| Natural Feminine Care Products |
| There are many advantages to using natural feminine care products. The first, and in my opinion most important, is they are extremely comfortable. Unlike commercial disposable pads they allow you to breathe. They do not contain any "mesh-like" or "scratchy" materials (or won't if you don't put any in). Because of the lack of harsh materials it's softer, which is nicer on the delicate skin of the genital area. Another reason to use them is they are better for the enviroment. Like diapers, feminine products, don't biodegrade. This means they are sitting around in landfills polluting our earth. Plus, they are economical. Again like cloth diapers for babies it is an investment to buy in the beginning but it quickly pays for itself. You do not have to spend money every month or every other month to buy more, you only need to make a one time investment. If money is a problem for you, you can combine natural pads/napkins and sponges with commercial tampons until you have accumulated enough cloth products to use only them. Even if you do not use natural pads all the time, they can be comfortable for night wear. Many women are put off by the idea of wearing cloth rags because they think they will leak, smell, are unhygenic, or be too much trouble. Other women who are very interested by the advantages decide against them due to their cost. First, they do not leak anymore than commercial pads and tampons do. There are many different types of products you can buy. The most common kind of natural feminine care products are cloth, reuseable pads. I have also seen pads which are flannel (usually) and you slip towels in according to the heaviness of your flow for the day. Along with these there are also reuseable tampons, usually made of sea sponges. Also, cloth pads don't smell. Many commercially pads are scented true, and it's uncommon for cloth pads to be (I have never seen this but maybe it is done). Regardless, realistically they won't smell at all. Menstural blood does smells a bit when it comes in contact with air. However, it does not smell enough to call attention to it. They are NOT unhealthy or unhygenic. In fact, they are more healthy and hygenic than commercial pads that use a plastic-like subtance on the back or synthetic materials. TSS is caused by the syntheitic fibres in tampons which hold the menstral blood inside a woman's body long enough to foster the growth of a common (but not commonly harmful) bacteria. Like all other products, cloth rags and natural tampons need to be changed regularly in order to be hygenic. You will need to wash them to keep them hygenic, and be sure you kill all bacterial. Some women feel this is too much trouble or "icky." It's not that bad really, it is only blood and perfectly natural. Many women who use cloth pads find pleasure in washing them, they feel it is thereaputic and enjoy the ritual of it much more than throwing the blood away like waste. You can wash them as you would cloth diapers for a baby, in the washing machine with little detergent (personally I reccomend Granny's Old Fashioned Laundry Liquid and have been told that Dr. Bronner's is also very good). For most of them, you can even dry them in a dryer as long as you don't use dryer sheets or anything. Also remember when washing them not to use any fabric softener because it coats the material making it less absorbent. While these pads can be expensive, if you cannot find it in your budget to phase them in until you have enough, they are easy to make. Good materials to use are baby diapers (if you have had children and used cloth diapers), recieveing blankets, or old worn t-shirts, towels, and flannel PJ's. They can be stuffed with organic cotton stuffing or towels. I personally like the towels because the cotton can bunch up and get rather lumpy (which isn't comfortable at all). An alternative to these cloth and natural resusable products, I have seen disposable organic products. The advantages of these products are they do not pollute the earth. Instead of sitting around in landfills forever they will breakdown. Because both the materials used in making the products and the blood are natural and biodegradeable this happens and it is perfectly fine. They are earth friendly. Also, usually they do not have plastic backing and are breathable. Usually they are soft and comfortable. So while you are doing something good for the earth you are also allowing yourself more comfort and being healthier. These products have the same advantages as the reuseable cloth producuts however, they do not need to be cleaned. You can throw them away and be done with them, no cleaning involved. The biggest disadvantage to these products is that they are not economical. Unlike the reuseable cloth pads they are not a one-time investment. They are expensive and usually the packs are small. Another disadvantage to these organic pads is taht they are hard to find. I have only seen them in healthfood stores, which in my area of the world there are not many of. However, in other areas of the world I'm sure these would be more accessable. Here are some links that I have used or have had reccomended by friends: Glad Rags Pleasure Puss - This is the only place I have ever seen the sea sponge tampons. Hag Rag - Hag Rag is both an pagan/witch friendly zine and provider of excellent cloth rags. I love the French poodle patterned one and fairy pad! What fun! |