Can't wear for long periods of time (13%) 'I just find I can't wear them for long periods of time which is quite a faff.'

Disposable period products, be they sanitary towels or tampons, often contain plastic and have a huge environmental impact. City to Sea , the charity behind the Plastic-Free Periods campaign, says that 3 billion disposable menstrual products are used every year in the UK and 200,000 tonnes of menstrual waste is landfilled in the UK every year.some pupils and students would feel more comfortable asking a student representative or ambassador rather than a member of staff Consumers should be cautious buying period pants which contain silver as experts have concerns about the health implications. Which? believes brands should also clearly state which products contain silver so shoppers can make informed decisions about what they are buying and the possible risks. However, we have concerns about this, as it's largely unnecessary if you follow standard hygiene procedures, and, while more research is needed, some studies have raised concerns about potential health impacts of silver in these forms, including affecting the 'good' bacteria in your vaginal microbiome which could make you more susceptible to infection.

Also, as your period progresses, the absorbency you require will change. Where you may need maximum absorbency on the first day, the final few days may require much lighter protection. However the use of silver zeolite as an antimicrobial more broadly in textiles is currently under review in the EU. Modibodi, which is also owned by Essity, told us: ‘Modibodi is committed to pursuing the highest possible safety standards for every element of our products, so our customers can feel confident by choosing Modibodi underwear.It can take a few tries to get used to inserting and using a menstrual cup (as is often the case with tampons too), but you can find guidance online and included with the product. Period pants have become a popular alternative to disposable sanitary products. However, a growing body of scientists have raised concerns about the potential health impacts of using silver in these products. Products containing silver treatments could also harm the environment. The European Chemicals Agency says that silver treatments, such as nanosilver and silver zeolite, are very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. Repeated washing of period pants will lead to small particles of fabric being released into the environment via wastewater, which could contain silver. We know what you’re thinking; what about leakage? Are they comfortable? Will I feel unclean? Well, our experts at the Women’s Health Lab put in the leg work and tested each of these elements for you, with the help of 350 women and people who menstruate.

We held a discussion group and carried out a survey with charities and interest groups who shared their views and experiences regarding period product provision. Having products in communal areas such as libraries or student services would raise awareness of the products being available, and be easily accessible for girls and women to take them as and when needed. Your spend cap is based on 35% of the number of recorded girls and women in your school or college who, based on age, are likely to have started their periods. This is how your total amounts have been calculated in previous years of the scheme. There is currently limited research into the impact of these types of silver on human health, but experts have raised concerns about particles potentially migrating into the body, and disrupting our skin microbiome by killing beneficial bacteria.

This guidance is for state-maintained schools and DfE-funded 16 to 19 education organisations. For ease of reference, the guidance will refer to schools and colleges throughout.

Pants containing silver-based treatments could harm the environment too. Ironic, considering many people choose them in an effort to be more eco-friendly (and plenty of brands market them along these lines). There is a risk of silver migrating from textiles into our waterways when washed, especially silver in nano-particle format. When we surveyed people who had used either period pants or menstrual cups in a 2021 survey of 776 people, 58% of menstrual cup users told us they still use other product types as well.

Size Matters

Not all period products are suitable for girls and women with specific disabilities. You should ensure you have methods to gather the views of disabled girls and women, and make suitable products which meet their needs available in your setting. poverty - using language associated with poverty may discourage pupils and students from using these products encouraging girls and women interested in menstrual health and wellbeing to be involved in the process, for example as ambassadors for the scheme No. It’s not essential for combating odour, and there’s no evidence that menstrual blood contains harmful bacteria requiring antimicrobial treatment. Implying it does, even if it’s responding to user concerns around odours, plays into long-standing taboos around menstruation.