sanitary napkins – Red Badge Of Courage

Veera Jain

You may cut down on some wants or even needs every month due to month end position of pocket and delay buying it but one expense which cannot be avoided every month is- Sanitary Pads. And at what cost are we buying it? When we buy pads, most of us look at its benefits and the different aspects of it like- material, capacity, etc. But we do not look at the effects of pad which the brand is not showing us. There is very little consciousness about pads and the worse effects they have on our bodies. (Read previous article to know more about pads and its effects.) So then what to do, what to use and where to get it from? Don’t worry ladies; in this article we cover that all up.

Tampons

Tampons are inserted in the vagina and if inserted correctly a tampon is held in place by the vagina and expands as it soaks up menstrual blood. The majority of tampons sold are made of rayon, or a blend of rayon and cotton. There’s a myth that if your insert a tampon in your vagina, your hymen breaks but as said: it’s a myth. However, tampons are better than pads but the reusable ones are not easily available in India as of now but you can get the ones available online and sometimes offline too.

Menstruation Cups

Menstruation cups are not very new to market but they are quite unheard of in the world of pads. Menstrual cups are bell-shaped, reusable cup made from medical grade silicone. Once inserted and fitted securely cups will collect menstrual fluid for up to 12 hours, rather than absorb it as tampons and pads do. The best thing about them is that they are reusable and when you use them you are not only doing favor to your health but to environment’s too.

Reusable Cloth Pads

Now there are pads available which can be reused over and over by washing them and creating less wastage than we do every month. It is a onetime investment and an eco-friendly one. Most cloth pads are estimated to last up to five years if they’re properly cared for. People think they might smell but they don’t as the cloth pads tend to stay fresher than disposable pads. That’s because their fabric breathes which allows moisture to evaporate. They are available online.

Panty Liners

These can be used on those days when you have light flow The main purpose of panty liners is to absorb everyday vaginal discharge, flow during the days when your periods are actually over but you still have little spotting and staining and post-intercourse discharge. These are available in different variants and brands for you to choose according to your choice.

So time to switch to new product than usual boring pads?
Here’s to hoping on your next period you try something new and have a good experience.

For any queries feel free to connect to us.

Vini Sharma

Sustainable development, sustainable fashion, sustainable agriculture and the list goes on, I guess you must have heard of all these terms till now but have you ever wondered of adding the word sustainable to your menstruation? Yes, you heard it right folks! Sustainable Menstruation!

Red Badge of Courage is here with all you need to know about ‘Sustainable Menstruation’. Ladies, definitely you must avoid plastic here and there but what about the plastic shield which covers your sanitary napkins? Have you ever thought of its harmful effects? Oh, not only on your health but also on the environment! Yes, the plastic shield definitely prevents those embarrassing blotches on your pants but at the cost of your well being. Not only your well being but also at the cost of your very own environment. Did you know that a single woman can contribute to 125 kilograms of non- biodegradable waste through her menstruating years alone?

Its impact on your pretty health

Most of us have grown up using plastic-based sanitary napkins without realising its harmful hazards. The plastic which prevents the leakage and lets you flaunt those white pants without any stains, also becomes a breeding ground for the bacteria and fungi. It causes several infections, irritation, inflammation in the vagina and vulva and not to forget rashes. Sometimes it leads to pelvic inflammatory diseases and cervical cancer while also hampering your reproductive health. These plastic based pads need to be changed frequently to avoid bacterial built-up which usually becomes less possible while travelling or in areas lacking public washrooms. There is very little consciousness regarding these hazardous pads and the adverse effects they have on human bodies.

Its impact on your very own environment

Very less awareness is there regarding the disposal of plastic based sanitary pads. These pads are usually thrown into water bodies and they end up contaminating the water and also adversely affect the organisms living in those water bodies or they are thrown in the open dumping grounds which becomes the ground of deadly diseases. They are picked up by rag pickers with bare hands and that can put their health at a great risk as it consistsof blood and other bodily fluids of another person which can cause infections including HIV AIDS. Incineration is one of the ways of sanitary disposal but it is rarely followed.

Eco-friendly Alternatives

A large number of entrepreneurs have now ventured in this area of making eco- friendly pads. Re-usable sanitary tampons and pads are now available in the market which can be used just like the disposable ones without any guilt of causing harm to the environment or your health. These pads are healthier alternatives because they are made of natural fibres and products like bamboo, wool, cotton and hemp making them much more sustainable. Switching to these eco-friendly sanitary pads can help you save your health as well as your environment. Red badge of courage advises you to give up these plastic sanitary pads as there should be no compromise with your intimate health. Period.