Green alternatives to pads and tampons?!


Question: Green alternatives to pads and tampons?
Idk if this makes any difference but also for virgins who are 13? I just feel like tampons are so wasteful.

Answers:

There are lots of greener options - most of which are far more hygienic and healthier too!

Good for you for considering this, not only are disposable tampons and pads more wasteful but also consider manufacturing; use of non-biodegradable plastics, rayon (paper pulp most tampons and pads are made from, where only around 30% of trees forested for purpose us used), non-organic cotton, chemical treatments that add to pollution and bleaching that adds to CO2 emissions.

Menstrual cups - these are bell-shaped cups that go inside your vagina to collect flow, there are no health risks as with tampons so they are also more convenient too as you can wear them at any time for up to 12 hours and they don't leak like tampons. Cups are less harmful in how they're manufactured, can be used for up to 10 years, and can even be recycled at the end of their life. What Are Menstrual Cups? - http://www.scarleteen.com/article/body/w…

Softcups - these are disposable but are still less harmful in manufacturing than tampons and can be reused a few times before disposal - it's not recommended, but you can - Instead who make softcups are also bringing out a new softcup later this year that is recommended for reuse over one cycle so more durable and thus can be reused for longer. Softcups - http://www.softcup.com

Diaphragm - this is a birth control product so not easy for someone your age to get, but they can be used like menstrual cups and are sort of a hybrid of menstrual cups and softcups so might be something you want to consider when you're a little older.

Sponges - these are natural sponge used as tampons, they are reusable for a few cycles so cut down on waste and being a natural product means no harmful manufacturing either. Sponges also carry less risk of TSS and infections compared to commercial tampons and don't contain chemicals or bleach so no potential long-term risks, they are also more comfortable.

Cloth tampons - you can get various types from types like these http://www.etsy.com/listing/27349116/5-o… to types like thesehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/31805937/was… again these also carry less risk of TSS and infections compared to commercial tampons and don't contain chemicals or bleach so no potential long-term risks.

Cloth pads - these are not gross in the slightest and it's not old-fashioned to use them, they are more hygienic and healthier than disposable pads as well as a lot more comfortable and don't smell bad either, they're also a lot less fuss than people seem to think. These can last a few years with good care. Eight Myths About Washable Menstrual Pads Dispelled - http://www.scarleteen.com/article/pink/e…



An alternative is the mooncup, which catches the flow in a cup, which you can wash out. I've never tried it but it sounds uncomfortable. It sits lower than a tampon, which sounds strange to me. Another alternative is the soft cup, which I have tried. However, they are disposable, so just as wasteful. They sit higher up and allow for swimming, exercise and even sex.

I agree, I wouldn't use pads that you need to wash out. This 2011, not the dark ages.



Menstrual cups, which are inserted into the body like a tampon but last much longer, are reusable, and after you have used them you empty them out, rinse them, and reuse them. Very green!!

Reusable pads, which snap into your panties and are washed. I've never used them, but they sound really gross!

Me, myself, and I <3



They have washable pads that snap in your panties. But, honestly, those kind of sound gross to me. :l



Try a menstural cup?
Google it




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