If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
The moment that first drop of your period starts, you want to have plenty of go-to, comfortable period product options that you can turn to immediately. Sure, it may not be everyone’s favorite time of the month, but at least we now have several different menstrual product options, including several companies that are relatively new.
Related story
I Used These Menstrual Discs for My Periods for the Last Year & I’m Never Going Back to Tampons
If like so many of us, your first exposure to periods came in a vintage instructional video in your fifth grade classroom or an outdated copy of Judy Blume’s 1970 classic Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, perhaps you were dreading having to use the pads described in the book, complete with a belt and clips. Thankfully, those fell out of use soon after the book was published in favor of pads with adhesive backs that stuck right onto your underwear.
Nowadays, pads come with moisture-wicking technology to make you feel less like you’re wearing a diaper and wings to keep them in place. On top of that, there are tampons, reusable pads, menstrual cups, menstrual discs and free bleeding (if that’s your thing).
And we’re no longer limited to the brands and products we can find in our local grocery stores and pharmacies: There are several companies that sell menstrual products directly to consumers, either on a one-off basis or through a subscription service (which is especially handy when you’re dealing with something you use for a week each month, every month).
There are products for every size, shape and flow, most of which are super environmentally friendly, made of organic cotton and even some that are designed to be used during period sex. Here are a few of the many period product options we have in 2023.
A version of this story was published June 2018.
-
Rael High Waist Cotton Period Underwear
Looking to feel like you pretty much have no underwear on at all on your period? Here’s your answer. Rael’s high-waisted resuable cotton underwear is super soft and comfy, and also sits high enough on your waist to stick on a heating patch for cramps.
Rael Period Underwear $30 -
Intimina Ziggy Cup
Intimina’s Ziggy Cup is such a good deal: $39.99 gets you endless wear and cuts back on your tampon budget each month. This cup fits like a menstrual disc and sits flat, so it can actually be worn during period sex if you want. The best part is that it comes with a case that you can toss in your purse to be ready for when your period comes, or to bring home and keep your bag clean if you changed in the office bathroom.
Intimina Ziggy Cup $39.99 -
August Day Pads
For the days where you don’t feel like putting a tampon in and just want to lounge in sweatpants, try super cool gender neutral menstrual product brand August’s day pads. The organic cotton will feel smooth and not at all bulky, yet just as absorbent. Plus, you can stick the wrapper in your compost bin, so it’s a win-win for Mama Earth.
-
Flo Organic Tampons
Flo knew what they were doing when they created this tampon package that looks like a pint of ice cream, the exact treat you might be craving when your period starts. Their organic tampons, which come in a pack of 14, 8 regular and 6 super, are organic and also biodegradable, so if you’re not about the reusable cups and pads, you have an eco-friendly and comfy period.
-
Cora Got-You-Covered Liner
It’s always good to have backup, whether you like to have a liner on the days you have a tampon in or use period underwear on a super light day. A liner is also great for everyday use, especially those days when you’re anticipating your period starting. Cora’s Got-You-Covered Liner is made from soft organic cotton, without fragrances, and won’t get itchy or bunchy in your underwear.
Cora Got-You-Covered Liner $6 -
Lola Tampons
Image Credit: Lola Not everyone is ready for the switch over to non-applicator tampons, so this offering from Lola, with BPA-free plastic applicators and 100 percent organic cotton tampons, is a good option. Better yet, Lola lets you customize your box of tampons, choosing the number of light, regular and super products.
Lola Tampons $22.99 on Amazon.com -
GladRags Cloth Day Pad
Image Credit: GladRags Are you a fan of wearing pads, but not their environmental impact? GladRags may be a good choice for you, offering washable, reusable pads in a variety of sizes, styles and patterns.
GladRags Cloth Day Pad $20.03 on Amazon.com -
Flex Menstrual Disc
Image Credit: The Flex Company Want all the perks of a menstrual cup plus the bonus of mess-free period sex? If so, the Flex disc may be a good option for you.
Flex Menstrual Disc $16.49 on Amazon.com -
NannoPad Regular
Image Credit: Nannocare These NannoPad pads contain “effective particles with Nannogenic Technology to help reduce menstrual cramp” according to their website. While we’re skeptical about that claim, these are also hypoallergenic and made from organic cotton, so they’re not a bad option even if they don’t get rid of cramps.
NannoPad Regular $13.99 on Amazon.comRegular pads, $12 (for 20 pads) at Nannocare
-
Lunette Menstrual Cup
Image Credit: Lunette The menstrual cup gurus over at Lunette have teamed up with the designer Monki to create this limited-edition menstrual cup. But it does more than just look nice. Lunette is donating 5,000 menstrual cups to The Cup Foundation as well one cup to a menstruator in need for every cup sold through Lunette’s online store.
Lunette Cup $31.73 on Amazon.com -
TomBoyX First Line Leakproof 4.5″ Trunks
Image Credit: Tomboy Period underwear and period products don’t have a gender (much like how menstruation doesn’t have a specific gender) — so if you want a slightly less femme looking product, there’s options to make sure your period underwear are just as comfortable (and cute) as your everyday wear.
TomboyX Leakproof Trunks $15 -
DivaCup
Image Credit: DivaCup Diva Inc. — which makes the DivaCup — was cofounded by a kick-ass mother-daughter duo. The product is offered in two sizes, and a specially formulated cleanser is also available for purchase.
DivaCup $33.11 on Amazon.com -
Dame Reusable Tampon Applicator
Image Credit: Dame If you prefer using tampons with applicators but don’t want the environmental impact that comes along with the disposable kind, Dame now offers a reusable version made of medical-grade materials.
Dame Reusable Tampon Applicator $23.79 -
Athena Club
Image Credit: Courtesy of Athena Club The newest addition to the period product subscription service, Athena Club provides a month’s supply of high-quality tampons for less than $8 (and yes, that includes shipping).
They also have a referral program that gives customers the option to donate Athena Club tampons to Support the Girls or Period.org.
-
Cora Applicator-Free Tampons
Image Credit: Cora Cora offers organic cotton tampons (both with and without applicators) and chemical-free pads. These applicator-free tampons are super-compact, allowing you to always have them on hand in your bag. Plus, there’s the added bonus that for every month’s supply of period products you purchase, Cora will donate a month’s supply of pads and health education to menstruators in need.
Organic Cotton Non-Applicator Tampons $18.99 on Amazon.com -
Rael Cotton Cover Pads
These hypoallergenic pads have wings and a 100 percent organic cotton cover, making them safer for sensitive skin and pretty comfortable.
Rael Cotton Cover Pads $7
