Searching for Cleaner Period Care: What I've Found So Far

When I first got my period at 13, I wore generic Playtex and Always tampons and pads, sometimes scented. I didn't know any better. In college I met a friend who used a Diva Cup and thought it was genius. When I interned at an Ayurvedic health center in 2009, I remember telling my boss how great they were and being surprised that she didn't share my enthusiasm. I continued to use them for about 10 years. As I started going deeper into pelvic health just over the last five years, her perspective started making more sense to me. I also started questioning silicone as a material. This is a process I find myself in often: revisiting what seemed like clear improvements and finding their own complications on closer inspection. The marketing world makes it easy to miss.

In Ayurveda, menstruation is governed by apana vayu, the downward-moving energy in the body. A healthy cycle means blood moving freely, down and out, without obstruction. This is one reason free bleeding, for those who can manage it, is physiologically the least disruptive option. Not as a trend, just as biology. Most of us need something, so here's what I think is worth considering.

A quick note on terms since they come up constantly in this space: SAP is superabsorbent polymer, a synthetic gel-forming material in most conventional and many so-called clean disposable pads. PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, found in many period products including some labeled natural or non-toxic, and linked to hormonal disruption. Neither biodegrades.

Period underwear

If you can afford them, my top pick is Moondies by Cozy and Spice, made to order by hand in Maui by a maker named Sarah. They have an outer body of organic bamboo and cotton fleece, an absorbent organic cotton gusset, and an innermost layer of your choice of organic fleece or cashmere. High-waisted and seamless, worn for up to 12 hours. She doesn't specify the full waterproof layer details on her site, so I'd reach out to her directly if that's a concern. Lead time is 6 to 8 weeks, so plan ahead.

For more widely available options, The Period Company uses organic cotton and is third-party tested as PFAS-free at an accessible price point. Aisle uses OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton and TENCEL lyocell, is a certified B Corp, and carries a wide size and style range. Neither is 100% natural fiber all the way through, but both are transparent about their materials.

Cloth pads and inserts

For at-home days, cloth inserts are worth considering. GladRags has been making theirs in Portland, Oregon since 1993. 100% cotton, no plastic liner, no PFAS, and each pad comes with two inserts for adjustable absorbency, guaranteed for five years. This is the kind of slow, honest product I trust.

For those who want a leak-resistant backing while staying close to organic cotton integrity, hannahpad uses certified organic cotton that is unbleached, undyed, and chemical-free, with a TPU waterproof layer on the backing. TPU is a plastic, but it's not PFAS, and the cotton against skin is clean.

Disposable pads

Natracare is the only brand I've found that uses certified organic cotton and sustainable wood pulp instead of SAP, and is completely free of chlorine bleach, PFAS, and synthetic fragrance. Other brands that call themselves organic often use organic cotton only on the surface while the absorbent core still contains synthetic materials. The label isn't enough. Look at the full ingredient list.

Menstrual discs

For swimming and travel, menstrual discs are the most practical internal option I've found. I recommend discs over cups because they sit differently in the body, tucked back into the vaginal fornix higher than a cup, and many self-empty when you use the bathroom, which supports the natural downward movement of blood. The material is still medical-grade silicone, technically a synthetic polymer, but inert and long-lasting.

The Saalt Small is the disc I'm currently trying. It's smaller than most on the market, designed for those who find standard options too large or uncomfortable.