6 Reasons why reusable menstrual products are here to suck it up with us  

The COVID-19 period is likely to be one of the most difficult times we have had to go through, both individually, and as a global community. Never in recent times have we felt this restricted in things we could do or places we could go. But despite these challenges, life still goes on and there's no escaping from monthly periods. They may sometimes be difficult to bear (consider checking with a doctor if it's severe), but is a normal processes women go through, and there should be no stigma or embarrassment associated with it. But what happens when you run out of disposable pads and tampons only to realise that the shelves in the supermarket have all been swiped clean?

"Every time my period comes, I rejoice in the fact that my body is functioning correctly."

Free bleeding may be empowering but it's not quite a modern option if we want to get things done at home. Thankfully really clever people have engineered reusable materials that help us remain out and about with our busy lives during this time of the month. There are period cups, period underwear and reusable pads that exist, but have you heard about them before?

I've previously been skeptical about them myself, and with the hustle and bustle of life, I found myself reluctant to make the change, but when I read this post from The Period Co I figured it was time to give it a try. I've been a pad user all my life, and tampons never worked for me, so I naturally picked out period underwear and cloth pads over period cups. (Maybe I'll try cups in the future, but I'm pretty happy with the other options I already have!) The transition was such a breeze for me, but having said that, I understand that no period is the same, and your requirements will be different from mine. I will not assume the switch would be as easy for me as it is for you, but I'll share my experience with you so you can make an informed decision about switching to reusables!

"Periods are not too gross, too weird or too inappropriate to talk about."

Every period is different

I started out having my period at 15 and have flows that lasted 3-4 days each time. I am a light-moderate bleeder and have a regular but slightly longer cycle of 32-35 days. I used to have cramps more frequently when I was younger but now, with better diet discipline I would only have it on the first day and possibly the day before. Cold drinks are a big factor that would cause cramps and I would avoid it during the few days before and during the period. If I had cramps, they would last 30min - 1hr in the mornings and I would be fine for the rest of the day. I typically change 3 pads on the day of my heaviest flow (plus one more for the night).

So with that in mind, what I needed in a menstrual product was something that would be comfortable, yet sufficient for my flow rate. Period cups were not necessary in my case because most period underwear would be more than enough to manage my flow, on the heaviest day I would change it once during the day. However my advice is that if you have heavier flows that require more pad/tampon changes through the day, the cup may work better for you because not everyone can carry around extra period underwear for changing. Now that you know alot more about my cycle than my own doctor, it's time to get into telling you why I'm such a fan of period underwear!

Here are my top 6 reasons why I will be staying with period underwear and reusable pads from now on:

1. No more sticky sensation

Disposable pads contain plastic because they could engineer it to be absorbent yet lightweight. However in hot and humid conditions, it tends to generate a lot of sweat around the pubic area, causing it to feel sticky and uncomfortable. Reusables made of organic cotton or wool blends allow better ventilation reducing this uncomfortable sticky sensation especially when you already have to deal with the blood. The Modibodi Underwear in particular has a Patent pending Modifier Technology™ layer that allows the inner surface to moisture wick and feel dry despite absorbing all that fluid. This comfortable sensation is unrivaled with any other pad I've used in my life.

2. No more rash/itch associated with plastic contact

Disposable pads contain up to 90% plastic, with the average pad containing as much plastic as four carrier bags.

Even the absorbent core itself is frequently made of plastic because it could be engineered to be lightweight yet super absorbent. However because plastic is a petrochemical derivative, there are other chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates which are problematic chemicals that can affect not only our skin (with allergies and contact dermatitis) but also affect our hormones and disrupt endocrine functions. Wearing pads in the past while i exercised also used to give me rashes due to the plastic friction against the skin, but this doesn't happen anymore with reusables!

3. No more toxins

Common tampons and pads contain bleached and non-organic cotton, rayon, wood pulp, or a combination of these materials. Bleached products tend to have a by-product called dioxin which is a toxic environmental pollutant that has multiple impacts on the immune system, reproductive organs and is also a carcinogen. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes the risk of adverse effects from dioxins in tampons as “negligible", there is a potential cumulative effect of the toxin with multiple exposures especially in areas rich in blood vessels (ie. the inner vaginal wall). In addition to dioxin, non-organic cotton and rayon can also contain pesticides and herbicides including diuron, a suspected carcinogen. This is a risk I'm not comfortable to take so I'm back to unbleached, and as much as possible, organic materials!

4. No more leaks

The Modibodi underwear I've been using has liquid tight margins around the gusset which prevent the flow from going down the sides or along the back. This is so much better than pads which had plastic wings that were not absorbent and sometimes caused leaks that would stay on the sides.

The absorbent cores in these reusables are firmly fused and sewn to other parts of the underwear/pad and does not clump up like the materials in disposable ones, so the blood stays where it needs to, even through the night and while exercising. This gives me a peace of mind and also makes it an ease to wash!

