I had a hysterectomy seventeen years ago, and not having a period has been bliss!
4
I would give anything to menstruate again. I'm in menopause and desperately miss the irregularity of my own peculiar cycle, which was normal for me but hardly "average."
I didn't start my period until 9th grade, I was 13 1/2; and it ended (by force) when I was 54 and put on Femara.
I wish more women loved this aspect of womanhood than shunned it. I'm old enough to remember the safety pins for emergencies; the sanitary belt by Modess, and even a toss-away product in the early '70s called "Tassaway."
Oh, to be bloody again,
and not have hair on my chinny-chin.
I didn't start my period until 9th grade, I was 13 1/2; and it ended (by force) when I was 54 and put on Femara.
I wish more women loved this aspect of womanhood than shunned it. I'm old enough to remember the safety pins for emergencies; the sanitary belt by Modess, and even a toss-away product in the early '70s called "Tassaway."
Oh, to be bloody again,
and not have hair on my chinny-chin.
11
The article says mensual cups are replaced once per year, this is incorrect. Usually the manufacturer says about 8-10 years. I have been using them for a decade an a half and I'm only on my 3rd. The second one only got replaced after it became the unfortunate chew toy of a friend dog. They are by far the most economical option. I've had the diva, the luna and the moon cup. All great options.
3
This article convinced me to look into menstrual cups. There are a lot of options out there nowadays! I plan to give one a try. This webpage helped me narrow down my choices: http://putacupinit.com/chart/
I have no affiliation with the people who put that site together.
I have no affiliation with the people who put that site together.
1
Wish all these options had been around before I hit menopause!
http://www.thecriticalmom.blogspot.com
http://www.thecriticalmom.blogspot.com
4
I tried the Diva Cup and it never worked. I switched to a different brand, The Keeper, and have been happy ever since.
2
I tried the menstrual sponge in college. I have never been more embarrassed in my life than when I had to go to the ladies' room to rinse the thing out.
1
I'm currently having my period. Between the cramping, back pain, nausea, and carb-craving, nah, I wouldn't say I feel "empowered." I do feel entitled to taking it easy a little more, indulging a chocolate craving, and definitely not judging myself. But "empowered?" Not by attending to my basic physiologic needs. That's my right as a human being. Let's not set the empowerment bar so low for women and girls. "Empowered" was what I felt when I voted for a female president for the first time in the history of my country. Devastated was what I felt when she lost. Not when I got my period this past week.
30
You know what's even better? Not having a period at all! Menstrual suppression can be safely achieved by many women using various forms of hormonal contraception (pills, implant, IUD, etc.). For women who are young, non-smokers, and don't have a personal or family history of clotting disorders, it's safe and effective. For these women, there's no medical reason to take the placebo pills (it was designed that way to make women feel like they were still "natural" and menstruating, but it's actually just a hormonal withdrawal bleed, not a true menstrual cycle). Do some research, ask your doctor more about it.
8
There's no valid reason to suppress your period. Wait a few years -- there'll be studies that prove that preventing menstruation, a natural, NORMAL part of being female, will work against many of those who did it with side effects that no one thought of.
8
DB: You are correct, and female doctors have been doing this for years -- for themselves. Which is why when patients find out that this option was there all along and no one told them about it, they get more than a little peeved.
2
Let's get these cups out there to the developing world. When girls don't go to school because of their periods, the reusable cup sounds like a game changer. Is there a charity out they doing this? Hello Melinda Gates!
16
I've used the cup for around six years and it is. The. Best. Thing. Ever. No more worries about changing in the gym, doesn't irritate you, environmentally friendly, and saves lots of money. My gynecologist said it was the best method. Forget about replacing it each year, it's made of surgical silicone and lasts 10 years.
5
The best human body is the one that will have no ingestions and no excretions. Nothing in. . .nothing out. With continued R & D, the ultimate perfection of the human being will be completely internally self-contained. All of its "fuel" and waste and solids and fluids will be completely self-recycled, reusable, sustainable and repurposeable within the human body.
