http://www.mooncupsandkeepers.com/index.html

Here is a  site that offers natural products for that special time of the month.  I really never gave it much thought before. Keep me posted if you give any of these a try.

I go to the health food store and buy natural sea sponges, cosmetic size, (1"x2"). I wash then in hot water to clean them, then use as natural tampons. Heavy days I use 2. They last about 6 months. This has worked great for me for 30 years now.

 

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I have also started looking at alternatives, ive tried the natracare pads and liked them too, but i just ordered a Divacup, its a reusable silicone menstrual cup.  Check it out at http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/

I haven't received it in the mail yet, but if you like i'll let you know what i think.  I'd love to hear any other options that you try out.

I checked out a site that sells the natracare products and they looked interesting.  Is there a reason you are looking for another method? 

i'm just trying to cut back on the amount of disposable products i use.

i'm considering the divacup too, so let me know how it is.

I have done a good bit of rerearch lately about the benefits of alternative feminine care.  A really informative website is www.treehugger.com if you click on the personal products link it will amaze you at how they affect our health.  There is bleach and other carcinogens used in the cotton of regular tampons, and it has also been noted that tampons leave behind fibers that get trapped in your vaginal canal, irritating the lining, as well as the mucous membranes.  Not to mention the harm and amount of waste we ae disposing of on a monthly basis.  Its a quite shocking really.  The website offers a lot better explanations and alternatives, if you are interested on really learning more, I highly suggest checking it out.

this is something i've never given much thought to... but thanks ladies, i'm checking out those links...

Why does this topic creep me out?

~ Greener today than I was yesterday!

I am with you with regards to being a bit uncomfortable with this subject.  But it definitely is worth thinking about.  I wonder though what years of using traditional  products has done to my system and can I reverse the damage?

i'm sorry if anyone if offended or disgusted or anything...i guess i just don't mind talking about this kind of stuff (especially if it's over the internet)...i didn't think it would be taboo. but really...this is something that every female goes through, so it's not like you should feel embarassed by it. embrace your womanhood!!!! haha

and how can you learn anything if nobody talks about it?? i think it's an important subject, but again, i'm sorry.

by the way, shay re, i love treehugger.com!! that's where i found out about this stuff. :)

Let's not feel the need to apologize.  This website is set up for people who are concerned about living greener, more healthful lives...that my friends includes our personal lives.  I commend those who are unashamed to be open to all aspects of cleaner, and greener living.  Columbia101 you are right, this is an important subject, considering that over half of the planet is comprised of women, who at sometime in their lives dealt with this.  I think its wonderful that there are alternatives out there that we can learn about and share.  Think about the impact we make, just with our cycles, on the planet.

I just started using the diva cup and lunapads. Love them! I wish i had discovered them years ago. Check out lunapads.com. There are also lots of websites out there that have patterns for making reusbale pads, if you sew.

Personally I think this is a great topic! Isn't this why Lime is here for? So we can try to change as many aspect of our lives to become more eco-friendly. I love this idea by the way! Thanks for posting. :)

It's a subject that I really never equated to being green about.  If nothing else, it has reawakened what it means to live a green life.  I don't think I will be using one of these cups, but I'm glad that we can discuss the subject openly.

I had never thought about this either, and I dont mind discussing at all! I do have uncertainties about the cup and lunapads... I dont think I'd feel quite comfortable wearing them, or washing them for that matter! A very interesting topic to bring up, though. 

If you're squeamish, then don't read this.  You've been warned.   this is just for those considering "alternative" ways to take care of their menstrual flow.   

I recently ordered a divacup in the mail.  So I thought I should post about it here. 

I was a litte worried about using it.  I have tried the instead cups and I didn't like them much.  They leaked (Ok, GUSHED) when they got too full, and removing them was very messy.   I feel embarassed having blood all over my hands when I leave the stall to wash them.  I know it's natural, but still...that's how I feel.   I was hoping the divacup would be an improvement. 

My period came yesterday with a vengence.  It was really late because of stress so it came with a serious kick in the gut.   I was at home and I decided to try out my new 30 dollar piece of plastic.  I read the instructions and popped it into place.  I wasn't sure if it was in right.   I figured I'd know soon enough if it wasn't!  I braced myself for a leak.  After several hours, I decided to empty it.  It was a little difficult to remove, but I have since figured that out a little better.  I reinserted and was on my way to my Thanksgiving festivities.  I was a little worried about leaking for a while, but after I removed and reinserted it a few times, I felt much more confident. 

 Removal it does not require that you reach far inside the vagina.  The bottom of the cup sits fairly low, close to the opening.   Gravity keeps all the blood in the bottom of the cup, and it doesn't get all over you.  You pour the blood down the toilet and reinsert the cup.   If you are at home, you can rinse it out before reinserting.  I found the Divacup far less messy than the instead cups and of course less wasteful.   My hands stayed a lot cleaner than with the instead cups when I emptied it out.  Not as clean as tampons, but I think it wasn't too bad at all.  I used it overnight with no leaks, and I have a fairly heavy flow. 

I am just so pleasantly surprised with how simple this product is and wanted to encourage other women to try it for themselves.   I am sure the similar "Keepers" that are out there will work about the same.