You will have read over the years scare -mongering stories about women who’ve got toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a serious form of blood poisoning and other serious infections from wearing tampons and like me you’ve dismissed it as too small a risk to care about but what about the other factors?
There are the environmental considerations of course, landfill sites are full of the horrors, not to mention the cost of calling out Dynarod to unblock your drains if a well meaning (not) girlfriend disgustingly flushes one down your loo.
I was absolutely horrified to read not so long ago about the chemicals used in the production of some sanitary products: bleaching agents, chlorine,
There are the environmental considerations of course, landfill sites are full of the horrors, not to mention the cost of calling out Dynarod to unblock your drains if a well meaning (not) girlfriend disgustingly flushes one down your loo.
I was absolutely horrified to read not so long ago about the chemicals used in the production of some sanitary products: bleaching agents, chlorine,
There are fears that many tampons contain dioxins, and there is evidence that even low levels of dioxin may be linked to cancer, as well as adversely affecting the immune system. There are even worries about the rayon used in the materials during manufacture and it’s contribution to the onset of TSS. Now if that’s not scaremongering I don’t know what is but it certainly made me think before inserting the little gems.
So what’s the alternative ?
Well just as there are cloth nappies there are cloth menstrual pads too that are totally reliable and washable, but for those who simply can’t function with padding around their private parts there’s the menstrual cup. The best known is the ‘Mooncup’ and boy is it an amazing little invention. Its basically a tiny ‘cup’ that is inserted high into the vagina to catch the flow of blood. When its full (you get to know how often you need to check) you simply flush the blood away and rinse the cup out. During the course of your period you lose on average about 30 to 40 ml of blood, (6 to 8 tablespoons) so its not as much as it may seem, but I know what you’re thinking – "theres no way I’m going ferreting up there getting blood on my hands to insert a plastic flying saucer 5 times a day!!!"
I do sympathise. When I first tried a contraceptive cap many years ago, I faffed around for what seemed like hours in a bizarre half seated half lying position – legs in air - only for it to flirt out again the moment I sat up. I never could get on with the cap but trust me this is easier.
So what’s the alternative ?
Well just as there are cloth nappies there are cloth menstrual pads too that are totally reliable and washable, but for those who simply can’t function with padding around their private parts there’s the menstrual cup. The best known is the ‘Mooncup’ and boy is it an amazing little invention. Its basically a tiny ‘cup’ that is inserted high into the vagina to catch the flow of blood. When its full (you get to know how often you need to check) you simply flush the blood away and rinse the cup out. During the course of your period you lose on average about 30 to 40 ml of blood, (6 to 8 tablespoons) so its not as much as it may seem, but I know what you’re thinking – "theres no way I’m going ferreting up there getting blood on my hands to insert a plastic flying saucer 5 times a day!!!"
I do sympathise. When I first tried a contraceptive cap many years ago, I faffed around for what seemed like hours in a bizarre half seated half lying position – legs in air - only for it to flirt out again the moment I sat up. I never could get on with the cap but trust me this is easier.
For a start the cup is small and ‘mouldable’ and once you’ve got the knack of sort of ‘clicking it’ into position it doesn’t drift and really is no more hassle than a tampon. The really big advantage with the menstrual cup is that it seems to help with erratic. heavy periods and menstrual cramps, To be honest I don’t think there’s any scientific research to prove this as yet but several women I know have reported that their periods have become regular after years of irregularity. The blood flow has seemed considerably less – unless they just couldn’t really moniter it on an absorbent tampon, but most of all they suffered less bloating and menstrual cramps.
The theory for this could be that tampons because of their absorbency and chemical toxins actually dehydrate the vaginal area and it’s the dehydration during blood loss that can cause pain and discomfort. Obviously if a tampon, and even a sanitary towel to a lesser extent, has high absorbency then it absorbs all the natural fluids as well as the menstrual flow. As for making periods more regular well I can only guess it's more natural and so allows your body to regulate
Bear in mind this is a very eco solution, there's no dyes, toxins or bleach or BFA, they're very inexpensive, this will last you for the majority of your menstruating years. www.mooncup.co.uk
