It’s time for change. Period.

Alternative feminine hygiene extravaganza!

ERYN THOREY MACKENZIE, STAFF

Period, that time of the month, the curse, the red dot, a break in the dam, on the rag, the little red goblin, riding the crimson wave, Auntie Flo is visiting; whatever you call it, it is a fact of life that over half the population of our planet has, does, or will spend approximately 40 to 50 years of her life experiencing the joys of menstruation.

Women across the world all know the inconvenience that most feminine hygiene products have to offer. Pads can crinkle loudly, feel like a diaper and bunch or shift around. If a bathroom is not found in time tampons can leak and ruin a much-loved pair of pants. Tampons also deplete the production of natural fluids created by a woman’s vagina, leading to a possible increase in yeast infections and other discomforts.

These problems, however, are minor when compared to the risk of the serious and sometimes-fatal toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a type of blood poisoning caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus. Although anyone with a cut or burn is susceptible to TSS, many cases have been linked to tampon use, particularly the super absorbent variety. There are also several daunting environmental issues surrounding disposable menstrual products to take into account. An estimated 7 billion tampons and 13 billion pads and panty-liners make their way into North American landfills and sewage systems per year. Health and environmental concerns are certainly enough to warrant the production of alternatives to disposable menstrual products. These include re-usable, washable pads, sea sponges and menstrual cups.

Looking back a little ways through history, it comes as no surprise that the phrase “on the rag” finds its origin in women using rags created from old towels and clothes to soak up their monthly flow. With the advent of disposable pads, and later tampons, this naturally earth-friendly way of dealing with menstruation decreased dramatically. With the increase of environmental concerns, there has been a resurgence in the use of washable, cloth pads.

A crafty woman with a little ingenuity can create her own but if cutting up your old shirt isn’t appealing, there are several companies, such a LunaPads, now producing re-usable, washable and comfortable pads that either snap or button into underwear. These pads are worn much like a maxi-pad with wings, but instead of being disposed with in the garbage, are soaked and washed with a mild soap or detergent. Some women are uncomfortable with the problem of what to do with these pads when it comes to changing them in a public washroom, but a solution to this predicament could be to bring a sealable bag or container. After changing the pad, and rinsing the used one, store it in the bag or container until arriving home.

A method that doesn’t require a woman to carry around the used cloth pad is a sterilized sea sponge. It is important to find natural, not synthetic, sponges for this. Sponges are used much like a tampon, but can be rinsed for multiple uses throughout the day. They can be sterilized again by being placed in boiling water for a couple of minutes, making sure to let dry thoroughly in a clean place. It takes a bit of experimentation to figure out the right size for your flow, but they last for four to six months.

There are a few drawbacks to the sponge too: it may leak with a sudden laugh or cough if it is almost saturated; if you’re comfortable with non-applicator tampons, insertion is easy, but removing it can be problematic without the convenient pull string. As well, sponge’s natural ocean habitat is in jeopardy, and sponge harvesting leads to the depletion of this strange creature. It is certainly not a vegan friendly method, but is worth a try if a cloth pad or menstrual cups do not have initial appeal.

A product known as a menstrual cup is quickly gaining in popularity. The two most well known brands are the Keeper, a natural gum rubber cup, and the DivaCup, a medical grade silicone cup that women with latex allergies can use. A menstrual cup can be used for up to 10 years. The cup is also inserted like a tampon or sponge, but instead of absorbing menstrual fluid, it is collected, and the cup is then easily rinsed and reinserted. Learning the insertion and removal process can be a bit tricky, but once mastered is quick and clean. Women report experiencing little to no leaking with a menstrual cup and, though the size can initially be daunting, find they do not feel it at all. Depending on the heaviness of flow, the cup can be worn for up to 12 hours, even overnight.

The environmental benefits alone are a good gauge as to why reusable menstrual products are much needed, but money is a good reason too. The average cost of disposable pads and tampons over a lifetime is upwards of $3,000; a menstrual cup will run at about $40 every 10 years.

Perhaps the best reason for switching is for the good of your body. Many testimonials for reusable products have indicated that with them come more regular cycles with shorter periods, a decrease in cramping, less PMS and fatigue, fewer mood swings and headaches, less smell, and significantly less frequency of yeast and urinary tract infections.

Very significantly, in this day of body-image problems and unreasonable discomfort or embarrassment about “that time of the month,” a large number of women also report that they have become more aware of and comfortable with their body and its functions, while no longer viewing their menstrual cycle as a hindrance or something to dread. This is an attitude change that women deserve for something we share for such a significant part of our lives.

For more information on reusable menstrual products, the Internet is a great place to start. One very informative and sometimes amusing look at that little red dot known as menses is the Museum of Menstruation and Women’s Health website, found at www.mum.org.