(no subject)

[oh-so-quiet.livejournal.com]

ok, i just posted, but i have another semi-related question for you ladies: does anyone else ever feel uneasy about using tampons? i use them all the time because they're fast and convenient, but something about using a tampon really bothers me. they're obviously not environment-friendly, but aside from that, they feel really unnatural. i don't like the thought of having a piece of cotton collecting drying blood inside of me; i'm not squeamish about it, it just doesn't feel right. i feel like my period isn't flowing freely, like i'd be happier if my body could release blood naturally or at least hold it in a more acceptable way. i dislike pads, too; i just think they're gross.

i've heard of instead cups, keeper cups, and sea sponges (i think that's what they're called..), but i don't have a lot of info. my problem is, in looking for an alternative to tampons, i'd need something that wasn't comparitively large. i'm definitely squeamish about inserting anything *too* much larger than a tampon, and even more squeamish about having to dig around with my fingers (rendering something like a diaphragm most likely impossible to use). i'd like something that wasn't going to harm the environment and that felt a lot more natural and sanitary than tampons. does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, information? i'd really appreciate any help. thanks!

Comments

[dodogrrl.livejournal.com]

i have a sea sponge FAQ here (http://mwmw.com/dodo/ssfaq.html). For the most part they can be almost as small as a tampon, and softer. But not as "sanitary," whatever that means...

[amiga500.livejournal.com]

My sponges are an inch to an inch and a half across (roundish) when wet, and much, much smaller when compressed (which you do to put them in), so really, they're smalelr than tampons. You can boil them, too, and it's not like tampons are sterile, so I'd say they're *more* sanitary. The only problem is the digging around thing, but you always tie on some floss if you'd like.

[lovelesswriter.livejournal.com]

I've never liked the idea of tampons. I tried once and I couldn't get the damn thing in. Plus I don't like the idea of absorbing more than it should (especially since I've gotten my female problems taken care of and my period is now barely there). Plus I think of it as plugging up a hole and it can still leak, whereas if you put something under to catch it (i.e. a pad) it's a little more realiable. At least this is how I think of it. Plus I don't want to even have to worry about TSS and for me sticking on a pad is easier...it's only like 5 days out of a month.

[untitled0.livejournal.com]

if you don't like "digging around" in there, then you're right, instead cups and the keeper are probably not the best idea for you. i don't know a lot about sea sponges, so i can't really comment here.

another idea is to either buy or make your own cloth pads. these can be washed and reused. that way you're cutting down on the waste, and still allowing your period to flow naturally. go to blood sisters (http://bloodsisters.org). i know they have a pattern to make your own pads, and i would imagine they have links to sites where you can buy ready made ones.

[oh-so-quiet.livejournal.com]

awesome, thank you.

[dodogrrl.livejournal.com]

bloodsisters links to urban armor, whose ordering feature seems to be down, but there are other places to buy nice flannel and cotton pads -- one is Hag Rag (http://www.hagrag.bigstep.com/).

[lizdefiance.livejournal.com]

yeah, tampons are HORRIBLE for you & the environment.

the keeper isn't much bigger than a tampon...i mean, it IS, but the way you insert it makes it just a tiny bit bigger when it's going in, and it unfolds inside you. definitely worth getting - plus, the keeper & divacups both have money-back guarantees...so you could try it out, and if it didn't work, you could send 'em back

[holothurian.livejournal.com]

Ditto to what lizdefiance said. The Keeper is wonderful! Check out the_keeper if you want to read more about it.