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| Photo: Oksana Vejus / Canva |
You can't be plant-based and keep piling up trash that will remain on Earth long after we're gone. Disposable pads are made of plastic. Sure, we eat frozen food and use plastic here and there—that’s not the point; it’s about choosing your battles. And I decided to do my part by switching to cloth pads. The decision wasn't entirely altruistic, either: I used to hate my period until I stopped using plastic pads.
Disposable pads bothered me; they caused a mild allergic reaction that left me feeling swollen and irritated down there, and they made it seem like my period had a horrible odor—when, in reality, it has almost no smell at all. Not to mention, of course, being forced to buy endless packs because it never felt like enough. Here is what I’ve learned over the last 10 years!
+ How a Plant-Based Diet Changed My Menstrual Cycle
1. My flow isn't as heavy as disposable pads make it seem
I used to suffer from terrible cramps and would change my pad every hour, which led me to label my cycle as "heavy." The sustainable pad brand I use states they can be worn for up to 6 hours—and yes, I can actually go 6 hours with the same pad. Plastic pads simply swell up, making it look like there’s far more blood than there actually is, not to mention the uncomfortable texture against the skin.
2. Periods don't have a smell
Or almost none. The only "scent" I notice—and only very occasionally—is a subtle metallic hint of iron, because, surprise: it’s blood. That foul smell you notice whenever you go to the bathroom? That’s the plastic reacting and breaking down against your body.
3. Washing isn't a hassle
A cloth pad is just another piece of fabric. Sometimes I hand-wash them; sometimes I toss them in the washing machine. I hang them out in the sun right after because sunlight has natural disinfecting power. It's a complete no-brainer.
+ Beyond Cramp Relief: How to Heal Your Cycle Naturally
4. The real impact on the planet (and my wallet)
Assuming the average price of a 24-pack of pads is around R$ 16.00 (~$3,20), and I used to buy one pack per cycle:
Monthly cost: R$ 16.00 per cycle
Annual cost (12 cycles): R$ 192.00 (~$38,44) per year
Total baseline savings over 10 years: R$ 1,920.00 (~$384,38)
The Real Impact (Beyond the Numbers)
Adjusting for Inflation:
Ten years ago (in 2016), a pack of disposable pads cost much less than R$ 16.00, whereas today, a good 24-pack with wings easily exceeds that price. If we factor in cumulative inflation and the time value of money, the real purchasing power saved is closer to R$ 2,200.00 – R$ 2,500.00 (~$440 - ~$500).
Waste Avoided:
Beyond the financial aspect, the ecological footprint is massive.
24 pads × 12 months × 10 years = 2,880 disposable pads that did NOT end up in a landfill.
That’s nearly 40 kg of plastic and cellulose waste spared from the planet.
My cloth pads from 10 years ago have paid for themselves dozens of times over. It remains one of the highest-return financial and environmental choices I’ve ever made.