How safe and sustainable are period products?
By 
Bárbara Pinho2025-05-20T13:30:00
Millions of people around the world use period products every month. Bárbara Pinho finds out what their environmental footprint is and whether they carry chemicals harmful to human health
On average, a person who menstruates will spend around 65 days each year bleeding. While cycle length and flow can vary, everyone who menstruates needs a safe and hygienic way to manage the blood and uterine lining their body sheds.
In high-income countries, single-use menstrual pads and tampons are the most commonly used products. Reusable pads, menstrual cups (silicone-based cups inserted into the vagina to collect blood), and period pants are available but less widely used. In low- and middle-income countries, single-use pads are also popular. However, in communities with limited access to commercial products, people often rely on clothes or a range of makeshift materials that are not always hygienic.