The eco-friendly period

Reusable period products have moved from niche to mainstream, and NHS organisations and local councils now publish guidance on them. This explainer brings that guidance together. It is general information, not medical advice: if you have questions about your own periods or health, speak to a GP, pharmacist or school nurse, or contact NHS 111.

Why people switch

The case for reusables is partly environmental and partly financial. Great Ormond Street Hospital’s guidance notes that disposable tampons usually come wrapped in plastic, often with plastic applicators, and that pads typically have individual wrappers and a plastic leak-proof base; many products also contain plastic in the absorbent layer. That plastic can take 100 to 500 years to break down, into microplastics. The same page states that the average person who menstruates uses about 11,000 disposable products in a lifetime, and that disposable period products are the fifth most common waste item found in the ocean.

Dorset Council’s leaflet adds a cost estimate: disposables cost on average about £5 per period, around £65 a year and £2,400 over a lifetime, while a menstrual cup costs up to about £23 and can last up to ten years. The figures are estimates and depend on what you buy, but the principle is clear: a reusable product costs more up front and less over time.

The three main types

The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust leaflet describes three main reusable options, summarised here with care advice from the other sources:

Menstrual cups

A cup is folded, inserted and left to collect blood, then removed, emptied, rinsed and reinserted. GOSH says it should be emptied approximately every 12 hours, while Dorset Council’s leaflet gives a range of every 6 to 12 hours for cups and discs. GOSH notes that cups take a few periods to master, become softer and easier to use after a few months, and can be sterilised, for example in the microwave, before each period. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular cup.

Period pants

Period pants have absorbent, leak-proof and breathable layers built in, and come in different absorbency levels, so they can be worn alone. The GOSH care advice is specific:

• rinse in cold water after use (rinsing in the shower is suggested);
• machine wash on a delicate or gentle cycle, or hand wash with a mild detergent;
• do not tumble dry; lay flat or hang to dry;
• for stains or odour, soak in a vinegar-and-water mix before washing.

Washable pads

Reusable pads sit in your underwear like disposable ones and are washed in much the same way as period pants. Dorset Council suggests keeping used pads in a small wet bag until you can wash them.

Smaller swaps

If a full switch does not suit you, there are partial options. GOSH mentions biodegradable, plastic-free tampons and pads, and reusable tampon applicators (or simply using a finger) instead of single-use plastic applicators. Period sponges, by contrast, are not recommended by GOSH, which says they may be associated with a higher risk of infection.

Safety: toxic shock syndrome

The NHS describes toxic shock syndrome (TSS) as a rare but life-threatening condition caused by an infection, and lists using a tampon or menstrual cup among the situations in which it can develop. Its prevention advice is to wash your hands, follow the instructions for tampons and cups, and not leave them in longer than needed or recommended. Symptoms can come on suddenly and include a high temperature, muscle aches, a rash and flu-like symptoms. The NHS advises calling 999 or going to A&E for a high temperature with a rash, dizziness, confusion or difficulty breathing, and calling NHS 111 for less severe symptoms. If you have had TSS before, your doctor may advise against tampons.

Choosing what suits you

There is no single right answer. Some people use a cup for heavy days and period pants overnight; others prefer washable pads because nothing is inserted. The sources agree on the basics: follow each product’s care instructions, which vary between suppliers, keep hands and products clean, and seek advice if anything feels wrong.