Periods are all different. They can last anywhere between two and seven days, and even the length of the entire cycle can vary wildly.
But one thing all women with periods have in common is that they rarely find it to be an enjoyable experience. Not only is the period itself often uncomfortable, but it comes with the added task of buying and enduring products to catch the bleeding.
More and more people are turning away from disposable pads and tampons to organic reusable pads, and there are some good reasons for this. Read on to find out what they are.
They're Better for the Environment
With education growing about the dangers of disregarding our effect on the environment, more and more people are trying to be eco-friendly. 78% of people are now more likely to buy a product that markets itself than sustainable vs its competitors.
Organic reusable pads and organic period underwear fall under this category. There's less waste between the products themselves and the plastic applicators that tampons often come with, so fewer environment-damaging substances in the trash.
They also don't use dangerous chemicals for the environment so even if they do get thrown away, they don't harm the soil around them.
They're Also Better for Your Body
Not only are they better for the environment, but they're better for your body.
In general, pads and menstrual cups tend to be better than tampons because the latter runs the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). It's usually leaving a tampon in for too long that causes this.
Pads are also manmade, which means that they can cause skin irritation and rashes. This is especially true when left on too long and it's not always possible to go and change a pad every few hours if you have work obligations or other responsibilities.
With organic cotton pads, you don't need to worry about it. They're soft on your skin and the material shouldn't cause any irritation. Organic period underwear can have the same effect.
They're More Comfortable
Because of this lack of irritation, they're comfier! Manmade pads can feel scratchy and itchy, whereas soft organic cotton should feel nice against your skin.
Since many women are on their period for seven days, this can be a big game-changer.
There Are Size Options
Many reusable pads come in a variety of sizes, so you don't have to worry about needing to change things up. Women often require a different size for sleeping than for going out during the day, and you can mix and match sizes to choose what's best for you at that given time.
They're Safer for Our Wildlife Friends
A study found that it can take 500 to 800 years for a period product to break down. This makes it a danger to wildlife, especially when it's flushed down the toilet and ends up in the ocean — which, although it's not advisable to flush period products, often happens.
In comparison, an organic cotton pad should only take one to two years to break down. That means that even if it does end up somewhere where it could be a danger to wildlife, it will soon be gone and its effect on the environment will be minimal — preserving our wildlife.
They're Affordable
Although organic reusable pads have a higher upfront cost than a normal pad, there are two reasons that they end up being more affordable than normal pads:
- The obvious reason is that you can reuse them, so you don't have to throw them away and purchase more as much
- It takes fewer pads per period because they're more absorbent than regular pads
That means that when you calculate the cost over time, you may end up saving money by going for reusable pads. Since eco-friendly options often cost more, this is a huge bonus!
Odor Protection
Although there's nothing wrong with periods having a natural smell, as they do, it can be embarrassing if you believe others around you can smell it — or even just unpleasant for you to smell.
Organic pads have less of a chance of unpleasant odors because the substances are just mixing with a natural substance and not a manmade product with various insecticides and pesticides present in the material.
They Work Just as Well as Disposable Pads
Sometimes, we're asked to make the switch to eco-friendly products to preserve our health, the environment, and wildlife, and the products simply don't work as well as the alternative. That can make it tempting to slip back into our old ways, being less environmentally cautious and causing more harm.
This isn't the case with organic reusable pads. Once you've started to use them, you'll never go back.
Organic cotton is more absorbent than the material the manmade pads use, meaning you'll have to change it less often. It'll also keep you secure throughout the day because of that absorbency, so you won't have to worry about leaking.
They also have non-slip qualities to ensure there isn't a slip-up during the day that causes your period to become visible or forces you to immediately find the nearest restroom.
Make the Switch to Organic Reusable Pads
If you make the switch to organic reusable pads, you won't regret it. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than disposable pads, but they also absorb better, feel better, cause less irritation, and can even be more affordable in the long run.
If you have any doubt, you have nothing to lose from trying them out. You'll never go back!
If you're interested in reusable pads or underwear, check out our collection, Hannah. We even have tester pads so you can see just how effective the pads are right on our website before making a purchase!