Are you tired of throwing away dozens of tampons and pads every month? Do you want to reduce your waste and stop spending €10 to €15 every 30 days on sanitary protection that ends up in the trash? Washable and reusable sanitary protection is no longer just for eco-friendly hippies. It's a concrete, effective, and increasingly accessible solution for managing your periods differently.
Menstrual cups, Period Panties, washable pads, menstrual discs... There are now several alternatives to disposable protection, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. This article takes a comprehensive look at how much they really cost, how to use them, which one to choose based on your flow and lifestyle, and, above all, why switching to washable isn't just a matter of ecology, but also of health and savings.
It's Your Turn (No Pressure)
Comparison Table: All Washable Protections at a Glance
Before getting into the details, here is a summary table to quickly compare the different options.
The True Cost of Disposable Pads (And Why They Hurt)
Before we talk about alternatives, let's lay out the numbers. How much do disposable pads really cost? And we're not just talking about money.
The Monthly Budget That Soars
A menstruating person spends an average of €5 to €10 per month on sanitary protection. It might not seem like a lot at first glance. But let's do the math.
Per year
150-300 €
That's the equivalent of a good restaurant meal every month going straight to the trash.
Over 10 years
1500-3000 €
Enough to treat yourself to a nice trip or a high-end computer
Over a lifetime (40 years)
6000-12000 €
The equivalent of a used car or a deposit for an apartment
The Mountain of Waste We Can't See
Each month, a menstruating person uses an average of 20 to 30 protections. Over a lifetime, that represents between 10,000 and 15,000 discarded protections. But what does that mean in terms of weight and volume?
Figures that make you think
- 100 to 150 kg of waste products per person over 40 years of periods
- 500 to 800 year-olds for a tampon or pad to decompose in nature
- 45 billion of disposable protections used each year in the world
- 200 000 tons of menstrual waste produced annually in Europe alone
- 5% of plastic found on European beaches comes from disposable sanitary protection
This waste doesn't just sit quietly in landfills. Plastic applicators, individual packaging, protective layers... all of it ends up in the oceans and soils, and takes centuries to disappear. Not to mention the energy and resources required to manufacture, package, and transport it.
Questionable Substances in Disposable Pads
In 2016, the 60 Million Consumers association tested 11 brands of tampons and pads. The result: traces of toxic substances in almost all of the products tested. Pesticides, dioxins, glyphosate, phthalates... These are molecules we really don't want near our intimate mucous membranes.
Manufacturers are not required to display the full composition of their protection products. The vagina is a highly absorbent area; anything that comes into contact with this mucous membrane passes directly into the bloodstream. Wearing chemicals 5 days a month for 40 years leaves traces. Even if the doses are low, repeated exposure over decades raises questions.
The 5 Alternatives That Really Replace Disposables
Now that we've laid the groundwork, let's get down to business. What reusable pads are available? How do they work? Which one should you choose?
🩱 Period Panties
Panties that look like regular underwear, but with several built-in technical layers that absorb menstrual flow. You wear them like regular panties, they do their job for 8 to 12 hours, then you machine wash them.
✓ The real benefits
- Ultra comfortable, you forget it's there
- Perfect for the night
- Invisible under clothing
- Zero learning
- Ideal for teenagers
✗ Constraints
- High initial investment
- Need a washing machine
- Limit for very heavy flows
- Transportation outside the home
Price and profitability: €25-40/piece (€150-250 for the complete set). 2-5 year lifespan. Payback period: 6 months to 1 year.
Who is it for? Anyone looking for comfort and simplicity. Perfect for beginners, teens, nighttime, and light to moderate flow.
Ready to Switch to Period Panties?
Seamless, detachable, taille High or thong, discover our range of Period Panties designed for all flows and all body shapes.
🏆 The Menstrual Cup
A small, medical-grade silicone bell that is inserted into the vagina to collect blood. It is emptied every 4 to 12 hours depending on flow, rinsed, and replaced. It is the most economical reusable protection in the long term.
