Download a useful Menstrual Chart here to keep track of your cycle.
In a woman’s lifetime, she is likely to use 15,000 sanitary pads or tampons. Over 12 billion pads and tampons are used once and disposed of annually. An average woman throws away 250 to 300 pounds of tampons, pads and applicators in her lifetime. Wow!
Instead (also at CVS)
• cost ($10.49 for 24 cups)
• conforms to your anatomy and temperature
• disposable
• protects up to 12 hours
• can have vaginal intercourse with it in place
• contains blood rather than absorbing (good for avoiding dryness and smell)
• can be messy to change
• no harsh bleaches or chemicals
• put in with hands
LunaPads
• $70 for the starter kit
• absorbent pads made from soft fabric
• comes with extra liner pads and breathable water resistant nylon to protect against heavy flow
• washable/reusable
• external
• Day Pads are reusable menstrual pads
• washable pads in regular color cotton or organic cotton
• organic undyed cotton day pads are available in small and large sizes, differing only in the length of the pad, not thickness.
• can be purchased in a single pack or a package of three.
Sea Sponges
• 2 sponges- $9.95
• made of sea sponges- plant-like creatures on sea floor
• renewable resource (as sponges are harvested sperm and egg cells are released into surrounding water)
• reusable, but should be thrown out as soon as it starts to wear out (3-4 months)
• can be rinsed with vinegar diluted by water if they develop an odor
• no harsh chemicals or bleach
• tend not to dry you out as much as a tampon
• can be messy to take out
• are not approved by FDA for menstrual use- studies have not been done, however, anything one puts in oneself (including tampons) has a risk for TSS
• come from ocean, ocean is polluted. Studies have not been done to see if there is a negative affect on one’s body.
• apply with fingers- to use, wet sponge, squeeze it out and push it in with hands- to take out, pull out with hands
The Keeper or The Diva Cup or The Moon Cup or Lunette Cup
• around $30 – 35 (or $20 through us)
• The Keeper is made of latex, but the Moon Cup, Lunette and Diva Cup are made of silicone
• can hold up to 1 oz. of menstrual flow (most women bleed from 2-4 oz. per cycle)
• reusable/lasts for 10 yrs.
• comes in two sizes for women who have and have not delivered children vaginally and/or are older
• leave in for up to 12 hours
• risk of TSS (but less risk than using a tampon)
• contains blood rather than absorbing (good for avoiding dryness and smell)
• can be messy to change
• works by suction- removing can take some getting used to
* helpful tip: clenching the same muscles used in bowel movement can push the cup closer to the entrance of the vagina, making it easier to remove.
• no harsh bleaches or chemicals
• put in with hands
Pads
• cost ($2 – $9 for about 20 pads)
• disposable (positive: convenient; negative: waste)
• external
Tampons with Applicator
• cost ($3 – $5 for about 20 tampons)
• risk of TSS
• disposable/use for up to 4-6 hours
• has applicator
Tampons without Applicator
• cost (about $5 for about 20 tampons)
• risk of TSS
• disposable/use for up to 4-6 hours
• put in with hands
Organic Tampons- www.seventhgeneration.com (also available at whole foods)
• cost ($5.19 for 20 tampons)
• made of organic cotton and chlorine-free
• risk of TSS
• comes in regular, super and super plus sizes
• disposable/use for up to 4-6 hours
• has applicator
Organic Disposable Pads- www.grassrootsstore.com
• Available in three sizes: Regular, Super, Regular with Wings
• Certified organic cotton core
• Breathable plastic moisture barrier
• Water-soluble glue to secure pad to panties
• Non-woven cover, keeps moisture away from the body
• Side gathers to help prevent leaks
• Non-GMO
• Compostable
Did you know that having your period is optional? Many women stop their periods temporarily or long-term by using certain types of birth control. This tool will give you the facts about your period and information on using hormonal birth control to stop your period. [via]
Menstruation
Download a useful Menstrual Chart here to keep track of your cycle.
