But here’s another interesting feminine hygiene product that will pretty much get the same readers’ reaction if not a more alarming one.
Now we all know there are basically 2 kinds of feminine hygiene products to help us get through our visits from Aunt Flow without the stains and embarrassments. The first is disposable sanitary napkins and the second is tampons. Well the latter is what we’re discussing here today.
Many modern women who are constantly on the go tend to favour the use of the little bullet shaped tampons then a sanitary pad. With tampons you don’t have to fuss about pads shifting or heat rash. They are small and easy to carry around in a handbag.
However much like conventional disposable sanitary pads, they do pose a threat to the environment so the eco-friendly version is a sponge! Obviously not just any sponge but natural sea sponge… Well if you’re already churning at the idea of inserting a sponge into yourself, then perhaps the knowledge that sea sponges are classified as animals can only make it worse. For some odd reason I now have this discerning thought of Sponge Bob Square Pants.
But back to the eco front of this sponge affair, using sponges is not a new invention. It was used in the old days by the good women of the coastal when there simply weren’t any tampons yet. The basic selling facts about using menstrual sponges are as follows:
Can hold up to 1 ounce full, but be aware that a full sponge will leak
- Contains no strange/artificial fibre
- Contains no life threatening dioxin
- Eco-friendly because they are natural and reusable
- Favoured by women with menstrual cramps
- Touted as the most comfortable insertable menstrual instrument, soft and textured like the vaginal wall – you won’t even know it’s there
- Lifespan of each sponge is 4-8 months – think of how much you save!
The drawbacks:
- Needs sanitization/sterilization before use
- Needs to be washed to be reused
- It’s an animal
- Risk of sponge tearing leaving behind fibres during removal
- Need to be removed for cleansing every 3-4 hours
Well what do you think? Would you sponge your menses?
I have used sea menstrual sponges for over 30 years–since college. For me they are more comfortable than tampons since they are soft and fit to my inside contours. Certainly they are cheap ($10-20 per year–beat that), and I think they are way more ecologically responsible (ever read about the bleaching process for cotton sanitary products?).
But catch this, I really feel they are more convenient! They are really easy to use. Now I don’t want to get too graphic, but I rinse them every 3-4 hours-don’t worry wasting them by rinsing/changing too frequently.
There are ways to deal with a public bathroom that do not involve ”going public.”
If you are an outdoor type camping-hiker type, they can be way easier to deal with than the alternatives. if you travel to countries off the beaten track, as I have, it is great not to have to rely on a supply of sanitary products that may not be available and to not have to try to figure how to dispose of sanitary products that others in the culture do not use.
I soak them in a vinegar solution after each period and let them air dry.
Easy, cheap, convenient, comfortable and environmental friendly–who can beat that? I’m just sayin’–I have never had a problem in 30 years.
Wow. Thanks so much for that. I really hope more will give sea menstrual sponge a try after what you just wrote. If you could perhaps elaborate more on how effective the sponge is for the 1-2 day flows which are heavier that be fantastic!
Responses to L.Angelina
In terms of flow they last the same as regular absorbancy tampons. For a heavier flow, they just need to be rinsed more frequently–for my regular heavy flow I need to rinse them every 3-4 hours–if for some reason my flow is super heavy, then every 2 hours, but that is rare for me.
The one thing is overnight–if my flow is very heavy, they don’t last overnight–I then use a tampon, or backup with a pad. But for me that is usually one night per period at the most.
I’ve heard some people say the comfortably double up with two sponges during their heavy flow and that works–I’ve never needed to try that.
I am glad to answer any questions if you have them.
There is new product which (IMO) is superior even to the sponge as a replacement for pads and tampons! It’s called the Mooncup if you’re in the UK, or the Diva cup in the US. It’s a surgical-grade silicon cup that holds menstrual fluid. Like the sponge, it is reusable, which makes it better for the environment (and for your wallet). However, the sponge, just like a tampon, holds your fluid and creates a perfect environment for infection, as well as potentially leaving behind harmful material in the vagina, which the Mooncup does not do. I’ve been using it for about four months and I don’t think I could go back. I thought it was relevant to the discussion. I hope you check it out and maybe let your readers know!