Human beings will be at their best when they are more along the lines of "Terminator"-type beings.
Human beings will be at their best when they are more along the lines of "Terminator"-type beings.
3
Why does everything the NYT touches sounds like some type of agenda? As a woman I am happy to have a journalist approach taken to such a topic instead of this being confined to "Cosmo". It's about time this normal biological function was talked about calmly, rationally and openly (how men got erectile dysfunction on the worldwide stage but no one made us fully cognizant about menstrual care options is incredible). But pulling in the transgender male experience and the empowering nature of the endometrium? Women pushing for free tampons in restrooms or tax-free products? Feeling liberated by letting biohazardous material freely flow? Menstruation is a hormonally regulated biological process that doesn't require this much pomp and circumstance.
I agree with whoever said they feel empowered because of the characteristics they choose to have and simply because they are human. Can you imagine a NYT article written by a man who feels empowered by the functions of his penis (I hear the snickering already!)?
Thanks though for opening the conversation on this topic.
I agree with whoever said they feel empowered because of the characteristics they choose to have and simply because they are human. Can you imagine a NYT article written by a man who feels empowered by the functions of his penis (I hear the snickering already!)?
Thanks though for opening the conversation on this topic.
21
AP writes, can you "imagine a NYT article written by a man who feels empowered by the functions of his penis?"
Yes, I can. There have been multiple articles about him every single day month after weary month. And now he's President-elect, so they're increasing.
Yes, I can. There have been multiple articles about him every single day month after weary month. And now he's President-elect, so they're increasing.
38
On a day when both Bob Dylan and the "free bleeding" menstrual non-trend are in the news, it seems like a good time to share the title of the thesis of a college classmate of mine (Harvard '84). The thesis was an anslysis of western versus eastern menstrual taboos. The title:
"Blood on the Slacks."
"Blood on the Slacks."
9
Another advantage of reusable pads and menstrual cups is that they generally don't lead to plugged public toilets. I've been in too many restrooms where a toilet is 'out of order'. All the signs asking people not to flush tampons is a testament to the plumbing maintenance costs, and toilet downtime that might be avoided.
10
I use a natural sea sponge. Has to be natural not synthetic. Get a really big one and cut it up. Rinse thoroughly before using. Use, rinse, repeat. Never had an infection or any other issue... I use one per period, but I know others who disinfect and seal in a plastic bag and use again. Perfectly natural and sustainable.
1
we have several large sea sponges as decoration in our bathroom - bought from a Parisian market - but as a guy it's not clear to me whether the sponge would be worn outside (what size - how bulky?) or inserted, in which case size and absorbency in a compressed state may vary with the type of sponge ?
2
I did this when I was young, poor and idealistic.
2
Those commenters concerned that "free bleeding" will become a trend can relax. "Free bleeding" is not a movement but a puerile fringe idea that will never gain traction. The vast majority of women have no interest in ruining their clothing to "send a message" about menstruation.
Menstrual taboos should be examined and countered insofar as they limit the status and freedom of women around the world. Affluent western women wearing bodilly effluvia as a badge of honor or protest is not the way to achieve that goal.
Menstrual taboos should be examined and countered insofar as they limit the status and freedom of women around the world. Affluent western women wearing bodilly effluvia as a badge of honor or protest is not the way to achieve that goal.
35
Neither menstrual cups nor tampons are options for millions of unmarried females in those cultures that elevate the value of provable virginity on the wedding night over even the value of female life.
15
The fact that this is a topic of conversation at all shows how far we have to go on this. I'm glad young women are feeling less embarrassed about this than my generation, but it's just a bodily function not a sacrament, for heaven's sake. There was nothing empowering about this for me; I had a fibroid that nearly caused me to bleed out on a couple of occasions and I was quite happy to lose all that plumbing. Can we all just move on?
