From red to green

Period underwear, a sustainable alternative to single-use menstrual products such as pads and tampons, can be a more accessible alternative as compared to menstrual cups

The introduction of menstrual cups in India revolutionised the way many women thought of their hygiene products. What struck eco-conscious users was the fact that one sanitary pad can take anywhere between 500 to 800 years to decompose, owing to its plastic content which is non-biodegradable and contributes to health and environmental hazards. With approximately 121 million women using disposable sanitary napkins in India, the environmental costs of menstruation can soon add up.

And yet, for many women, the relatively invasive application technique of menstrual cups proved to be a deterrent, explains Akarsh Tekriwal, founder of the Safecup Company. This, he adds, is where period underwear can help — as the name suggests, these undergarments are intended to replace disposable protection products such as tampons or pads. Their design and construction ensure that they look and feel just like regular underwear, and they incorporate extra layers and special fabrics in the crotch area to absorb menstrual blood. “Just like any other garment, these can be dried, reused and re-worn, which makes them environmentally conscious too,” he adds. 

One times two

“What sets such underwear apart is the fact that instead of two products [pads/tampons and underwear], users can make do with one. Mentally too, this helps free women of being conscious about the fact that they are on their period, which boosts their mood. Many women like to use such underwear before bedtime as it enables more restful sleep, without worrying about leakage. Others wear it during sporting activities, especially on low to medium flow days. For very heavy flow, the underwear can be teamed up with menstrual cups for maximum protection.

Shruthi Kamath

Since what constitutes a heavy flow varies, we suggest users try out the underwear for a few days before arriving at a usage pattern that works best for them,” adds Shruthi Kamath, creative director and product designer at Athlos. Brands like hers are also going the extra mile to ensure that the materials used are eco-conscious. Athlos, for instance, uses nylon that’s recycled from ocean waste. Each layer is so designed to fulfil a specific purpose — while the layer that’s adjacent to the skin wicks the flow away from the skin, the woollen layer keeps it odour-free.

Dr Surabhi Siddhartha and Akarsh Tekriwal

Wear with care

Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar says that regardless of the type of product, you must make sure to change every 12 hours. Additionally, she says that while menstrual underwear is recommended for water-based activities like swimming or water aerobics, it may be advisable to stick to menstrual cups or tampons for more security. To cleanse the underwear thoroughly, Kamath suggests soaking it for 30 minutes and scrubbing gently, before adding to your washing machine load. Dry in an airy place and avoid using hot water, which can coagulate the blood protein and stain the garment. With proper care, these garments can last you a few years.

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