One for the ladies only: Make your own pads/mooncup alternative

sarah0404

I use re-usables because the disposables are full of chemicals. I don't want that next to my bits thanks! I don't use them to save money. Unless you made your own out of stuff you already had around then I don't really think you can save a massive amount. I think it would take several years to make the cost back again. I'm also happy I'm not filling landfills with waste when I don't need to. The Womens Environmental Network have lots of info about it.

purplegirluk1

missk_ensington I think it's a case of each to their own. In ways of being OS then home made pads are both money saving and planet saving. Of course nobody is forceing you to do anything and if you don't like it you don't have to do it. I personally would not try the HM variety but I think its probably a generational thing but I do feel guilty about the massive amount of waste that throw away sanitry protection creates both in physical and monetry terms. I will look into the mooncup though!

missk_ensington

I know what you're saying, but surely tampons aren't so bad on the environment? They're not very big and flush away? Perhaps they even do biodegradeable ones?

I respect people's wishes and understand where you're coming from, but (without wishing to offend this person in the slightest) I think my partner would be sick if he found a box of bloody tampons soaking in water behind the loo! And what if guests see it? And does it not smell?

It is each to their own, but I think I'll do 'my bit' in some other way!

Again, if you're not planning any kids soon, I have the 12 week injection and I swear by it. No periods, no PMT, no pains!

Philippa36

My mum used to make pads like this for me if I had run out and needed some in an emergency. I used to be so about them and worried that someone would see etc. but then at 13 til 16/17 I was about almost everything. (Wouldn't go back there for anything!)

I have periods only very irregularly due to having pcos but I always have a supply of tampax at home and at work. I did look at the mooncup suggestion but decided against it

Caterina

Funny how this issue makes tempers flare - not too long ago I did fall out, due to this very subject, with someone I knew since I was 17 (mind you, the writing was already on the wall in any case).

I told her that I had hand-stitched my own sanitary towel out of a baby's towelling nappy (I felt very proud at this accomplishment as I am not very 'crafty') and she really attacked me verbally, saying that I like to 'wear a hairshirt', that I am deliberately making my life a misery and all sorts of psycho-babble followed this...she found the idea of making one's own sanitary wear really bizarre and offensive - go figure....

I just let her boil over and shortly after that I did not get in touch with her anymore.

Ever since I have had children and become more environment-conscious, I have always used re-usable, washable pads. I bought a whole lot very cheaply a long time ago and another lot reasonably cheap on the Internet a few years after that.

Now that I have had a Mirena coil fitted (for medical reasons, but it doubles as contraceptive, which is handy) I bleed very lightly and I am also going towards the end of my fertility, so I don't use the pads quite as intensively. Nevertheless I know they saved me and the Earth a lot!

My daughter, who is nearly 17, does not like to use re-usables and buys disposable - that's her issue and I am ok with it. She might change her mind as she becomes older and less embarrassed about body things.

Re. natural tampons: I have heard that a very good way to use a natural alternative to tampons is to use NATURAL (not synthetic) sponge, tie a cotton string tightly around it and stuff it high near the cervix, letting the string dangle down just like a tampon string would. A few times a day, depending on bleed volume, it gets taken out, squeezed, washed and replaced.

Incidentally, this sponge thing is something that women used as a contraceptive in ancient times, they used to soak the sponge in vinegar and the acidic environment did something to the sperm that prevented pregnancy (Probably just pickled it LOL). Hey, I am NOT RECOMMENDING anything here, so don't turn up with a baby in arms and a lawsuit on my doorstep, saying that it's all my fault if you got pregnant because you followed my advice!!!!

I do recognise that these alternative methods need to be used very carefully and hygiene needs to be maintained scrupolously and that can only be used by women who are confident and not squeamish about their body functions.

Caterina

Badgergal

Even if you are unconcerned about the impact of disposable protection on the environment, there is enough evidence around for me to discard them on health grounds alone - tampons leave fibres inside of you and generally are not good for you at all, and the pads aren't that much better. Whilst the reusable ones I use do save me money, I by no means am using them because I am "poor" and cannot afford the dioxin filled disposables.

I work for an oncology (cancer) journal which includes doctors amongst the staff, and some of us have severe concerns about the chemicals in these products being in such close proximity to us, if you see what I mean. Personally mine are kept in a lidded bucket before washing and no one who visits even knows they are there I find them much more comfortable and better for me; the cost and environmental benefits are a huge bonus.

I agree I was disgusted when I first read about them, and dismissed the idea completely, but then I found out more and more that brought me round to the idea and now I will never go back.

Badgergal

Caterina, I posted at the same time as you, but to be honest I don't dare admit to my friends what I do in case of an adverse reaction. Even so the way she reacted seems extreme to say the least, what does she care what sanitary protection you use!?

Caterina

Yeh this woman is quite extreme and that's why I said that the writing was on the wall anyway - she was just TOO intense for me and pseudo-psychoanalised everybody and everything - at the end one can get a bit fed up of that!

I am really not bothered at all about 'admitting' to it, and also, while not deliberately displaying my towels to all and sundry, couldn't care less if anyone sees them on the washing line, they look exactly like what they are, and of course because I do not use bleaches and whiteners, they are blood-stained.

Then again, I am quite gung-ho regarding women's issues and have been all my adult life, so maybe it's ME wot's the weirdo (Don't start me on breastfeeding in public LOL) HEHEHEHEHHEHHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHE

Caterina

missk_ensington

Oh dear, if tampon fibres are dangerous what happens when you leave one in for 2 days! lol. Although cancer is a serious issue, I think I've got more chance of being killed by something other than tampon fibres! And the lady who said she wouldn't have manufactured pads 'next to her bits', I ask, why? Im sure you've had worse things down there in your lifetime! ;-)

From an environmental point of view, yes its great, but for me personally I think I'll stick to recycling my newspapers to be 'green'!

MonkeyGirl

I think its down to personal choice. I don't really like the idea of a diy pad but there again I don't like pads. I use a mooncup as found tampons left me very sore. It works on the same principle though it gets filled you wash it out and insert it again etc. I don't find aything wrong or strange about washing it out. I was a little put off in the first place but its something I'm now used to.

The whole idea of OS is to share things with others that you have found helpful. I read OS a lot and some tips and advice I take on others I dont. It just varies on what sort of thing you are after. I'm on here as I want to be careful with my money and if I can re-use items then even better but I do draw the line at some things like this for example. Like I say though its all down to personal choice to me this comes in the same sort of bracket as would you were a second hand bra? I personally wouldn't but for some strange reason I don't mind passing them onto others who could benefit form them.

I'm rambling so I'll leave it there. I think the point I'm tryng to make is not everything suits everyone you pick and choose what you want to do with your money and things thats why we are all different and thats what makes us unique.

Really hope this makes sense.

MonkeyGirl