26
About 40 years ago, when I was a teenager, a friend wanted to try using a tampon but was afraid. I helped her insert one. I'm so tired of reading that menstruation, our bodies, and sex were never discussed by women until now. Maybe some women were ashamed, but plenty of us were not. "Our Bodies, Ourselves" was on the bookshelf of every woman I knew in the 1970s. Just because the NYT just discovered something doesn't mean it's new.
23
Ah, to be young! The youthful think that just because they have never discussed or done something before, no one before them has ever discussed or done it either. Don't worry, they will grow up and find out differently.
14
I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, and can assure you that talking about menstruation was taboo even among most females unless you were exceptionally close friends.
Indeed, I internalized a belief that we were supposed to avoid even thinking about our "private parts" and their functions. A deep sense of shame and horror was attached to such thoughts.
It never occurred to my mentally ill mother (who was menopausal years before I was a teen, )hat I needed Kotex, I couldn't ask my stepfather to buy such a thing when he shopped for us, and I certainly couldn't buy them myself. So resorted to stealing pads from other girls... I won't go into details about how I got by with very few, but as that "day of the month" approached the tension would become almost too much to bear.
Indeed, I internalized a belief that we were supposed to avoid even thinking about our "private parts" and their functions. A deep sense of shame and horror was attached to such thoughts.
It never occurred to my mentally ill mother (who was menopausal years before I was a teen, )hat I needed Kotex, I couldn't ask my stepfather to buy such a thing when he shopped for us, and I certainly couldn't buy them myself. So resorted to stealing pads from other girls... I won't go into details about how I got by with very few, but as that "day of the month" approached the tension would become almost too much to bear.
8
When I was young and broke most of the time, I used to neatly fold about two feet of toilet paper into rectangles and use that as a makeshift sanitary napkin. It worked quite well, was very inexpensive, didn't clog the toilet, and was easily replaced every time I went to the bathroom. The only hang-up was the the waxy toilet paper at gas stations and restaurants had zero absorbancy.
3
I've had my Diva cup for 14 years and see no reason to replace it. It has changed my life; periods are not in issue anymore. Yes, there is a learning curve but the personal and environmental benefits are enormous.
4
I need to try one of these cups. FYI a gf had a slight horror story when she switched to a cup and an IUD at the same time. From her anecdote, and doctor recommendation they don't jive, at least in her case they didn't. Best to do your research there.
Surprised NYTs didn't mention the cotton tampon brand Lola. Delivered to your door of course.
Surprised NYTs didn't mention the cotton tampon brand Lola. Delivered to your door of course.
5
The cup is the best thing ever. I wish I had know about it my whole life. I basically forget I'm having my period. It's the most comfortable most environmentally friendly option out there. After using one every other alternative seems complicated, messy and unappealing.
2
I'm glad the NYT did an article about this. My daughter and her friends switched to Diva cups years ago and love them. There is so much advertising money to promote tampons and pads and very little interest in promoting the cups.
10
@Vicki Taylor Since commenters are saying the cups last 10 or more years, I'd the companies are protecting their profits by not promoting them. Like so much in our economy--not the best but the most profitable.
So what's the point of free bleeding, besides making a statement? That's one of the most unhygienic, impractical and disgusting practices I've heard of! Like somebody else already said, we don't pee ourselves and walk around in it! If it's just that one time that musician did it as a statement, fine - but clarify it as such, don't list it along with the other methods people actually use during their period. Because I'm pretty sure nobody does that in their day-to-day life. Even extremely poor women in India use leaves and stuff, and if they truly have nothing, then they "free bleed" against their will and out of desperation, not because it's a practical option.
41
Actually, most menstrual cup manufacturers - and there are more than 50 manufacturers making these products around the world - cite that the lifespan of the cup is 10 years. For most cups, the user does not need to replace them every year as this article states.