✓ The real benefits
- Lifespan of 5-10 years
- Maximum savings
- Perfect for traveling
- Swimming pool, sports
- Heavy flow
✗ Constraints
- learning curve
- Insertion not obvious
- Hand washing is mandatory
- Complicated in public restrooms
Price and profitability: €15-35. Lifespan of 5-10 years. Payback period in 2-3 months. The most profitable investment.
Who is it for? People who are comfortable with their anatomy, who are looking for the most economical option, heavy flow, athletes, travelers.
📋 The Washable Towel
A reusable version of the classic pad. Made of fabric (usually cotton), it attaches to the underwear with snaps. It can be changed like a disposable pad, then washed.
✓ The real benefits
- No learning
- breathable
- No insertion
- Suitable for teenagers
- Budget accessible
✗ Constraints
- Thicker
- Limited autonomy (2-4 hours)
- To be transported if changed
- Can move
Price and profitability: €5-15/piece (€50-100 per set). 3-5 year lifespan. Payback period in 4-8 months.
Who is it for? Those who don't want internal protection, teenagers, gentle transition to washable, tight budget.
💿 The Menstrual Disc
A cousin of the cup, but shaped like a flat disc. It is positioned differently (deep in the vagina, under the cervix) and offers specific advantages.
✓ The real benefits
- Possible sexual intercourse
- Very large capacity
- Emptying without removal
- Low collar
- Long term (5-10 years)
✗ Constraints
- Complex insertion
- Messy removal
- More expensive than the cup
- Not for beginners
Price and profitability: €30-40. Lifespan: 5-10 years. Payback period: 3-4 months.
Who is it for? People who are comfortable with their anatomy and want to be able to have sex during their period, with a low cervix.
🧽 The Menstrual Sponge
A natural sponge (from the sea) that is inserted into the vagina like a tampon. It absorbs blood, is removed, rinsed, and can be reinserted.
✓ The real benefits
- 100% natural
- Possible sexual intercourse
- Soft and comfortable
- Biodegradable
✗ Constraints
- Short lifespan (6-12 months)
- Rigorous maintenance
- Complicated withdrawal
- Limited absorption
Price and profitability: €10-20 for a set of 2. Lasts 6-12 months. Less cost-effective in the long run.
Who is it for? People looking for a 100% natural option, intercourse during menstruation, comfortable with meticulous maintenance.
How to Choose According to Your Profile
All these options are well and good, but which one should you choose? It depends on your workflow, lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.
If you have a light to moderate flow
➜ Period Panties as a priority. Maximum comfort, 8-12 hours of battery life, perfect for day and night. Alternative: washable towel if budget is tighter.
If you have a heavy flow
➜ Menstrual cup ou menstrual disc. Large capacity, can last 8-12 hours even with heavy flow. Alternative: period panties heavy flow + change at midday.
If you are new to washable
➜ Period Panties ou washable towel. Zero learning, intuitive use. Avoid the cup at first, too technical.
If you do a lot of sport
➜ Menstrual cup ou menstrual discInternal protection that does not move, can be worn in the swimming pool. Alternative: sports Period Panties.
If you travel often
➜ Menstrual cup. Takes up zero space in the bag, no need to carry multiple protections. Alternative: Period Panties (but you have to be able to wash it).
If you are on a budget
➜ Menstrual cup (€15-35 for 5-10 year olds). The best value for money in the long run. Alternative: washable towels (50-100€ per set).
Maintenance and Actual Lifespan
Washable pads require maintenance. But don't worry, it's not rocket science. Here's what you need to know to make them last as long as possible.
Washable Panties and Towels
Washing instructions
- Rinse with cold water as soon as you remove it (or within 24 hours). Rinse until the water runs clear.
- Machine wash at 30-40°C with your usual laundry. No detergent with glycerin (reduces absorption)
- Air drying. Never tumble dry (damages technical fibers)
- No fabric softener, it reduces absorption
Actual lifespan: 2 to 5 years depending on quality and maintenance. Signs of end of life: decreased absorption, loose elastic, fabric losing its shape.
