A Guide to Choosing The Right Reusable Period Product for You

Why Reusable?

When most people get their first period, they are introduced to the tried and true disposable tampons and pads. These products are what our mothers and grandmothers grew up using, and they pass the tradition down to us. The generational norms and easy access to pads and tampons lead to their early introduction, creating a habit many menstruators never stray from (1). However, the environmental, financial, and health burdens of disposable pads and tampons provide compelling arguments to make the switch to reusable alternatives. This is not to say reusable period products are for everyone-- your comfort is of the utmost importance in making such a decision, but some quick research into alternatives is a worthy effort. 

Art by Shea Davis

In one woman's lifetime, she is expected to use 10,000 disposable period products. These products then end up in landfills, taking 500-800 years to decompose. Landfill space is not the only environmental concern with pads and tampons; the raw materials, energy, and water use during manufacturing, product ingredients, and packaging also take a toll (2). Reusable products address many of these issues, as they are not only disposed of less frequently, but also have 34% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than disposable tampons and pads after one year (3).

The financial burden of disposable menstrual products also provides a compelling reason to switch to a reusable alternative. Depending on your purchasing choices, pads can cost somewhere between $40-$100 per year, and tampons between $60-120 per year. While the cost of reusable menstrual products varies, the yearly cost remains much lower in comparison.

Finally, tampons and pads present health concerns due to the chemicals that may be found in them. A meta-analysis from 2022 found several studies reporting disposable menstrual products containing low levels of PFAS, phthalates, VOCs, dioxins, furans, and more. While the exact consequences of using menstrual products containing these chemicals are still being investigated, there is concern regarding their impact on the hormonal system (4). Reusable menstruation products have not been found to contain such chemicals and therefore may provide a more health-conscious alternative (3).

Ready to find the right reusable alternative for you? The process can be a bit confusing and many women try several products before finding the one they love since your specific anatomy, lifestyle, and comfort level all have an impact. In order to help guide you through this process, we have listed some information and resources about various reusable products below.

Reusable Pads

Cloth pads are a great first step into the world of reusable menstrual products as they resemble the disposable pads most women use. Machine washable pads are typically $10-25 per pad and have a lifespan of 3-7 years. Brands such as  The Period Company and Pixie  have released reusable pads and a variety of styles can be found on Etsy.

Period Underwear

Period underwear is also a great alternative, as it is essentially underwear with a built in, non-bulky pad. The pros are similar to that of cloth pads in that they are easy to use, priced at $10-35 per pair, machine washable, and can last 2-5 years. If you are interested in trying a pair, you can look at Pixie, Thinx, and Saalt. You can also check out Wirecutter’s “The 5 Best Period Underwear Brands of 2025” here for additional options and information. 

Menstrual Cups 

Menstrual cups are more difficult to use than the aforementioned products and are recommended for experienced tampon users. A menstrual cup must be inserted into the vagina, and it may take some time to get comfortable inserting and removing the cup. Furthermore, the effectiveness of menstrual cups can vary significantly based on individual anatomy and activity levels, so it may take several attempts to find the cup that works best for you. We recommend researching the specific cup prior to purchase to increase the chances of selecting one that suits your body. If you are completely lost for where to begin, Put A Cup In It has created a quick quiz that can recommend which cup to try first. You can find the helpful quiz here. 

Menstrual cups typically cost around $20-40, but prices may be higher if an applicator or cleaning supplies are included. Cups designed for insertion with an applicator assist new users in becoming comfortable with inserting and removing the cup. Regarding cleaning, cups can besanitized in boiling water on the stove, but some people may prefer a more convenient cup steamer. Menstrual cups are available in various sizes to accommodate different needs based on factors such as age, birth history, cervix height, fitness level, and menstrual flow (5). The menstrual cup quiz linked above, as well as other information on the website, can help you find the right size.

Menstrual Discs 

A menstrual disc is similar to the cup in that it must be inserted into the vagina, but a disc fits back into the vaginal fornix, which is behind and below the cervix. A menstrual cup only sits in the vaginal canal, where a tampon would be (6). This difference equates to a variation in the sizing, shape, insertion, and removal of the two products. Cups and discs are both fantastic alternatives to tampons, but which product you choose is based primarily on personal preference. Finding the right menstrual disc will likely require similar efforts to those of finding the right cup, including reading about different discs before purchasing one. Luckily, Put A Cup In It has a quiz for discs as well (linked here) if you are looking for guidance. Silicone menstrual discs have a slightly higher price point, averaging $30-40, and should be cleaned in the same manner as menstrual cups.

Citations 

1. C. Wells, Why more women are switching to reusable menstrual products. AP News (2025), (available at https://apnews.com/article/period-climate-pad-tampon-menstruation-551fd7b425bf6985a05e0e62c35ade1b#:~:text=Single%2Duse%20pads%20and%20tampons%20are%20by%20far%20the%20most,with%20menstrual%20cups%20and%20discs.).

2. M. Aujla, C. H. Logie, A. Hardon, M. Narasimhan, Environmental impact of menstrual hygiene products. Bulletin of the World Health Organization (2025), (available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11865846/#:~:text=Despite%20the%20presence%20of%20organic,or%20thrown%20into%20nearby%20rivers.). 

3. Information on Menstrual Period Products in the United States. Massachusetts General Hospital (2022), (available at https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/mgh/pdf/environment-and-health/menstrual-products.pdf). 

4. K. Upson, J. A. Shearston, M.-A. Kioumourtzoglou, Menstrual products as a source of Environmental Chemical Exposure: A review from the Epidemiologic Perspective. Current environmental health reports (2022), (available at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9876534/). 

5. L. Sharkey, Menstrual cup sizing: 8 factors to consider. Healthline, (available at https://www.healthline.com/health/menstrual-cup-sizing#key-factors). 

6. E. Rissa, Menstrual Cups vs menstrual discs: The differences. Put A Cup In It (2023), (available at https://putacupinit.com/cups-vs-discs/).