I know this is kind of discusting but...?

Question

I don't really like wasting stuff I much prefer recycling, plus I hae spending money on stuff where you could just buy one thing and reuse it. Is there a more eco-friendly version of tampons/pads? I've heard of something called the mooncup but I don't really know how to get one around here and they don't sound very appealing. Is there anything other then the mooncup that does the same thing?

Answer 1

There is nothing at all disgusting about this, a hell of a lot of women use reusable menstrual options not just for the environment and to save money but because of the health risks from commercial menstrual options.

It's good that you are looking at alternatives; most people don't think about exactly how much of an environmental problem tampons and pads are both in manufacturing where only 70% of the tree is used, chemicals are put into the environment and unnecessary amounts of energy are consumed, and waste with each woman using on average 12,000-15,000 in her lifetime, and manufacturers encouraging customers to flush their tampons.

Most people also are unaware of the horrific health cost of commercial products, in particular commercial tampons that not only have the risks all tampons carry but in addition are made from ultra-absorbent harsh materials and chemicals that could pose cancer risk and add to risk of TSS and vaginal infections.

Contrary to what some people have said reusable menstrual options are a hell of a lot healthier than commercial tampons and pads, there is nothing unhygienic about it (in fact menstrual cups and reusable pads are far more hygienic than tampons!!).

http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro
http://www.spotsite.org
http://www.seac.org/tampons
http://bloodsisters.org/bloodsisters
http://cookiepuss.tripod.com/tampons.htm

You have a few options but I personally would recommend menstrual cups as they are the only safe infernal menstrual option, they are very cheap, they are very convenient and they offer money back guarantees so you can send them back and get your money back if you don't like using them – not many people send them back. I've been using a Mooncup for 4 years now and would never use anything else so I like most menstrual cup users can wax lyrical about them.

Organic tampons and pads.
These are disposable but unlike commercial tampons and pads they are made from 100% organic cotton and are not bleached so better for the environment because there is not as much waste from manufacturing and no chemical pollution or additional energy from bleaching. If you live in the UK you can buy these from larger Boots stores, you can buy online or otherwise it is normally health and eco-conscious stores that stock them.
http://www.natracare.com
http://www.organicessentials.com
http://www.tampontification.com

Sponge tampons.
These are reusable tampons made out of natural sea sponge and used in pretty much the same way as any other form of tampon, they can be reused for up to 8 menstrual cycles, you need to remove and rinse them once every three hours or so. You can buy these online or normally health and eco-conscious stores that stock them.
http://www.jadeandpearl.com

Homemade tampons.
They do exist, but I've only met a few women who use them, essentially you take a clean plain cotton sheet, tare strips to the width and length appropriate to your flow, roll up and insert – you can sew in strings or leave a length of fabric for removal, but not necessary. They are then removed and either washed for reuse or disposed of like a normal tampon, into the bin.

Cloth pads.
These are reusable and with good care can normally last up to a few years with good care; they are a lot more comfortable than commercial or organic pads and of course a lot cheaper and environmentally friendly. You can get various different types from more conventional pads with wings through to padded panties and g-style or pad belts; you can also of course make your own. They can be bought online; some good health stores will stock them as well. I personally recommend Lunapads or Reddy pads, but there are hundreds of cloth pad companies and suppliers around.
http://www.lunapads.com
http://www.gladrags.com
http://www.reddyspads.com
http://urban-armor.org/urban-armor
http://www.hagrag.bigstep.com
http://www.pleasurepuss.com
http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/reports/makeyourown_web.pdf

Menstrual cups.
You have heard of a Mooncup, this is just one type of menstrual cup, you can get silicone bell-shaped reusable menstrual cups, rubber bell-shaped reusable menstrual cups, homemade menstrual cups, diaphragms or caps used as menstrual cups, or softcups – softcups are disposable, however are still better for the environment and can be reused a couple of times, although most women dislike these types of cups. Menstrual cups are fantastic, they can last up to ten years with good care, they are the only safe internal menstrual option and can be worn up to 12 hours without leaking or health risk, they can be worn before your period is due, for sports like swimming and at night. These are largely bought online, however some health stores and eco-conscious stores will carry them, larger Boots stores in the UK also stock them.
http://www.divacup.com
http://www.mooncup.co.uk
http://www.thekeeper.com
http://www.softcup.com
http://www.lunette.fi

