Why More Women Are Switching to Reusable Menstrual Products

The first time someone realizes how many pads and tampons they use in a lifetime, it’s usually followed by a quiet pause. You do the math—one period every month, five to seven days long, several products each day—and suddenly, it’s thousands. Thousands of pieces of cotton, plastic, and packaging used for just a few hours, then tossed away. That small moment of awareness is often where the shift begins. Around the world, more women are rethinking how they manage their periods, choosing reusable menstrual products like discs, cups, and washable underwear. The change isn’t only about sustainability. It’s about comfort, confidence, and finding options that feel better for your body and your values.

The Environmental Reality: Reducing Waste One Cycle at a Time

If you’ve ever looked into the environmental footprint of period care, it’s eye-opening. Studies from environmental health organizations estimate that the average menstruating person uses over 11,000 disposable products in a lifetime. That’s a mountain of waste—most of which contains plastic and takes centuries to break down. Tampon applicators, pad wrappers, and absorbent cores all end up in landfills or waterways, contributing to microplastic pollution that affects ecosystems and even food sources.

Reusable menstrual discs, cups, and underwear completely reframe that story. A single menstrual disc, made from medical-grade silicone, can last for several years. One purchase can replace hundreds of single-use products. And unlike pads or tampons, reusables don’t rely on continuous manufacturing or packaging, which drastically reduces energy and material consumption.

As a certified menstrual health educator, I’ve noticed this environmental motivation is often what sparks curiosity. But what keeps women using reusables long-term is how much better they actually feel. Sustainability may be the reason you try them; comfort is usually why you stay.

Cups vs. Menstrual Discs: What’s the Real Difference?

Reusable menstrual cups and discs often get lumped together, but they serve slightly different experiences. Both collect rather than absorb flow, which means no dryness or irritation. But their design and placement set them apart.

• Menstrual cups sit below the cervix, creating a gentle suction seal within the vaginal canal.
• Menstrual discs rest higher, tucked just behind the pubic bone at the vaginal fornix. They don’t rely on suction, so removal feels smoother and pressure-free.

From a practical standpoint, menstrual discs are often preferred by those who experience discomfort with internal suction or have a higher cervix. Because discs sit higher, they can also be worn during sex—a feature that many find adds convenience and intimacy to their cycle management.

Gynecologists often suggest that choosing between the two comes down to anatomy and comfort. If you’ve ever felt irritation from tampons or struggled with inserting a cup, a menstrual disc might feel more natural. It moves with your body and holds up to 60 milliliters of fluid, nearly twice what a tampon can handle.

Products like the NEYA Menstrual Disc are designed with flexibility and ease in mind. They rest naturally in place, conforming to the body’s shape without creating suction. When paired with the NEYA Period Disc Applicator, insertion becomes intuitive—even for beginners. The applicator provides control and hygiene, especially helpful during those early learning stages.

Comfort and Convenience: The “I Forgot I Was on My Period” Effect

The most common phrase I hear from women who switch to reusable menstrual products? “I forgot I even had my period.” That sense of freedom is no small thing. With traditional products, you’re often reminded of your period every few hours—changing pads, worrying about leaks, or feeling that dryness from tampons.

Reusable menstrual discs change the rhythm entirely. Because they collect flow, not absorb it, they can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time. No odor, no dryness, no mid-day panic. Whether you’re working out, traveling, or sleeping, a properly fitted disc stays in place quietly and comfortably.

Most users find the comfort so surprising that it changes how they think about their cycle altogether. Instead of managing an inconvenience, they begin to treat their period as just another part of life—one that doesn’t have to interrupt daily routines.

That’s a big mental shift. When the body feels supported, the mind relaxes too. Suddenly, period care feels less like “dealing with it” and more like self-care.

The Learning Curve: Easier Than You Think

One reason some women hesitate to switch is fear—fear of the unknown, of insertion, of “what if it leaks.” Those concerns are understandable. After all, we’ve been taught for decades that menstrual care should be hidden, fast, and disposable. Reusable products ask for something different: a few minutes of patience and willingness to learn.

