2. Menstruation
This post covers alternative products for both tampons (top) and disposable pads (bottom).
michelle had made a previous post on this:
Alternative Menstrual Products IIRC there's some helpful info in there, but it also gets frequently derailed so weather through it.
ALTERNATIVES TO TAMPONS: MENSTRUAL CUPS
*note all companies sell to the US and most international locations. Even with the conversion rate and international shipping the non-US companies are still price competitive. Strangely, there aren't a lot of US companies that make these things, most are Canadian, British or Australian.
common menstrual cups companies and retailers:
http://www.thekeeper.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (US - latex Keeper and silicone Keeper MoonCup, not to be confused with the original UK Mooncup)
http://www.divacup.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (CAN - silicone)
http://www.mooncup.co.uk(UK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - silicone)
http://www.lunapads.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (CAN, also sells cloth pads)
http://www.gladrags.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (US, also sells cloth pads)
http://manymoonsalternatives.com/category.php?cat_id=9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (CAN, also sells cloth pads)
Kaylan had a helpful post
here with info on menstrual cup sources for those outside the US.
additional info:
Photo Comparison of Keeper, Divacup, UK Mooncup, Instead, Lunette (scroll down, resources also included)
Comparison and Rating of UK Mooncup, Divacup, Keeper, Keeper Mooncup, Lunette (also info on using cups)
Overview of Menstrual Cups and Divacup, Keeper and Keeper Mooncup
Huge Directory of Links About Menstrual Cups (care, comparison, use)
* I have some info direct from the individual companies regarding care. I'll post when I get time.
menstrual cups and UTIs:
From The Keeper site:
2.) What about possible infections?
Occasionally, some women find that The Keeper will aggravate a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you have any tendencies toward dehydration or UTI's, you might want to try drinking extra water during the time you will be using The Keeper, to help prevent this.
From the DivaCup site:
Q. Is there an increased risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) when using The DivaCup?
A. Menstrual cups are not associated with an increased risk of UTI.
You may need to trim the stem a bit so that it is not protruding near to the urethra. Also, it is important to wash and rinse the cup and the stem thoroughly. It is best to use a mild pH balanced wash like The DivaWash, so that residue is not left on the cup. Residue may cause irritations.
menstrual cups and yeast infections:
From the DivaCup site:
Q. Can I use The DivaCup while using vaginally-administered medication to clear up an infection?
A.No, it is best to discontinue use until the infection has cleared up completely. Also, it is important to boil the cup if it was used at any time during the duration of the yeast infection. Submerge the cup in an open pan of boiling water (continuous rolling boil) for twenty (20) minutes. Do not leave the boiling pot unattended and use enough water so that the pan does not boil dry.
Also, never use the cup at the same time topical medication is being used. The medication may compromise the silicone and ruin the cup. If this has happened, please replace the cup with a new one.
There is no increased risk of yeast infections with the use of menstrual cups if they are cleaned properly.
difference between silicone and latex:
from The Keeper site:
The Keeper is a natural gum rubber cup and The Keeper Mooncup is a medical grade silicone cup - both similar to the material that is used in baby bottle nipples... If you have latex allergies, we highly recommend The Keeper Mooncup.
Although The Keeper is made from natural gum rubber (versus a synthetic polymer), it is still made of rubber, which is also called latex. To be conservative, don't use it if you are allergic to rubber or latex, or think you might be.
The Keeper Mooncup is also a reusable menstrual cup we highly recommend. The Keeper Mooncup isn't made of latex, but of durable medical grade silicone and, like The Keeper, does not expose women to the hazards of bleaches, chemicals, rayon fiber absorption and chafing.
I recently found this great description of the difference between silicone and latex on another forum:
The benefits of silicone over latex are many. Silicone is hypo-allergenic, and you can actually boil it to disinfect it. With latex, you use either hydrogen peroxide or tea-tree oil to clean, which either bleaches the cup (thus accelerating the breakdown of the material) or leaves an odor.
washing/care:
see
Towanda's post below about washing latex menstrual cups.
There's also this info on washing your cup from The Keeper site:
At the end of your cycle, thoroughly wash your Keeper in hot water with a mild antibacterial soap and rinse thoroughly. If you wish, you may "rinse" your Keeper in a mild solution of 1 part non-chlorine bleach or vinegar with 9 parts hot water. [note: it is unclear if this refers to just the latex cup or both cups.]
And this info from the DivaCup site (silicone cup):
Washing the cup in mild soap and warm water provides sufficient cleansing. The best cleaning agent to use is The DivaWash. We have formulated it as a pH balanced wash that is best for the cup and you, because it does not leave residue.
At the end of each cycle The DivaCup should be washed and rinsed as specified and then submerged in an open pan of boiling water (continuous rolling boil) for twenty (20) minutes. Do not leave the boiling pot unattended and use enough water so that the pan does not boil dry. Do not use vinegar, tea tree oil, scented soap, antibacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide, bleach or harsh chemicals as these may damage the silicone and ruin the cup.
At the end of each cycle The DivaCup should be washed and rinsed as specified and then submerged in an open pan of boiling water (continuous rolling boil) for twenty (20) minutes. Do not leave the boiling pot unattended and use enough water so that the pan does not boil dry. Do not use vinegar, tea tree oil, scented soap, antibacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide, bleach or harsh chemicals as these may damage the silicone and ruin the cup.
Q. Can I use vinegar, bleach or hydrogen peroxide to soak The DivaCup?
A. Please do not use vinegar, bleach or hydrogen peroxide as these will damage the silicone. Follow the instructions in the FAQ “How do I clean The DivaCup?”.
ALTERNATIVES TO PADS
Kaylan had a helpful post
here with info on cloth pantyliners and pads.
bebaker22 shared a link for making your own cloth pads:
craftster.org topic
Here is some general info on cloth pads:
Why Use Cloth Pads?
Washing Cloth Pads
Cloth Pad Review (reviews many different brands)
Moon Pads?(info on using cloth pads and reviews of different brands)
What is PUL Fabric? (in many pad listings you'll see reference to "PUL", this explains what that is)
common places to purchase cloth pads and panty liners:
*note all companies sell to the US and most international locations. Even with the conversion rate and international shipping the non-US companies are still price competitive. Strangely, there aren't a lot of US companies that make these things, most are Canadian, British or Australian.
http://www.lunapads.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (CAN, also sells cups)
http://www.gladrags.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (US, also sells cups)
http://www.wemoon.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (AU)
http://manymoonsalternatives.com/category.php?cat_id=9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (CAN, also sells cups)
http://www.hagrag.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (US)
http://www.newmoonpads.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (US)
edits: periodic updates to links, info, etc.