Menstrual cups are a safe, hygienic, environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. One of the things I most appreciate is that they can be emptied once every 8 to 12 hours, depending on how heavy your flow is.
And this is not simply an innovation for privileged consumers as some comments have suggested. While it may be less appealing to some cultures, there have been several studies done in low resource settings around the world that have found menstrual cups to be acceptable solutions for women and girls. Their introduction also provides the potential for more education of women and girls about their bodies. If these products could be made available to low income women and girls - and some like the Ruby Cup have this built into their business models - they could be life changing, allowing women to stay employed and girls to stay in school, having confidence and the ability to focus.
Menstrual cups are a safe, hygienic, environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and disposable pads. One of the things I most appreciate is that they can be emptied once every 8 to 12 hours, depending on how heavy your flow is.
And this is not simply an innovation for privileged consumers as some comments have suggested. While it may be less appealing to some cultures, there have been several studies done in low resource settings around the world that have found menstrual cups to be acceptable solutions for women and girls. Their introduction also provides the potential for more education of women and girls about their bodies. If these products could be made available to low income women and girls - and some like the Ruby Cup have this built into their business models - they could be life changing, allowing women to stay employed and girls to stay in school, having confidence and the ability to focus.
22
Having used them for years, I think the biggest problem with them is that if you have heavy periods you need to use a pad as well sometimes. It is also too weird to empty them and wash them out in public restrooms.
12
Is the accompanying picture really necessary?
5
Welcome to a woman's reality. Deal with it; we do!
43
Yes, it is a beautiful illustration and makes this article even more enjoyable.
7
I actually thought the artwo was lovely.
8
Use what works, and in the time of the flow it works. For me it was never the same everyday or over the years. I found the applicators far simpler, more comfortable to use, (PS, Iam perfectly comfortable with my anatomy.) not all tampons are the same and for some reason the ones that promised to open and become leakproof never did and anyway, the end of the story is "use what works". Had to comment about men's menstruation...No. No additional information of that statement was given. Where are the editors? Snacking, sleeping, hope they are reading the politics and grooming that for a change.
7
I don't see how additional information regarding men menstruating wasn't given. The statement was presented in the context of a transgender man, born biologically female, who menstruated for a period of time between when he began presenting himself publicly as a man (and, correspondingly, using men's restrooms) and when he begins hormone therapy that will cease menstruation.
6
There is a great resource at menstrualcup.coamd other sites if you do a search for menstrual cup comparisons. There are dozens of cups out there. I use a MeLuna from Germany. I found the Diva way too large for me, and it wasn't comfortable. I have been using cups for over a decade now, and started with Lunapads before that. I fully expect my daughters to start with cups and/or reusable pads rather than tampons.
3
The whole discussion is disgusting!!! ........D.Trump
12
Why are you reading it and participating, then? If you are more than 12 years old, perhaps you should worry about your immaturity and fear of women rather than trolling an article about and for women.
1
I thought it was meant to be satirical. Silly me...
9
ellen --
Mike is not trolling the article; he is trolling Donald Trump.
Mike is not trolling the article; he is trolling Donald Trump.
13
Really? So disgusting!!!! What's next, diarrhea is ok too? And demanding free products in restrooms is selfish. Women have handled periods since Adam & Eve, why are we going backwards to show blood running down our legs, so it is okay to spread blood on places you sit and I come along and get your blood on my clothes too? Next you will have everyone menstruating go naked!!! Sooooo all about me , no concerns about the rest of the population!!!!
10
Do you think free toilet paper is selfish as well?
Why are women (and men) so terrified by their bodies? Many developing nations actually don't handle periods well - you have women who can't leave the house for a week. There needs to be better solutions - a few of which this article mentions. I also hardly think those who free bleed do so when their flow is so heavy it'd get on a seat.
Why are women (and men) so terrified by their bodies? Many developing nations actually don't handle periods well - you have women who can't leave the house for a week. There needs to be better solutions - a few of which this article mentions. I also hardly think those who free bleed do so when their flow is so heavy it'd get on a seat.
