After living in South Korea for a while, I came to a point when I needed to buy new period panties. Now, it is true that in South Korea these products arenโt as commonly used as back in my home country, but this is one area where I wasnโt going to adapt. Women should have options when it comes to how they handle their menstruation. And so, if you are most comfortable with period panties and eco pads, here are some products that worked for me, and might work for you too.
Why I Switched
When I was in high school, back in Chile, I was first introduced to a different way to live through the monthly suffering that is the period. My menstrual cycle never really gave me any trouble when it came to dates. I was pretty regular and it came right on time, every single time.
However, I realized, after some years of buying both tampons and menstrual pads, that the amount of garbage I was producing was enormous. And not only that, but I have a sister, so for a while there were three menstruating people in my household, including my mother.ย
Of course, naturally, our cycles would also synchronize, the thing that happens commonly in homes where there is more than one person who gets their period.ย
Reduce Waste
Just out of curiosity, I went online and looked for numbers. I have always had a rational side to me, and I wanted to know how much garbage a menstruating person makes. There was an interesting paper (Click here to be redirected to it, if it interests you) that stated that about 28 tonnes of menstrual waste are produced per year.
I was flabbergasted. Not only was I adding to the environment being potentially harmed by the waste cycle, but I also had been living in the dark about how much I was actually contributing to this issue.
I went to my mom.โToo muchโ, I said to her. Too much waste was caused by the three of us. And I asked if we could do something about it. I wanted to do something about it and not be a silent person who now knew how much harm I was adding to the environment and did nothing about it.
Reduce Exposure to Toxins
So, we changed our lifestyle. We changed tampons for menstrual cups. We changed menstrual pads for menstrual panties. And, more than just helping the environment, we also realized it was helping us too. Even though pads are hygienic and supposed not to harm the wearer, we soon realized, they might have been doing so. After a couple of months of changing to menstrual panties, our skin, and vaginal health improved. We deduced that it may have been because we were not exposed to plastics and other non-breathable materials for a whole week each month.
The Search for Period Panties in Korea
And, coming to Korea, I wanted to keep my lifestyle in this regard as unfazed as I could. Thereโs no way that after having changed for the better, I was going to go back to pads and tampons. I began my search for eco-friendly menstruation products that matched my preferences.
So, here I bring you the website from where I have purchased my latest eco pads and menstrual panties. The thing I love the most? The packaging and the care that is noticeable that goes into making each product.ย
Cycleanโs Period Panties & Eco Pads
The prices of Cycleanโs prices arenโt too far from the prices I was paying back home. One pair is around 30,000 KRW. As for eco pads, it is around 17,000 KRW for a regular-sized one, and 20,000 KRW for per large one. They also have discounts if you buy them in packs, or as multiples. As there are no dryers in South Korea, you normally need at least 3 to get started.
And, the most important thing is that when you buy menstrual panties or eco pads, you donโt have to buy them each month. You only change them when you notice itโs time to. They eventually look like theyโre a little overused or can get smelly.
The website is in Korean, but itโs nothing you canโt survive with a little help from Papago. Ever since finding this specific store, I havenโt looked anywhere else โ thatโs how good they are!
If you have been looking for a place to find your new eco pads and menstrual panties, make sure to check them out and see how amazing they are by yourself!
