Alternative menstrual products

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What Are Alternative Menstrual Products?[edit]

Alternative Menstrual Products are products used instead of tampons or disposable pads. Often women prefer these types of products because they are more affordable, better for the environment and support women's health. Here are some alternative products to try:

Benefits of these Alternatives[edit]

Many of these products more affordable than disposables. A woman can expect to spend about $3000-$4000 in her lifetime on traditional products. But a lifetime of sponges costs approximately $200, and a lifetime of cups, $30-$60. They are also much more eco-friendly. Using these products also reduces waste from packaging and keeps millions of of disposable products from washing up onto beaches. Tampons and pads are the number one cause of sewer backups, a huge environmental problem. Bleaching tampons causes an extremely toxic by-product called dioxin, a relative of Agent Orange. Dioxin contaminates the ground water near the bleaching plants. Worst of all, bleaching is totally pointless. It does not sterilize the tampons, it just makes them look pretty. In fact, tampons are never sterilized at all.

Most tampons (except for non-bleached or organic tampons) contain dioxin. Besides being bad for the environment, they are also hazardous to your health. Tampons companies constantly insist that there are only very small traces of dioxin in tampons. But toxicologists say that there is no safe amount of dioxin, because it stores in your fat cells and builds up over time. It can cause reproductive failure, cancer, immuno-disorders, etc. The FDA does not require testing on tampons for dioxin or any other toxins. Many tampons also include synthetic fibers, such as rayon, that are a breeding ground for the bacteria that causes TSS. To make matters worse, tampons strip your vagina of its protective mucus and make small cuts in the tissue lining the vagina. This makes the vagina extremely vulnerable to TSS. The vagina is the most absorbent part of the body. We need to be careful about what we put up there! But the FDA does not require any testing of tampons or require tampon companies to list their ingredients.

Alternative Menstrual products, on the other hand, are not made of synthetic fibers and many are non-toxic and non-absorbent, so they are much safer and healthier.

For more information on Alternative Menstrual Products and the dangers of tampons check out spotsite.org or ourbodiesourselves.org.

Organic, Unbleached Tampons[edit]

Organic, unbleached tampons are safer that traditional tampons because they are not bleached, which means they do not contain dioxin. Organic cotton production is also more sustainable than typical production because it does not really on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic tampons are available at Cornucopia. You can also purchase them at Trader Joes.

Sea Sponges[edit]

Sea Sponges are real sponges that fit inside the vagina like a tampon. They are sometimes synthetic, and other times are actual sea creatures. Instead of throwing the sponge away, you rinse and re-insert it every few hours. At the end of your period, you soak it in a mild soap, baking soda, or tea tree oil with water. Sea sponges are very economical, usually costing around $4-6 each and last about six months to one year. This also means that they produce far less waste. When the sponges are harvested the seeds fall back into the sea bed, which means that sponges are extremely sustainable. They are also biodegradable. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of this product is that when you sneeze, your vaginal muscles contract, meaning some fluid might be squeezed out of your sponge. You won't end up with a huge stain, but it's not a bad idea to wear a pantyliner. Sponges are available at jadeandpearl.com and by request at Cornucopia.

Cups[edit]

  • The Keeper is a small cup made out of natural rubber that collects the blood instead of absorbing it.The Diva Cup works the same way, except that it is made of hypoallergenic rubber. The Diva Cup is the favorite of many a Knox female. This is because it is extremely eco-friendly and economical. Diva Cups cost around $30 but will last all of your menstruating years, or until you have a baby (where upon you will need to go up a size). Again, this also means you produce significantly less waste than with traditional products. The Diva Cup can be worn for up to 12 hours. Then you simply remove it, pour out the blood and/or rinse it out, and reinsert. At the end of your period, wash it with a mild soap. Cups can also be sterilized by boiling them briefly. The Diva Cup forms a leak-proof seal over the cervix. That's right, leak proof. It is almost impossible to have a leak with the Diva Cup, which is another reason it is so popular. Cups are available at lunapads.com.

Reusable Pads[edit]

  • Reusable Pads are pads made out of cloth. They can be homemade or purchased. They are softer and more comfortable than traditional pads, which have a plastic diaper feeling and adhesive that can get stuck to your pubic hair. Reusable pads are simply worn in the underwear like regular pads. You can wash them with your laundry. You can buy them at lunapads.com.

Instead[edit]

  • Instead is a cup made of disposable plastic that is worn much like a diaphragm inside the body. The advantage of these cups is that they reduce your risk of dioxin exposure and TSS, and they are available at Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. The disadvantage is that they do not greatly reduce your waste and they are somewhat costly.

Where can I get that?[edit]

Instead is available at Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy. Sea sponges can be found at most health food stores or many online stores. The diva cup and many cloth pads can be found at lunapads.com. The keeper and many cloth pads can be found at gladrags.com.

Women at Knox who use and love alternative menstrual products[edit]

Men at Knox who will tell you all about alternative menstrual products anyway[edit]