Nine to Try: Ditch the Disposable Period Products for Sustainable Underwear, Cups and Pads

As a woman, I’m constantly dreading that time of the month – bloating, headaches, nausea, cramps and just general discomfort. One thing I haven’t worried about in a while? All the waste that’s generated by my period.

At least, not in the years since I’ve made the switch to a menstrual cup. The average Australian woman will use anywhere between 10,000 and 12,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime. Around 300 million tampons and 500 million pads are sold in the country each year, and the majority of them end up in landfill after use.

But there are so many more sustainable options out there now, from cups and period underwear to reusable pads – some are even on supermarket shelves. Not sure where to start? Here are some of our favourite options.

Femmze

Femmze’s collection is the antithesis of daggy. The Sydney brand creates premium pieces that are a pleasure to pull from your top drawer whenever videos of animals on the internet start making you cry. The activewear offering includes a minimalist bodysuit and bike pants, which both offer light-to-moderate absorbency, as well as a sports bra and mesh T-shirt made from deadstock fabric. A pair of classic fit mid-rise briefs come in light-to-moderate or moderate-to-heavy absorbency. There’s also high-waist briefs and a G-string cut that can be worn any day of the week to protect from spotting, light flows or bladder leaks.
femmze.com

Inoya

Brisbane label Inoya makes a case for going back to basics. Its range is small but considered – spanning reusable pads, menstrual cups, a steriliser, wet bag and a starter kit. All products are made using recyclable materials – the pads are crafted from GOTS-certified organic cotton, while the menstrual cups are made from medical grade silicone. Founded by a registered nurse and public health practitioner, the brand takes a rigorous, evidence-led approach to safety – and everything is made 100 per cent toxin-free.
myinoya.com

Modibodi

Kristy Chong started Modibodi in 2013 as an alternative to disposable tampons and pads, and spent two years fine-tuning the brand’s period-proof underwear design. It’s moisture wicking, antimicrobial and made of breathable fibres, with stain-resistant linings that can hold about four tampons’ worth of liquid. There are different absorbency levels, from super-light flow to heavy overnight, as well as different underwear cuts including bikini, high-waist, boyleg and thong. Modibodi also makes a range of period swimwear and activewear, including leggings that let you go commando in comfort. The brand also makes biodegradable period underwear, which breaks down into non-toxic substances at the end of its life cycle.
modibodi.com

Boody

Boody make some of Broadsheet ’s favourite undies. But the brand’s period and leak-proof pairs are worth talking about specifically. Available in light–moderate and moderate–heavy options, they promise to support you through various days of your monthly cycle. Classic in black, you can also choose between bikini and full brief fits.
boody.com.au

Hello Period

Menstrual cups come in all shapes and sizes – for Hello, it’s a matter of inclusivity and making sure everyone finds the right fit. But if you’re unsure, there’s a handy quiz to figure out which cup is for you based on your age, activity level, cervix position and pelvic-floor strength. There are seven Hello Cups to choose from, all hypoallergenic, medical-grade and silicone-free. For beginners, the Hello Disc is a shallow menstrual disc that sits below the cervix and behind the pubic bone. They aren’t held in place by suction, meaning you can wear them with your IUD and you can have sex wearing them without having to worry about mess. The brand also stocks a collection of reusable pads and undies too.
helloperiod.com

Nat’v Basics

Known for its everyday underwear made from organic cotton and recycled yarns, Nat’v Basics also offers leak-proof period briefs as part of its collection. Designed for light-to-moderate absorbency, they look and feel like regular undies, but have a discreet absorbent gusset for daily wear or spotting. Sizes range from 8–18 and the entire range is certified vegan and comes SGS-certified with no nasty chemicals.
natvbasics.com

Scarlet

Not sure if period undies or a menstrual cup would suit you better? Scarlet carries both – and you can save up to 20 per cent when you shop a bundle. The underwear is mostly made of soft organic cotton, with a bit of polyester for absorbency, and comes in four styles. The cup, on the other hand, is made with 100 per cent medical-grade silicone and promises eight hours of leak-proof protection. It also comes with finger grips and outer ribbing to make it easy to insert and remove.
scarletperiod.com

Awwa

This Kiwi reusable period underwear brand is both woman- and Indigenous-owned, and the name comes from the Maori word “awa” meaning river or flow. Periods were traditionally called “te awa atua” or the divine river, and they were celebrated rather than made taboo. That’s also Awwa ’s goal with its range of period underwear and swimwear, all designed to hold up to five regular pads’ worth of blood. They’re made with slim layers that don’t feel bulky, moisture-wicking fabric, a leak-resistant barrier and flattering cuts that both protect and feel good. The brand also donates two per cent of its annual revenue to help end period poverty in New Zealand. You can take 10 per cent off your first purchase with the code “TRY10” at checkout.
awwaperiodcare.com

Moxie

Melbourne-founded Moxie has been around since 2005 – and was one of the first Aussie brands to take a more considered approach to disposable period care. Now, its lineup spans organic cotton pads and liners, biodegradable tampons, and a medical-grade silicone menstrual cup housed in a reusable carry pod. For days when PMS hits harder, there are also self-care kits that bundle period products with calming extras like herbal tea, chocolate and heat packs.
moxie.com.au

Additional reporting by Jo Robin, Emma Joyce, Alice Jeffery, Simone Richardson and Nicole Conway

This article was first published on February 15, 2022 and has since been updated.

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