It’s a tale as old as time. Once a girl hits a certain time in her life, she becomes a woman. For around 30 or 40 years, they continue to be a woman and deal with those joys until that part kicks the bucket or it gets removed for any number of reasons. Yep, we are talking about periods. If you are the unfortunate owner of a uterus, you will have experienced them at some point.
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Ok, I used the word woman a lot there, but we all know that our trans-friends are going through various changes, and they may or may not be experiencing the dreaded visit from a monthly visitor. So, if you have a womb that likes to throw a tantrum around once a month, then this post is for you.
I started the new year of 2021 with the sole intention of trying to do better, which is an exceptionally vague and useless goal when you think about it. However, exploring eco-friendly options to help reduce my carbon footprint is always on my mind and has been an objective every year. When the pandemic hit, certain aisles in shops were shut and supply chains were disrupted, some people found it difficult to get access to pads and tampons. I think we can all agree that the last thing anyone needs is to be caught short during your period. With this fear looming over me, I started to look into reusable options. Up until this point, I had only heard of cups. Once I began researching the alternatives, I discovered a new world of choice. This for me would be a win-win situation. Not only would I be reducing my carbon footprint by lowering the amount of waste I made, but I also would never be caught short again. This year, I wanted to kick it up a notch.
Reusable pads are available in a lot of different places, all you have to do is have a quick look on Etsy and you will find hundreds of options. If you are like me and need A LOT of padding during that time of the month, it helps to have a large variety at the ready. Not gonna lie, I have a growing collection of pads and cups that are used. Last year, I still used a mixture of reusable and single-use pads to get me through the month. When Trade To Aid reached out to me to discuss their reusable pads, I was over the moon for a whole heap of reasons.
Period poverty is a big deal
You might have heard about Period Poverty in the news over the last year or so. The issue has been framed as a local one as young girls from disadvantaged communities lack the finances to buy adequate sanitary products when they need them. In fact, it is a global one. In certain places, the stigma of periods prevents young women from getting access to basic hygiene products and information. In some cultures, women are sent to a hut to wait out their period. In a nutshell, Period Poverty is the term that is used to describe an inequality and lack of access to these basic items that many of us take for granted. It could affect anyone which is why it is important that we make sure that everyone has access to these basic items.
Misinformation is everywhere
When it comes to periods, there is a lot of misinformation out there that makes it difficult for some people to access safe and clean period products. As I mentioned in my last point, in some places, girls are sent to a hut to wait out their period. This is a common practice in Nepal. This is one of the more extreme things that can happen, but even in “well-educated” parts of the world, there is still a lot of stigma and confusion. One example, and I swear I will carry this memory to the day I die, is when a young man in his 20’s remarked that women should just hold their periods in until they can get to the bathroom. He thought it was like pee and poop, and that we could control it but choose not to. I didn’t stay around for the dressing down he got by the blokes who actually understood what periods are, but hopefully, he has learnt his lesson and done some research.
Periods happen a lot
The owner of a uterus will have around 450 periods in their lifetime. This adds to using around 11,000 tampons. That is a lot of waste if you are only using single-use items. when you look at these figures, it makes sense to switch to reusable pads. Of course, the number of pads and tampons that you go through during your life will vary for a range of reasons. Making the switch now can help to reduce the waste that you make and save you a lot of money.
Reusable pads are easy to use, kinder to the environment, and have fewer chemicals that might upset your sensitive area. If you do decide to make the switch, check out Trade to Aid. Not only are their pads very comfortable and easy to use, for every pack that you buy, but they will also donate a pack to a woman who needs them.