Female Personal Hygiene
Reducing Sanitary Waste with Superior Products

Help control female personal hygiene waste.
Use a superior sanitary product; in fit, function and sustainable footprint. 

I get the impression people, women are either like 'yeah of course' when it comes to up to date knowledge of feminine hygiene products. Or, excuse me a menstrual cup, what is that?

Knowledge regarding reducing waste especially female personal hygiene waste whilst not isolated to youth, it's them who on average are far more knowledgeable on the subject. Primary, secondary and tertiary students seem more up to date with new technologies, advancements and far more on top of environmentally friendly sanitary products than other generations. Possibly they have more time to discuss such things with friends, peruse the internet and are frequently subjected to unavoidable target marketing and advertising.

I learned of these products from my daughter explaining her sex education class to me. So if this is all-new, it's ok, not everyone knows what a menstrual cup is or if they do are using one. An unknown is a daunting place when mass marketing and campaign as told us for generations we want disposable sanitary products.

I tested this topic, dropped it in conversation amongst friends. "So, are any of you using a menstrual cup?" One friend perks up, "yes, in fact, my friend 'Sally' was talking about hers the other day". She said, "I will never go back to using disposable sanitary products again". Another friend, oh yes the menstrual cup is "a superior menstrual product". Another friend looked blank. "A what?"

Things have changed ladies. We have an alternate sustainable personal hygiene product that is better than the disposable options.

Welcome to a superior range of menstrual product technologies and innovations to use when you have your period.

Did you know menstrual cups were invented in the 1900s? The original idea is credited to Leona Chalmers who first patented her idea in 1937.

Women have not interested in the menstrual cup as they wanted disposable options and the glamourized marketing of disposable products reined supreme. Until now, 2020, things have to change.

Click to SHOP | OrganiCup (check sizes) 

What is a menstrual cup?

OrganiCup is the award-winning menstrual cup that replaces pads and tampons. Made of silicone it is inserted the same as a tampon. Once inserted it unfolds to form a vacuum which keeps it in place – don’t worry it won’t fall out. You can find out more about how to use it here. It can be used day and night, is chemical free and as long as you boil it for 3-5 minutes after monthly use it will last you years, subsequently making it wallet and environmentally friendly. 

A menstrual cup is an invention that surpassed all female hygiene personal care products ever created. As too have other health and hygiene products like reusable, washable sanitary napkins aka sanitary pads.

Women for decades have not considered where their used sanitary pads or tampons were going. Masses and masses of landfill, that's where. Your sanitary pads will sit in landfill for 450+ years - shock horror. I know, every pad you have ever used will take an estimated 450-800 years to decompose.

It's not just the landfill that is a problem, it's while is decomposes methane that is 25 times worse than car fumes, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Chemicals that pollute the air, earth and often waterways.

Want to know more? The lifecycle of plastics

Women for a long time have not only failed to consider the waste of disposable sanitary products. But have not had knowledge of the chemicals used in the creation of sanitary pads and tampons. The chemicals on their bodies, disposable chemicals. Until now, we stop as women at think. Choose to use a superior product range for our bodies, more hygienic, less toxic, cheaper, sustainable, kinder to the earth.

Average sanitary pad contains:

• Styrene: carcinogen.

• Chloromethane: reproductive toxicant.

• Chloroethane: carcinogen.

• Chloroform: carcinogen, reproductive toxicant, neurotoxin.

• Acetone: irritant.
  
  

Click to SHOP | OrganiCup (check sizes) 

Further reading and references for the above facts:

Sanitary Pads testing what are they made from?

Women Beware: Most feminine hygiene products contain toxic ingredients

Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, period underwear:
What's best for the environment?

Remember the end life span of the menstrual products is 450+ years. The ecological impact of a sanitary pad is it takes up to 450+ years to decompose.

A 2016 CHOICE study found menstrual cups and period underwear have minimal impact on the environment compared to tampons and pads.

Many companies globally (including in Australia) are not legally obligated to disclose what tampons and sanitary pads are made from. Typically cotton, plastic and synthetic is used with a toxic mix of chemicals.

The best Australia range of disposable cotton tampons and pads that are ok to use are Tom Organic. I have recently stopped using this brand o use the mention OrganiCup. Tom Organics sanitary pads and tampons.

Why is Tom Organics the best disposable sanitary pads and tampons?

Try OrganiCup!! Honestly, there is no need for disposable sanitary products.

But saying that Tom Organics sanitary pads and tampons are free from chemicals, pesticides, bleaches, chlorine, dyes, polypropylene coatings, cellulose pulp, perfumes and made from organic cotton. 

Try a combination; OrganiCup + Reusable sanitary pads.

There is another sustainable alternative other than menstrual cups, try reusable and washable pads.

I use these on the first two days of my period. There was no need the OrganiCup worked no leaks. But while I was trying it out I liked the reassurance. Plus I wore these overnight with OrganiCup when I was getting used to it - though didn't need too. I also like these towards to end of my period, when it's lighter and I don't need the OrganiCup.

Click to SHOP | JuJu - Reusable sanitary pads

I liked this as it buttoned in place, some others seemed like they might slip around.

I soak mind sometimes in some stain remover from 'The Source Bulk Foods' store. Stains are removed when I add to a bucket of water, swirl, leave overnight and machine wash with the next load.

With environmental waste becoming an unavoidable ticking clock. Emissions in the form of toxic gases, global warming and pollution are so exceeding a manageable level we must all act - now.

Keeping approximately 1200+ tampons and sanitary pads in your life from landfill is a large number. With sanitary pads being a larger mass and toxic recipe than tampons but often the preferred choice. 

The degree of sanitary waste is difficult to determine. It is classed as medical waste, which is exempt (for now) from tracking.

An estimated 500 million sanitary pads were bought in Australia in 2017 as an indication of the quantity of sanitary waste.

500 million sanitary products on average a year in Australia are added to landfill taking 450+ years to decompose.

Long term a menstrual cup will save you money.

The truth is sometimes you need to try a second size or company. We are all very unique and what fits one will not and is not designed to be standard one size and brand fits all.

Why are sustainable personal hygiene products better? 

Less environmental footprint

Reduce female personal hygiene waste

No chlorine-bleached products against your skin or in the earth

Social impact

Supporting women and girls in developing countries who would otherwise not have sanitary care products

OrganiCup works with Freedom4Girls and organisation to support women and girls in Kenya where 60% of girls and women don’t have access to safe sanitary protection: using ash, leaves, dung and old rags. 

Q&A Menstrual Cups

Do menstrual cups works?

Yes, they are a superior product to use when you have your period.

You will get no leaks (provide you follow the size guides. They come in sizes! As well as the how-to instructions. Which are straight forward and found on the instructions included, the side of the box or give it a google. 

Can you use a menstrual cup while sleeping?

Absolutely, no leaks. While it is advised that during heavier bleeding to use period underwear or a reusable sanitary pad, I did not need the extra protection.

Tried and tested and approved by women globally.

Talk to your friends, share the knowledge.

XO

OwnMuse