12
Your comment seems to come from a place of ignorance and shaming women as disgusting. Not one line in this article is about going naked so we bleed near you. Grow up and don't act disrespectful.
12
And yet the notion of our throwaway culture (millions and millions of tampons and pads in our landfills, courtesy of you) isn't selfish, right? Of course not.
8
The silicone cups are great. Besides being cheaper and lasting longer, they also feel a lot cleaner and less drying than tampons. I find that they last for more like two years. They have a little bit of a learning curve, but definitely worth trying out.
9
I just don't get it... is this really something about which the NYT needs to enlighten it's readers? "Running free...?" I once got my period going to work on the subway & wearing a white skirt... I almost died of embarrassment. Maybe I should have worn it as a badge of courage... nah. Thank Gd for menopause.
11
The DivaCup is one of the simplest innovations imaginable, but has the potential to be life changing for any woman who tries it. Not only does it last years (the suggested 1 year rule is far too conservative, in my experience), but it saves enormous amounts of money, resources, and, I would add, anxiety, as it offers better leak protection than conventional products. And, because menstrual blood does not oxidize when using the cup, it prevents the thoroughly unpleasant smell of dried blood.
I have often lamented the fact that it is not more widely known about or embraced. But huge multinationals have nothing to gain from selling or promoting this product, which has the potential to be an enormous money saver for all females, and, in places where menstruation actually has adverse effects on work and school for women and girls, a tool for advancement and equality.
I have often lamented the fact that it is not more widely known about or embraced. But huge multinationals have nothing to gain from selling or promoting this product, which has the potential to be an enormous money saver for all females, and, in places where menstruation actually has adverse effects on work and school for women and girls, a tool for advancement and equality.
20
Menstrual cups are great, but you need a backup pad if you are a heavy bleeder and need to get through a whole day at the office securely. You can't wash them in public shared sinks (at least I wouldn't).
6
You don't have to wash them during the day. You just empty it in the toilet and reinsert it and then wait until you get home to wash it.
One of the best ways I found for 'managing' my period was continuous use of birth control. Despite the many unfounded stories generated and propagated by various corporate interests, there is nothing inherently dangerous in stopping one's period, and nature used to do it for us in the form of continual pregnancies and protracting nursing of children. Though low estrogen birth control I had no period for years, meaning no cramps or mood swings, lost and kept off weight during that time, and had great skin as well. It's a great option and not to be forgotten in this article.
9
Interesting. I checked all the company websites. The article didn't mention bladder leaks but it's a thing, especially after kids and some surgeries, I learned, and periods, kids and bladder leaks are somewhat related. Thanks for the article, because who knew?
5
Men do not get their periods. Claiming that they do is the ultimate act of cultural appropriation. I find alternative options for managing periods really appealing but seeing one of these companies use a man to advertise their products made for women is really offensive.
19
I'm all for women to have all these choices, but I never could have used a cup. I would have been paranoid about spillage and staining from my heavy flow. Not to mention the huge clots.....would the cup handle those without overflowing? Personally, I was completely disgusted with myself and cannot imagine rinsing the cup in public.
9
I've found that the cup works better than tampons and pads for heavy flows. Even on the first day, it doesn't leak or overflow. I can wear my cup with no problem for over 12 hours on my heaviest days while with tampons, even super, I had to change them at least every 4 hours. Being able to go so long without emptying the cup means not having to clean it in a public restroom.
3
Empowered by their uterine lining...that sentence really got me. I feel empowered because I am. I feel empowered as a woman who has never thought of herself as an inferior growing up in a male dominated society. I feel empowered because I am trying to raise a feminist son. I feel empowered because I am independent. And yes I am a woman, I have a uterus and have never thought that periods are something to bare ashamed of. But I feel empowered because of a uterine lining? What about women in menopause? What about women on hormonal birth control? Come on NYT, I like you very much but please let's not mock the feeling of empowerment that we are trying to inculcate in the younger generation by reducing it to a uterus.
