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At the heart of veganism is the desire to do less harm towards animals through our purchasing and lifestyle choices. And going completely vegan for your period is a lot easier than you might think. A few swaps in your monthly cycle, such as the period products you buy or the snacks you choose to satisfy your PMS cravings, and voila – a vegan period.
Here are a few of our favourite ways to veganize your period:
Vegan period products
Whether it’s tampons, pads, menstrual cups, or something else, your period product of choice may or may not be vegan. This is dependent on the materials used or if there’s animal testing on the product before being sold. At Natracare, we are proud to say we are certified vegan by the Vegetarian Society, and we were the first period products brand to become certified in 2017. Check out all of our cruelty-free and vegan products.
Treats and cravings
Your menstrual phase is a time to treat yourself and indulge a little in those period cravings. From chocolate to tacos to whatever your tastebuds may desire, there are incredibly tasty vegan alternatives nowadays. Just be sure to read the ingredient lists first. One quick tip is to first look at the list of allergens as this is where they list if milk or egg derivatives are used. A few of our favourite vegan treats include: Justin’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups if you’re in the US, or Love Raw creamy wafer bars if you’re UK-based.
Pain relief
Unfortunately not all pain relief medication, like aspirin and ibuprofen, are vegan. This is usually due to animal testing of medicines but can also be because of the ingredients used. To make these a little more tricky, different products by the same brand may also differ on what’s vegan friendly. We recommend doing a quick search to see what product by your preferred brand is vegan for your period pain relief.
If you’re looking for a natural period pain relief, you could incorporate vegan foods into your diet. Spinach, lentils, oats… all are rich with vitamins like iron, magnesium, and calcium, ideal for helping to ease cramps. Check out these vegan foods that can help with period pain.
These aren’t your only option when it comes to finding a vegan pain relief method that works for you. Heat (hot water bottles and heating pads) is another source of pain relief that can be easily made vegan.
Hot water bottles and heating pads
Heating pads and hot water bottles are one of our favorite natural remedies for period cramps and backaches. However, some are wrapped in wool or use other fabrics that can cause harm to animals. It’s also best to avoid plastic and its various forms (e.g., polyester) too. To veganize this period essential, we recommend reading the materials list and looking for cotton or silicon. Or you may want to look into buying secondhand, as the greenest product is one that already exists.
Comfy clothes
Throwing on your favorite and comfiest clothes is almost law when you’re on your period. For the comfiest vegan fit, try fabrics that are fair trade or organic cotton. Opting for organic has a plethora of benefits, especially for the planet and for animals as farming practices often promote biodiversity. Brands such as PACT, Thread 4 Thought, and Organic Basics have more affordable organic wears from socks to undies to leggings.
Upgrading your period routine to be completely vegan is easier today than ever, with so many great options available to us! Buying new and replacing what we already have can be expensive, so remember to be easy with yourself. Using what you have is the best and most eco-friendly option, where you can.
