Pros & Cons of Period Products

Welcome to 2022, another year of Period Power (or at least if I have anything to say about it)! If you’re new here, my name is Emily and I’m the Period Power Dietitian behind Say Yes to Nourish, where my passion is the intersection between nutrition and menstrual health. We talk periods on the regular, and I invite you to stick around even if you don’t have periods or think periods are gross – someone you know and love has a period (and periods are a normal human body function)!

First things first, we’re disrupting some language – I don’t refer to menstrual products as sanitary products, feminine hygiene products or feminine products. Menstruation is not a dirty or unhealthy bodily function, and women are not the only people capable of having periods (transphobic language and discourse is NOT welcome here).

There are so many period products available on the market, and it can be hard to decide which ones are the best for you. To be honest, it took me a long time to find what felt really comfortable for me, and that will likely change for me over the years!

Let’s break down some pros and cons of the most common types of period products – and while this doesn’t constitute medical advice, this information might help you make the most informed decision for yourself.

Disposable pads/tampons. Pads are worn on underwear (with or without adhesive “wings” that wrap around the gusset of underwear) to collect blood. Tampons are placed internally in the vagina to absorb menstrual blood. Disposable options can be thrown away after use, and may come in a variety of sizes and absorbencies.

PROS: Variety of selection to use throughout a period, depending on menstrual flow and size required to prevent leaks; fairly easy to dispose of in garbage or specific collection bins.

CONS: Can produce significant amounts of waste throughout a period (and lifetime depending on use!) and may take a long time to decompose in landfills; may cause vulvar irritation depending on ingredients and presence of scents; risk of TSS with tampon use; can be expensive and unattainable for many; not enough pads in a pack for one period; insertion difficulties with tampons.

Reusable pads. These pads are worn the same way as disposable pads, but are made with fabric and multiple absorbent layers that can be washed and reused instead of throwing away. You can purchase them from brands or make your own, with a variety of sizes and patterns available!

PROS: Less packaging waste; increased comfort from softer fabrics and variety in selection.

CONS: May be expensive to purchase initially, especially if you’re new to reusable products and don’t know what works best for you; need for multiple over a period as they will need to be washed after use; need to carry a wet bag for used pads if you are out and change them; not as readily available.

Period underwear. These are underwear created to be absorbent for menstrual blood – think of a pair of underwear with a built-in reusable pad! There are often multiple absorbent layers sewn in to collect menstrual blood without the use of a pad or tampon. You can wash and reuse them!

PROS: Comfortable to wear and many styles available; less packaging waste as not throwing away after use; may be available as high absorbency options.

CONS: Expensive to purchase up front; require more than one pair for the entirety of a period; availability and size options may be limited; may need more specific washing and drying directions to preserve use.

Menstrual cups. These are internal cups placed in the vagina to collect blood. It can be emptied as often as desired or needed, and reused.

PROS: Less packaging waste as not disposing after use; designed for long-term use; variety of sizes and shapes available for different bodies; fairly easy to clean.

CONS: Require more than one cup during a period as general rinsing is not enough to sanitize before reinsertion; may be expensive to purchase up front depending on brand; difficulties with insertion and mess associated with emptying; may or may not be appropriate for IUD use; risk of TSS similar to that of tampon use.

Menstrual discs. These are similar to a menstrual cup, except they can be thrown out after use!

PROS: Great introduction to menstrual cups if you are trying to transition but aren’t sure where to start; may reduce some waste if not changing as often; variety of shapes and sizes available for different bodies.

CONS: Require more than one disc for a period; limited brands available; some mess associated with removal; risk of TSS similar to that of tampon use.

Free bleeding. While this isn’t a period product, this is a period option (and I strongly believe in bodily autonomy)! Free bleeding essentially involves no use of any period product, and simply allowing the body to bleed.

PROS: No packaging waste as not using period products; may be more comfortable to folks who dislike the feel of external and internal products.

CONS: Lots of laundry to do, depending on how heavy your period is; stigma of periods being visible may make people feel ashamed (which they shouldn’t!). *Hot tip: rinse all bled-on clothing, including period underwear, in cold water as hot water will essentially “cook” the proteins into clothing fibres and increase the risk of stains.

No matter what you choose, your period products should fit you and your lifestyle!