Free-flow.
This is simply using nothing at all, there are different methods; Free-flow where you simply bleed, free-flow layering where you layer your clothing to avoid blood being seen on your outer clothing or free-flow instinctive where you learn to recognise when you are going to bleed and go to the bathroom to let out the blood from your vagina. It's an option, I know a lot of people who use it although granted not very suitable for people with heavy periods.

Answer 2

I use a combination of the Diva Cup and cloth pads. It's honestly not really that gross. The Diva Cup is a reusable (lasts a minimum of 5 years) menstrual cup (non-latex) that holds the menstrual blood inside without risk of TSS. Toxic Shock Syndrome that is associated with tampons is from the "cotton" (or whatever your brand uses) actually drying out your vagina. Because the Diva Cup is non-porous there is no risk. I use very comfortable cloth pads as well. I started using these when my daughter was in cloth diapers. It was easy for me just to wash them at the same time. The Lunapads have a waterproof layer sewn inside near the bottom to prevent leakage. Very few accidents. And because the cloth absorbs your moon cycle you don't feel like you are sitting in wetness, like in disposable pads. Good luck.

Answer 3

Never heard of the "Mooncup," but I think it's very cool of you to seek more eco-friendly options. Tampons come with so much wasteful packaging! There are a few cool D.I.Y. sites on how to make your own washable cloth pads. Here's one site: http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/links_make.html

Answer 4

I completely understand how you feel. Sanitary wear isn't biodegradable. Everyone we use we will have to share our planet with for..........well at least until the super volcano goes of under yellowstone park, that should destroy them. Anyway for now it would be nice to have a more environmentally solution. Tampons I have no idea about, never used one. But my grandmother, who was born in 1902 or something, told me when she was a girl pads hadn't been invented and they made pads with old cut up sheets and washed them just like nappies before disposables came along. I've got to be honest, I haven't been brave enough to try it myself and now I'm nearing my mid 40s I'm kind of hoping the menopause will solve the problem for me before I get too guilt ridden. If you are really serious though you might want to try that as a solution.

Answer 5

the mooncup and the keeper are actually quite comfortable. did you know women will go through ten thousand pads or tampons in their life? wow!

your local health store should also have eco friendlier tampons or pads, too. they don't dye the cotton, etc.

good luck. and give the keeper or mooncup a try. it isn't as odd as it sounds!

Answer 6

If it has come on quickly you could have mild food poisoning. Something you ate was bad. Drink lots of water and rest. If it gets worse, see a doctor. It might be a food intolerance. Wheat and gluten (added to flour and in bread, cakes etc...) If you suspect it might be this cut all flour out for at least 2 weeks (no pizza, no pasta, no bread,cakes, biscuits etc..) If you have had no pain for the 2nd week, try eating some bread or a bowl of pasts. if the pain and/or diarrhoea returns, you know you have a food intolerance

Answer 7

I know this thing called a sponge.....It works like a sponge & you just rinse it out after it gets too full.. Not sure the real name of it. But I'm sure could find it at one of those envromental stores, Oh it works like a tampons would..has far as the inserting goes.

Answer 8

Have you tried something like cloth towel scraps. like those used for baby diapers my sister uses cloth diapers because disposable ones take a very long time to biodegrade. i am also eco-friendly and i would try something like that or you could get on the depoprovera birth control shot (i am and i don't even have a period anymore.)

Answer 9

Honey i don't know of any mooncup and it sounds unhealthy if u reuse it. Stick to tampons that are biodegraedable. cardboard applicators and flushable materials. Anything that you would reuse in that department just does not sound safe or haelthy. Talk to your doctor if you are that concerned about it.

Answer 10

i think that's a cool idea, kinda a lot of work maybe....the people that say it's gross think that you just keep your used pad and reuse it...