Menstrual Cup and Disc
Maintenance instructions
- During the cycle : empty, rinse with cold or lukewarm water, reinsert
- Between two cycles : sterilization by boiling (5-7 minutes in boiling water) or with sterilizing tablets
- Storage : in a fabric bag (never in an airtight box, risk of mold)
- No harsh products : no scented soap, essential oils, antibacterial products
Actual lifespan: 5 to 10 years. Signs of end of life: silicone becoming sticky, losing its elasticity, discoloring significantly, or tearing.
The Special Case of Adolescent Girls
Getting your first period is already a shock. No need to add to it with complicated or unsuitable protection.
Why Internal Guards Aren't Ideal for Beginners
Tampons, cups, discs, sponges... all these protections that are inserted into the vagina are not recommended for very young teens who are discovering their periods. And it's not a question of virginity or anatomy, but of psychological comfort and learning.
Reasons to favor external protections at the beginning
- Gradual discovery of one's body: The first period is already a lot to deal with emotionally. There's no need to add the pressure of having to insert something into your vagina.
- Learning the cycle: With external protection, you can directly see the quantity of blood, the color, the texture. It helps you understand your body.
- Ease of use: panties or a pad, it's intuitive. No stress, no technique to master
- Risk of toxic shock: Although rare, TSS mainly affects young women who are new to tampons and do not know the safety rules.
- No social pressure: A teenager doesn't have to force herself to use a tampon to go swimming if she's not comfortable.
The Best Options for Teens
First and foremost: Period Panties
This is the perfect option for beginners. As simple as regular underwear, comfortable, and doesn't feel strange. Your teen can go to school, play sports (except swimming), and sleep soundly.
Investment: 3-4 pairs of panties are enough to start with (€75-120). It may seem expensive, but it pays for itself in less than a year and avoids the stress of your first period.
Alternative: the washable towel
If the budget is really tight or if the teen prefers them, washable pads also work very well. They're more environmentally friendly and economical than disposable pads, without the complexity of internal protection.
Investment: 50-80€ for a complete set.
Later: the cup if she is comfortable
After 1-2 years of periods, when the teen is familiar with their body and cycle, the cup can become an option. But there's no pressure. Some will never be comfortable with internal protection, and that's okay.
Message to parents: Never force a teen to use internal protection if she's not ready. The relationship she'll build with her period and her body depends a lot on these early experiences. Always prioritize her comfort and feelings.
Savings Achieved: Concrete Calculations
We've talked about the purchase price, but how much does it really cost in the long run? Let's compare it to disposables.
What you could do with that saved money
- 5000€ : a 3-month world tour
- 8000€ : a used car in good condition
- 10000€ : a contribution to buy an apartment
- 12000€ : finance professional training or studies
Misconceptions About Washable Protection
Before concluding, let's debunk some myths that are still circulating.
Misconception #1: “It’s disgusting to wash your blood away.”
False. It's your blood, your body. A quick rinse in cold water, a quick wash, and it's done. You wash your stained laundry (perspiration, food, etc.) thoroughly. Menstrual blood isn't dirtier. It's just a matter of habit.
Misconception #2: “It leaks more than disposables”
False. High-quality washable pads are as (or even more) effective than disposable pads. Leaks occur mainly when the pad isn't adapted to the flow or when it's saturated (as with disposable pads).
Misconception #3: “It’s complicated to manage on a daily basis”
False. Once you've established your routine, it's as easy as disposables. You remove them, rinse them (or set them aside), and wash them. It becomes automatic after 2-3 cycles.
Misconception #4: “It’s only for ecologists”
False. The motivations are varied: savings, health, comfort, ecology... Everyone has their reasons. You don't need to be a zero-waste activist to switch to washable.
Disposable or Washable? You Hold All the Cards
Switching to reusable protection isn't just an eco-friendly move. It's also about regaining control over what you wear next to your body, stopping throwing away money every month, and simplifying your life in the long run. Cup, panties, reusable pad... there's a solution for every profile, every budget, every lifestyle.
You don't have to change everything at once. Start with one or two washable pads, test them, and adjust them. You can also mix and match depending on your situation (washable at home, disposable when traveling). The important thing is to find what really works for you. No pressure, no judgment, and at your own pace.
Footnotes : Price, lifespan, and savings information is based on averages observed in 2024-2025. Results may vary depending on brand, maintenance, and individual use.
