Positive Periods
Reviews by Saffia Farr, Isobel Higley and Charlie
Oh, how I love these moon sponges! I’ve been using sponges since I discovered them in JUNO years ago, and I’ve never looked back. They are easy to use, cost-effective and zero waste, as you can compost them at the end of use. They might look intimidating when they arrive, but you make them wet, then compress them, and I find them easy to put in to be comfortable. I never find it a problem rinsing them out, and I soak them in water with tea tree oil at the end of my cycle. There are different sizes available and you can cut them to size to suit your body. SF
£15.99 for three sponges (mixed sizes)
These natural multivitamins contain iron, which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and supports normal cognitive function, the formation of red blood cells and the immune system. I love that this product also contains vitamin B6, which helps to regulate hormone activity. I have been taking them during my cycle, and my energy levels feel higher than usual. The supplements are made ethically with no palm oil, GMO or animal testing. It has been hard for me to find a multivitamin with iron that is also vegan, so I was really pleased to find Essential Female Multi! It is a unique blend of nutrients and botanical extracts formulated specifically for women in the 18 to 39 age group to support health and vitality. IH
£31.70 for 60 capsules
TCS-Eco facilitates a huge range of options on its website for creating the exact pad you need. You can choose the fabric (including bamboo velour and organic cotton jersey), shape, absorbency and backing material. There’s lots of information on the site to assist with this. The pads are made in the UK to a very high standard. On the night pad I tried, there are two popper options to help with fit. I like that ‘night’ or ‘liner’ is stitched on the pad, so it’s very easy to identify the size you’re looking for! The night pad was long enough to catch night bleeding but did not feel bulky. I like using the range of TCS-Eco pads I have as they are comfortable and they wash and dry well. SF
£11.75
This powder is designed to help you remove blood stains from your knickers, clothing and bedding, and it works on cloth pads too. There are simple instructions to make a paste using some of the powder and a little water. I found this helped freshen up my pads if I rubbed a little on before soaking them. The tube is made from cardboard and the extra cap is made from tinplate, both of which are widely recycled. I found the tube an easy size to use and it looks attractive on the shelf! A little goes a long way, and it’s great to have something to help cloth pads last longer. There are four ingredients, which are listed in full on the website. SF
£12.99
Of the three different brands of menstrual cup I have used, OrganiCup is my favourite. A number of aspects set it apart from other menstrual cups. The material is particularly soft and does not cause soreness or irritation on insertion. The stem is ridged, which means there is no grappling around to get a decent grip in order to extract it. The biggest plus of all for me was when I went for a run and it did not dislodge and threaten to fall out (as has happened to me in the past with other cups!). It comes in fully recyclable packaging and I recommend the OrganiCup to anyone in the market for simple, sustainable and ethical menstrual wear. C
£21
The Northern Lights Micro is a fantastic tiny pad, which I find very helpful at the start and end of my bleeding time. The pads measure 6 inches by 2 inches (at the narrowest part), so you can’t really feel you are wearing it. The Northern Lights pad is organic cotton velour on top, backed with a lightweight organic cotton in black, and it has a discreet layer of waterproof PUL inside. It fits snugly with a popper so it doesn’t move and it washes and dries easily. Honour Your Flow is a family-run business with ‘sewing ladies’ working from home around the needs of their children and families. There is a great range of pads and you can find out more about founder Vicky’s story on the website. SF
£6.50
Medium Pads – Buy Three Give One
Earthwise Girls is a wonderful company with a caring ethos. This product has been developed to help others. For every pack of three pads sold, Earthwise Girls will donate a pad of the same size to an orphaned girl in Kenya through the Nasio Trust. The pads are also great to use. I find the size helpful on lighter days. There are two popper settings on the wing to give a good fit; every pad has a size label on it to help you choose the right one for you. They dry quickly and are absorbent because each pad had a two-layer microfibre core and a leak-proof PUL backing layer, in plain fabric or print. Pads are also available singly. The medium size is approximately 19.5cm long, and the width when closed is 6.5cm or 7.5cm, depending on the popper setting chosen. SF
£12.75
Organic Cotton Tampons with Applicator
If you really aren’t keen on reusable items but want to take care with what you are using, Natracare tampons are a great option. They are made from 100% certified organic cotton and nothing else, so you know exactly what you’re putting into your body. The tampons are free from perfumes, dyes, chlorine and other synthetic materials, and are biodegradable and compostable. The applicator is cardboard and the wrapper is paper, and they come in an attractive cardboard box made from recycled cardboard, so all elements are recyclable. There are two sizes – regular and super – and each box contains 16 tampons. SF
From £2.75
Badger and Bobbins wet bags are made with a 100% cotton outer layer and lined with a waterproof PUL. They are handmade in Sheffield by Helen, who makes a range of eco-friendly homewares designed to replace single-use disposable items with reusable alternatives. This wet bag is really beautiful and well made, so you can be proud to have it in your bag! I found the medium size really useful – not too big, but able to fit a couple of pads – and when I packed it in a bag with rinsed pads in it, next to some other clothes, it did not leak, so it’s practical too. It washes and dries well (and quickly) and there is a gorgeous range of cotton fabrics to choose from. SF
From £7, three sizes available
This article is published in JUNO Summer 2021, issue 73. Find out more here.
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