In celebration of women’s monthly shades of red blood, seeping, flowing or leaking from yes, our vagina; are some thoughts, links and controversies for you to read.
For any of you who are using tampons please consider switching to a reusable pad or a menstral cup. I stopped using brand name tampons and pads about five years ago. To my surprise my monthly one to two week long yeast infections disapeared along with the unbearable dryness, pain and itchiness tampon use had done to me. Why in the world would human beings create such an awful bleached cotton/rayon tube shaped diaper sponge to shove up your vagina? Why would women choose to use this environmentally unfriendly toss away product that fits into your jeans pocket so the boys won’t know you have your period while in high school? Tampons dry you out. They absorb not just the blood but the good mucous, lining the walls of your vagina. Every time you insert one and then remove it you scrape the lining of your vagina irritating it. Tampons leak. They cause odour and could cause Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Why do feminine product commercials only show blue watery liquid being poured out of a glass onto a pad? I’ve never in my life experienced a period that has been chlorine blue and watery thin that came out of a glass cup or beaker. On the contrary it is thick, multi-coloured red goo, cream and bubble textured. What is yours like?
I use what is called a menstral cup (Keeper). It is a reusable soft menstral cup about the size of a plum used for up to 12 hours a day that has up to a ten year life expectancy. That means you take it out in the morning, emtpy it’s contents in the toilet, rinse and re-insert until the evening. I have not used a pad nor tampon in five years. I payed for it once. I’m not filling up the landfills monthly. I’m not in need of lubricants or yeast control meds. Above all, my vagina is happier. After every cycle you simply wash it with hot water and soap, rinse with water thoroughly, then mix one tablespoon of vinegar in one cup of water and place the keeper in it for a few hours. This disinfects it. Simple eh?
Please compare tampons and menstral cups. Check out the Museum of Menstruation & Women’s Health to see what women have used, experienced and been sold throughout the ages. The old advertisements will make you laugh and perhaps even shock you, but more seriously this site will make you think. Here are all the topics they cover!
In the 1930′s reusable was loosing it’s battle with disposable in the corporate/capitalist world. Why would someone build or create something that could last for 10 years when you could create something to be used for five to eight hours and then have to pay to have it replaced again and again? This philosophy does not just apply to tampon and pad manufacturing, it is relevant to most industries today; i.e. cars, clothing, diapers, razors, plasticware, furniture and technology based products. We live in a world of ever improving swiffers. What happened to just using a good ole mop?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I have to put in a plug for sea sponges and washable pads, which are what we use in our house. But your take of 12 hours makes me want to try the keeper. thanks!
Never heard about sea sponges being used. That is petty cool! I just did a quick search using the key words “sea sponge” and “period” and came up with some great alternatives other than those I mentioned above. Thanks Summer. I may give the sea sponge a go. Cool.
interesting, i’d never heard of re-usable ones. my wife uses disposable cups.
can you boil the thing? (or, how do you clean it?)
Hi Adam
When I did the search I ended up at this site http://www.lunapads.com/home.php There products seem worth a try and they having washing and care intstructions are found here http://www.lunapads.com/products/sea_sponge_tampons/
And no the keeper cannot be boiled. I made that mistake once. LOL :S The menstal cup is cleaned at the end of each cycle. Check out http://keeper.com
apparently the diva cup ones are silicon, so they can be boiled. (from diva cup
I am now considering buying one of those Diva Cups for that reason. The keeper is good but it doesn’t keep as well as silicone possibly could.
ive just read your information about blood issues i felt inspired to do somthing new because im sick of the white cotton shoved in my vagina monthy…i want something better. where and what is the best place to buy?
Hi Willow
If you happen to be in Vancouver, Canada I would suggest going to the commercial Drive area. Any of the Natural/Organic Health stores would have a keeper and other natural feminine products. Also I just checked their site and they have a worldwide 1800 number to help you find a retailer near you.
In any major city I’m assuming they would have organic supply stores.
You can click on the link for the keeper to get to their site.
Cheers!
Let me know how you make out.
Hope this helps and good luck with your search Willow
PS- I hate white cotton shoved in my vagina monthy too!!! I just had my period and used the keeper for probably the 50th cycle now. It is a good investment.
i used a natural sponge from the store so that i was able to temporarily have sex with my partner and now its been 3 days and i cannot remove it everytime i try its like its stuck i get blood from it coming out but either its so jammed in it wont come out or i dont know . what do i do without having to see a doctor.
Now, this one was quite insightful and informative. I shall pass this on to her! Whenever…
Ra.
Glad you found it informative Rahul.
Yay Jessica! I’ve been using a Mooncup for years and years, and it’s great. Silicon, you can boil it between periods, and you can use it day and night for the whole time. I’m such an evangelist about it – it’s great to meet another. http://www.mooncup.co.uk
Hannah
I use a Dive cup which is made of silicone also Hannah. i made the switch from the keeper last year to the Diva cup. It’s so nice to be able to boil it at the end of every cycle. Nice to meet you!
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