Objectively speaking, the applicator tampons (albeit 95% plant-based & recyclable) still bring waste into the world. If it’s not rinsed and properly recycled, it’ll end up in landfill and contribute to unnecessary pollution. Wuka was another of the early online pioneers of period pants, and has a large range of styles, all of which it says are made from sustainable materials, including organic cotton, Tencel modal and fabric made from plastic ocean waste. The regular flow Medium Flo pad is your go-to for those in-between, business-as-usual period days, and can also be used for leaky bladder days. We aim to be as sustainable & accessible as possible, whilst also providing great quality products that do their job. This means we're always striving to find the right balance between making products that are reliable and eco-friendly. FLO eco-applicator tampons: the tampons themselves are 100% compostable. However, there are still no official compostability guidelines for menstrual products, as experts themselves are conflicted due to the 'medical waste' nature of used period care products. So we recommend you dispose of them in the general waste bin, and they will naturally biodegrade in landfill in a few years. How wonderful is that? In contrast, the existing corporate alternatives take 100+ years to biodegrade.👎

However, we’re not here to shame you for your choices – applicators are very helpful in securing the tampon inside your vagina, which is especially useful if you've never tried tampons before. So whether you choose to go with or without, we’re here for you!💕

DIY menstrual pads: How to manage period pain without medicine

Wear ’em Out work closely with a Sussex based charity called Champion Chanzige. They aim to make sustainable changes to the lives of children attending schools in the Kisaware district of Tanzania. To date, projects have provided two refurbished school libraries, six classrooms, four drinking water storage systems, educational resources such as library books in Kiswahili and English, computers for access to e-learning resources, ecological workshops that provide schools with the means to create kitchen gardens or small farms, and menstrual hygiene workshops. The latter workshops focus on reproductive health education and how best to manage menstruation to ensure the maximum attendance at school. Wear ’em Out donate their pads to this organisation to ensure students do not miss classes due to period poverty related issues. You can find out more here. The Products Explained: All sizes are provided for guidance, exact sizes may vary slightly as our products are hand made Here are the fabrics used in our pads and bags Our panel of over 160 testers tried a range of eco sanitary pads and liners, including a mix of reusables and sustainably made and fully biodegradable disposables, during their period. They assessed absorbency and comfort levels, as well as how protected they felt from leakage. The tampon wrappers are 100% recyclable (to be replaced by compostable, plant-based wrappers in Summer 2021).

It also has a range of pants made from recycled fabric off-cuts discarded by fast-fashion manufacturers. To find the best pads for heavy flow, Dr. Cullwell advises focusing on the length, width and coverage. "Choose pads with heavy absorbency and opt for longer and wider pads for nighttime use," she says. "Consider using period-absorbing underwear for extra coverage at night. Avoid scented or fragranced pads, as these can cause allergic reactions or irritation." The best pads for heavy flow 2023: For those who need extra protection during their menstrual cycle, these pads with wings are a great option. They are designed to be super long with supportive wings and extra cushioning for maximum absorbency. They also use advanced cotton core technology to keep you dry without exposing sensitive areas to harmful chemicals. If you like to use pads, having options around that are specially designed for a heavy flow can be a lifesaver. They can give you more free time between pad changes and make you less worried about leaks—always clutch when it’s that time.Silver treatments, in the form of silver ions (silver zeolite and variations, silver chloride) and nanosilver, are added to textiles to give them antimicrobial properties. In the case of period pants, manufacturers told us it's to combat user concerns about the pants smelling over time. Cotton is the best material for DIY pads because it’s a natural, breathable fabric, she adds. Synthetic fibers, such as polyester and lace, can irritate the delicate skin around your genitals — and make vaginal infections more likely. If you’re up for trying out these more planet-friendly alternatives, take a look at the recyclable and reusable sanitary pads we rate below. In our survey, people were mostly positive about their overall experience of using period pants, with 75% saying they liked or loved them.