Sustainable Period Products: Should I Invest?

With so many options available, it can be difficult to make the decision to change from the period products you are comfortable with to something new and unfamiliar. It can also be overwhelming to know where to begin in researching what will best fit your needs. With the current urging to move towards more sustainable alternatives, many people with periods are considering switching to more eco-friendly options. With reusable products comes cleaning, learning curves, and new habits that have to be formed to make the most of the products. In the following paragraphs we will examine a few of the most popular sustainable period product options to better understand what they are, how much they cost, and how to clean/care for them to make the decision of whether or not to switch less overwhelming.

Menstrual Cup

A menstrual cup is a bell shaped cup which can take the place of a tampon in collecting period blood from inside the vagina. You may know them better by the brand name “Diva Cup”, but regardless of brand, they all follow a similar design with the same purpose. Menstrual cups begin with a steep learning curve for how to insert them correctly which often deters new users. However, there are many advantages to braving this speed bump. When inserted correctly, they can be worn during intense physical activity and even during sleep with a reduced risk of toxic shock syndrome, and cups can last up to 10 years when cared for properly! Some people worry about dislodging their IUD with the suction and so if this is a concern for you, discussing the issue with your doctor can be helpful to understand best practices to prevent any accidents. Additionally, try to wait roughly six weeks after getting an IUD to begin or resume use of a menstrual cup (Sharkey).

Menstrual cups typically range between 20 and 40 Canadian Dollars and can be purchased through websites such as Amazon and stores like Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, and Rexall. There are specific cleaners available on the market for an additional cost, however there are many alternative options for cleaning the cups, one of which is outlined in the paragraph below.

The user involvement in cleaning cups can be a large deterrent to many people with periods. However, this is not as difficult of a task as many people assume. As mentioned above, there are cleaning solutions on the market but a cheaper option is to mix one part vinegar and nine parts water to use as a cleaning solution for when you dump your cup. There are small holes around the rim which are important for the suction of the cup which can become discoloured and dirty. An old, soft toothbrush can be good for these areas and simply “Run the cup under warm water, gently stretch out the holes, and use the brush to remove any debris that you can't get to with your fingers” (Florio). At the end of your period, boil the cup for five to ten minutes to clean and disinfect the cup before putting it away until your next cycle.

Menstrual Discs

Reusable menstrual discs are similar to menstrual cups in many ways. They are also inserted into the vagina, taking the place of a tampon, and require perseverance to learn how to use them most effectively. Discs can be worn during sexual intercourse whereas menstrual cups usually cannot. However, It is important to be careful when purchasing menstrual discs because many are actually single use. Be sure to read the packaging carefully to ensure you are purchasing the correct type of menstrual discs for your needs.

The cost of reusable menstrual discs can range between 20 and 50 Canadian Dollars on average. They can be purchased in the same places as menstrual cups such as Amazon, Walmart, Shoppers Drugmart, and Rexall.

Again, menstrual discs follow nearly identical cleaning processes to menstrual cups outlined above. Additionally, menstrual cups and discs can be steamed for sanitization. There are small steamers specifically for this purpose available on the market if boiling the product on the stove is not an ideal option for you.

Period Underwear

Period underwear offer a sustainable alternative for people who prefer pads to tampons. The typical design of period underwear is a pair of bikini cut bottoms with a thick layer of absorbent material sewn to the underwear but there are many other cuts/shapes available as well. Additionally, these can be purchased with varying levels of absorbency to better match your flow and needs. Unlike with menstrual cups and discs, people will often have multiple pairs of period underwear of different cuts and absorbencies to account for the full duration of a cycle. Period underwear are a great option for people who are not comfortable with insertion, require extra protection for a heavy flow, or for overnight.

The prices of period underwear can range drastically based on level of absorbency, brand, cut, and even pattern/colour. Most of the time, they are sold in packages of three or five but can be also purchased individually or in larger quantities. A pack of three pairs of period underwear can range on average between 20 and 60 Canadian Dollars. A common brand of period underwear is Knix; they produce good quality products available in many colours, sizes, cuts, and styles. The prices at Knix are on the higher end so it is up to the consumer how much of an investment is worth it. There are less expensive options available on Amazon as well.

