A Guide to Sustainable Menstrual Care

Let’s put a period to the stigma surrounding menstrual justice in the Philippines.

Published on May 8, 2025

People don’t choose to have periods. The obvious truth is that menstruation is simply a natural process. The human body is capable of so many wonderful things that, quite literally, can bring beautiful life to this earth. While menstruation is an essential, monthly occurrence for many people’s health, it undeniably comes with many adversities.

Many menstruators, even with normal cycles, suffer from severe cramps and dysmenorrhea. As of 2024, millions of Filipinas have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, which is a hormonal disorder that impacts reproductive health, including menstruation and fertility. On top of these individual struggles, there is a lack of support for menstrual health, especially in the Philippines, and the traditional items needed in our menstruation routines produce long-lasting harm to the environment.

“Since their initial commercial introduction, tampons and pads have constantly evolved as new synthetic materials were invented, and are now made of over 90% plastic,” stated an article published in the bulletin of the World Health Organization (WHO). The environmental impact of single-use menstrual products can also be traced to the use of “raw materials, energy, and water during manufacturing, product ingredients, packaging, and disposal of waste.”

In the same article, it was written that, “A person can expect to use approximately 10,000 menstrual products in their lifetime.” And according to the World Economic Forum, “More than 1.8 billion girls, women, non-binary individuals and transgender boys and men menstruate every month.” You can only imagine just how much pain is caused, not only to the menstruators, but also to the planet.

Single-use pads and tampons continue to be a popular method of menstrual care. They have been the norm, after all. They’re something we’re used to—comfortable, accessible, and reliable. It’s easy to adopt the "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it" mindset when it comes to our menstrual routines, but it takes consciousness to be open and see that the system actually is broken and needs a bit of fixing.

Menstrual Justice in the Philippines

In the aforementioned WHO article, it was said that “even fewer governments are working on promoting menstrual health products that are better for the environment and climate, can be reused and are free of toxic chemicals. Policymakers have given less attention to the environmental impact of single-use period products.” The Philippines is not an exception to this.

Reproductive health continues to be a stigmatized subject matter in the country, and we currently have no national laws that address period poverty specifically. To be able to menstruate with dignity should be a right, not a privilege, and considering this as taboo only hinders our motherland from long overdue growth.

The closest we’ve gotten to having laws regarding this would be Senate Bill 2658, introduced in 2024, which "seeks to provide free menstrual health and hygiene products to indigent women nationwide and to girls enrolled in public schools to resolve the issue on the lack of access to sanitary items needed by Filipinas.”

It was expounded that menstrual rights in the Philippines have been neglected, and many menstruators would opt to miss school or work due to the shame and embarrassment anchored from the inaccessibility and unaffordability of the proper resources they need to menstruate with dignity. The bill also serves as an effort to further empower women, especially given their vital role in nation-building.

This is a big and necessary step forward, and we continue to hope and look forward to the day that this will become a law enacted nationwide. Despite this progress, the Philippines still has a long way to go. While it was written that "the bill also mandates the promotion and use of Philippine-made menstrual hygiene and health products to foster the domestic industry on sanitary goods," there were no specifications on these products being sustainable and eco-friendly. Period poverty can be addressed, but the environmental impact caused can still be exacerbated.

Sustainable Alternatives

According to the WHO article, “The World Bank estimates that 500 million women lack access to menstrual products and appropriate facilities for menstruation management, leading to harmful educational and socioeconomic consequences.”

Needless to say, the same way people don’t choose to have periods, many of them also can’t choose to have a zero-waste routine. No matter how much they might want to, the option just isn’t there for some. Fortunately, with growing awareness on the topic, we are seeing an increase in ecologically sound alternatives in the market. Menstrual products come in many forms, and it’s all about finding what works best for you. Check out some of the available, sustainable options that you can introduce to your menstrual care routine.

Biodegradable Pads and Tampons

If you don’t want to stray too far from the usual, opt for pads and tampons as you know them—just better! These products are single-use, but are made using biodegradable materials. They won’t stay on this earth for a long time after you’ve disposed of them.

Given their required resources and production costs, these biodegradable options may be a bit pricier compared to the normal pads and tampons. If you have the privilege to allot a few more pesos for your necessities, we say go ahead, as this adjustment may be a small price to pay for the environment.

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Reusable Pads

These are similar to the usual pads, except they can simply be popped in the wash and used again. They’re typically made with cotton or bamboo and equipped with antibacterial properties, assuring softness and comfort for you. If access to clean water and private drying spaces isn’t a problem for you, it may be worth putting your laundry skills to the test and having reusable pads on your shopping list.

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Period Underwear

It’s just like wearing underwear on a normal day. Reusable period undies have layers of moisture-wicking and absorbent fabrics, so you can just put them on and skip the pads or the tampons. They’re usually available in different levels of absorbance and various styles, too, so being on your period won’t have to limit the clothes you reach for.

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Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are a reusable device made of medical-grade silicone, designed to collect your flow rather than absorb it. Given that menstrual cups are directly inserted inside, there are fewer chances of having stains and leaks.

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Kyla Villena loves a good lip gloss and a trip to the art gallery. She is Preview's beauty girl, who doubles as a self-proclaimed motivational speaker.