The pressures and politics of periods

Along with the expectation of acting bubbly and upbeat while your uterus is performing a contortionist act, there is another pressure facing our menstruating pals – to save the turtles. 

With the influx of people concerned about climate change, there comes an inherent pressure to use sustainable period products. However, these products are not usually available in stores, cost far more than disposable products and can often feel uncomfortable and awkward for first-time users.

Disposable pads and tampons have a huge impact on menstruating adult’s personal finances and on the environment. So, while the leap towards sustainable products has been positive, there are a lot of people that view reusable products as a risk and are hesitant to spend upwards of $20 on a product they might not continue using.

When questioning a variety of menstruating adults on their encounters with reusable products, I received mixed responses.

Natasha, a pilot and mother of a one-year-old, expressed her love for reusable period underwear, saying, “I recently bought a pair of reusable underwear and have since bought five!”

“I love them so much and they are super comfortable. I was hesitant and thought about it for ages but wish I’d bought them when I was twelve!”

Meanwhile, Manawatu UCOL student Emily explained that she started using menstrual cups because they are “eco-friendly and significantly cheaper (over an extended period of time) than disposable products”.

She added that while the initial price of cups may be off-putting to some people, “they should think of it as an investment”.

“I think that many people want to try and be environmentally careful,” Emily said, “Especially with Greta Thunberg being a huge voice for the environment and really bringing those issues to people’s attention.”

However, she also recognised that some people simply cannot afford the $20-$40 price tag of menstrual cups, especially when they’re uncertain if they’ll actually like/use the product.

“People can’t afford sustainable products and end up feeling guilty for the harm they’re causing the environment – I definitely did until I could afford a menstrual cup myself!”

This guilt is a burden placed on menstruating adults as a result of a system that is built against them. Companies will promote disposable items over their sustainable alternatives in order to ensure a monthly revenue as people purchase new products for every cycle.

Disposable products are also marketed as the most “hygienic” option, yet menstrual cups – when cleaned properly – are better for you than tampons and have far fewer risks.

“There’s no harmful chemicals in menstrual cups like there are in bleached tampon cotton,” said wedding photographer Grace, who is a self-professed fan of menstrual cups, “As long as you boil it regularly – before and after your period – you will be fine!”

But unfortunately, some people find menstrual cups or reusable products to be downright uncomfortable.

“I tried a menstrual cup but found that it leaked even with a light flow, so I haven’t used it since,” shared psychology student Caitlin.

“I reckon there is a lot of pressure for young people to be sustainable because of the climate change push,” she explained. “Which makes it tough if you find that sustainable period products make you feel gross and uncomfortable.”

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Luca explained that while she could rationalise purchasing a menstrual cup in order to “save money in the long run”, she knew that if she was younger and didn’t have a source of income, she wouldn’t have felt comfortable asking her parents to buy one for her.

“I’ve always had a weird relationship with periods and my family so I don’t think I would have been able to ask for one,” she said.

This is an issue that a lot of young, environmentally conscientious people face as the products they use are often determined by their parents. Those parents may not be comfortable with reusable products themselves and will therefore hesitate to buy these products for their children.

Nursing student Katelyn explained that when she used disposable products, she “felt guilty” because her “cycle was adding to the waste accumulation and use of energy to make products.”

“Before trying the cup, I heard about tampons which are made out of cotton and naturally decompose which is an improvement when compared to other brands.”

“I think small changes are so important because although they may not change the direct now, they do help and add up, especially in numbers.”

At the end of the day, you’re attempting to undo a century of society shoving disposable products down people’s throats (hopefully unused).

“I find people forget to see the power in themselves. When we make small changes, we also gain confidence in our ability to challenge systems” Katelyn concluded. 

“You don’t have to do everything in one day – or even in one month!”