Hey pretty mummas! If you are a millennial, then I am quite sure you remember those advertisements on TV using indirect phrases for periods like “Un dino main”. Or even till date, I haven’t seen a single sanitary napkin TV ad using red liquid – they all use blue. I am very keen to know why blue, and not green, pink or mustard? What is there to be ashamed of?
If TV programs and movies don’t shy from showing blood through violence, then not showing blood on a sanitary napkin, as a result of something so natural, is hypocrisy. In our country, sadly it is still a big taboo, so big that women themselves shy away from buying sanitary napkins. Funny! Thankfully now atleast the word “period” is not a taboo anymore.
Although, when I am on my period, wearing whites is the last thing I want to do. I am cringing with pain and god forbid if kids trouble me during those days, then my husband is on the line of fire. Because, suddenly, he becomes responsible for everything damn thing that goes wrong with me or in the house. Welcome to the frenzied world of berserk hormones!
Disposable sanitary napkins are a blessing for us women. When periods “whisper” in, we can go anywhere, wear anything. We can “Stayfree” and be “carefree”. All hail the inventor. However, their disposal is still an unsolved issue. Since they are not fully degradable, they pose a big hazard to our environment.
Let me tell you some facts:
- In areas where there are no waste disposal systems, most of the disposed napkins and plastic packaging end up in water bodies
- Dioxins released through open burning and burying of used napkins has serious health implications
- Waste pickers separate out soiled napkins from recyclable items by hand, exposing themselves to micro-organisms like E.coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, HIV and pathogens that cause hepatitis and tetanus
- Also, sanitary napkins are classified as ‘medical products’ and makers are not required by law to divulge what goes into their making on the packs
- In July 2017 sanitary products were classed as non-essential in India’s latest legislation and taxed at 12%. Resulting in making them even more unavailable to those who can’t afford to buy
- Not only these napkins are non-biodegradable but they can be hazardous to one’s health. They are bleached cotton that is flushed with carcinogens in the name of fragrance and superabsorbent material, which results in irritation and dryness
- Other chemicals and plastic substances cause rashes, fungal infections and, in the long term, can result in endocrine disruption or hormonal imbalance
When I was researching on this subject, these statistics blew me away. I didn’t know that a single “used” disposable sanitary napkin can have such major impact. Just like everyone else, I “was” a happy disposable sanitary napkin user until I met Priyanka Jain. She is the owner of “Hygiene and You”. Hygiene and You is her brainchild, that sells eco-friendly and sustainable menstrual products under the brand name “SOCH”. Priyanka also has a YouTube channel “Hygiene and You” that explains everything about these products.
Sustainable menstrual products are those that are not meant
for one-time-use and disposal
They can be reused and don’t pose any harm to the health of
the user and the environment,like cloth pads, inter-labia
pads, period panties and menstrual cups
In a candid conversation with her, very swiftly she explained the ease of use and care of these.
When I tried cloth pads for the first time, I was petrified. Honestly, it reminded me of what my grandmother told me several times that she used cloth pads only and how tough it was for her to pass those 5 days. I was still skeptical.
Today, when I want to progress and move ahead, I hoped that am not limiting myself by making this huge change in my lifestyle. During the first-time use, I followed the instructions on the pack to-the-T. I was still unsure about using them at nights. Therefore, my days were eco-friendly and nights were burdened with the guilt of not giving my kids a greener and cleaner planet. I was so happy using disposable napkins then what got into me? I ponder at times.
How was my experience? I have been using cloth pads, inter-labia pads and period panty for quite sometime now and here’s what I think:
Cloth Pads
Reusable menstrual cloth pads are a safer and healthier replacement for disposable sanitary napkins and tampons. These are eco-friendly cloth pads are made of layers of absorbent as well as leak-proof materials. These come in different sizes.
- My days passed like a breeze because there was literally ZERO discomfort. Say bye-bye to rashes, skin allergies and discomfort
- Even on the days of heavy flow, other than frequent change there was no trouble
- With regular usage, I got to know the frequency of changing
- Wash care instructions are easy to follow
Inter-labia Pads
These pads are much smaller than panty liners and are to be worn externally along with cloth pads or menstrual cup. They are rolled and kept between the labia (lips or folds of skin at the vaginal opening) to catch the menstrual flow much closer to the vagina to avoid messy leaks during heavy flow/ flow with clots.
- These are revolutionary. These are specially designed for days of heavy flow
- I couldn’t feel a thing and I celebrated my 2nd day like 2nd of July. I got independence from leakage, rashes and discomfort
- It takes time to become habitual of this, but once you use it, you will not switch back
- With regular usage, I got to know the frequency of changing
- Wash care instructions are easy to follow
Period Panty
Period Panties are reusable and leak-proof period underwear that are made of a leak-proof crotch panel that can accommodate removable inserts to keep you dry and comfortable all day long. These panties are designed to accommodate removable inserts that can be changed every 4 to 6 hours, or as per one’s needs. By doing this, a single Period Panty can be used for an entire day.
- Very comfortable to wear throughout the day. The key is to get the right size
- The fabric is breathable and doesn’t accumulate sweat
- It lasted me the whole day. I used it when the flow was medium
- Wash care instructions are easy to follow
Try them once and I promise you, you’ll love the comfort. You may just not go back to the disposable napkins. Say Yes to Sustainable Menstruation. Disposable sanitary napkins are becoming a huge environmental hazard. They are also unsafe to use over a prolonged period as they contain cancer-causing chemicals. By using reusable menstruation hygiene products you are not only saving the environment and but also yourself from infections.
Soch products can be bought from various e-commerce websites and Hygiene and You website.
xo
-Pretty mumma
