5 Natural Menstrual Products for a Healthier Period

Periods suck! Aunt Flo greets you each month with cramps, mood swings, bloating and bleeding. And let’s be honest, traditional menstrual products aren’t the best either.

So yeah, this is not your favorite time of the month. To top it off, if you are an eco-friendly yogi who is compassionate about Mother Earth, you may be horrified to find out that the products you turn to each month – pads, liners and tampons – are clogging up landfills and are terrible for the environment.

Worst of all, these period products are not so great for your health. Most conventional “period products” are made with harmful chemicals, bleaches and additives, as well as plastics, rayon and other chemicals that can cause negative long-term health effects.

7 Reasons Why You Should Ditch Tampons ASAP

Instead of choosing conventional tampons, pads and liners, opt for green, eco-friendly menstrual products that are better for the environment, your health and your wallet.
 

Here Are 5 Types of Eco-Friendly Period Product Alternatives for a Healthier, Happier You:

1. Period Panties

Period panties are just what they sound like: panties designed to wear during your period to absorb your flow and keep it out of sight and out of mind.

These panties look like regular underwear, but they have an absorbent built-in liner that prevents embarrassing leaks and stains. They are cute, comfortable, and provide impressive coverage without leaks.

Period panties are great to use throughout your period, but are especially ideal for the pre- or post-period days that are unpredictable. They are discrete and will save you money and messy clean up from disposable pads and liners.

Suggested product: THINX is a line of period panties for all the days of your flow. You can choose from thongs, cheeky, boyshorts, hi-waist, sport and hiphuggers, each designed to absorb between half and two full tampons-worth of fluid depending on which style you choose.

Use the code yogiapproved for $5 off your first pair! Woohoo!
 

2. Menstrual Cup

Menstrual cups are designed to be folded and insert directly into the vagina. Once inserted, they form a suction to stay in place, and catch and neatly store your flow and prevent it from exiting your body.

The menstrual cup is easy to insert, and comfortable – you won’t feel it once it’s inside your body. Cleaning your menstrual cup is a breeze! Just rinse it with water and a mild soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Castile Soap to sanitize it and make it as good as new.

If water isn’t available, just wipe it down with napkins or toilet paper each time you use the restroom. One menstrual cup can be used for many years, and can save you hundreds of dollars on one-time use period products month after month.

Suggested Product: The Moon Cup is a soft silicone cup that is flexible and collects your flow, rather than absorbing it and drying out your sensitive vaginal tissue like disposable tampons do. It is available in two sizes: one for women who have not given birth and another for women who have.
 

3. Organic Cotton Tampons

For ladies who want a more health-conscious, eco-friendly period protection option without deviating from their routine, consider switching to organic cotton tampons.

While they still create waste, they are made with organic cotton that made without phthalates, plastic, glues, fragrances, deodorants, pesticides, chlorine and bleach and synthetic chemicals.

Unlike traditional tampons, organic tampons are healthier for your body and don’t contain chemicals that can cause cancer, affect your nervous system, or interfere with your hormone production. They are more expensive than traditional tampons, but they are well worth the small additional fee for a healthier alternative.

Suggested Product: The Organic Cotton Tampons from Seventh Generation are made with certified organic cotton that is whitened without chlorine. They are also free of fragrances or dyes, so they are less likely to cause irritation to your sensitive parts.
 

4. Cotton Pantyliners and Pads

Cotton pantyliners and pads are an easy switch to eco-friendly menstruation products.

As opposed to disposable products that feel like a diaper and create waste and unpleasant smells in your waste basket, the washable and reusable liners and pads are absorbent and feel dry, soft and comfortable, eliminating that crunchy plasticy feel in your nether regions.

Cotton liners and pads are chemical free so you won’t have skin irritation, plus they are easy to clean. Just soak them in cold water and then pop them into your washing machine in a separate laundry bag.

When you are on the go, you can store used pads in a reusable sanitary napkin bag. Your one-time purchase of cotton liners and pads will save you hundreds of dollars during your menstruating years and prevent countless personal products from ending up in landfills.
 
Suggested Product: The Period Mate Reusable Cloth Menstrual Pads with Bamboo-charcoal Absorbency and Wet Bag is a great starter kit to introduce you to the world of reusable pads. One absorbent pad is equivalent to 150 disposable pads, paying for itself in 6 months or less.
 

5. Sea Sponge Tampons

Sea sponge tampons are natural sea sponges from the ocean that have been used by women for thousands of years during that time of the month. Inserted like a regular tampon, sea sponges are soft and durable tampon replacements that are free of chemicals such as bleach, chlorine, fragrance, dyes or other synthetic materials.

To use, wet it with water, squish it to let out extra water, and then gently insert it into your vagina. It can be cleaned by rinsing it with water each time you use the restroom. Each sea sponge is biodegradable and lasts a few months, so can use them with confidence, knowing you are reducing waste and using a safer alternative to traditional tampons.
 
Suggested Product: The Jade and Pearl Sea Sponge is a reusable tampon alternative that is easy to insert, comfortable and better for the environment and your health.
 
 

Enjoy a Healthier Cycle With These Menstrual Products

The health of your body and our earth is impacted by our actions and choices, including the personal care products that we choose to use. You can control the products that you use on and in your body, and you should make educated choices.

Ditch your conventional period products and choose eco-friendly and health-happy products that are kinder to Mother Earth and your overall health and well-being.