Going Green: A Guide to the Best Natural Period Products

Many feminine care products, including things like pads, tampons, wipes, and more contain toxic chemicals. These unregulated chemicals include carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and even reproductive toxins that can lead to many serious health problems. 

Luckily, there are an increasing amount of natural period products that allow you to manage your period without these toxic chemicals. These include menstrual cups, period underwear, and more. 

Do you want to learn more about the best non-toxic products for periods? Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about the best natural period products available!

Environmental Impact of Period Products

It is important that you understand the environmental impact of period products to fully understand the importance of switching to natural products. 

While there are an increasing amount of organic period products that are free from pesticides and other dangerous chemicals, most period products still can be quite bad for the environment. 

This is because the average person who menstruates will use thousands of tampons throughout their life. This does not include pads or pantyliners that they use during each cycle. 

Each of these products ends up in a landfill. It is estimated that there are 45 million menstrual products thrown away each year. Nonorganic pads can take hundreds of years to fully decompose and inorganic tampons may not ever decompose due to the plastic wrapping and applicators. 

Switching to natural or reusable period products can make a serious impact on the environment! It will reduce waste in the landfills. Plus, it cuts down on your individual plastic use. 

Types of Natural Period Products

Because natural and reusable period products can make such an improvement to the environment, many people are changing their period products. However, there are many types of natural period products. 

Here are some of the most popular products. 

Silicone Menstrual Cups

One of the most popular reusable period products is a silicone menstrual cup. These have been around for over 100 years, but have recently gained more popularity. 

Silicon menstrual cups are made from rubber and act as reusable tampons. They hold even more blood than a tampon and can be left inserted for up to 12 hours. Then, you can simply empty the contents into the toilet.

After emptying the contents of your menstrual cup, you can rinse it in the sink and reinsert it. This makes it great for busy days, whether you are traveling, working, and more. 

If they are inserted correctly, menstrual cups are some of the most comfortable and leak-proof period products available. They are also cost-effective, as they can last for years without any change in effectiveness. This way, you can protect the environment and save money on your period products. 

Period Underwear

Another green period product is period underwear! This market has exploded and there are many brands that offer a period underwear line. Period underwear is a great option for any day of your menstrual cycle, whether you are spotting, have a heavy flow, or even ovulating. 

Period underwear is made from an absorbent material that allows you to free-bleed on your period. The fabric absorbs the menstrual blood to prevent leakage. 

Because it is simply underwear, it is the most comfortable option for people that are menstruating. They are simple to use, great for the environment, and easy to clean. 

Period underwear also comes in many different styles, so you can find a pair that you are most comfortable in. 

Menstrual Discs

Menstrual discs are another type of natural period product that is growing in popularity. They are similar to period cups, but they differ in shape and placement. 

Menstrual discs are placed higher in the vaginal canal, higher up than most tampons or menstrual cups are placed. This allows it to catch your flow of blood without having to use suction. 

You can find single-use and reusable menstrual discs to fit your needs. They are often easier to insert, so these discs are a great option for beginners. Menstrual discs also last for up to 12 hours and hold more liquid than other period products. 

Unlike menstrual cups, these discs also allow you to have sex while on your period! This results in mess-free intimacy. 

Reusable Pads

If you are more comfortable with the traditional period products, you may want to consider using reusable pads. These pads are often made with natural, organic materials. This includes cotton and bamboo fibers, which makes them good for the environment. 

Not only are they made from sustainable materials, but they will also reduce plastic waste and will prevent exposure to toxic chemicals and ingredients commonly found in these period products. 

Reusable pads also tend to be more breathable than traditional disposable pads. This will make your menstruation a more comfortable experience and will help eliminate common period odors. 

Organic Tampons and Menstrual Pads

Finally, you can find organic tampons and menstrual pads. These natural period products are great for those who are not yet comfortable with reusable products but still need a product that is safer and better for their health. 

Most of these organic period products are made from 100% organic materials. They are most often made from cotton. 

Because these are organic products, they are chlorine-free and non-toxic. They are also very accessible and can be found at nearly any store.

Even if you are unable to switch to reusable period products, finding these organic products will help you manage your period in a chemical-free and safe way. 

Drawbacks of Traditional Period Products

There are many reasons why people switch to natural period products. 

First, it is because traditional period products can lead to problems with your health. For example, using a sanitary pad can lead to irritation and rashes on your skin. Plus, people prone to allergies may even be allergic to the chemicals found in these products. 

Not only can these be uncomfortable health issues, but they can be quite severe as well. In fact, the unregulated toxic chemicals can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer, problems with reproductive health, and even asthma. 

Traditional period products are also much worse for the environment. Because they are often made from plastic, it takes hundreds of years for them to fully decompose. This leads to excess waste building up in landfills across the world. 

Learning more about these drawbacks makes it easy to make the change to reusable or natural period products!

Benefits of Switching to a Natural Period Product

The primary benefit of switching to natural period products is that they are much better for the environment! After discussing the environmental impacts of period products, it is clear to see that switching to reusable or natural products is much better for the earth. 

Organic and natural products are also much better for your body. As was mentioned before, many traditional period products contain harmful chemicals. Using products with these chemicals can lead to immune system issues, reproductive issues, and more. 

Plus, the fragrances often found in pads can lead to irritation and hormone disruption. 

Not only are these products better for your body, but they can also be much more comfortable. If you are using traditional pads or tampons, the materials can irritate your sensitive vaginal skin. These products are not very breathable, which can increase unpleasant odors associated with periods. 

Organic products and reusable products are much more breathable, which will make your menstruation much more comfortable. 

Finally, switching to natural period products can help you save money! On average, women spend about $20 on period products each cycle. This will cost about $18,000 over the course of a woman's life. 

Many women are not able to afford these expensive products, especially those that are homeless. Switching to reusable and natural products can help end period poverty and help women afford their periods. 

You can save even more money by purchasing period product subscriptions and bundles. 

If you are looking for the best natural period products to improve your health and protect the environment, we can help!

Looking for the Best Non-Toxic Natural Period Products? 

Traditional period products have many drawbacks associated with them. By finding natural, organic, and non-toxic products, you can improve your health and benefit the environment. 

If you are looking for the best non-toxic and natural period products, Flo Box can help! We provide natural period product essentials and subscription boxes that make it easy to save money on your period products. 

Contact us today to learn more about our services and to start shopping for natural period products.