As much as we hate to talk about our menses when that time of the month comes, we’re so used to simply reaching for the old disposable products recommended by our mothers, grandmothers and sisters. But times have changed, and with the spotlight on protecting our planet, perhaps now is the time to relook our disposable sanitary products.
I’ve gone through many a product, from moon cups to period panties so you don’t have to and here’s my personal experience of each of them.
First up, moon cups:
Moon cups were all the rage at the point when earth-conscious brands were first looking into a way to introduce us to reusable sanitary products, so naturally, I jumped on board. As an avid swimmer, I was also told by many other swimmers that an added benefit of the moon cup was that it helped them to continue swimming even when it was that time of the month.
So not only was the moon cup better for the environment, but it would help me stay active during my cycle. Needless to say, I was in.
As I have never had kids before, it was recommended to me to get the small size. There are generally two sizes: one for women who have never given birth (small) and another for women who have (large). The moon cup is made of soft silicone. Insertion is supposed to be easy – you place the moon cup between your first three fingers, pinching your pointy finger in the middle with the moon cup folding around it. Apparently, that instruction was a bit too complicated for me.
I’ve tried it month after month, tried a different brand and yet with no success. I found that the tag kept pushing against my underwear, causing the moon cup to move and not giving me the leak-free security that I was promised. As a matter of course, I retired my moon cup.
While my experience was not favourable, many women swear by it as it is hypoallergenic and can be used for up to 5 years. Get yours at Faithful to Nature.
Period panties
And then I discovered period panties by Bodhi B apparel. Since it’s simply underwear, it was fool-proof – perfect for me!
As a curvy woman, shopping for underwear in my size that are not simply basic, but aesthetically pleasing can be daunting. Browsing the website showed me that they really cater for all women’s bodies as they go from sizes XS all the way up to XXL. My rule of thumb is to usually go for the biggest size and I can always work my way down, but as a size 40 pants, I felt the XXL might even have been too big. They even have a swimwear line which I am definitely planning on purchasing from once the sun comes out.
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Upon receiving my package, I found that all the packaging was recyclable, which illustrated that the brand actually walks the talk. The range offers three flow options: light, medium and heavy, and the underwear offers a range for teens and women. I loved the fact that their offering is rather extensive offering thongs, bikinis, bikinis with lace, boyshorts, briefs with mesh and hipsters too.
Whatever your preferred fit, Bodhi B has a little something to offer. As I usually have quite a heavy flow, I opted for the women’s boyshort and lace bikini.
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When I tried my Bodhi B apparel, they felt rather comfortable. I expected them to be thicker, but they were rather slim and truly felt like normal underwear. I wore them on my heaviest days, which are days 2 and 3 and expected to feel like it was there, but they were even more comfortable than average sanitary towels as the protective gusset goes from the front all the way to the back of the underwear. They were super absorbent and there were no signs of leaks at all.
So far, period panties have been my favourite, most comfortable experience of eco-friendly solutions to sanitary products for women.
Compiled by: Marian Volkwyn
First published by Woman&home
Also see: Myths VS Facts About Menstruation
