Question for the ladies...

[JustThisOnce]

I saw the thread on reusable nappies and wondered whether there were any products out there that can be used instead of sanitary towels/tampons? And if so how effective are they? Sorry maybe a bizzare and slightly gross question.

[barleyandben]

Ooh I can help you on this one! We are researching them all at the mo to put online!
There are a few alternatives and they are a lot less icky and easier to handle than you imagine! You can get cloth sanitary towels in a variety of fabrics and there are also alternatives to tampons such as the mooncup.Cloth products are trim and absorbent,and you can get lovely prints or organic cotton,and a good range of fabrics.
Right, I've outlined the basics,so please send me a private message if you want to know ANYTHING else at all.I'm not sure we want private stuff splashed all over the forums ha ha!BUT they are a lot better for sensitive skin, to our physical health and to the enviro!So please just ask!lol

[Greenbean]

I don't think information about menstrual products is itself "private" - in fact, I think we women should not be ashamed to talk about it openly! Which isn't to say that anyone who isn't comfortable talking about it should feel pressured to - only that those of us who *are* comfortable discussing it shouldn't be shamed out of it. Women's health isn't a dirty subject!

Anyway... I can vouch for "insertion cup" style products. I haven't tried the Mooncup, but I've been using the Keeper for several years now. It comes in two sizes, roughly described as before and after giving birth. It's made of a hard rubber substance, so possibly not appropriate for those with latex allergies. (I understand the Mooncup is a silicon something-or-other, making it a good alternative in that case.) I have not experienced any leaks, or any difficulty inserting or removing it (after a bit of practice, of course!).

The only downside of The Keeper is the tab you're supposed to use to remove it. (If you imagine the Keeper shaped like the cup part of a wine glass, the tab would be the wine glass's stem.) Some women find anything meant to "stick out" uncomfortable. But it was very easy to simply cut the tab off close to the base of the cup and file it down.

The really nice thing about cup-style menstrual aids - besides being reusable and thus better for the environment! - is, since they "catch" rather than "absorb", they don't dry up yer tender bits - which is important all 24 hours of the day and not just when contemplating romantic interactions!

[barleyandben]

I'm sorry if I have caused any offence to anyone, It certainly wasn't my intention to "shame" anyone out of talking in public, and I am extremely upset that it has been perceived like this.
To make it a little clearer, I have no problem talking about any of this on the forums,but after discussing types of sanitary protection, the next step in helping find a suitable product is talking about regularity, flow and preference for "inside or out". While I have had 5 children which means I lost any capacity for shyness YEARS ago, I am fully aware that people have the choice and the right to discuss this in private if they so wish.
So, PLEASE keep discussing things like this on the forums,helping women become aware of their choices is a really positive thing.:)

[OnlyFair]

Angela, no offence taken! Got to be honest and open about these things, its the only way things move forward, get discussed and most importantly how people learn!

Kate
(PS - Haven't got 5 kids, but not particularly shy :) )

[JustThisOnce]

I'm not worried about sharing info if it means that other can find out more, especially if they would be too shy to ask for themselves :thumbup:

I'll have to look up more info about the Keeper and Mooncup.

Was just wondering about the cloth sanitary towels. When you're out and about and need to change what exactly do you do? Or do you just try and avoid having to change when in public. I can be quite heavy most months and tend to use nighttime towels pretty much all the way through so I'm pretty sure changing whilst out would be inevitable.

[barleyandben]

Cool, sharing is good :-)
Don't worry about changing when you are out and about, you can get special purses and bags to pop your pads in,Wemoon do a lovely range of foldover purses and a bag that you're supposed to keep soiled ones in although I use this bag to keep clean ones in cos I have PCOS and need to take out supplies! The mama pads by Mommy's Touch are the main ones I'm selling, as they cope well with heavier times,have a PUL barrier in the middle to prevent leaks and still fold up into lovely little pouches,great for taking out. For carrying soiled pads when I'm out, I use biodegradable nappy sacks to put them in. Cloth pads come in an organic cotton range too, These are the 2nd range I sell/use and they are proving very popular with women who have sensitive skin!
Also, there's quite a lot of women out there who say using cloth has been a relaxing personal experience and in turn seems to help make periods lighter.It's certainly more satisfying than shop bought pads and I seem to look after myself more for the experience,so good news all round!!

[Green Beginnings]

HI there,
I'm a little late to this discussion but wanted to let you know about my experience with the Mooncup.
I must admit that it took me quite some time to pluck up the courage to try it and in fact it was only when I was going to stock it that I took the plunge. After all, you can't advise a customer on a product if you haven't experienced it first hand.
It's amazing, it really is. Saves resources, saves money, saves the planet! As mentioned above, it doesn't soak up an of your other natural lubricants like tampons do. I especially like it because I remain clean throughout my period unlike when you use sanitary towels.
It takes some getting used to and you have to be sure to squeeze it to break the seal when you remove it but it's well worth it when you have got the hang of it. Changing the Mooncup when out and about can be an issue but I would recommend carrying some organic wipes just in case you find a cubicle that doesn't have a tap in it so that you can clean your hands.
It's a great investment when you consider how much you might spend on disposable products over the same period of time. I will certainly recommend this to my daughters when the time comes and the absolutley will not use any high street sanitary protection in such an intimate area.

[OfOneEarth]

Use paper based sanitary products. They are screened from sewage by water companies and incinceratred or put into landfill.

Plastic nappies should be banned, I myself was raised entirely in the old fashioned towel/flanel nappies which you simply washed and re-used.

[Michelle Goes Green]

Hmmm, interesting question but one I wouldn't think of talking about when it comes to "green".