In a woman’s lifetime, she is likely to use 15,000 sanitary pads or tampons. Over 12 billion pads and tampons are used once and disposed of annually. An average woman throws away 250 to 300 pounds of tampons, pads and applicators in her lifetime. Wow!
Instead (also at CVS)
• cost ($10.49 for 24 cups)
• conforms to your anatomy and temperature
• disposable
• protects up to 12 hours
• can have vaginal intercourse with it in place
• contains blood rather than absorbing (good for avoiding dryness and smell)
• can be messy to change
• no harsh bleaches or chemicals
• put in with hands
• $70 for the starter kit
• absorbent pads made from soft fabric
• comes with extra liner pads and breathable water resistant nylon to protect against heavy flow
• washable/reusable
• external
• Day Pads are reusable menstrual pads
• washable pads in regular color cotton or organic cotton
• organic undyed cotton day pads are available in small and large sizes, differing only in the length of the pad, not thickness.
• can be purchased in a single pack or a package of three.
Sea Sponges
• 2 sponges- $9.95
• made of sea sponges- plant-like creatures on sea floor
• renewable resource (as sponges are harvested sperm and egg cells are released into surrounding water)
• reusable, but should be thrown out as soon as it starts to wear out (3-4 months)
• can be rinsed with vinegar diluted by water if they develop an odor
• no harsh chemicals or bleach
• tend not to dry you out as much as a tampon
• can be messy to take out
• are not approved by FDA for menstrual use- studies have not been done, however, anything one puts in oneself (including tampons) has a risk for TSS
• come from ocean, ocean is polluted. Studies have not been done to see if there is a negative affect on one’s body.
• apply with fingers- to use, wet sponge, squeeze it out and push it in with hands- to take out, pull out with hands
The Keeper or The Diva Cup or The Moon Cup or Lunette Cup
• around $30 – 35 (or $20 through us)
• The Keeper is made of latex, but the Moon Cup, Lunette and Diva Cup are made of silicone
• can hold up to 1 oz. of menstrual flow (most women bleed from 2-4 oz. per cycle)
• reusable/lasts for 10 yrs.
• comes in two sizes for women who have and have not delivered children vaginally and/or are older
• leave in for up to 12 hours
• risk of TSS (but less risk than using a tampon)
• contains blood rather than absorbing (good for avoiding dryness and smell)
• can be messy to change
• works by suction- removing can take some getting used to
* helpful tip: clenching the same muscles used in bowel movement can push the cup closer to the entrance of the vagina, making it easier to remove.
• no harsh bleaches or chemicals
• put in with hands
Pads
• cost ($2 – $9 for about 20 pads)
• disposable (positive: convenient; negative: waste)
• external
Tampons with Applicator
• cost ($3 – $5 for about 20 tampons)
• risk of TSS
• disposable/use for up to 4-6 hours
• has applicator
Tampons without Applicator
• cost (about $5 for about 20 tampons)
• risk of TSS
• disposable/use for up to 4-6 hours
• put in with hands
Organic Tampons- www.seventhgeneration.com (also available at whole foods)
• cost ($5.19 for 20 tampons)
• made of organic cotton and chlorine-free
• risk of TSS
• comes in regular, super and super plus sizes
• disposable/use for up to 4-6 hours
• has applicator
Organic Disposable Pads- www.grassrootsstore.com
• Available in three sizes: Regular, Super, Regular with Wings
• Certified organic cotton core
• Breathable plastic moisture barrier
• Water-soluble glue to secure pad to panties
• Non-woven cover, keeps moisture away from the body
• Side gathers to help prevent leaks
• Non-GMO
• Compostable
Menstrual Suppression: What it is, and how to do it
Did you know that having your period is optional? Many women stop their periods temporarily or long-term by using certain types of birth control. This tool will give you the facts about your period and information on using hormonal birth control to stop your period. [via]