Periods, Plastic & the Planet: Why Your Monthly Cycle Matters More Than You Think 🌏🩸

In India, periods are still whispered about, but what we don’t talk about enough is what happens after our pads are thrown away.

Because here’s a wild fact:
Most conventional sanitary pads contain up to 90% plastic. That one pad you used for a few hours? It can sit in landfills for hundreds of years. Awkward… and alarming.

So where do our pads actually go?

In many Indian homes, pads are wrapped in layers of newspaper and plastic, then sent off with household waste. From there, they usually end up in:

Open landfills

Water bodies

Or are burnt, releasing toxic fumes into the air

Considering that a menstruating person uses roughly 6000-8000 pads in their lifetime, that’s a lot of waste for a country already battling garbage mountains.

And yet, nobody warned us about this in biology class.

Why plastic + periods don’t mix well

Plastic in pads doesn’t just harm the environment, it can also be uncomfortable for our bodies. Synthetic layers, fragrances, and chemical gels tend to trap heat and moisture, which may cause:

Itching

Rashes

That constant “something feels off” feeling

Your body is already working overtime during periods. It deserves better.

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Sustainable period options: small switches, big impact 🌱

The good news? Today, there are more period options than ever, and many of them are designed to be kinder to the planet and gentler on your body. Here are three popular sustainable choices more people in India are exploring:

🌿 Sustainable Pads

These look and feel familiar, but are made with plant-based or biodegradable materials instead of heavy plastics. They’re often:

Ultra-soft and breathable

Toxin-free and fragrance-free

Lower-waste compared to conventional pads

Perfect if you want a simple, easy switch without changing your routine.

🩸 Menstrual Cups

Made from medical-grade silicone, a menstrual cup is reusable and can last for years. One cup can replace thousands of disposable products.
People who use cups often mention:

Long wear time

No pad waste at all

Feeling surprisingly freeing once you get used to it

It does take a little learning—but many say it’s worth it.

👙 Period Panties

These are reusable underwear designed to absorb period flow without the need for pads or tampons. They:

Feel like normal underwear

Can be worn alone or as backup

Cut down monthly waste significantly

Great for lighter days, overnight use, or for teens just starting their period journey.

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Does one person really make a difference?

Short answer: yes.

When even one person chooses a more sustainable period option:

Less plastic ends up in landfills

Less waste reaches our rivers and seas

Less harmful burning happens in the open

Multiply that choice across millions of cycles in India and the impact is massive.

 

Periods don’t have to be perfect to be mindful

You don’t need to switch everything at once. You don’t need to be “perfectly sustainable.”

Start small. Stay curious. Choose what feels comfortable for your body and your life.

Because caring for the environment sometimes starts with caring for yourself, once a month.

And that’s a pretty powerful place to begin 💜