"I Spent Years Just Surviving My Period" - A Conversation with Perfectfit’s Cofounder, Tungga Dewi, on Why She Switched to Sustainable Care
Written by Angelica Raras Anindiati Ningtyas
We recently sat down with our cofounder, Tungga Dewi, to talk about the "why" behind Perfectfit. What followed was a raw, honest look at a journey many of us know too well: the monthly struggle with pain, discomfort, and products that just don't feel right.
"I honestly thought period pain and that itchy, plastic feeling were just the tax for being a woman," Tungga shares.
Back in 2018, before Perfectfit existed, Tungga saw her period as a monthly burden. She used standard thin pads with wings, never asked questions, and simply tried to "get through it." But a scary talk with her OBGYN about endometriosis symptoms became a wake-up call. It was time to look at what was actually happening to her body, and what she was putting against it for five days every month.
We sat down with our founder to discuss her journey from "just surviving" her period to finding peace with sustainable care - uncovering the fact that are 90% plastic and how to using natural anti-inflammatories like Turmeric Jamu can be helpful.
We sat down with our founder to talk about her switch to plastic-free period care. After learning that most menstrual pads are 90% plastic, she started using natural remedies like Turmeric Jamu. This is how PerfectFit began: creating eco-friendly period products so you don't have to choose between comfort and the planet.
The Hidden Reality of Disposable Pads
"I started digging into what my pads were actually made of," Tungga says. "And I was shocked."
Most standard pads are up to 90% plastic. To make them look "pure white," many brands use chlorine bleaching, which can leave behind trace amounts of dioxins. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dioxins are highly toxic and linked to reproductive health issues.
"It finally made sense why I always felt like I had a 'diaper rash' by day three," she explains. "In the humidity of Singapore or a hot day in Bali, that plastic-on-skin feeling isn't just uncomfortable, it's your skin literally suffocating."
The "Aha" Moment & Local Wisdom
The shift wasn't just about changing products; it was about a lifestyle change. Tungga began seeing her period as a cycle to listen to, rather than a fight to win.
"Living in Bali, I leaned into local wisdom like Turmeric Jamu," she says. While it might sound like a simple trend, science backs it up. Studies on curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) show it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory by inhibiting prostaglandins, the chemicals that cause the uterus to contract and create pain. Swapping old habits for jamu and mindful movement helped her cramps more than the painkillers she used to rely on.
Options Mean Freedom
Today, Tungga’s period kit is all about choice. She uses a menstrual cup (made from medical-grade, biocompatible silicone) for active days and swimming. For sleep, her go-to is period underwear.
"We started Perfectfit because I wanted every woman, whether she’s navigating the heat in Bali or Singapore or looking for sustainable options in Australia, to feel kind to her body. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about having options that actually feel good."
Are you thinking about switching too? Explore our collection here.