ONDRwear vs Cora vs. DivaCup vs. Flex : A guide to different types of period products.
Comparison of Different Period Products
The average menstruating individual spends about 10 years of their life on their period. That’s 3,500 days of bleeding, cramps, cravings, and mood swings! Recently, period products have evolved leaving everyone with a variety of options to fit their lifestyle. From traditional pads and tampons to leak-proof underwear, here is the low-down on some of the most popular period products out there!
|
Absorbency |
Odor Protection |
Lifecycle |
Clean/Care |
Price |
ONDR Leak-Proof Underwear |
29-45mL |
yes |
2-3 years? |
Machine-wash |
$26-$36/pair |
DivaCup Menstrual Cup
|
25-30mL |
yes |
1 year |
Hot water + cleaner |
$36 |
Flex Menstrual Discs
|
2-3 tampons |
no |
12 hours |
Disposable |
$12.99/month |
Cora Organic Cotton Pads & Tampons |
~ 6-12g |
no |
1 time use |
Disposable |
$11/month |
ONDR Leak-Proof Underwear
Leak-proof underwear is a great period product for those who wish to be more sustainable with their period products and prefer a non-invasive method of stopping period leaks.
Designed by a board-certified urologist, ONDRwear features multiple styles with a plant-based liner that can hold up to 45mL—that’s a lot! Odor control and absorbent technology ensure that you can live life freely, even on your heaviest flow days. You can wear them alone or as back up to your other favorite products. As a bonus, they’re useful for those who suffer with incontinence or bladder leaks!
Cora Organic Cotton Pads & Tampons
Pads and tampons are the most common period product out there. They’re known for having a range of absorbencies, being disposable, and are easily found in most convenience stores.
Cora is transparent about what ingredients & materials go into each of their products, which makes it an obvious choice over major pad and tampon brands. Certified organic cotton ensures comfort to the wearer, while a plastic-free tampon applicator makes it a more sustainable option.
DivaCup Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups have risen in popularity over the past few years. Although they seem intimidating first, many wearers swear by menstrual cups as a cleaner, leak-proof alternative to tampons.
DivaCup is made out of 100% medical-grade silicone without any chemicals, plastic, or dyes. You can wear it for up to 12 hours at a time. To clean in between uses, wash with warm water and DivaCup cleaner. Be sure to boil it in hot water before and after your period each month.
Flex Menstrual Discs
Not to be confused with menstrual cups, menstrual discs are disposable while having the ability to hold more than your average tampon.
Flex Menstrual Discs are disposable and hold about 3 tampons-worth of menstrual blood, so you can leave it in for a good chunk of the day. They are not linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome, which makes them a safer alternative to tampons. Because it moves with the body, it also may be able to reduce period cramps.
At the end of the day, there are many things to consider when choosing a period product that works for you and your lifestyle. While a disposable option may be cost-effective now, you might save more money in the long run by investing in a sustainable alternative. If you have a heavier flow or a busier lifestyle, you might feel more comfortable using a product that doesn’t require you to change it every few hours. Whatever you choose, know that you have the power to choose when it comes to your own period!