5. Monetary savings in the long run

Reusables always have a higher upfront fee because they're designed to be made to last. But in the long run, even the most expensive reusable options may end up being cheaper than depending on reusables for your entire life. Here's a breakdown of the average costs done by Seedly.sg:

I'm pretty bad at crunching numbers but it's pretty clear to me that reusables are the much more wallet friendly option available, if you buy them and actually do use them! Personally, I'm happy to be paying slightly more as well if the reusable options are more comfortable and reassures me that there are no toxic chemicals or plastic bits directly in contact with my skin.

6. Contributing less to waste generation

With reusable menstrual products, I was delighted to find myself keeping away from binning anything at all! Pads and tampons are always wrapped up in so much plastic (for sanitary reasons) and cutting them out really helps to reduce your waste. Studies in the United States have shown that in a single menstruating lifetime (avg 40 years), women may use between 5,000 - 15,000 disposable menstrual products with a vast majority ending up in landfills as plastic waste. In Singapore, this ends up on our one and only Semakau Landfill after going through incineration. With our landfill running out of space, we're against the clock to reduce our waste.

If I've convinced you to read up more on reusable menstrual products, head over to The Period Co to do more research about the options you have here in Singapore! I hope these reusable options will be more widely available in the future so more women can make informed decisions on how to deal with their periods and most of all be introduced to other more comfortable and safer options for their bodies.

Do comment below if you've tried out any reusables and let me know what your favourite type is! Stay home and stay comfortable and stay safe during this period!

Reproduced with permission from Curiously Green.
Original article here: https://www.curiously-green.com/post/the-most-comfortable-period-ever

Periods are not a “one size fits all” experience, which is why some people may naturally experience longer periods, shorter periods, heavier or lighter flow—and so on. However, experiencing regular heavy periods can be a sign of something other than your body’s natural flow. Let’s take a closer look at the signs of particularly heavy periods and what could be causing them so that you can better understand why your periods are so heavy.

What is a “Heavy” Period?

Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding, and literally means "heavy periods.” Menorrhagia is categorized by a period flow so heavy that you must change your pad/tampon or empty your menstrual cup every hour for 1 day or more; they may also coincide with debilitating cramps, though not everyone who has heavy periods experiences these cramps.

Reasons Your Period May Be Heavy

There are many different factors and even conditions which can cause your periods to become heavy. Some of the most common reasons why you could be experiencing a heavy period are:

Fibroids and Polyps

The presence of fibroids or polyps in your uterus can also cause heavy bleeding in addition to longer periods which may last for days or potentially weeks on end. Fibroids are small muscle growths within the uterus walls, and polyps are abnormal tissue growths that grow within the inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. Fibroids are benign, but they can still cause problems (such as heavy periods) if left untreated.

Hormonal Imbalance

An imbalance in your hormone levels can cause your uterus to develop an unusually thick lining every month, which results in a heavier period flow when the lining begins to shed. A hormonal imbalance can be caused by certain diseases or even due to genetics.

Medication

Some types of medications may cause heavy periods. Examples of medications which carry heavy periods as a potential side effect include: anticoagulants or blood thinners, including aspirin and heparin; antidepressants and antipsychotics; hormonal contraceptives; certain herbal medicines, such as ginseng; and tamoxifen.

Kidney or Liver Problems

In some cases, an undiagnosed problem with your kidneys or liver may be the culprit behind a heavy period. Your doctor will likely want to test your urine if you have heavy periods in order to look for signs of problems with these vital organs.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition which causes the unusual growth of endometrium, a tissue which normally grows inside the uterus. Endometriosis causes the tissue to grow outside the uterus, which causes it to become inflamed. The end result of endometriosis are heavy and painful periods, which can include both a heavy flow as well as severe cramps and even pain during sex.

What to Do If Your Periods Are Heavy?

It is not unusual to have an occasional heavy flow for a day or two on your period. However, if you notice that you regularly have heavy flow for days on end — or even for your entire period — then this is a sign of something abnormal.

If you can't maintain your usual activities when you have your period due to blood loss and cramping, or if you dread your period because you have such heavy menstrual bleeding, consult your doctor as soon as possible, so they can determine the cause and manage your symptoms or condition causing the heavy flow.

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That's right, we are changing our brand!

With the idea of bringing menstrual cups to Singaporeans, we started a Carousell account 4 years ago with a lot of hope and a few boxes of menstrual cups. At that time, we never realized that one day, we would be a full-fledged business with our own store, carrying a full range of reusable menstrual products. This rebrand has been a long time coming as we have always felt that no one really knew what 'LiveLoveLuna' stood for - it was just a name we came up with because we needed one.

As we grow, our brand should reflect what we do best - managing periods. From information on menstruation and the reproductive system, to making different period products accessible to this part of the world, we talk about periods on a daily basis. It is the sole focus of our business - to make periods happier, healthier and greener for everyone. The Period Co. was naturally the most apt name we found.

In the coming week, we will be gradually changing our look on our website and social media. We will continue striving to be a leading resource on menstruation, breaking taboos and facilitating open discussion, and making reusable menstrual products more accessible for everyone.

Thank you for supporting us all this while, as we've grown and learned throughout these past 4 years. 

- Gee