Tampons were invented in 1931 and have been a popular solution to women’s monthly troubles ever since. They’re portable, come in a range of sizes and absorbencies, and are discreet. However, they’re also single-use and bad for the environment. They can also be uncomfortable for some women to use and don’t always offer the best protection against leakage. If you’re looking for alternatives to tampons, then there are lots of good choices these days. Here are some that you should consider trying and why.
There are a range of alternatives to tampons available at the moment. Many of them are more environmentally friendly, natural, and comfortable than tampons too. Some options you could try are:
Each option has its own good and bad points. The best way to find what works best for you is to try them.
People look for alternatives to tampons for lots of different reasons. Here are some good reasons to look for an alternative:
Tampon alternatives can also be safer. Tampons are classified as medical devices. They can contain harmful chemicals or medical-grade materials that aren’t always written on the label. In some cases, researchers have found that tampons can contain:
Using alternatives can also reduce the risk of toxic shock syndrome.
Some women avoid using alternatives to tampons, believing that they won’t work as well or hold as much blood. However, this isn’t the case, depending on what alternatives you use. Some options like menstrual cups, hold between 2 and 5 times the amount of blood that a tampon can hold.
There can be a learning curve though. With menstrual cups, for example, you need to make sure that you have the right size and fit. When you fit them correctly, they can also be very comfortable and are usually reusable, so they’re better for the environment too. Other tampon alternatives, like cloth pads, don't require as much fitting or trial and error, and are still better for the environment.
If you’re looking for some alternatives to tampons, then here are some of the best options on the market at the moment and who they’re right for:
Menstrual cups are funnel-shaped devices that collect menstrual fluid. They’re usually made of latex or medical-grade silicone. They are reusable, so one can be used for the duration of a period. They can last for years.
These cups are inserted just like tampons, but hold a lot more fluid and have a tab at the end for easy removal. You can wear a menstrual cup for up to 12 hours before removing it and disposing of the contents. There is a learning curve to fitting it properly and removing it relatively cleanly. But it can be very effective.
You may have to be careful using these cups as some women have found that it leads to a higher rate of IUD expulsion. There is no clear reason why this occurs, but it’s something to consider and talk to your doctor about.
Menstrual cups are relatively expensive, but they can be sterilized in boiling water after each period and reused, so the cost over time is much less.
Reusable cloth pads are basically like normal pads but can be washed and reused. This is the same idea as cloth diapers. These are probably one of the more uncomfortable options on this list. Beware of skin rashes or irritation when using these pads, as the material may not be up to the job of keeping the moisture away from your skin.
You can wear a cloth pad for up to 6 hours depending on flow and then put it in the washing machine. Some people double up and wear cloth pads with menstrual cups or period underwear to prevent leaks.
Period underwear is one of the newer alternatives to tampons. They look like normal underwear but are specially lined to absorb moisture, keep your skin dry, and prevent leaks. They can also be a comfortable choice if you prefer to wear pads but dislike the bulkiness or the feel of plastic next to your skin.
Period underwear is obviously very easy to use. Though it is fairly expensive, it can be reused, so the cost per use is lower. Period underwear also comes in different absorbencies and can absorb up to 1-2 tampons’ worth of flow.
If you’re going to try this option, start on a low-flow day to get used to it and determine how much your period underwear will hold.
Menstrual discs are like a plastic bag with a rim. They can be inserted to capture menstrual fluid and removed to empty the contents. In this way, they’re similar to menstrual cups, but they need to be placed deeper into the vaginal canal. This means they sit higher up and so can be safely worn during sex to stop the flow of blood.
Inserting a menstrual disc can take a bit of practice. However, they can capture more blood than a tampon, so they can be worn all day. However, unlike menstrual cups, they aren’t reusable. This means they also are not as good for the environment.
You absolutely should NOT use sea sponges, which are often touted as ‘natural’ and thus safer. This is demonstrably false. Sea sponges can’t be sterilized before use and often contain small particles of rock or sand, which can cause cuts in the vagina or infection. Sea sponges also increase your risk of toxic shock syndrome because they naturally contain bacteria.
For women, menstruation occurs every month and can cause pain, discomfort, and inflammation. Making this worse by using tampons or pads that cause discomfort or increase inflammation will only worsen this monthly occurrence. Avoiding inflammation and infection is even more important if you have Adrenal Fatigue (AF), a condition caused by chronic stress.
The adrenals are responsible for producing cortisol, the so-called stress hormone that’s an essential driver of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response. The NEM stress response is meant to be a short-term solution to stress, helping to protect you from a stressor. But when the NEM stress response is active over the long term it can cause problems.
The modern world is full of small but ongoing stressors, which can result in the long-term activation of the NEM stress response. This can result in adrenal fatigue as well as imbalances and malfunctions in the circuits that are part of the NEM stress response. When this occurs, it will severely impact your health and well-being and can even be life-threatening.
This is where alternatives to tampons come in. Menstruation is often a time of pain and discomfort. Finding the right way to manage menstrual flow so that pain, discomfort, and the chance of infection is minimized can be key to making this time as pleasant as possible. And if you have Adrenal Fatigue, this will minimize the additional stress that you experience during this time and help you avoid worsening any adrenal fatigue.
This solution may also help improve the health and functioning of the Hormonal Circuit.
The Hormone Circuit includes the ovaries in women, the adrenal glands, and the thyroid. It is responsible for the balance of hormones in your body. These three components are closely interconnected, so when one becomes dysfunctional, the others quickly follow.
When you have Adrenal Fatigue, the Hormone Circuit is often one of the first circuits to show malfunctions because of the adrenal gland decline. As this component declines in health, the other three components will follow, which can lead to hormonal imbalances and other related issues.
If you’re looking to improve the health of this circuit, exploring tampon alternatives can be one way to do this.
The right tampon alternative will also help you to avoid the chemicals that are often found in these products. Certain chemicals found in tampons, such as parabens and phthalates, are linked to hormone disruption. Others can act as xenoestrogens, which bind to estrogen receptors causing hormonal disruptions and a range of health problems. Avoiding these chemicals is essential for the health of your Hormone Circuit.
Finding a tampon alternative will also increase your comfort during menstruation and help you to avoid infection and inflammation. Some people with Adrenal Fatigue are more prone to infections and often struggle to get rid of them. Inflammation also leads to discomfort and other chronic conditions. Thus, taking care of your menstrual health plays an important role in Adrenal Fatigue recovery as well.
The best alternatives to tampons are better for the environment, offer good protection, and are extremely comfortable to use. If you’re concerned about your body and about the environment, then it’s worth trying some of these alternatives. Here’s how to choose the right option for you:
For more help managing your menstrual cycle or health problems associated with it, talk with our team at +1 (626) 571-1234 or click here.
There are several alternatives to tampons that you can try, each of them with their own benefits and drawbacks. The only way to find the right option for you is to try them and see how they fit with your body and your lifestyle.
