefully. For example, ‘cotton’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘green’, because cotton is the most sprayed crop in the world. It’s therefore important that organic cotton with the correct quality mark is used.

For that reason, we once again focus on game changer Natracare, which has been proactively setting a good example for decades in terms of sustainability and transparency about the composition and production. Natracare sanitary napkins, panty liners, tampons and wet wipes are made from 100% organic (GOTS-certified) long fiber cotton. This is top quality cotton whose fibers expand in width – making them absorb extra efficiently – which doesn’t cause fiber loss. Fibers that remain in your vagina after tampon use can cause annoying symptoms.

Environmentally friendly and vegan (since 1989)

The products are free of super absorbent gel granules (SAPs) and other chemicals and are also chlorine, perfume and plastic free. The absorbent core is made of PEFC certified sustainable wood pulp from Finland. The anti-leakage layer is made of a patented biopolymer made from vegetable starch. No petroleum-based plastics are used for the packaging either.

The result of all this is hypoallergenic, animal-friendly (because free of animal testing and harmless to wildlife), vegan, ethically produced and completely biodegradable and compostable. And all that already since 1989. If only all menstrual product brands were like this. It would save heaps of waste, animal suffering and menstrual suffering.

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Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our contact page.