Why I Created Leia: A Sustainable Alternative to Pads and Tampons

Dear Leia Customer, when considering menstrual products, the choice often comes down to menstrual cup vs pads. Understanding the differences can help in making the right decision for your needs. The debate between menstrual cup vs pads is not just about comfort but also about environmental impact.

One day, a friend sent me an article about the environmental impact of disposable diapers. I learned that it takes 500–800 years for a diaper to decompose—and it never fully disappears. Shocked by the ecological disaster I had contributed to, I asked myself: what about pads and tampons? That’s when I started comparing menstrual cup vs pads.

To my surprise, pads and tampons also take 500–800 years to decompose, while releasing toxins harmful to the environment. Yes, there are “eco-friendly” or biodegradable pads, but they still require very specific conditions (temperature, humidity) to decompose properly. Otherwise, they can linger for decades.

That day, I realized it was time to take responsibility and make a change.

Around the same time, I encountered a case of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) in my medical practice. Although extremely rare, it is a dangerous condition linked to tampon use. A young woman’s life was saved only because she read the leaflet inside her tampon box and sought help in time. That was the moment I truly understood: women need safer, eco-friendly alternatives rather than a constant dilemma of menstrual cup vs pads.

The Start of Leia Menstrual Cup

I turned to my brother, Konstantin Dolgan, an engineer and founder of LA NPDT (LA New Product Development Team). After nearly 10,000 hours of work, countless prototypes, and multiple modifications, we created Leia Menstrual Cup.

It was important to me that Leia wasn’t just another cup—it had to truly support women’s health. That’s why my colleagues, many of whom had given birth and experienced pelvic floor dysfunction, were the first testers. Their honest reviews confirmed Leia’s comfort, safety, and effectiveness.

Today, I can proudly say that Leia is not only safe for the vaginal microflora, reduces the risk of TSS, and supports women with weak pelvic floor muscles—it also significantly reduces period costs by replacing thousands of disposable products.

Leia was created with one goal: to care for women and the planet. If you are considering switching from tampons or pads, I encourage you to try Leia. It is a comfortable, eco-friendly, and economical solution that benefits both your health and the environment in the ongoing choice of menstrual cup vs pads.

With love,
Elena Dolgan, M.D.