The alternative menstrual revolution
It has only been two years since I made the switch from using mass-produced tampons and pads to alternative menstrual products and the mere thought of going back makes me cringe. There are many reasons why this is the case; my attitude about menstruating has changed because I am required to look at my blood every month, I have reduced the amount of waste that I have produced by a considerable amount, and I am using chemical-free, comfortable products. There are many other reasons why I would never change my alternative menstrual ways. I have saved money from not having to purchase menstrual supplies, my periods are comfortable and I don't have to worry about where to dispose of my tampons (which was often a worry when I was camping or traveling). I have met a community of women who I can talk with for hours about the benefits of the alternative products that we use while at the same time increasing the comfort level with our bodies (something foreign to me before using alternative products).
It seems quite amazing that it took me 12 years of menstruating to realize something wasn't right with the uncomfortable, expensive and inconvenient tampons and pads that I was using. I do remember trying different tampons thinking that if I switched to tampons without applicators then this will decrease my amount of waste. Well I suppose it did, but I was still using products that contained harmful amounts of dioxins and chlorine.
Now since I started using reusable menstrual pads and the Keeper, my life has changed dramatically. Thinking back, I would have to say that my paranoia about my health was what convinced me to make the switch - other reasons later justified that move. I was a little embarrassed to have never heard or thought of using so called "alternative products" when they have been used by women centuries before me. Here I was at the age of 25, feeling old enough to know better, thinking that my choices were between the different name-brands of tampons.
So it started with my health, but I have noticed a remarkable change in my attitude about menstruation. I talk about it openly because it is no longer a secret with the products that I use. The Keeper has forced me to look at my blood and I now can tell how my health is according to its colour and consistency. When I smoked, my blood was very dark and clotted - now that I'm not smoking my blood is bright red and smooth. It's the same way with re-usable pads. When I rinse them off, I have to see my blood - it is the same with natural sea sponges (which I have never used). I'm not quite sure how the so-called Tampax "revolution" (according to their 'the revolution continues' advertisements) can continue when I'm almost positive that it never started.
Another interesting change in my life occurred from using reusable menstrual products. I was forced to think about the amount of waste and pollution that I produced before the switch. One woman will use 10,000 pads/tampons during the course of her lifetime - not including plastic applicators and packaging that the products come in. This translates to approximately six thirty-gallon trashcans full per menstruating woman. If we wanted to translate that to this university, there are approximately 15,000 female students enrolled at the university this year so lets say 14,000 of those women are menstruating that would make 2,333 cans of menstrual trash at the University of Manitoba for this year alone. This is assuming of course that menstrual products are being thrown in the trash and not flushed down the toilet and if so, we would then need to look at plastic applicators and tampons that are being flushed into our raw sewage and being washed up on our beaches. The amount of waste is outrageous, but what about the pollution that the products cause within women's bodies?
Tampons and menstrual pads made by the major brands are filled with toxic chemicals that harm women's bodies and the earth. There seems to be a myth within our North American society that white is equated with cleanliness, purity and sterility. However, tampons are far from sterile since they have been linked with toxic shock syndrome, cancer and endometriosis. Toxic chemicals like dioxins are used in the bleaching process as well as materials such as rayon that can cause peeling of the mucous membrane. It seems interesting to me that we look back now at feminine hygiene sprays and think that we have evolved as consumers for knowing better. For some reason, it has been thought that companies have women's best interests in mind, but how are the chemicals used in commercial menstrual products better than what we have found harmful in
the past? It would be great if big businesses were looking out for our health and the well being of the earth, but unfortunately from the evidence of the hazardous working conditions throughout the world and the hazardous products that have been produced in the interest of the 'almighty dollar,' we know that's not the case. So I suppose it's up to us; we women are fabulous and deserve only the best so lets treat our 'ginas with a little TLC, shall we?
Here are a few alternatives - to read more check out: www.bloodsisters.org or www.oasisdesign.net
Flannel/reusable menstrual pads - These pads can be purchased or made easily yourself (with the access of a sewing machine, flannelette and a fastener). They are comfortable and washable. Humbolt's legacy, 887 Westminster Ave or online.
Sea sponges - Thirty years worth of sea sponges cost about one year's worth of disposables and they are reusable. Sponges can last anywhere between five to 12 months and can be purchased online or at Humbolt's legacy.
The Keeper and The Diva Cup - While these are two different products, I am going to discuss them together either to avoid or create confusion. They are both reusable menstrual cups. The Keeper is made out of gum rubber and is produced in the US, the Diva Cup is made out of silicone and is produced in Canada. They both last for at least 10 years and can range in price from $35 to $60 (depending on where they're purchased). Regardless of which end of the range you find yourself buying it at it pays for itself in approximately six months. The Keeper can be purchased at Humbolt's legacy and the U of M Womyn's Centre. The Diva cup can be found online at www.divacup.com.
100 per cent cotton, unbleached tampons/pads - These products are still disposable, but they are dioxin and bleach free - found at most natural health stores.
