Are you so used to use-and-throw sanitary pads for menstrual well being and hygiene administration that the considered switching to reusable interval merchandise scares you?  The worldwide menstrual hygiene product market has grown by leaps and bounds, diversifying into menstrual cups, interval underwear, reusable pads, and even reusable tampons which might be extra pleasant for the setting, pores and skin and pocket. However girls who’re accustomed to conventional interval merchandise all the time have the query on thoughts: “Are reusable interval merchandise protected and hygienic?” Allow us to let you know the professionals and cons of utilizing reusable menstrual merchandise!

What are reusable interval merchandise?

There are various reusable interval merchandise reminiscent of menstrual cups, interval panties in addition to sanitary pads. Whereas fabric pads work might be washed and used, additionally they come in several sizes with completely different ranges of absorbency. These provide nice consolation and are inexpensive as nicely, however they don’t seem to be as well-liked as their disposable counterparts. In line with a examine printed within the BMC Girls’s Well being in 2023, it was seen that 37 % of the survey members had used a reusable product throughout their final interval. Out of those, 24 % of the respondents used interval underwear, 17 % had tried the menstrual cup, and 5 % used reusable pads. It was additionally seen that 11 % had tried utilizing a reusable product up to now.

Varieties of reusable interval merchandise

There are a number of reusable interval merchandise accessible right now.

1. Menstrual cup

This can be a moderately small, however extraordinarily versatile cup-like construction that may be inserted into the vagina. This cup collects the blood and might be emptied. These are created from medical-grade silicone and are protected to make use of. “Menstrual cups can be utilized by sexually inactive people, together with virgins. Do seek the advice of healthcare suppliers if there are issues about suitability,” says gynaecologist Suruchi Desai

2. Interval underwear

This underwear is manufactured from moisture-wicking cloth. Blood will get trapped in all these fibre. There isn’t any have to put on a pad or a panty liner if you find yourself utilizing interval underwear. These might be totally washed and reused after every use.

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3. Reusable pads

These are very like sanitary napkins, however are reusable and made up of three layers. A reusable pad has a prime sheet with a center absorbent layer beneath it, made up of cotton, polyester and different absorbent materials. On the backside, there’s a leak-proof layer created from polyurethane laminate (PUL) on the backside.

4. Menstrual disc

Very like cups, a menstrual disc additionally collects blood. It goes a lot deeper than the menstrual cup.

Advantages of utilizing reusable menstrual merchandise

1. Atmosphere pleasant

In line with the United Nations information and Simmons Nationwide Shopper Survey (NHCS), 57.43 million girls within the US used sanitary pads and napkins within the yr 2020. A mean girl makes use of 350 packs of plastic sanitary pads in her life. A disposable sanitary pad takes as much as 800 years to decompose, states this examine, printed within the journal Sustainability. Nevertheless, reusable interval merchandise are created from environment-friendly supplies and reduce down the variety of used tampons and pads that attain landfills.

2. More healthy to make use of

If you understand how to make use of reusable interval merchandise in the precise approach, these change into more healthy than disposable ones. A examine, printed in Plos One, means that so long as these reusable menstrual merchandise are utilized in the precise approach, and for the precise period, they arrive with low well being dangers. It was reported that there was 23.8 per cent much less pores and skin irritation after three months of utilizing reusable merchandise, as in comparison with 72.8 per cent with a disposable pad.

3. Cheaper

Reusable interval merchandise are a one-time funding. Whereas they might be costlier to purchase at first, the truth that they’re reusable makes them a extra economical choice. A examine, printed in Cureus, states that the acquisition price in addition to waste from a menstrual cup, over 10 years, is a small fraction in comparison with disposable pads and tampons. It involves roughly 5 per cent of the price.

4. Maintain extra quantity

The take care of many reusable interval merchandise is that they’ll usually maintain extra quantity, and must be modified much less ceaselessly than pads. With a menstrual cup, you’ll be able to wait as much as 12 hours, however no more, earlier than you alter it. However in case you are utilizing a disposable pad or a tampon, this time will get lowered to 4 hours.

