Comments on: Tampons- The Planet’s Most Extreme Case of PMS

By: Be A Green Bean

Be A Green Bean — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:14:28 +0000

I use the Diva cup and yes, it’s messy, but it’s what my body produces. I can really see just how much flow I have, which is something I was out of tune with before when I used tampons. I have kids, so dealing with this isn’t a big deal. I won’t go back to tampons since my cup doesn’t creep down like some tampons do. It took a few tries to find the best way to put it in, but like with many things in life, the effort was worth it. I also use cloth pads to back up the cup, just like with a tampon, and I couldn’t be happier.
Diane, I’m disappointed. (Since I like your blog so much!) I don’t understand why you would recommend original Tampax and O.B. In your post. You introduced information about how bad the conventional ones are, and told us about the chemicals and how rayon contributes to toxic-shock syndrome. So, why recommend the very ones that have those things? The absence of an applicator or a cardboard applicator isn’t good enough of a reason to recommend them since the tampons themselves are heinous. The only ones worthy of recommending are the NatraCare and Seventh Generation, but, even these contribute to landfills and go down the sewer. The pads also still use plastic and glues. It’s best to get away from this stuff altogether and try to go to something that doesn’t need to be bought over and over again.
Speaking of cost, I invested about $36 in my Diva cup and a set of 6 cloth pads (from Etsy dot com). To buy conventional stuff all year, I need to spend about $240/year. Big difference. I feel a sense of freedom now that I am not obliged to support these companies every month. No more last-minute trips to the store!
Another reason to go paper-free is comfort. I hated the uncomfortable cotton tampons; I can’t feel the Diva cup at all, and, it doesn’t slip down. Also, I hated the paper liners and pads. They made me sweaty, and the sticky stuff would inevitably get stuck to my leg – or other places – due to movement. I love my cloth pads that just snap in place. They feel like my underwear and they breathe better. They mold (take shape) to my body and are soft. So comfy! I now don’t have such a bad time during “that time.” I’m actually ok with it. Since I have changed over I feel really good on so many levels. Please try using a cup/sponge and cloth pads. You may like it as much as I do.

By: Greenblogreader

Greenblogreader — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:56:51 +0000

The cup is awesome. I’ll never go back to tampons.

By: Jan M.

Jan M. — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:39:36 +0000

Don’t rule out a moon cup too quickly…. I’ve found they are actually more convenient, more comfortable and no more messy than tampons.
Tampons are popular because marketers can make a lot of money selling us a new box every month, not because they are the best option!

By: Diane MacEachern

Diane MacEachern — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:25:59 +0000

Thanks so much for the invite. I won’t be in Florida, but I hope others who see this will join you. Good luck with the event.

By: Stephanie Robin

Stephanie Robin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:33:40 +0000

Thank you for posting such important information. It’s scary what we do to our bodies. My name is Stephanie Robin and I am fighting Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. I was first diagnosed in 2004 at the age of 36. Until cancer touched my life I had never heard of the Breast Cancer (BRCA) gene and had no clue that I was a carrier. I have been sharing my story through my organization, THINK PINK. Each day I am horrified at the number of people I meet who still don’t know that such a gene exists. I am on a mission to share the facts so that my daughter and others have a fighting chance.
I need your help! We’re hosting a charity concert called THINK PINK ROCKS on Oct 3, 2009 in Boca Raton, FL – I’m so excited to see AKON, Melanie Fiona, Shontelle and American Yard! So, if you’re in South Florida I would love to see you. Proceeds will benefit breast cancer charities and research organizations. Buy your tickets at http://www.thinkpinkrocks.com and while you’re there read the facts about the BRCA gene. You can also click to be counted and acknowledge that you now have the information that could save your life or the life of someone you love. Our goal is to collect one million clicks by Dec. 31, 2009. Share this link with your friends and family. It’s too important not to. Thank you, Stephanie Robin. XOXO

By: JessTrev

JessTrev — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:01:00 +0000

There are also cloth pads – LunaPads is one maker and there are a zillion little etsy shops that sell them too. Another option for those who think the DivaCup or Keeper is “messy”!