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The moment you feel your period start, you want to have plenty of go-to, comfortable period products that you can turn to immediately. Sure, it may not be everyone’s favorite time of the month, but at least we now have several different menstrual product options, including several companies that are relatively new.
Some brands are rethinking the classic pads and tampons, sourcing organic materials and trying new designs to totally eliminate leakage. Others are offering reusable options like period underwear, menstrual cups, and menstrual discs — all of which can lower your waste (no more filling up multiple trash cans per cycle) and your cost. Compare buying one menstrual cup to the cost of multiple boxes of tampons over the course of a year, and you’ll see what we mean — it adds up!
The more period products we have available, the better chance you have of finding one that fits your flow. Whether you’re looking for something cheap, eco-friendly, or easy-to-use (or ideally, all of the above), you’ll be able to find the perfect product for your cycle in this list. There are products for every size, shape and flow, most of which are super environmentally friendly, made of organic cotton and even some that are designed to be used during period sex. Keep reading to find safe and affordable period products that’ll make your cycle as stress-free and comfortable as possible.
A version of this story was published June 2018.
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Nixit Menstrual Cup
Image Credit: Nixit Made of super-soft silicone and easily washable with Nixit’s vulva-friendly cleanser, the Nixit menstrual cup is a fan favorite for a reason. It’s one size fits all and super-simple to use: just follow the brand’s how-to video to slide it in and tuck it under your pubic bone.
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Rael High Waist Cotton Period Underwear
Image Credit: Rael Want to feel like you pretty much have no underwear on at all on your period? Here’s the option for you. Rael’s high-waisted resuable cotton underwear is super soft and comfy, and also sits high enough on your waist to stick on a heating patch for cramps.
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DivaCup
Image Credit: DivaCup The DivaCup was cofounded by a kick-ass mother-daughter duo. The product is offered in three sizes, and a specially formulated cleanser is also available for purchase.
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Intimina Ziggy Cup
Image Credit: Intimina Intimina’s Ziggy Cup is such a good deal: $39.95 gets you endless wear and cuts back on your tampon budget each month. This cup fits like a menstrual disc and sits flat, so it can actually be worn during period sex if you want. The best part is that it comes with a case that you can toss in your purse to be ready for when your period comes, or to bring home and keep your bag clean if you changed in the office bathroom.
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August Day Pads
Image Credit: August For the days where you don’t feel like putting a tampon in and just want to lounge in sweatpants, try super-cool, gender-neutral menstrual brand August’s day pads. The organic cotton will feel smooth and not at all bulky, yet just as absorbent. Plus, you can stick the wrapper in your compost bin, so it’s a win-win for Mama Earth.
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Flo Organic Tampons
Flo knew what they were doing when they created this tampon package that looks like a pint of ice cream, the exact treat you might be craving when your period starts. Their organic tampons, which come in a pack of 14 — 8 regular and 6 super — are organic and also biodegradable, so if you’re not about the reusable cups and pads, you can still have an eco-friendly and comfy period.
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Cora Got-You-Covered Liner
Image Credit: Cora It’s always good to have backup, whether you like to have a liner on the days you have a tampon in or use period underwear on a super light day. A liner is also great for everyday use, especially those days when you’re anticipating your period starting. Cora’s Got-You-Covered Liner is made from soft organic cotton, without fragrances, and won’t get itchy or bunchy in your underwear.
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Lola Tampons
Image Credit: Lola Not everyone is ready for the switch over to non-applicator tampons, so this offering from Lola, with BPA-free plastic applicators and 100 percent organic cotton tampons, is a good option. Better yet, Lola lets you customize your box, choosing the number of light, regular, and super tampons that suits your flow.
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GladRags Cloth Day Pad
Image Credit: GladRags Are you a fan of wearing pads, but not their environmental impact? GladRags may be a good choice for you, offering washable, reusable pads in a variety of sizes, styles, and patterns.
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Flex Menstrual Disc
Image Credit: The Flex Company Want all the perks of a menstrual cup plus the bonus of mess-free period sex? If so, the Flex disc may be a good option for you.
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NannoPad
Image Credit: Nannocare These NannoPad pads contain “effective particles with Nannogenic Technology to help reduce menstrual discomfort,” according to the brand’s website. While we’re skeptical about that claim, these are also hypoallergenic and made from organic cotton, so they’re not a bad option even if they don’t get rid of cramps.
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Lunette Menstrual Cup
Image Credit: Lunette The menstrual cup experts over at Lunette have teamed up with the designer Monki to create this limited-edition menstrual cup. But it does more than just look nice. Lunette is donating 5,000 menstrual cups to The Cup Foundation as well one cup to a menstruator in need for every cup sold through Lunette’s online store.
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TomboyX First Line Period 4.5″ Trunks
Image Credit: TomboyX Period underwear and period products don’t have a gender (much like how menstruation doesn’t have a specific gender), so if you want a slightly less femme looking product, TomboyX has some great options to make sure your period underwear are just as comfortable (and cute) as your everyday wear.
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Dame Reusable Tampon Applicator
Image Credit: Dame If you prefer using tampons with applicators but don’t want the environmental impact that comes along with the disposable kind, Dame now offers a reusable version made of medical-grade materials.
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Athena Club
Image Credit: Courtesy of Athena Club The newest addition to the period product subscription service, Athena Club provides a month’s supply of high-quality tampons for less than $8 (and yes, that includes shipping).
They also have a referral program that gives customers the option to donate Athena Club tampons to Support the Girls or Period.org.
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Cora Applicator-Free Tampons
Image Credit: Cora Cora offers organic cotton tampons (both with applicators and without) and chemical-free pads. These applicator-free tampons are super-compact, allowing you to always have them on hand in your bag. Plus, there’s the added bonus that for every month’s supply of period products you purchase, Cora will donate a month’s supply of pads and health education to menstruators in need.
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Rael Cotton Cover Pads
Image Credit: Rael These hypoallergenic pads have wings and a 100 percent organic cotton cover, making them safer for sensitive skin and pretty comfortable.
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