After wearing a pair of period underwear, rinse them under cold water until it runs clear. You can then place them in the washing machine on cold, using your regular detergent but avoiding fabric softeners and bleach to preserve the absorbency of the fabric. Hang drying the underwear is recommended over putting them in the dryer to protect the material (How to Wash).

Reusable Pads

Reusable pads look very similar to their disposable alternatives but wrap around your underwear by clasping underneath (usually with a snap). They are thick, absorbent fabric, much like what is built into period underwear. These are a good option for anyone looking to forgo pads and are hoping to pay less than they would for period underwear. Additionally, washable pads also allow users to wear whichever underwear is most comfortable to them. The shape of reusable pads can vary slightly based on where they are purchased but they typically follow the shape of a traditional disposable pad, having a main body and two wings.

The prices of reusable pads can vary drastically but typically lies within the range of 10 to 50 Canadian Dollars for a package of three. Some people choose to make and sew their own reusable pads using patterns available on the internet which would be a cheaper (possibly even free if you already own the fabric) alternative as well. They can be purchased through Amazon, Knix, and many other brands. There are often people who make them handmade and are selling them in craft shows or on local websites as well.

The process of cleaning reusable pads is very similar to that of period underwear. Begin by soaking the soiled pads in water and rinsing out the blood. Wash them in a washing machine with detergent. Again, be sure to air dry the reusable pads to preserve the absorbency of the fabric and prevent shrinkage from the heat of a dryer (Martin).

The choice of whether these sustainable alternatives are right for you (and if so, which ones) is entirely your own. There are countless aspects to take into account such as cleaning, prices, and personal preference when considering the products outlined above. It is common to use a combination of these products to address all of your needs and create the perfect combination for your cycle. There is no shame in sticking to what you know and are comfortable with but if you are considering switching to more sustainable options, hopefully you have found some insight in this blog post!

Works Cited

Adams, Dianna. “Menstrual Cup & Disc Cleaning - Sanitizing vs Sterilizing.” Saalt, Saalt, 7 Aug. 2024, saalt.com/blogs/news/menstrual-cup-disc-cleaning-sanitizing-vs-sterilizing?srsltid=Af mBOoqZBx7tLxe0bAhYOXgcOLlbrYOonV0O7l2HGhW7Kt0vjFHekqdz.

Eveleth, Rose. “Curious about Menstrual Cups or Discs? Here’s What to Know.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 29 May 2025, www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/advice-menstrual-cup-tips/.

Florio, Gina M, and Emma McGowan. “8 Menstrual Cup Hacks You Should Know.” Bustle, 16 Apr. 2020, www.bustle.com/articles/113402-8-menstrual-cup-hacks-you-should-know?utm_source =google&utm_medium=halyard&utm_campaign=h_bu_00063&gad_source=1&gad_c ampaignid=21588915811&gbraid=0AAAAAqxUEyUlS-LHXKUyK5TMOm7icYa3I& gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPzHBhDCARIsALlWNG2HQ74_L4XIexAQQD3Kc6jaYJjT6gMA GMe2HkBnjvOCVFwTVIO-RZsaAiAsEALw_wcB.

“How to Wash & Care for Period Underwear: La Vie En Rose.” How to Wash & Care For Period Underwear | La Vie En Rose, www.lavieenrose.com/en/period-panty-care?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2159568 9805&gbraid=0AAAAADpirkFUdoc9PEWJ_5jDGs-8PTDrp&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9obIB hCAARIsAGHm1mTUjRaFVWFx5dhDNG_hwwm4prfK_5gVw2tX2c6UoB6Id7FOt ASR-l4aAsyJEALw_wcB. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Martin, Kayla. “How to Use and Care for Reusable Menstrual Pads.” Pixie Cup, Pixie Cup, 25 Mar. 2021, pixiecup.shop/blogs/blog/reusable-menstrual-pads?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23 179429321&gbraid=0AAAAADe4WY5EmVFsMVjm7LELI_A17lME-&gclid=CjwK CAiAwqHIBhAEEiwAx9cTeSjCDApa4cCDLrADaXZOw_Hxr4vTUFJtEmvrOOW_1 YY1zMkGl1QMNRoCYcAQAvD_BwE.

Sharkey, Lauren. “How to Use a Menstrual Cup If You Have an IUD.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 13 May 2021, www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/menstrual-cups-and-iuds#overall-risk.