Short cut to alternative menstrual products
Eco-Friendly and Woman Friendly Menstrual Products
Women! Each month when we go through our monthly period, do
we really know what we are placing next to and into our bodies? Traditional,
off the shelf, disposable sanitary products are marketed as safe, convenient,
clean "solutions" to the monthly "inconvenience" that
is also known to humanity as "the curse". But what is the real
curse?
In reality, these commercial products use chemicals to increase absorbency
and each time we use them, we not only exacerbate the world's landfill
and pollution problems, but we also run the risk of contaminating ourselves
with a dangerous cocktail of chemicals which can cause a whole range of
problems, disorders, complications and can sometimes even lead to death.
THE CURSE ON WOMEN
A frequent ingredient in the manufacture of tampons, is dioxin
which is a by-product of chlorine bleaching (creates the white appearance
of sanitary products). It is one of the most harmful chemicals known to
man and has been linked to reproductive and immune disorders. Once it
is in the environment it cannot be removed. It accumulates in the fatty
tissues of humans and animals. We are all susceptible to dioxin contamination
through our diet and the environment, but there is absolutely no logical
reason why women should be subject to the possibility of additional exposure
through their sanitary protection.
Another common material used in today's disposable products is the synthetic
fibre rayon, which is used in combination with cotton
in most tampons. It is usually produced with chlorine gas. Chlorine-free
rayon does exist but unless manufacturers fully label their products,
which they don't always, we cannot be certain that they are chlorine free.
The use of such highly absorbent materials has also been linked to the
disease Toxic Shock Syndrome (http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-info/womenhlt/tox-shoc.html)
Other problems associated with absorbency enhancers in tampons include
peeling of the mucous membrane, vaginal dryness, ulcers, and lesions.
For more information on the truth about tampons see http://www.keeper.com/truth.htm.
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THE CURSE ON THE PLANET
Apart from the obvious pollution caused by the manufacturing processes,
the average woman uses 12,000 pads/liners/tampons during her menstrual
lifetime. It takes 6 months for 1 tampon to biodegrade but plastic used
in pads can remain in the environment forever, and it is estimated that
5 million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals die each year from swallowing
the type of plastic contained in these products.
HISTORY
Disposable sanitary products were introduced in the 1930s. Focus was
on convenience and disposability, and this financially viable industry
was soon firmly established, making other more environmentally viable,
healthy options less attractive to both women and industry.
In addition, during that early post-Victorian era it was not considered
'proper' for women to touch their vaginal area. The manufacturers of the
tampon overcame this obstacle by providing the disposable applicators
that can still be found floating in our toilet bowls today!
Advertisements for conventional sanitary protection perpetuate the social
taboo surrounding menstruation. Features such as 'discreet' wrapping and
'odour controlling layers' impress upon women that our periods are something
to be ashamed of and that we are 'dirty' and 'smelly' when we are menstruating.
Our periods are, in fact, a symbol of our health and fertility and there
are several healthy options which are not only much better for the well-being
of women, but have profoundly less impact on the environment.
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Patterned
pads and a latex keeper |
MENSTRUAL
CUPS
Menstrual cups were introduced in the 1930's (around the same time as
disposable tampons). Traditionally, menstrual cups were made from latex,
a substance derived from the sap of the gum tree. Latex rubber is a common
allergen and so cups have now been developed which are made from medical
grade silicone, a safer, softer and more attractive material.
Silicone is derived from silica, found in sandstone and quartz, one of
the most abundant resources on our planet. It collects menstrual flow
directly from the base of the cervix, has a capacity of 1 fl oz (a whole
cycle will produce 3-4fl oz) and can be worn for anywhere between 6-12
hours depending on flow.
The many testimonials on all of these websites which sell both latex
and silicone menstrual cups indicate that this is a safe, leak proof,
convenient, and comfortable alternative to the disposable, commercially
available tampon.
http://www.mooncup.co.uk (UK)
http://www.thedivacup.com/en/home.html
(Canada)
http://www.keeper.com/index.html
(USA)
http://www.mum.org/MenCups.htm
(further reading)
RE-USABLE PADS AND NATURAL SPONGE TAMPONS
Reusable pads are absorbent, long lasting and machine washable. Natural
sponge tampons are also washable, and last for 6-7 cycles. Here are some
websites where these products can be purchased and researched further.
http://www.natural-woman.com
(UK)
http://www.lunapads.com (USA)
Cool and Ultra Cool outlets for fabric pads
http://urban-armor.org/urban-armor/index.html
http://www.pleasurepuss.com/features.html
Eight myths about washable pads - dispelled
http://www.soapboxgirls.com/jan02/articles/eightmyths.html
Free guide (including patterns) to making your own re-usable pads
http://bloodsisters.org/bloodsisters/images/makepads.pdf
http://pacificcoast.net/%7Emanymoons/howto.html
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ORGANIC PRODUCTS
Although disposable, the products available on the website below are
100% certified organic by the Soil Association (UK), do not contain herbicides,
pesticides or dioxin residues, are non-bleached and do not contain any
harmful plastic. They are also competitively priced and available all
over the world.
http://www.natracare.com
http://www.natural-woman.com/p_natracare.htm
THE WOMEN'S ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK
The Women's Environmental Network have a special leaflet on the subject.
You have to send them a 34p SAE marked Sanpro and in
return they will send you their guide. Their website also lists stockists
of all alternative menstrual products. Well worth having a look.
Womens Environmental Network, SANPRO, PO Box 30626, London, E1 1TZ, England
http://www.wen.org.uk/sanpro/sanpro.htm
A selection of pads |
AND MY FAVOURITE SITE
... for all things menstrual ...
http://bloodsisters.org/bloodsisters/
All the graphics found on this page are from the Urban
Armour website.
As with any area on these pages, if you have any ideas or questions,
please email me, Julia Jackdaw, at ethical [at] druidnetwork [dot] org.
Thank you!