The good news? Once you get the hang of it, it’s remarkably simple. Most women master using a menstrual disc within two or three cycles. Here’s what typically helps:

• Start slow. Try on a lighter flow day so you can practice without pressure.
• Use water-based lubricant. It helps with insertion and reduces friction.
• Relax your pelvic muscles. Tension makes insertion harder than it needs to be.
• Learn your anatomy. Understanding where your cervix sits helps guide placement.
• Practice removal in the shower. Warm water relaxes the muscles and makes cleanup easy.

Reusable discs like NEYA simplify this process even more. The smooth, flexible rim glides easily, and the applicator offers precision and cleanliness. Over time, the motions become second nature—no different than how you once learned to use tampons.

You might be surprised to find that this process builds confidence. There’s something empowering about knowing exactly how your body works and feeling capable of managing it yourself.

Myth-Busting: Hygiene, Safety, and Everyday Use

Despite growing popularity, reusable menstrual products still face a few persistent myths. The biggest? That they’re unhygienic or difficult to clean. In reality, medical-grade silicone is non-porous, which means bacteria can’t cling to it when washed properly. After each use, you simply rinse with warm water and mild soap. At the end of your cycle, a quick boil sterilizes the product for next time.

Health experts consistently affirm their safety. According to research published in The Lancet Public Health Journal, menstrual cups and discs are as safe as disposable options, with very low risk of infection or toxic shock syndrome when maintained correctly. Many gynecologists even recommend them for people with sensitive skin or allergies to fragrances and synthetic materials found in pads or tampons.

Reusable products also eliminate exposure to bleaching agents or adhesives often present in disposables. For anyone prone to irritation or itching, that can be a game changer.

Truth is, once you experience how clean and comfortable they are, the idea of going back to disposables starts to feel outdated.

The Financial Factor: Long-Term Savings That Add Up

Here’s a reality most people don’t consider: period care gets expensive. Between pads, tampons, pantyliners, and pain relief, the cost easily adds up to hundreds of dollars a year. Over a lifetime, that’s thousands.

Reusable menstrual products shift that equation dramatically. A single menstrual disc can last years, reducing ongoing expenses to nearly zero. Even if you invest in a small collection—say, a disc, an applicator, and period underwear for backup—you’ll still spend less than you would in one year of disposables.

That kind of long-term savings appeals to anyone tired of the monthly store run. It’s a one-time purchase that pays for itself many times over, with comfort as the bonus benefit.

Why This Movement Isn’t a Trend

The rise of reusable menstrual products isn’t a passing fad. It’s part of a broader cultural shift toward conscious consumption and body literacy. Women are taking ownership of their health decisions, choosing products that align with both their physical comfort and environmental values.

It’s also a generational change. Younger users are learning early that periods don’t have to be managed with secrecy or inconvenience. They’re growing up in an era where sustainability and wellness coexist, where products like the NEYA Menstrual Disc represent innovation designed for real life—not just marketing.

As someone who’s worked in women’s wellness for years, I’ve seen how small choices like this create ripples. When one person talks about how much they love their reusable disc, it gives someone else the courage to try. It’s community-driven progress, one cycle at a time.

Conclusion

The decision to switch to reusable menstrual products isn’t just about waste or savings—it’s about freedom. Freedom from discomfort, from constant replacements, and from the idea that periods have to be inconvenient. The more women discover how intuitive and empowering reusables can be, the more natural this shift becomes.

If you’re considering making the switch, start with something designed for ease and comfort. Our menstrual discs and the reusable menstrual disc applicator are built for beginners and seasoned users alike, offering smooth insertion, all-day wear, and a sustainable approach to period care. It’s not just better for the planet—it’s better for you.

Because once you experience that kind of comfort and control, there’s no going back. And maybe that’s the real revolution in menstrual care—not the product itself, but what it gives back: confidence, comfort, and peace of mind every single month.