Feminine hygiene products are always at the centre of discussions, whether it be the period tax or the negative impact it can have on the environment; pads, tampons and menstrual cups are something that allows you to go on with your life - without being completely worried about the 'possible' bloodstains.
We women have a lot of choices when it comes to menstrual hygiene. Tampons and sanitary pads are popular options; however, recently, there has been a lot of discussion over the pollution of feminine products such as these causes [1].
Every year, close to 20 billion menstrual products such as sanitary napkins and tampons are dumped into landfills in a single country - imagine the global situation! Because of our culture and social setting, women naturally opt for pads or tampons as that is what we see around us. Television commercials or print ads, whatever it may be, are centralised on acknowledging sanitary napkins as the best means during one's menstrual cycle [2].
With many interventions in the feminine hygiene product arena, it is time to steer away from your usual choices and try out the new options, and one such option is period underwear.
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So, what are period underwear? It is a sustainable alternative that promotes free-bleeding and can be reused. These are an eco-friendly period product that is both reusable and absorbable.
Period underwear has the same 'mechanism' of a pad, with underwear being the comfortable option, say users. Period underwear looks no different from your usual underwear but what makes it different is the fabric used. Let's take a look at how period underwear works [3][4]:
Typically, period underwear absorbs light to moderate flow (or as much as 1-2 tampons).
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You can use it the same way you would wear your normal underwear. It would help if you changed or wash underwear at least every 12 hours to avoid odours [5].
When compared to other menstrual hygiene products, period underwear stands out because of the following reasons [6]:
Period underwear can be worn by anyone who wants to try it, and it can be especially beneficial for people with:
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While there are no side effects to using period underwear, some can find the odour disturbing because as your period is going to flow outside of your body, there's a chance that you will smell it. Another cons is that it has only limited styles and is a bit pricey than tampons and pads.
Unmoda, a sustainable and ethical fashion and apparel brand by NC John & Sons Pvt Ltd, has launched the ideal solution for sustainable menstruation - reusable period underwear that is comfortable, durable, and ethical. It is made of 4 layers and offers stain-free, leak-proof, odour-free, and antibacterial protection.
The brand was founded in response to the growing need for sustainable solutions for menstruation. Menstrual hygiene products contribute to a staggering 6% of all municipal waste in India. 1 million sanitary pads are generated monthly to meet the demand from menstruating girls and women, which results in the production and disposal of 12 billion pads annually in India, alone. This is extremely concerning because a singular pad can take up to 800 years to decompose. Unmoda strives to fill this gap with a product that is accessible to all and good for the environment.
Unmoda is a sustainable fashion and apparel brand that is a catalyst for change. Unmoda aims to be the voice for those that are determined to take steps towards a better future - and are not afraid to refresh their lifestyle to do it. Unmoda wants every piece they produce to be more than just a piece of clothing - they want it to be meaningful in the way it empowers people and drives positive change.
Health experts point out that you can combine period underwear with other menstrual products to make it more comfortable while making the transition to underwear from tampons and pads. From the health benefits perspective, there is no specific reason to choose period underwear - it is all about your comfort and ease of use- also the added benefit of reducing your waste.