Eco-friendly periods: where to start

Over a lifetime we use thousands of disposable pads and tampons. Almost all of them contain plastic and take centuries to break down. Switching to reusable products is one of those small changes that make a big difference, to the earth and to your body.

Three options, none better than the others

• Cloth pads. The easiest way to start: you use them like any other pad, but you wash them and they last for years.
• Menstrual cup. It takes a few cycles of practice, but then you barely notice it and you can wear it for many hours.
• Period pants. They feel like your usual underwear. Ideal for nights or for light days.

There's no need to change everything at once. You can start with one cloth pad for the night and see how it feels.

Seeing your blood

Something surprises many of us at first: with a cup or with cloth, you see your blood. You see its colour, how much there is and how it changes from one day to the next and from one cycle to the next. It can feel a little strange at first, and then it becomes valuable information about your body. Your period stops being something to hide and throw away quickly.

Who makes what you use

It also matters who sews your pads. In India there are women's projects we deeply admire. Eco Femme, in Auroville, makes cloth pads from organic cotton, sewn by women from the surrounding villages, and gives kits and menstrual education to girls who can't afford them. Others, like Goonj, turn leftover fabric into pads and use them to open conversations about periods in places where they are still taboo.

Choosing a cloth pad is also supporting women who live from their work.

To get started

In La Cesta de Luna you'll find pads, cups and period pants, with a guide on how to use and care for each one. And if you have questions, write to us: we love talking about this.