That (Eco-Friendly) Time of the Month

by Heidi Wessman Kneale

We're all wanting to be more eco-friendly--using less energy or finding alternative sources, recycling glass, paper and plastic, and being more self-sustaining. And yet when it comes to That Time of the Month, we find ourselves reliant on disposable menstrual products that contribute to our landfill problem.

You're probably thinking, "But there are only two alternatives to menstrual management--pads and tampons."

Well, yes... You're probably thinking of DISPOSABLE pads and DISPOSABLE tampons, non-biodegradable items that are used once then tossed away.

There are alternatives that are not only friendly for the environment, but friendlier to your physical health and budget.

Reusable Pads

Before Modess invented the "Whisper-Soft Fabric Layer", women had been using cloth pads for thousands of years. But before you shudder at the thought of the old-fashioned "rag", know that modern reusable pads have come a long way.

Whether you purchase pads from a company like GladRags (http://www.gladrags.com/) or Luna Pads (http://www.lunapads.com/) or choose make your own, reusable pads are made of safe, natural and breathable cotton fabric. And being made of cotton, they are oh-so-soft without the irritability that plastic disposable pads will cause. They are shaped like traditional disposable pads and secure to your undies with fold-over wings that snap on the other side for a secure fit. They have no chemicals or absorbent gels to irritate your skin and disrupt your natural flora (often a cause of yeast infections).

But are they gross? No, certainly not more than a disposable pad. Consider this: reusable pads can be sterilized. Disposable pads and tampons aren't sterile and can't be sterilized. Then, after you've disposed of them in a garbage can, someone else has to handle them until they get to the landfill. Reusable pads remain completely personal and private.

Sea Sponge Tampons

So what if you're a tampon girl? Fret not, there are alternatives to the disposable tampon as well--sea sponge tampons. Free of trouble-causing Dioxin and synthetic fibers, soft, absorbent sea sponges are less likely to cause trouble Down There than their disposable counterparts.

Like disposable pads, sea sponge tampons can be sterilized as well.

While companies like Sea Pearls (http://www.seapearls.co.uk/) and Jade and Pearl (http://www.jadeandpearl.com/) make sea sponge tampons, you can make your own out of any clean sea sponge which is easily available from any pharmacy.

One difference between natural sea sponge tampons and disposables is that a sea sponge tampon is pre-dampened with water before insertion. For women susceptible to yeast infections, dampening the tampon with a water solution containing a few drops of Tea Tree Oil or Colloidal Silver can help reduce the chance of an infection.

Menstrual Cups

Finally, there is a third alternative to pads and tampons: the menstrual cup. Menstrual cups have been around since the 1930's, but didn't really come into common use until the 1970's.

A menstrual cup is a latex or silicone cup that fits inside you similar to a tampon. It creates a seal and catches all blood internally with no leakage. Because cups are non-absorbent, you can leave one in as long as twelve hours. A cup is not conducive to breeding bacteria, unlike the absorbent tampon, and thus lessens the chances of vaginal infections and Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). The reduction in changing frequency makes a cup an ideal solution for night-clubbing, sports events, camping, road trips or any activity where you might not want to be running to the bathroom every two hours.

Menstrual cups are quick and easy to clean between changes. The blood is dumped into the toilet and the cup rinsed before insertion. There are no used items to be stored and carried around.

Of course, like all reusable menstrual products, cups can be sterilized.

Several companies make menstrual cups: DivaCup (http://www.divacup.com), MoonCup (http://www.mooncup.co.uk), Lunette (www.lunette.fi/english_index.html) and The Keeper (http://www.thekeeper.com/). Cups are readily available at pharmacies and health-food stores, as well as online.

Making the Switch

Thousands of women all over the world are switching to reusable pads, sea sponge tampons and menstrual cups for menstrual management. They feel good about themselves because they are not contributing to the landfill problem. Their bodies feel better as they experience fewer problems with these natural products and in the long run, their wallets feel better as they save money.

Initially a first-time purchase of an alternative menstrual solution may seem expensive, but because they are reusable, they more than make up the savings over time.

Compare the prices: