Empowering Your Period: Natural Period Care

Your body gives you clues

We live in a society where everything is marketable, even when it isn’t beneficial to our health or wellbeing. So many everyday products, especially period products, have chemicals or toxins we’d never knowingly choose. But awareness changes everything. That’s why I feel it’s so important to talk openly about period care and the options available that actually support our bodies and cycles.

My Journey With Period Care

When I first started my period, I used all the typical mainstream pad brands. Over time, I noticed they were causing issues that I didn’t actually need to deal with. (This might get a little TMI, so please be respectful. I believe it’s important to share.)

Some of the very issues these brands market solutions for… are the ones they cause. Blood stains on the sheets? Usually because the pads don’t absorb consistently or have uneven coverage. A strange odour? Usually because of chemicals and fragrances that disrupt our natural pH. Irritation or itchiness? Again, ingredients that simply don’t belong near our most sensitive area.

So I started exploring.

My first alternative was a menstrual cup. I invested in a DivaCup. It took some getting used to, and it worked well for a while, especially when I was swimming often for classes. But it wasn’t always comfortable. I felt the tip poking me sometimes, and the suction or positioning wasn't keeping things totally leak free.

A lot of women really love the DivaCup and it works well for them, but I feel the shape/length just wasn’t right for me. I’d definitely try a cup again with there being so many options now, but for the time being I switched back to pads.

That’s when I found Rael, a women founded brand that made 100% cotton pads. I’ve been using the same brand ever since. The fit, the coverage, the material, everything made a huge difference. No more leaks, no more weird odours, no irritation, and no need to change the pad more often than necessary.

Rael has expanded into a full range of menstrual care products now, and I definitely recommend them to everyone.

Natural, Non-Toxic Period Care Options

Here’s a list of natural period products and brands I recommend, based on experience and research.

100% Cotton Pads & Tampons

Brands: Rael, Alea, Organyc

Pros:

• Familiar and easy to use

• Comfortable and clean-feeling

• Easy to switch out based on flow

• Widely accessible

Cons:

• Need to restock regularly

• Can still cause irritation for some

• Not always ideal for certain sports or activities

Menstrual Cups

Brands: Nixit, DivaCup, Saalt

Things to consider:

• Cervix height: Some cups are longer (better for a high cervix), while others are shorter (better for a low cervix). DivaCup tends to run longer.

• Firmness: Softer cups are comfy but sometimes harder to pop open

• Flow: Heavy flow users need a cup with good capacity.

• IUDs & suction: Cups with strong suction can be tricky with an IUD. Nixit uses a suction-free design.

Pros:

• Great for sports and activities

• Only need to empty every 6–8 hours (depending on flow)

• Less waste

• Budget-friendly long term

• Can last for years

Cons:

• Can leak if not inserted properly

• Cervix height consideration

• Learning curve, takes some practice

• Cleaning can be difficult in public bathrooms

Period Underwear

Brands: Knix, Thinx, Boody

Pros:

• Feels like free bleeding

• Less irritation

• Less waste

• Good for lighter-flow days or as backup

Cons:

• Can leak if flow is heavier than its capacity

• Need multiple pairs to change throughout the day

• Must wash between every wear

Your body is sensitive, intuitive, and responsive. Listen to what your body is telling you. Chemicals near your most delicate areas can impact your health, hormones, and comfort. Keeping things natural and simple has made a big difference for me and my period care, and I feel is a key factor in our everyday menstrual health.

A few simple period hygiene practices that make a big difference:

• Change pads and tampons regularly (every 8 hours max)

• Don’t douche, it disrupts your pH. Use warm water or unscented natural wipes

• Clean menstrual cups thoroughly, wash between emptying, and sterilize between cycles (many brands recommend boiling; follow your cup’s instructions)

• Wash period underwear after each wear and change them as needed

• Use mild, natural soaps, no perfumes or artificial scents

• Keep it simple, don't over complicate

Energy Hug

Claira,