Natural Alternatives to Disposable Feminine Products

Why I Ditched Disposables: Natural Alternatives to Feminine Products That Actually Work

It’s hard to believe it’s been over a decade since I made the switch to natural alternatives to disposable feminine products. You know what they say—time flies when you’re not dealing with leaks, discomfort, and overpriced boxes of bleached cotton!

Back then, I was just beginning to explore the world of menstrual cups and cloth pads. Now? I’m fully converted. I ditched disposables and never looked back.

Getting Started with Menstrual Cups and Cloth Pads

If you’re new to the idea of reusable feminine care, here are a few posts to help you get started:

• I Got a Diva Cup for Christmas: Seven things I love about using a menstrual cup—plus four tips to make your first cycle a breeze.
• How to Insert the Diva Cup Perfectly Every Time: After a disastrous leak on a trip (yikes!), I figured out the trick to a perfect fit. This method works like a charm.
• Reusable Cloth Pads: How I got started, what brands I tried, and which ones I still use today.

Why I’m Sold

For all my fellow “land the plane” types, here’s the nutshell version:

• I ditched disposables for good. No more toxic, uncomfortable, wasteful, expensive products.
• I used to swear by Lunapads, but they’re no longer available. Thankfully, I’ve found a fantastic organic alternative on Etsy. These handmade pads are soft, absorbent, and thoughtfully crafted—everything I loved about Lunapads, and then some.
• The Diva Cup rocks. Yes, there’s a learning curve—but it’s worth it. I’ve used the same $30 cup for over two years, cleaning it with hot water and zero fuss.

Five Reasons to Ditch Disposables

If you’re still on the fence, let’s talk about why switching to natural alternatives makes so much sense.

1. Better for Your Health

Did you know tampon and pad manufacturers aren’t required to disclose their ingredients? Because they’re classified as “medical devices,” they’re exempt from listing materials. That means we’re often in the dark about what’s going into our bodies.

From what we do know, disposables can contain plastics, synthetic fibers, and chemicals linked to hormone disruption, immune suppression, and even cancer. Many are bleached, which adds another layer of concern.

2. Better for the Earth

The average woman uses around 9,600 tampons in her lifetime. Multiply that by millions of women, and you’ve got a mountain of waste—much of it flushed or tossed into landfills.

Tampons don’t always get filtered out of wastewater and can end up in lakes and streams. In landfills, they leach toxins into the soil and groundwater. That affects the food we grow and the water we drink.

3. Better for Your Plumbing

Tampons are designed to expand. That’s great for absorption, but terrible for pipes. Both Tampax and Kotex advise against flushing them—and for good reason.

We live in an older home with its own septic system, and we’ve paid plumbers hundreds of dollars to unclog tampon-related blockages. Trust me: ditch disposables, save your pipes.

4. Better for Your Comfort

After years of using cloth pads and a menstrual cup, I can’t believe how uncomfortable disposables feel. It’s like sleeping on a crinkly exam table versus sinking into a cozy bed with soft sheets. No contest.

5. Better for Your Budget

Most women spend $100–$120 per year on disposables. My initial investment—one Diva Cup and a generous stash of cloth pads—cost $211. The cup is still going strong after two years, and I expect the pads to last at least five.

If my current setup lasts five years, that’s just $42 per year—less than half the cost of disposables. Even if they only lasted three years, I’d still come out ahead.

The Bottom Line

For me, the choice is clear. Menstrual cups and reusable cloth pads are better for my health, the planet, our plumbing, my comfort, and our budget. I’m so glad I chose to ditch disposables and embrace natural alternatives.

What about you? Have you tried a menstrual cup or reusable cloth pads? If not, what’s holding you back?