Period · 5 min read
4 Period Facts No One Has Told You Before
The menstrual cycle tells us about our health and makes new life possible. Yet even though our period accompanies us through a large part of our lives, there are often gaps in our knowledge about it. We want to change that and share a few fascinating facts you may not have known.
1. You dream more intensely during your period
You may already have noticed yourself that we wake up more often and sleep less well during our period. A study of 944 menstruating people looked into exactly this. The result: almost half of the participants said they could remember their dreams the next day. 179 people reported having bad dreams. The reason could be the corpus luteum hormone, which is released in greater amounts after ovulation. It has a sleep-promoting effect, which is why we sleep well during this time. Shortly before your period, this progesterone level drops, the effect wears off and we suddenly start dreaming more intensely again.
2. You have up to 450 periods in a lifetime. That's around 30 litres of blood.
Especially on heavy days, it can feel as though you are losing litres of blood. In truth, it is only around 60 ml per period. That's the capacity of an espresso cup, or three shot glasses. How much blood you lose during your period naturally varies from person to person. Excessively heavy bleeding (hypermenorrhoea) means losing more than 80 millilitres of blood per period. In other words: if you need to change tampons or pads after less than 2–3 hours, or regularly struggle with iron deficiency during your period, that is a sign of hypermenorrhoea. Read more in our guide article "Amenorrhoea & hypermenorrhoea – what do these medical terms mean?"
3. Your period costs 7,000 euros over a lifetime
How much do you spend on period products each month? Let's assume you only use disposable products and menstruate five days a month. For 40 years. That adds up to around 2,500 euros for tampons, pads and panty liners. Perhaps you also need heat patches or painkillers during the first 3 days. All of that adds up to about 7,000 euros. And that doesn't even include contraception or products for the postpartum period or bladder weakness.
Now imagine you have a heavy flow that lasts more than five days. Or you have spotting and need additional period products. It all adds up. Fortunately, there are now reusable period products that can save you money in the long run.
4. Reusable period products save 5 kilograms of waste. Every year.
Whether tampons, pads or panty liners – they all come wrapped in two or three layers of plastic. Sensible for hygiene reasons, but a disaster for the environment. Pads and panty liners themselves are made of up to 90% plastic. One pack of pads is the equivalent of four plastic bags. So in a single year, one person produces 5 kilograms of waste.
If you menstruate for 40 years, using 16,800 period products, that comes to 200 kilograms of waste. It's hardly surprising, then, that every year 75,000 to 125,000 menstrual hygiene products end up in the bin in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For us, reducing waste is therefore not just a trend but a necessity. A great way to cut down on waste is to use washable period products such as menstrual cups or period briefs.
Recommended products
Our latest innovation is a true game-changer in period underwear! Our brand-new, self-adhesive material allows for the combination of period panties with interchangeable inserts – a real change in the world of reusable period care has come! A revolutionary material In close collaboration with our product designers and textile experts, SELENACARE has developed a new technology that redefines flexibility during menstruation – a self-adhesive material! This material is sewn into the crotch of the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties, as well as onto the accompanying absorbent inserts. This material makes changing the inserts easier and without slipping! So, the inserts can be changed easily without having to undress. The self-adhesive material allows the inserts to be inserted into the matching SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties and can be easily replaced when needed, like traditional pads. Unlike traditional pads, our inserts can be reused as they are washable! Say "Goodbye" to the uncomfortable moments of changing and "Hello" to a feeling of absolute flexibility during your period! The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Period Set consists of two parts. The SELENACARE Easy Comfort Basic Panties are the core of our system and are equipped with the self-adhesive material in the crotch – a brilliant base for the SELENACARE Easy Comfort Inserts, the second part of the period set. Absorbent Easy Comfort Inserts with Wetbag The Easy Comfort Inserts are equipped with the specially developed self-adhesive material on one side and are ideally matched to the Basic Panties. This makes inserting them into the crotch area of the panties incredibly easy. Thanks to this self-adhesive property, the insert stays securely in place and does not slip, without relying on uncomfortable or annoying attachment methods. With various levels of absorbency, they are ready to accompany you in every phase of your period – from light to heavy, we've got you covered. Once the Easy Comfort Inserts are fully saturated, they can be easily removed from the Basic Panties and replaced with a new insert. No need to take off the panties, as with traditional period underwear. Simply transport them in the Wetbag, wash, and reuse.
Feel completely protected and free with SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear. Invisible under your clothes, it offers you comfort, discretion and maximum absorbency during your period. This underwear in sizes XS-M as well as L-XXL was specially developed for medium days and meets the highest demands. Invisible perfection for you Thanks to the innovative Free-Cut design and the thin material, SELENACARE Free-Cut period underwear does not leave any unsightly marks under tight-fitting garments. You can move freely and feel completely comfortable without worrying about visible marks. With this underwear you stay confident and secure in any situation. Maximum comfort and flexibility for you SELENACARE's Free-Cut period underwear offers you not only protection but also exceptional comfort. The super-stretch microfibre material fits your body perfectly and offers maximum flexibility. Whether you're working, exercising or just relaxing, this underwear ensures an optimal fit and freedom of movement for you. Reliable protection for medium days The period underwear has been specially designed for medium days to provide you with a high level of protection. The absorbent layers inside the underwear safely retain fluid and prevent unwanted leakage. You can trust its reliability every day of your period. It's your perfect companion during menstruation. Experience the comfort, discretion and protection you deserve. Be confident and enjoy your freedom no matter what the day brings.
The Period Panty Hipster convinces with its modern cut and super-comfortable fit. As with all our models, the integrated suction surface is discreetly and invisibly incorporated into the period panty. The menstrual underwear absorbs up to 25 ml of fluid. With its low-slung leg and medium waist, it hugs your body perfectly and gives a feeling of security. Light, medium or heavy days The strength of your period can vary throughout your cycle. The Hipster period underwear is ideal for the light and medium days of your period. It provides a dry feeling and does not allow fluid to leak out. On your heavier days, we recommend using the underwear in combination with a menstrual cup or tampon. If you have periods or spotting, you can use either a period slip or a washable pad, depending on the intensity of the bleeding. No restrictions, always well protected There are really no limits to the use of period underwear. You can use them in your free time, at work or on holiday. In addition to period blood, it also absorbs sweat and other fluids and reliably seals them in. Because the material is absorbent, it also gives you a very safe feeling during sports. After use, you can wash the panties out with cold water, air dry them and reuse them. This makes them a convenient, reusable alternative to tampons and disposable pads. Not only do you reduce waste, but you also save money because of their long life. Hygiene and freshness based on silver chloride (biocide active ingredient according to article 95 list) The absorbent layers of the SELENACARE products are equipped with the antimicrobial, biocidal protective finish SILVERPLUS® from RUDOLF GROUP. It prevents the proliferation of odour-causing bacteria. SILVERPLUS® is the leading silver ion technology and is certified according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. OEKO-TEX guarantees that all components have been tested for harmful substances and that the product is harmless to health.
Sources:
https://www.umweltberatung.at/warum-plastik-vermeiden
https://info.bml.gv.at/themen/wasser/wasser-oeffentlich/periodsforfuture.html
https://erdbeerwoche.com/meine-umwelt/muellproblem/
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/sustainable-living/plastic-periods-menstrual-products-and-plastic-pollution
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279294/
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(99)11159-0/fulltext
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6681280/
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