Understanding the Products available

Product	Materials	Flow Level & Change Frequency	Cost (Guidance Cost)	Product Lifespan	Where to Buy	Disposal Method	Pros	Cons
Non-Applicator Tampon	Bleached Cotton or rayon with a thin cover of polyester or polyethylene Plastic wrapper	Suitable for a range of flows Change every 4 to 6 hours	13p per tampon	Single Use	Supermarket Chemist Online Machine in public toilets	Wrap in toilet paper and dispose in bin (Never Flush)	Feels secure for exercise and swimming Small and discreet	Change it out every 3-4 hours Vagina can become sore after prolonged use If not changed risks of toxic shock syndrome Can find it harder to insert without applicator Not has Environmentally friendly due to plastic in product
Applicator Tampon	Bleached Cotton or rayon with a thin cover of polyester or polyethylene Cardboard or plastic applicator	Suitable for a range of flows Change every 4 to 6 hours	15p per tampon	Single Use	Supermarket Chemist Online Machine in public toilets	Wrap in toilet paper and dispose in bin (Never Flush)	Feels secure for exercise and swimming Small and discreet Easier to insert with applicator	Change it out every 3-4 hours Vagina can become sore after prolonged use If not changed risks of toxic shock syndrome Not has Environmentally friendly due to plastic in product
Organic Tampon	Organic, unbleached cotton Bioplastic wrapper Cardboard or bioplastic applicator	Suitable for a range of flows Change every 4 to 6 hours	18-20p per tampon depending on non or applicator	Single Use	Online Chemist Most supermarkets Health food shops Plastic free shops	Wrap in toilet paper and dispose in bin or home compost (Never Flush)	Feels secure for exercise and swimming Small and discreet Easier to insert with applicator Environmentally friendly Less irritation due to no chemicals	If not changed, risks of toxic shock syndrome Change it out every 3-4 hours
Reusable Applicator Tampon	Applicator – medical grade Antibacterial materials Used with tampons	Tampon suitable for a range of flows Change every 4-6	£15 for applicator then cost of tampons	Applicator 10 years, Tampons single use	Online Chemist Most supermarkets Health food shops Plastic free shops	Wash applicator and reuse, Wrap tampon in toilet paper and dispose of in the bin or (home compost if organic) (NEVER flush)	Feels secure for exercise and swimming Small and discreet Easier to insert with applicator Environmentally friendly Less irritation due to no chemicals if using organic tampons Reduced plastic to landfill with applicator	If not changed, risks of toxic shock syndrome Change it out every 3-4 hours May not feel comfortable washing it if in public toilets
Menstrual Cup	Medical grade silicone, latex or TPE.	Suitable for a range of flows Change every 4-10 hours	£9–£20 (This works out on average at 7p - 17p per period, assuming you have 12 a year)	8 to 10 years	Online Chemist Most supermarkets Health food shops	Rinse or wipe after emptying Sterilise with boiling water / sterilising solution start and end each cycle	Long-lasting (up to 10 hours) Most economical Environmentally friendly	Can be difficult to insert or remove until you get the hang of it Cleaning it out in a public restroom can be hard if you're out and about for a long time
Disposable Pads	Synthetic fibres, plastic Synthetic fragrances and chemicals	Suitable for a range of flows Change every 3-4 hours	10p per pad	Single use	Online Chemist Most supermarkets	Fold and dispose of in the bin (NEVER flush)	Comfortable Usually don't have to worry about leakage into underwear	Might get blood on underwear if moving around a lot May feel bulkier than a tampon Not environmentally friendly Can be more sensitive due to chemicals
Organic Disposable Pads	Organic cotton Wood pulp Bioplastic	Suitable for a range of flows Change every 3-4 hours	20p per pad	Single use	Online Chemist Most supermarkets Health food shops Plastic free shops	Fold and dispose of in the bin or in home compost (NEVER flush)	Comfortable Usually don't have to worry about leakage into underwear Environmentally Friendly	Might get blood on underwear if moving around a lot May feel bulkier than a tampon
Reusable Pads	Organic cotton Wood pulp Bioplastic	Suitable for a range of flows Change every 3-4 hours	£4.50 per pad (18p per use over product lifetime), 2 or 3 pads needed to allow for washing and drying	Up to 5 years, if well cared for	Online Some supermarkets Health food shops	Hand or machine wash without fabric softener and hang dry Rinse with cold water and store in a wet bag if changed away from home	Comfortable Usually don't have to worry about leakage into underwear Environmentally Friendly	Might get blood on underwear if moving around a lot Rinsing it out in a public restroom can be hard Have to wash and dry by hand each night
Pants	Cotton Synthetic materials	Suitable for a range of flows Change every 3-4 hours	£10 - £20 per pair (40p - 80p per use over product lifetime), 2 or 3 pairs needed to allow for washing and drying	Up to 3 years, if well cared for	Online Some supermarkets Health food shops	Hand or machine wash without fabric softener and hang dry Rinse with cold water and store in a wet bag if changed away from home	Comfortable Usually don't have to worry about leakage into underwear Environmentally Friendly	Have to wash and dry by hand each night

Facts on Period products

The average menstruator will spend about 3,500 days having a period, which equates to 11,000-15,000 disposable products.
The majority of menstruators (59%) dispose of products in the bin, however those that are flushed down the loo cause issues down the chain
When people flush tampons, applicators, pads and wipes down the loo, our sewers are at risk of flooding, damaging homes and polluting our beaches and waterways. Only flush the 3Ps – paper, poo and pee. Everything else goes in the bin!