DIY: Eco-friendly products for your vagina

By Kelley Coggins-Anton

In the life of a college student, spring cleaning conveniently coincides with the end of spring semester. And while we considered barraging you with a roll-call of eco-conscious cleaners, who has the time to scrub the floors like a 1950s housewife? Not us. Instead, the Fine Print DIY staff is focusing on a more manageable interior space and the one most likely to be ignored during your spring cleaning: your vagina. Not to insinuate that it’s dirty. Just cluttered. Cluttered with feminine hygiene products that are bleached with chemicals that can be absorbed during use and produce 300 pounds of trash in a woman’s menstruating lifetime.

What are we suggesting you do, then? Take a look at your options. We’ve noted the most pertinent facts about each product. Check out the links for more info.

1) Organic cotton tampons and pads
- Seventh Generation

- Chlorine-Free Ultra-Thin Pads: Comparable to their conventional counterparts, these pads feature a wheat-
based absorbent core.

- Chlorine-Free Organic Cotton Tampons: Similarly comparable to your average tampon, these boast organic
cotton. Seventh Generation offers both applicator and regular tampons, something to keep in mind when
making your selection.

- Natracare: As a warning, Natural Ultra Pads do not come individually wrapped. Other than that, they function      similarly to a normal pad, despite reported bunching. Natracare also sells Organic All-Cotton Tampons
Certified organic, available both with and without applicators.

2) Sea sponge tampons
Jade and Pearl: Sea sponge tampons are made from sustainably harvested Atlantic sea sponges. They can be left in for up to eight hours, depending on flow, and need to be completely replaced every three to six months. They do not feature a string to aid in removal, and on-the-go cleaning can be problematic. Like most conventionally-constructed tampons, Sea Pearls come in several sizes. They may also serve to collect menstrual blood during sex.

3) Reusable cloth pads and period panties
These are similar to their disposable equivalents in construction but fastened with snaps or velcro instead. The disadvantage is that used pads must be stored until they can be washed, and if you’re on the go, you have to carry a waterproof bag to store them.

- GladRags: While GladRags get rave reviews for their customer service and security, the downside is the need to
wash both the outer pad and insert once you’ve used it, as opposed to just washing the insert.

- Lunapads: Not all products are available in organic cotton. For those that are, select the organic cotton option in the drop-down menu on the product
pages.

- Lunapanties: Period panties have an absorbent layer of fleece in the crotch, as well as cotton bands that allow you to add liners to customize absorbency. Lunapads advises changing your liner before soaking through in order to stay dry and comfortable throughout the day. Made with 100 percent organic cotton.

- Goddess Pads

There are plenty of other web sites and retailers out there that offer reusable cloth pads (most offer both prints and undyed organic options). Among them, Goddess Pads might be considered the “superstore,” even selling sponges and menstrual cups. If you are looking for a reusable pad product with a good customer support network, GladRags and Lunapads are our top picks. However, Goddess Pads offers not only GladRags and Lunapads, but three other trusted reusable cloth pad brands: Lotus pads, Sckoon and Her Padz.

4) Menstrual cups are reusable cups
These are inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluids. They are foldable and feature a “stem” at the base to facilitate removal. Menstrual cups can be left in for eight to 12 hours, depending on flow, before being emptied and rinsed. Manufacturers often offer two sizes: one for women who have not had children and one for those who have. Virgins can wear menstrual cups; however, as with tampons, if keeping the hymen intact is a concern, you should consult your physician.

-The Keeper: Made from latex and reusable for up to 10 years, The Keeper has been around since 1987.

- The Moon Cup: The Moon Cup is identical to The Keeper but made from medical-grade silicone. Both The Keeper and The Moon Cup are FDA-approved, offer a 3-month guarantee and can last for up to 10 years. Their web site is a delightfully no-frills resource for facts and how-to info, and products are packaged in cloth bags made in America by retired seamstresses.

- The DivaCup: Made of medical-grade silicone, The DivaCup features a shorter stem than its competitors. The DivaCup does not offer returns or refunds and recommends that you replace The DivaCup yearly.

While The Keeper, The Moon Cup and The Diva Cup are the most established menstrual cups, menstrual cup aficionado Melissa reviews every brand under the sun in her Menstrual Cup Info blog. She provides detailed descriptions, reviews and, if available, more than several photos of each product. Her reviews are candid and helpful, and comments from other users provide further insight.

For more info about alternative menstrual products, check out…

* The official blog of the Tampaction campaign, a “national, youth led campaign led by the Student Environmental Action Coalition to replace unhealthy, unsustainable tampons and pads with more sustainable alternatives and deepen appreciation for menstruation, menstruators’ bodies, and the environment.”

* Grist magazine’s Seattle editor Sarah van Schagen’s two-part review of eco-minded feminine products, aptly named “Red Vadge of Courage” and “Flow and Tell” is a helpful resource.

* Grist magazine’s Van Schagen’s suggestion for what to do with leftover tampons kept the Fine Print DIY staff entertained during our Spring Break flight delays.

* Journalist/author Marye Audet blogs her review of eco-friendly feminine products on HubPages. We were also mildly distracted by her other blogs about homemade soap recipes and growing strawberries!