Eco period products compared: period pants, menstrual cups and more

In the UK, disposable sanitary pads and tampons have dominated the shelves – and how many of us manage our periods – for a long time. But as concerns about disposable products, single-use plastic, and their impact on the environment grow, things are changing. 

Innovation in menstrual care products means reusable options, such as period-absorbent underwear and menstrual cups, are increasingly moving into the mainstream.

But how do you decide what's right for you, especially when the upfront cost of switching can be high? Here's our run-down of different period product types, including their pros and cons (as noted by users of these products in our December 2021 survey), to help you choose. 

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Menstrual cups

A menstrual cup is a small flexible silicone or rubber cup that you insert into your vagina to collect your flow during your period.

They can generally hold as much – and sometimes more – than regular tampons so can be left in for around the same amount of time plus you can generally wear them overnight (check on the pack).

When full, they are emptied it in the toilet, washed with water and reinserted, then when your period ends they should be sterilised for a few minutes in a pan of water (or as instructed) ready for the next time. 

Accessories such as portable sterilising steamers can make life easier if you don't want to have to boil it on the hob.

Menstrual cup need-to-knows

It can take a few tries to get used to inserting and using a menstrual cup (as is often the case with tampons too), but you can find guidance online and included with the product.

As with tampons, menstrual cups may carry a small risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) when used improperly so stick to maximum usage times and clean them properly during and after use. 

Typical cost: £7-£24 each

Menstrual cups are pricier than pads or tampons, but the idea is that you only need one and that you can reuse it for years with proper care so they will typically pay for themselves within a year.

Although Mooncup and DivaCup have been around for a couple of decades, other brands have also developed products of their own, including Boots and Tampax, helping to drive the price down for consumers.

When we looked in October 2023, the cheapest we found were Omnitex menstrual cups, which were £13.99 for a two pack (one small and one large cup) from Superdrug, making them around £7 each.

Here are some others that are available:

• Tampax menstrual cup £23.49 for heavy flow or regular flow varieties, with carry case. Available from Boots and Ocado
• TOTM reusable menstrual cup £18, Available from Tesco, Ocado and Morrisons
• Selenacare menstrual cup £17 for small, medium or large varieties. Available from Ocado
• Intimina Lily menstrual cup From £16 for collapsible cup that folds flat into a travel case. Available from Sainsbury's

What do people think of menstrual cups?

When we surveyed people who had used either period pants or menstrual cups in a 2021 survey of 776 people, 58% of menstrual cup users told us they still use other product types as well. 

Respondents were just as likely to use menstrual cups on heavier days as lighter ones but were are more inclined to use them at home -  they can be awkward or difficult to wash when out and about and not everyone is comfortable with doing this in a public loo or at work.

The learning curve of using a menstrual cup, particularly the difficulty of inserting and taking them out, tended to the main thing people disliked but 61% of users told us that overall they liked using them because:

• They reduce waste
• They save you money over time
• You don’t have to change them as often as some other products

See how users rated different menstrual cup brands in our menstrual cup reviews and buying guide.

Period pants

Period pants use layers of moisture-wicking, absorbent and leak-proof fabric to lock away fluid, in a similar fashion to disposable sanitary towels. The difference is, you then rinse, wash and re-use them.

There's an ever-increasing variety sold both online and on the high street to cater for those needing anything from a backup or light-flow option to ones designed for heavier days or for overnight protection.

They also come in a range of underwear styles such as bikini briefs and high leg knickers as well as sportswear and swimwear versions (for example, Modibodi's one piece swimsuit, £70)

Typical cost: £4-£35 a pair

The price of period pants varies a lot and depends on the size and absorbency you’re after but you can buy them for as little as £4.33 a pair (Primark, £13 for 3 pack of period underwear mini briefs).

You're likely to need multiple pairs to rotate during your period, depending on how you want to use them, so the upfront cost can be a bit steep, especially if you need to try a few brands or absorbencies to find what's right for you.

However, there are plenty of brands and retailers offering multibuy discounts, which can bring the cost right down.

What do people think of period pants?

People who use period pants tend not to rely on them alone, though just under a quarter told us they did mostly use the pants. 

They can be good options for overnight wear and lighter days, or when you think your period might start soon.

According to our survey, the things people mainly like about period pants are that they:

• find them comfortable
• easy to wash
• reduce waste

Drawbacks were that they don’t always feel fresh, they can be expensive and people felt they couldn’t wear them for long periods of time (they are also slightly more awkward to change when out and about).

Nevertheless, overall 75% of our respondents said they liked their period pants and the positive comments outweighed the negatives.

See how users rated different period pant brands on comfort, value for money, leak protection, durability and style in our period pants reviews and buying guide.

