Menstruation may sometimes fill us with dread, but using the right period products can take environmental anxiety out of the equation.

We have more menstrual products to choose from than any of our foremothers, but from an environmental perspective, one option leaves all others in the dust.

“Menstrual cups are a really clear winner,” said Pippa Notten, a sustainability consultant who analyzed the environmental impact of menstrual products for the United Nations Environmental Program.

Menstrual cups are a fraction of the cost of single-use products, can be changed as little as twice a day, and minimize your exposure to unwelcome additives.

However, certain conditions, including vaginismus and extremely heavy flow, can make menstrual cups a nonstarter. But don’t despair! Other options — including reusable pads, period underwear and reusable tampon applicators — can still “meaningfully and significantly” reduce the environmental impact of your cycle, said Dr. Notten, who holds a doctorate in chemical engineering.

The holy grail of period products

Menstrual cups are bell-shaped products, usually made of silicone, inserted into the vagina to catch, rather than absorb, blood. They last up to ten years if cared for properly, but you don’t have to use one for a full decade for it to be worth it, Dr. Notten said.