Ladies, we know pads and tampons like the backs of our hands, and they’ve been engrained in our heads as the primary feminine hygiene products to be used during periods.

But these tried and true products have other effects on the body, like altering pH levels, which should be maintained for good bacteria to survive and to keep you healthy down there. pH levels are already elevated during menstrual cycles, but a pH level above a 4.5 can put women at risk for vaginitis, which can be caused by yeast infections or irritation from other feminine hygiene products. 

Here are a few feminine hygiene products that do the same job as a typical pad or tampon, but won’t have adverse effects on body chemistry. 

Menstrual disc

Menstrual discs are single-use tampons that collect flow rather than absorb, and don’t disrupt the body’s pH levels. According to The Flex Company, a company that makes the product, menstrual discs also fit to all kinds of body types, reduce cramping and can be worn for up to 12 hours, as opposed to a tampon’s recommended eight hours. Menstrual discs from the Flex Company are also hypoallergenic and made without rubber latex, so as not to irritate or cause TSS (toxic shock syndrome). 

Menstrual cup 

Menstrual cups are not only good for the body but also for the environment. They offer up to 12 hours of leak-free protection and can hold up to 30 ml of menstrual flow. The cup is made of silicon, which won’t disrupt blood pH levels, and can be boiled or sanitized with water to clean. 

Cloth pads

If you’re not into the menstrual cup or disc, there’s another sustainable alternative that won’t disrupt the body’s natural chemistry. Reusable pads are more comfortable than plastic-based pads and have waterproof liners so you don’t leak onto clothes. While the word “reusable” seems like a downside, washing these pads is not as much of an inconvenience as it seems, as it avoids chemicals and does not contribute to landfills.