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Reusable tampon applicators and pads

While period pants and menstrual cups are the most widely available options, there are also an increasing number of alternatives around, such as products that mimic disposable options but are designed for re-use.

These are a little less common, but require less of a change to your period routine if you are nervous about making the switch, so could be a good starting point.

Reusable tampon applicators: from £13 each

Reusable tampon applicators have become more widespread as tampon brands dial back from single-use plastic applicators, which, while not great for the environment, can be handy when hygiene facilities are lacking, and some people find them more comfortable to insert.

They are designed for use with standard tampons, and replace disposable plastic applicators with one that you can wash and use again.

We’ve seen a handful of reusable tampon applicators now on sale in high street stores. These are:

• DAME Reusable tampon applicator £16.95 for applicator and three organic cotton tampons, self-sanitizing. DAME says you can just wipe it clean between uses and rinse with cold water at the end of your period. Available from DAME and Sainsbury's or Ocado (with tin/carry pouch – £23.80).
• Lil-Lets Reusable tampon applicator £12.99 for applicator, storage bag and six organic tampons. Lil-lets has unveiled its own reusable version although it's not compatible with super plus extra/ultra tampons. It can be rinsed between uses but at the end of each period you are meant to sterilizing the applicator in hot water (but, crucially, not the lid, which can melt) Available from Lil-lets, Ocado, Boots and Tesco.
• TOTM Reusable tampon applicator £18.99 for applicator, carry case, bag and six organic tampons. Organic tampon brand TOTM has also recently launched a reusable version, as an alternative to its disposable cardboard versions. Available from Ocado and Tesco.

The drawback with these is they can make managing your period a little more fiddly, especially when changing tampons on the go, and they are typically slightly larger than disposable applicators. Remember to take off the lid before inserting too, as this is a common error!

Reusable sanitary pads: from £7.50 each

Reusable pads made of washable cotton and other absorbent materials are widely available - in some cases, you can even add them onto your supermarket shop (for example, Ocado stocks both DAME and NORA brands).

They clip around your usual underwear rather than being stuck down with an adhesive strip, and can be more easily removed and swapped on the go than period pants.

The disadvantage is that they can be quite bulky in order to be absorbent and you have to carry soiled ones around with you if you're out and about (although some brands provide you with a waterproof pouch to put these in).

Some of the big brand options are:

• NORA Try Me reusable pad pack £30 for mixed pack of five pads plus waterproof bag. Available from Ocado
• DAME reusable pads from £27 for three pads plus dry bag. Available from DAME and Ocado
• Hey Girls Full Cycle kit £40.65 for five pads plus washbag. Available from Hey Girls

'Eco-friendly' disposable period products

Disposable pads and tampons

A wide range of eco-friendly disposables are available, including organic, plastic-free and biodegradable tampons and pads - some claim to be compostable, such as Daye pads made from bamboo and corn-derived PLA bioplastic, £5.80 for 16 pads.

Although organic cotton still has some environmental impact during production, it is less water-intensive and polluting than regular cotton, plus the use of biodegradable parts (such as pad backings and packaging) helps with their eco-credentials.

Brands that are stocked on the high street include &SISTERS, Flo, Natracare and Grace & Green. most of which are stocked on the high street.

Flushable sanitary pads

We’ve spotted some innovations such as pads from UK developers Fluus that are designed to break down completely after they've been flushed away (it's worth reiterating that you should never flush standard disposable pads or tampons).

The pads, wrappers and peel papers are made of 100% biodegradable plant fibres, and even the adhesive is derived from tree sap, which means the entire product is flushable according to the WIS 04-02-06 Water Industry Specification.

They are pricey compared to standard pads though, at £6.75 for 12 medium pads. Available from Fluus. 

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Are reusable period products more sustainable?

Studies comparing disposable period products and reusable options, like menstrual cups and period underwear, have found that reusable menstrual products do tend to have a lower environmental impact than single-use products overall.

A UN Environment Programme hosted report that looked at the total lifecycle of disposable pads and tampons in comparison with reusable products found that menstrual cups in particular are significantly better for the environment than other options.

There are a few variables, like the way that products are washed, sanitised and disposed of, that can affect how sustainable they are, but overall a move away from single-use plastic has a positive effect.

There is still a need to consider the longevity of products like period underwear, and what happens at the end of their usable life.

We’ve previously looked into the environmental impact of underwear – which can come from fossil-fuel based fabrics, polluting chemical dyes, excessive water use and carbon emissions.

As with regular underwear, you can make the most eco-conscious choices with period underwear by choosing sustainable, biodegradable fabrics, and taking care of them well to prolong their usable life.