Be the change.

 

 

For most of human history, menstruation is a subject that has always been talked about in hushed tones. There has been a stigma and taboo associated with the word "Periods". Girls and boys have not been educated about it. Forget educating them, we also feel ashamed to say the word "Periods". In a country like ours where we have so much unenlightenment about menstrual health, the science behind it, the hygiene that one has to take care of, the taboo attached with the word, it is the need of the hour to begin a positive conversation about it.

 

 

 

A Sanitary pad also known as a sanitary napkin is a thin pad made out of absorbent material that absorbs the menstrual fluid during menstruation. In modern times, one cannot even imagine periods without a sanitary pad or a tampon. However, the first disposable pads hit the market in the year 1896. Before that, using menstrual rags made out of woven fabric or flannel was the norm. Who would have thought that menstrual products would become a billion-dollar industry with primetime ads and countless products in the market? These disposable products have become so highly conventional that we do not even think of the consequential colossal damage we do to the environment by using them and the carbon footprint that we leave behind.

In an average lifetime, a woman uses 14,000 to 16,000 pads or tampons. A non-biodegradable pad takes 500-800 years to decompose naturally. One need not be a mathematician to determine how much waste is produced every year. To put a number to it, menstrual waste in India alone is estimated to be 113,000 tonnes annually. Most of these used products end up in sewer systems and water bodies every year or are thrown in the open garbage along with other household waste as there is no proper disposal system for such waste and this is not merely a problem in India but globally as well, especially in developing countries.

Conventionally available sanitary pads look like they are made up of cotton, but in actuality, they are made up of waste paper and wood pulp. This waste paper and pulp are bleached using chlorine in order to make it look shiny white (the color associated with purity). To improve the absorption capacity of the pads some of the commercially available products make use of superabsorbent polymers (SAP). Earlier the use of SAP was restricted due to its possible link with Toxic Shock Syndrome, a potentially fatal illness caused as a result of bacterial toxin. Two of the most harmful by-products of bleaching that stay on the pad are Dioxin and Trihalomethane. Dioxin is an extremely toxic chemical and is carcinogenic which means it can cause reproductive problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones, and also cause Cancer. Dioxin can also cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Endometriosis, immune system damage, impaired fertility, and diabetes. There are various reports in which the high incidence of Endometriosis is related to the presence of Dioxin in sanitary napkins. Imagine the number of times a woman's body is exposed to these toxins. These pads also contain artificial fragrance which is a chemical additive that creates rashes, irritability, and infection. (If anyone is really interested in knowing what a commercially available sanitary pad is really made up of and what harm does it cause, a study is cited below so that you can dive into its details)

https://iith.ac.in/~cssharma/assets/pdf/24.pdf

The question is, if not disposable pads and tampons, then what is the alternative?

The very first product that one can switch to sustainable menstrual waste management is the organic disposable pads which many Indian companies are manufacturing nowadays. These pads are organic as they are made up of plant-based cover made with corn, bamboo, banana, or jute and are free from chemical additives or dyes and fragrances. The absence of these chemicals makes them biodegradable and lets our skin breathe. These pads once disposed, take up to 2 years to degrade thus lessening the accumulation of waste. There are many brands that are just a quick search away. The only con of these products is that most of them are available only on online shopping platforms and the fact that these are slightly high priced compared to the conventional non-biodegradable products acts as a deterrent. Moreover, nobody seems to be talking about it makes it even more challenging to enter into the commercial market. If I have to share my personal experience, I have been using non-biodegradable pads till now but I recently switched to biodegradable ones, and trust me they are slightly overpriced, but they are worth it. I did not get a single rash which I usually did experience. The pads were extremely thin that at one point I was afraid it was going to leave a stain on my clothes and believe you me, there hasn't been a better period in my life (pun intended). 

Another substitute could be reusable cotton cloth pads that are economic, do not burn a hole in your pocket and the best part is they are manufactured by small businesses or by work-at-home moms and are available on various online shopping marts and can be re-used for over a year. These pads are stitched and the fabric with which they are made is cotton, terry cot, or gore-tex. Some of the pads have a leak-proof layer beneath them while some pads simply rely on multiple layers of the cloth to prevent leaking. The only issue associated with it is its washing and drying process. It is essential that they are hand washed adequately following the instruction written on the packet and they should be sun-dried therefore if you are grossed out by seeing your own blood then maybe a reusable cloth pad isn't something for you. Moreover, it becomes highly inconvenient if you are traveling and you need to change a pad. Some of the companies manufacture foldable cloth pads that come in a small purse so you need not wash it on the spot, one can just fold it, keep it in its purse in which you may store the used pad and wash it once you are home. I have personally used this product, therefore, I can say in my personal capacity that one must use a reusable cloth pad at least once before coming to any conclusion and rejecting this product altogether. 

One can also switch to a menstrual cup. From what I have learned so far, a menstrual cup is a small, flexible funnel-shaped cup made up of medical grade silicone. The cup is supposed to be inserted into the vagina and it doesn't absorb the blood, unlike the pads or tampons, instead it stores the blood in it and apparently is one of the cheapest and the best products to be used as one cup can last from 5 up to 10 years. Once it is full, it is to be removed, washed and re-inserted. There are thousands of videos on the internet about how to use this cup but the key lies in knowing your own body and your organs. It is extremely difficult to get accustomed to the idea of a foreign object getting inserted into our bodies especially in a sensitive organ. Cups come in different sizes but it might become challenging to find the right fit. It takes a number of trial and errors to achieve perfection. Moreover, the unavailability of clean and hygienic public restrooms acts as a hindrance as the cup requires to be washed before its use. Many fear that the cup will get stuck inside but no such case has been reported so far. I personally have not gathered the guts to try a cup as it scared the bejesus out of me but I am sure I will succeed someday. 

In my individual capacity, I can say that shifting to organic biodegradable pads and reusable cloth pads was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I will most certainly try using a cup someday. I feel glad that I contributed in a small way in reducing the carbon footprint I will be leaving behind. Mother Nature has always blessed us with such a beautiful planet and we should be grateful for it, as a human this is the least I could do to preserve its beauty and so can you. 

While alternatives are available, the biggest challenge one faces is not outside, but within our own minds. Are you ready to break the mental block and be the change?