How green is my period?

[ny biker]

In case you were wondering about the relationship between Aunt Flo and Mother Earth...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...502095_pf.html

[shootingstar]

You might win the prize for the catchiest topic title!

Thx for starting up another perhaps thread that might wander onto washable menstrual pads, menstrual cups, etc.

Thankfully those years do dissipate --eventually.

[ny biker]

I did not get enough sleep last night and it's making me giddy...

[Flybye]

if you're willing to make a really radical change, there are lots of reusable options, both external and internal. There are machine-washable fabric maxi pads, for example, sold under brand names like lunapads and gladrags.

n.o. F.r.e.a.k.i.n.g. W.a.y.

[moonfroggy]

cloth pads are way more comfortable.

i suspect a lot of women here use the diva cup or one of the other menstrual cups.

i used to use a cup but for some reason after having a baby they have not been comfortable.

[OakLeaf]

i used to use a cup but for some reason after having a baby they have not been comfortable.

Did you use the smaller one before you had your baby, and have you got a new one since? They specifically note childbirth (along with aging) as one of the things that put most women into the larger size.

[badger]

Diva Cup.

I've used it for close to 5 years now, and I have NO idea how I lived without it, and I cannot contemplate how I will live without.

Compact, comfortable, change twice a day, nothing to throw out other than my biological material, and NO LEAKAGE!!

[moonfroggy]

Did you use the smaller one before you had your baby, and have you got a new one since? They specifically note childbirth (along with aging) as one of the things that put most women into the larger size.

yup got the larger one. i have found it uncomfortable but i haven't tried much.

[radicalrye]

Diva Cup.

I've used it for close to 5 years now, and I have NO idea how I lived without it, and I cannot contemplate how I will live without.

Compact, comfortable, change twice a day, nothing to throw out other than my biological material, and NO LEAKAGE!!

I just got a diva cup a few months ago and I LOVE it. At first it was kind of hard to figure out how to place it comfortably. I use the small sized one..I'm 24 & have no kids, but after a couple of practices I figured it out.

I have never had a problem with leakage even on my heaviest day and I can wear it while cycling and know I won't leak in my bike shorts.

I had to use a tampon one day when I got my flow a little earlier than expected and I hated it. I couldn't wait to get home to use the Diva cup. I barely use panty liners as a back up anymore so it cut down on waste and has paid for itself already considering the "eco friendly" tampons I used to use were pricey.

As far as cloth liners go I use Party In My Pants brand because they are so cute/easy to use and they are made locally (here in wisconsin).

[ny biker]

As far as cloth liners go I use Party In My Pants brand because they are so cute/easy to use and they are made locally (here in wisconsin).

Party In My Pants?!?!?!??!

This might just be the best. name. ever.

[Norse]

I have never heard of the Diva cup. Thanks for the info - I need to give this a try! I would love to be done with tampons, with which I have a hate-hate relationship and, despite being peri-menopausal for like, forever, the flo continues....

[mirliluck]

I am also a diva cup fan, and I try to get all my girlfriends on the diva bandwagon too! I will admit that it does take some getting used to as far as placing it right at first, but once you have it down there is no other way.

And whether you're green-leaning or not, it is really yucky to think of the bazillions of tampons and pads going into the landfills.

[Blueberry]

If you search on the forums, you'll find a thread or three where we've had extensive discussions about them - where to get them, how to use them, what to do if you have problems, etc., etc.

[Desert Tortoise]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know there was such a thing as a "cup." Worth looking into and not worry about strings and liners.

Are there dangers/warnings with the cup like the tampon? For example, tampons should not be left in for more than 6-8 hours.

EDIT: Oh, just saw the new posts on discussions, will look them up. Thanks

[rubywagon]

The cups are made from medical grade silicon, so I think the only thing you need to remember to do is empty it/wash it.