What’s the proper approach to make use of reusable interval merchandise?

Reusable menstrual merchandise are nice if they’re utilized in the precise method. Subsequently, it’s important to understand how precisely to make use of a product, how lengthy to make use of it for, and how one can hold it clear. “Be certain that menstrual pads, cups, and reusable underwear are stored clear and, the place relevant, sterilized. This helps stop the expansion of micro organism that would result in infections,” says Dr Desai.

1. Menstrual cups

Be sure that to scrub your palms in addition to the menstrual cup nicely earlier than use. Apply water or perhaps a lubricant on the rim of the cup. Fold the cup in half, and insert it into your vagina. It is advisable insert it until it’s a few inches under your cervix. Rotate the cup. With regards to menstrual cups, you will need to notice that they have to not be worn for greater than 12 hours. To take away the cup, once more wash your palms, and use your index finger and thumb to fill the stem of the cup. Pinch the bottom as this may launch the seal. Wash the cup and clear it nicely earlier than reinserting.

2. Interval underwear

Utilizing interval underwear will not be very completely different from utilizing a disposable one. These are nice for days when you may have a heavy movement. Simply ensure you get the precise match, not too tight, not too unfastened. Be sure that to comply with the directions nicely on the subject of washing this underwear. Don’t put on the identical underwear, with out washing, it for greater than a day, even you probably have a low movement. Be sure that to wash the gusset, in addition to the remainder of the underwear. Put it within the machine for a delicate cycle, and air dry.

3. Reusable pads

A reusable pad could be positioned in the identical approach, in your underwear, as you’d a disposable pad. There could be Velcro or clips to lock it. Be sure that your underwear is the precise measurement and suits nicely. Unfastened underwear can result in a leak. As soon as you’re carried out, soak the pad, or rinse it nicely, and toss it within the machine. Place it in direct daylight to dry out. As soon as it’s fully dry, chances are you’ll retailer it.

4. Menstrual disc

Whereas utilizing a menstrual disc, be sure that to scrub your palms nicely. Deliver each side of the disc collectively, in order that it appears like a tampon. Insert it in order that it covers your cervix. Push it previous the pelvic bone. To take it out, use your index finger, insert it into your vagina, hook the rim, and pull it out. You might be exerting your pelvic muscle tissues, this may assist it come out sooner. A menstrual disc shouldn’t be worn for greater than 12 hours.

hold reusable menstrual merchandise clear?

Cleansing these merchandise nicely is a should Questioning how one can wash menstrual cups and reusable pads? “Wash reusable pads, cups, and underwear with delicate cleaning soap and heat water after every use. For menstrual cups, sterilize by boiling them in a menstrual cup sterilizer based on the producer’s directions,” says Dr Desai.

It should even be famous that reusable interval merchandise must be dried nicely. “Dry all reusable menstrual merchandise totally earlier than use. Damp or improperly dried objects can foster bacterial progress, growing the chance of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and different infections,” says Dr Desai, including, “Retailer reusable menstrual merchandise in a clear, dry place to keep away from contamination. Use breathable pouches or containers to maintain them free from mud and moisture.”

Dangers of utilizing reusable interval merchandise

Most reusable interval merchandise are protected. Nevertheless, if not utilized in the precise method, they’ve some potential dangers as nicely. Not utilizing the precise lubricant whereas inserting the cup or disc can result in irritation. It could additionally result in an an infection if not modified on the proper time, or not washed correctly. Poisonous shock syndrome, a deadly bacterial an infection, can be attributable to reusable merchandise, particularly a tampon and  menstrual cup, states this examine, printed within the Canadian Journal of Infectious Ailments and Medical Microbiology.

Abstract

There are such a lot of reusable interval merchandise accessible out there right now reminiscent of menstrual cups, menstrual discs, reusable interval underwear, and fabric pads. Whereas these are a protected and inexpensive choice, they must be utilized in the precise approach, for the correct amount of time and washed in the precise method to keep away from any problems.