What do you think about alternative "feminine care" products?

foreversomeday

Hi all,

I seem to have been noticing ever more frequently lately the rise in awareness of alternative methods of feminine care - ie; alternatives to pads and tampons.

People say that using them reduces period pain and improves the overall general health of your ladyparts, because you don't have direct contact with as many chemicals. They're also moneysaving :T and good for the environment, like washable nappies.

So I was just wondering who actually knows they exist, and should we try to get more awareness out? Mention them in schools etc for young girls as a different option?

Happy to provide more information about any part of this, just wanted to hear some thoughts!

faerie_girl

I was thinking about this the other day. Wondering if they do reusable sanitry towels? Some people may not like the idea of resusing them but what hell of a lot of money we can save.

Foreversomeday can you tell me of any?

anonymousie

WAsheable pads now widely available eg through nappy sellers or wahmall etc.
Look at the moon cup too- available in boots- tampon alternative, very much worth a try esp if it still comes with the 3 month money back if you don't get on with it.

After all the loss is just blood and a bit of womb lining- you wash your clothes/sheets it you leak with disp sanitary wear don't you, so why not wash pads?

Me I had a mooncup- brilliant, no havea mirena coil and no periods!

black-saturn

I've been using washable sanitary towels for 2 years now. They have saved me loads in that time. They are far more comforable to wear that the disposable ones.

My 2 daughters aged 13 and 10 still use disposable ones though.

mummy_Jay

My sister uses a mooncup and even gave me a leaflet on one but as at the time you had to send off to get it, I didn't. It's one of those things I want to see first and no I wasn't wanting to handle one my sister uses. but if its in boot now I must have a look at one.

frivolous_fay

When I was at school, the 'visit from the nurse' was subsidised by tampax, so I fear non-mainstream companies may not manage to get a foot-hold any time soon

foreversomeday

faerie_girl wrote: »

I was thinking about this the other day. Wondering if they do reusable sanitry towels? Some people may not like the idea of resusing them but what hell of a lot of money we can save.

Foreversomeday can you tell me of any?

Anonymousie has mentioned washmall, not turning up on google

The only sellers I have found seem to be based in America, so the shipping fees are almost as expensive as the products! And forget calling the helpline ... although I suppose they might answer emails.

I will keep searching though! In the meantime here are some sites from America and Australia.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5249750

http://www.menstruation.com.au/menstrualproducts/femininehygiene.html

And an article (probably a bit slanted, anything vaguely related to healthcare always creates hype, but it has some good links at the bottom):

http://www.lauralee.com/news/femhygienetruth.htm

rosieben

This has been discussed several times before, we keep spreading the word! :j

I use washable sanpro and very pleased with them. I buy from http://www.weenotions.co.uk/ but there are lots of suppliers and many sites with details of how to make your own washables.

I'm appalled when I think of the money I've paid outover the years and the amount we all send to landfill.

here are a couple of threads, but there are others

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=188741&highlight=washable+sanpro

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=326445&highlight=washable+sanpro

foreversomeday

Wow thanks, I really think we should start trying to push this in schools, what do you think?

Fritha_2

rosieben wrote: »

I use washable sanpro and very pleased with them. I buy from http://www.weenotions.co.uk/

I second wee notions, they're fab!

foreversomeday

I've had a read of the other threads, absolutely fascinating. I used to be a bit sceptical about feminism until I got introduced to this concept - e.g. how come there is a "Feminine hygiene" aisle in the supermarket. What about male hygiene! Believe me, I've seen some men who definitely needed it!

I know that improper sanitation can lead to infection, and I wouldn't say that menstrual fluid smells great, but please, can we stop the whole world's obsession with germs, bacteria and this notion of "hygiene"? I agree we need sterilisation in places like hospitals, and to follow routines like washing our hands before eating, but the whole world has gone mad. (I know it's really the media, the drugs companies and the cosmetics industry convincing us of what we "need", but most people don't realise this.)

If I had to choose between bacteria and chemicals, I'd have to go with bacteria. Have you noticed how children have a lot more allergies and act more hyperactive these days?