Reusable menstrual cup and bandages
Most hygiene and cosmetic products are disposable and are thrown away after use. Of course, the reason behind this is hygiene, but for some products there are sustainable and reusable alternatives that do not affect our level of hygiene.
In one life a woman uses about 9,000 tampons and a comparable number of bandages. Not only are these products expensive, but they also make a lot of rubbish. Conventional bandages are mostly made of plastic and are therefore not biodegradable and often tampons like bandages are individually packed in plastic.
The best known alternatives to tampons and bandages are the menstrual cup and reusable bandages. The menstrual cup is a small kettle made of latex or medical silicone, which is inserted into the vagina like a tampon. It is emptied regularly and washed with clear water. They cost between 15 and 30 € when purchased and can be used for 3 to 10 years, depending on the provider. You can order them online or find some in drugstores. There are also some websites available that will help you find the right cup from the different suppliers, depending on bleeding, anatomy and other factors. Another advantage is that the cup only catches the blood and does not dry out the vaginal walls, thus avoiding susceptibility to infections and fungi in the sex organ.
Reusable bandages are like normal bandages only they are made of cotton and are fastened by a snap fastener that makes them more skin tolerant than conventional bandages. A bandage costs between 10 and 15 €. There are also numerous instructions on how to sew washable bandages yourself.
The cleaning of these products is done by boiling or hot washing, e.g. with other cooking linen, which makes them completely hygienic again and ready for reuse!
There are also other alternatives like organic tampons or period underwear. It’s best to deal with it yourself and find out what’s best for you, because we are all different.
