Aunt Flo
Perhaps you are a young lady who is beginning to experience a menstrual cycle, or a seasoned veteran looking to both save money and treat the environment a bit better. Whatever your reason for being here, welcome!
“Aunt Flo” or “period” are two common names we give to the days of the month where our uterus sheds it’s built up lining (that silly thing is always preparing to carry a baby.) It can be a few days to a week and a half! I truly hope you have a short period. This can change as you age and based on your body. The length and symptoms associated with your menstrual cycle can indicate your body’s health as well.
Today, I won’t go beyond that description. There are more than enough resources available to discover this wonder of the female body!
Any lady old enough to experience a visit from “Aunt Flo” should read this post. I always like to get straight to the meat and potatoes of anything. So, in staying true to that fashion, I will jump right into how managing this visit can be done more sustainably. Then, I’ll talk about the whys below.
Let’s get into the simple sustainable ways to manage our shed uterine linings, shall we?
Cups and Discs
I have personally been using a menstrual cup for years. In fact, I have used the same cup since May 2021. At that time, I purchased a “kit” with 2 different-size cups and a plug-in steam sterilizer for $25. There are many options and brands available now and one purchase will last for years if you follow the manufacturers care instructions (super easy too.)
A menstrual disc is also an option. I have not tried these myself, but that’s more out of fear of difficulty due to my short fingers and lack of being able to touch my own cervix. Many of these brands market as having the option to experience intimacy with a partner during your period while using the disc option.
Honestly, I empty my cup twice per day. 1) In the morning with my first bladder emptying, I remove the cup and rinse it out in my bathroom sink. Then return it to “work.” 2) My second emptying is during my evening shower where I remove the cup in the shower, wash it and my body (pro tip: shower wands are great for easily cleaning lady parts), and then put it back in for the evening.
Here are some options, but they’re easy to find with a quick search!
If you live local to Somerset, Pa Check out Jar The Zero Waste Store. Jen carries several options for sustainable period care.
Flex Fits Disc
How to Insert
Watch this YouTube video for tips on inserting a CUP.
Watch this YouTube Video for tips on inserting a DISC.
Period Underwear
At the same time, I purchased my menstrual cup, I purchased a pack of 3 menstrual underwear for $30. I’ve been using those same underwear for the last three years as well. They have held up very well. And despite being against the manufacturer’s recommendations, I throw them into the washer and dryer each time I wear them. I haven’t had a single issue and they still function perfectly. They are not bulky.
I chose to buy more of these to wear two pairs per day. Unfortunately, I usually have a full week-long cycle. I pair them with my menstrual cup and have eliminated the need for disposable pads.
After my evening shower, I put on a fresh pair and wear them through the night. Then in the morning when I get dressed, I change my menstrual underwear for the day.
When I’m towards the end of my cycle and my days are lighter, I do choose to go to bed with just the underwear on.
Buy here:
Jar the Zero Waste Store, Somerset, Pa has reusable pads in stock most of the time. They’re an easy addition to underwear you already wear!
Bali leakproof underwear from JCPenny
Knix ~ choose your flow
Make your own with a YouTube Tutorial!
Sterilizer
This is definitely an optional device but I highly recommend having this dedicated piece of equipment. You can choose the other option of boiling water to sterilize your menstrual cup or disc. But if you’ve ever boiled water, you know how long that can take.
A sterilizer is a simple and pretty small tool that is dedicated to sterilizing menstrual cups and discs. It has a small steamer plate and uses about a teaspoon of water. Your chosen device will be sterilized within just a few minutes!
At the end of my cycle, before I store away my cup and sterilizer until Aunt Flo’s next visit, I use the sterilizer a few times. Just to make sure any vaginal bacteria is definitely down for the count. I also know that my cup is going away clean so the next time I need it, it’s ready to use.
Pro tip: If you use a diaphragm as part of your pregnancy prevention, you can sterilize it too! I have the Caya diaphragm and really like it. We pair it with VCF Vaginal Contraceptive Gel.
Many of the placed you’d buy a cup will sell a sterlizer as well. But here are some places to look:
Cost
I have a sterilizer, 2 menstrual cups, and 12 pairs of menstrual underwear. All in my cost was:
$125
I know, it seems like a big upfront cost. But, I’ve literally used these products 3.5 years! That means I’ve spent $35.72 per year OR less than $3 per month! And my products are STILL GOING!
Now, $3/month doesn’t sound too bad, does it? But let’s go ahead and compare what I used to spend in tampons and pads.
I’ll average three tampons per day, and my period last 7-8 days. I’ll say 7 for this math problem. We’ll say I wear a thin pad that I change when soiled, or at least twice per day for the same 7 days. Tampax Pearl was what I most often purchased. A 28-count box at Walmart is currently $4.88. Always thin liners 70- count is also $4.88 at Walmart. Remember, there are 12 months per year. Let’s go!
Tampons:
7 days x 3 tampons = 21 tampons per week
21 tampons x 12 months = 252 tampons per year
252 tampons / 28-count box = 9 boxes
9 packs x $4.88 = $43.92 per year
but wait, tampons are taxed!
$43.92 x 6% = $2.64
$2.64 + $43.92 = $46.56 for Regular tampons per year
Pads:
7 days x 2 pads = 14 pads per week
14 pads x 12 months = 168 pads per year
168 pads / 70-count = 2.4 (so I have to buy 3 pads to have enough)
3 packs x $4.88 = $14.64 per year
TAX: $14.64 x 6% = $0.88
$14.64 + $0.88 = $15.52 for thin liner pads per year
Total: $45.56 + $15.52 = $61.08 per year
Remeber, I spend $125 for my sustainable products and I’ve been using them the last 3.5 years. If I had used these low cost and disposable products the same amount of time:
$61.08 x 3.5 years = $213.78
Now, my savings on something I HAVE to manage so far is
$213.78-$125 =$88.78
That’s a pretty nice wallet of change that will only keep growing as long as I use my sustainable products! While the numbers could be bigger or smaller, depending on what types of disposable products you’re purchasing, overall there’s going to be a cost savings. This isn’t the only area of importance, but it’s a big one for many people. Let’s head on into environmental impact.
Toxicity of Common Products
I remember in school health class being taught the term “toxic shock syndrome.” Our teacher indicated that if a tampon was left in your vagina for too long, your body would become toxic and you would become very ill. They eluded to it being the blood and not the actual tampon that would cause the problem. And while there is concern for increased bacteria and infection related to this happening, there’s more to the story than that.
Growing health concerns in all areas of exposure are popping up everywhere. One area that occupies a lot of time for menstruating women is the exposure to toxic chemicals and metals in tampons. Both organic and non-organic tampons contain heavy metals, according to this study by Berkeley Public Health.
Tampons are convenient, found almost anywhere, and carried in our bags. They’re easy to share and keep on hand for the “just in case” moments. I’m not asking you to throw them all away. I get that sometimes there are necessary evils in this world of ours. I do encourage you to choose different options for the MAJORITY of the time you are managing your menstrual flow each month, though. You deserve a healthy body and mind. That means less exposition to the things that unbalance us. Eliminating Tampons, and even disposable pads, is one small step to reduce exposure.
“Metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer. They can damage the liver, kidneys, and brain, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrine systems. In addition, metals can harm maternal health and fetal development.”
~Elise Proulx
I’m not here to reinvent the wheel, so you can read more about this study and follow the full article here:
Reach out!
I love to hear from others and their experiences. I also prefer to support locals when possible! If you know of any local creators or sellers with sustainable menstrual products, please email me directly.