If you're worried about the personal and ecosystem health impacts of conventional menstrual products, here are some options for you - feel free to experiment and find the best fit for you. Talk it up with your friends. Despite what the commercials tell you about the need to keep hush about your period, you'll find that your friends may be happy to hear about other options.
Cloth Pads
They're ultra-comfortable, and choosing cloth pads can also save you money, especially if you make them yourself! Here are a few suggested patterns:
You don't even need to sew anything! Buy some soft colorful facecloths and fold them up. If you have a heavy flow, use more than one. A friend of mine uses socks! If your undies fit snugly, you don't even need pins. When you're done with them, just rinse them out and put them in the wash.
You can get lovely cloth pads made from organic cotton from Lunapads or try Gladrags. There are many places to get cloth pads in Victoria.
The Keeper/Diva Cup
Use this amazing device instead of a tampon. It's made of silicone, so you can use it again and again, and boil it to clean it. It's approved for marketing by Health Canada and the USDA. You can use it for years, and it only costs $37.50 (Cdn) if you order it online, or you can get it at some stores in Victoria.
Sponges
Another alternative to tampons, sea sponges are nice and soft and can be used for 6- 8 cycles. You can order them from Lunapads or get your own. There is a woman at the Moss Street Market who sometimes sells local sponges - but she's a little wierded out about using them for menstural blood, so be nice to her! I have not found any studies comparing the risk of TSS in sponges vs. tampons.
Friendlier Disposables
You can get organic, non-bleached, non-GMO disposable tampons and pads. Although they don't solve the landfill problem, and they are more expensive than the other alternatives, you do reduce the risk of TSS and avoid the problems associated with chlorine bleaching and dioxins. Order them from Natracare, or visit practically any health or organic store in Victoria.
Other Ideas
Please be creative! Don't let the big disposable product companies make you think that you are dependant on them. You have lots of options that are cheaper and healthier!
To find these products locally,try these stores:
Capers, 109-3995 Quadra St., 727-9888
Colwood House/Nutrition, #6 - 310 Goldstream Ave
Lifestyle Markets, 2950 Douglas St.
Logical Health Foods, 104-1644 Hillside Mall
Many Moons, 1666 Ross St., 592-8815
Nature's Fare, 6-1516 Fairfield Rd.
Seed of Life, 1316 Government St.
Sunflower Health Foods, 7060 West Saanich Rd.
Western Canada Wilderness Committee Rainforest Store, 651 Johnson Street, 388-9292
