The average woman in an industrial society will have 350 periods during her lifetime. Multiply that by the number of sanitary pads or tampons she uses each menstruation cycle – and it can add up to 17,000 items disposed into landfills or clogging sewage systems!
A menstrual cup is a feminine hygiene product made of flexible, medical-grade silicone. It’s usually bell-shaped and about two inches in length. Worn internally, a cup collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbs it. When it is sitting in the right position in the vagina, the wearer shouldn’t feel anything!
Even better, menstrual cups have a greater capacity than pads or tampons – and can be worn safely up to 12 hours. So, they’re ideal to use during physical activities such as swimming, hiking or camping. You can peruse various styles and sizes on the LiveLoveLuna site, from the Lunette Menstrual Cup ($49.90) to the collapsible Lily Cup Compact Menstrual Cup ($67.90), which is perfect for on the go.
Because medical-grade silicone is an inert material, there are no side effects (with the exception of very rare cases of silicone allergy). Silicone also doesn’t harbour bacteria, though it’s recommended that you always use good hygiene when inserting a cup (i.e., washing hands before and after).
In addition, cloth pads such as the Eco Femme Reusable Cloth Pantyliner ($21.90 for three) are made of breathable fabrics like cotton, which move with your body and tend to be less odorous. LiveLoveLuna offers period underwear by Modibodi, too. Choose from a range of styles such as thongs, bikini and hi-waist.
With proper care, menstrual cups and cloth pads can last for years. Only cups with noticeable deterioration (e.g., a sticky or powdery film, splitting) need to be replaced; pads should be replaced when they wear out (like clothing). Have more questions? Check out LiveLoveLuna’s full online FAQs and visit its e-shop for more eco offerings.
