Every Period Product Option Explained: Find What Works for Your Body, Budget, and Planet

Sister, let's have an honest conversation about period products. For too long, many of us have stuck with whatever our mothers introduced us to, without knowing about all the options available today.

Whether you're looking to save money, reduce your environmental impact, or simply find something more comfortable for your body, this guide covers every period product option out there.

Your period product choice is deeply personal, what works for your sister might not work for you, and that's perfectly fine. Let's explore all your options so you can make the best choice for your body, budget, and values.

Disposable Pads: The Familiar Choice

Disposable pads are what most of us started with, and they remain the most widely available option globally. They're external, easy to use, and come in various sizes and absorbencies.

Pros: No insertion required, widely available, good for heavy flow days, suitable for overnight use.

Cons: Can feel bulky, create waste, ongoing monthly cost, may cause chafing with extended wear.

Cost: ₦4,500-12,000 per cycle ($3-8), ₦54,000-144,000 annually ($36-96).

Environmental impact: A single person uses approximately 11,000 period products in their lifetime, most of which end up in landfills.

Reusable Cloth Pads: Comfort Meets Sustainability

Cloth pads are making a comeback, and for good reason. Made from natural materials like cotton or bamboo, they're gentle on sensitive skin and surprisingly comfortable.

Pros: Breathable, no chemicals, cost-effective long-term, customizable absorbency, reduces environmental waste.

Cons: Requires washing and drying, higher upfront cost, not ideal when away from home for extended periods.

Cost: ₦60,000-120,000 ($40-80) initial investment, lasts 3-5 years.

Environmental impact: Significantly reduced waste, one set can replace thousands of disposable products.

Track your flow patterns in Asele to determine how many cloth pads you'll need for your typical cycle.

Tampons: Internal Protection

Tampons offer internal protection and freedom of movement, making them popular for active lifestyles.

Pros: Invisible under clothing, good for swimming and sports, compact and portable.

Cons: Learning curve for insertion, TSS risk if left in too long, can be drying, ongoing monthly cost.

Cost: ₦6,000-10,500 per cycle ($4-7), ₦72,000-126,000 annually ($48-84).

Environmental impact: Similar to pads, significant lifetime waste accumulation.

Menstrual Cups: The Game-Changer

Menstrual cups are flexible cups made from medical-grade silicone that collect rather than absorb menstrual blood.

Pros: Up to 12 hours of protection, extremely cost-effective, eco-friendly, no odor, can't feel it when properly inserted.

Cons: Learning curve for insertion and removal, requires comfort with your body, initial investment.

Cost: ₦22,500-60,000 ($15-40) for a cup that lasts 5-10 years.

Environmental impact: One cup can replace over 2,000 tampons or pads.

Use Asele's flow tracking to understand your heaviest days—this helps determine when you'll need to empty your cup more frequently.

Menstrual Discs: The Flexible Alternative

Menstrual discs are wider, flatter alternatives to cups that sit differently in the vaginal canal.

Pros: Can be worn during intercourse, some find easier to insert than cups, 12-hour protection, less suction than cups.

Cons: Single-use options create waste, reusable versions have a learning curve, can be messier to remove.

Cost: Disposable discs: ₦12,000-18,000 ($8-12) per cycle; Reusable discs: ₦45,000-75,000 ($30-50), lasting 1-2 years.

Period Underwear: Innovation Meets Comfort

Period underwear looks like regular underwear but contains absorbent layers that can hold 1-4 tampons worth of blood.

Pros: No insertion required, backup protection, comfortable for sleeping, reduces plastic waste, great for teens still learning their patterns.

Cons: Higher upfront cost, requires washing, may not provide enough protection for heavy flow days alone.

Cost: ₦22,500-52,500 ($15-35) per pair, need 3-5 pairs for full cycle coverage.

Environmental impact: Moderate—reduces disposable waste but requires water for washing.

Natural Sponges: The Ancient Method

Sea sponges have been used for centuries and are making a modern comeback among eco-conscious women.

Pros: Completely natural, reusable, biodegradable, soft and comfortable.

Cons: Higher infection risk than other products, requires careful cleaning, irregular shape can be challenging.

Cost: ₦15,000-30,000 ($10-20) per sponge, lasts 6-12 months with proper care.

Note: The FDA doesn't regulate menstrual sponges, so quality and safety can vary.

Making Your Choice: What to Consider

For Heavy Flow: Menstrual cups or super-absorbent period underwear combined with other protection.

For Sensitive Skin: Organic cotton pads, cloth pads, or cups made from medical-grade silicone.

For Active Lifestyles: Tampons, cups, or discs that won't shift during movement.

For Budget-Conscious: Cloth pads or menstrual cups offer the best long-term value.

For Environmental Impact: Cups, cloth pads, or period underwear significantly reduce waste.

For Beginners: Pads or period underwear provide external protection without insertion anxiety.

Understanding Your Flow for Better Choices

Every woman's flow is different, some have 3-day periods, others last 7 days. Some experience heavy flow for one day, others have consistent moderate flow throughout.

Track your flow patterns, pain levels, and symptoms in Asele for several cycles. This data helps you choose products that match your actual needs rather than guessing.

You might discover you need heavy protection for just two days and can use lighter options for the rest of your cycle.

Mixing and Matching: The Hybrid Approach

You don't have to choose just one product forever. Many women use different products for different situations or days of their cycle.

Common combinations include using a cup or tampon with period underwear as backup, switching to cloth pads for nighttime comfort, or keeping disposable products for travel while using reusable options at home.

Safety Considerations for All Products

Regardless of which products you choose, follow these safety guidelines:

Change products regularly—every 4-8 hours for tampons, every 12 hours maximum for cups, and as needed for external products. Never leave any internal product in for more than 12 hours.

Wash your hands before and after handling any menstrual product.

Keep products clean and store them properly between uses.

Pay attention to your body's signals. Unusual pain, odor, or irritation might indicate an infection or reaction that needs attention.

Cost Comparison: The Real Numbers

Let's break down the lifetime costs:

Disposable products: ₦3,000,000-7,500,000 ($2,000-5,000) over a reproductive lifetime

Menstrual cups: ₦150,000-300,000 ($100-200) for the same period

Cloth pads: ₦300,000-600,000 ($200-400) total investment

Period underwear: ₦450,000-750,000 ($300-500) for full collection

Research shows that reusable products pay for themselves within 6-12 months of use.

Environmental Impact: The Numbers Matter

Disposable period products create significant environmental waste. A typical woman uses about 240 period products per year, creating roughly 45 pounds of period waste annually.

Switching to reusable products can reduce your period-related waste by over 99%. Even switching partially to reusable options makes a meaningful difference.

Start Your Period Product Journey

The best period product is the one you'll actually use consistently and comfortably. Start by identifying your priorities: cost, comfort, environmental impact, or convenience.

Consider trying one new product per cycle rather than overhauling everything at once.

Track your experiences in Asele, note comfort levels, leakage, ease of use, and overall satisfaction.

Remember, finding your perfect period routine might take some experimentation, and that's completely normal. Your needs might also change over time due to age, lifestyle changes, or simply personal preference evolution.

Take Control of Your Period Experience

Understanding all your options empowers you to make choices that align with your values, budget, and body.

Whether you choose the convenience of disposables, the sustainability of reusables, or a combination approach, the important thing is that you're making informed decisions.

Ready to start tracking your cycle and discovering what products work best for your unique patterns? Start using Asele today and take the first step toward truly understanding your menstrual health.