21
Glad to hear young women today have a lot of good alternatives.
I was thrilled when we got stick-on pads replacing the awful belts-and-pads in the 60s, and even more thrilled to replace those with tampons.
I just wish I had been warned that the type of tampon that opens up like a flower blossom would be impossible to take out without hurting a lot, because it tore my hymen, despite all the misinformation we got about how that was impossible. I remember that awful day and how panicked I was that it hurt like hell to take out. The ones that get longer as they absorb fluid are fine, the ones that get a lot wider are not.
Then The Pill made my periods predictable and lighter. I tried the cup available at the time, but it leaked and was uncomfortable.
But just "let it bleed down your legs"? Uh, no, thanks.
I was thrilled when we got stick-on pads replacing the awful belts-and-pads in the 60s, and even more thrilled to replace those with tampons.
I just wish I had been warned that the type of tampon that opens up like a flower blossom would be impossible to take out without hurting a lot, because it tore my hymen, despite all the misinformation we got about how that was impossible. I remember that awful day and how panicked I was that it hurt like hell to take out. The ones that get longer as they absorb fluid are fine, the ones that get a lot wider are not.
Then The Pill made my periods predictable and lighter. I tried the cup available at the time, but it leaked and was uncomfortable.
But just "let it bleed down your legs"? Uh, no, thanks.
7
I started using a cup (not sure of the brand- though it is made here in Spain) about three years ago. I was hesitant at first, but now I can't imagine not having it. I still yse the same one-after every period, I sterilize it in boiling water for ten minutes. If I am at home or in a bathroom that allows it, I give it a quick wash before re-inserting. If not, I just shove it back in. No more schlepping around pads/tampons, it's a much fresher, cleaner feeling and none of the discomfort from pads/tampons. I wish I had gotten hip to the menstrual cup jive years ago. When my 9 year old daughter gets her period, I will get her a cup (over here they cone in two sizes- one for those who haven't given birth and a slightly larger size for those who have).
7
These cups are not a yearly disposal situation, but rather can last five to ten years with proper care. I've used a menstrual cup for the last six years, and it hasn't even stained, let alone shown any sign of being less effective. Not only that, they never leak, you can't feel them at all when they are in properly, there are no harmful chemicals, and there is no waste. I've recommended it to numerous women, and everyone who has switched is truly thrilled to be free of scratchy, leaky, expensive tampons and pads.
5
"A lot of people don't realize that some men do get their periods because it's just not talked about" Mt. DeVuyst said.
No, I believe it's not talked about because it biologically doesn't happen. You can change some things, but by definition, the biology of a man does not include having a uterus.
No, I believe it's not talked about because it biologically doesn't happen. You can change some things, but by definition, the biology of a man does not include having a uterus.
132
He is referring to transgender males
1
I actually assumed that he was referring to other men who had transitioned - and in that light the comment makes more sense.
7
The writer was quoting a transgender male who transitioned from a female.
9
One option they failed to mention in this article is Flex, which is like a menstrual cup, except it is disposable and you can wear it while having sex (Similar to a diaphragm). I used to use diva cup but switched to Flex because it was a lot easier to insert, and lasts 12 hours so it's not as much as a hassle to switch out as tampons.
10
Are you for real? Empowered by alternatives to tampons and uterine lining. This is pathetic. The last think I want to see let along wash is reusable period panties.
25
Yes, it's for real. Some women prefer to try alternative products. The article is here to show women that other options exist, not to force you into anything. Why does it bother you that some people might think and act differently than you do?
8
Maybe I would prefer not to share a public sink with someone washing out a period cup.
5
What do you think is so terrible about menstrual blood, and what public restrooms are you using that are so sterile? I'm sure worse things have been washed off hands in a public restroom sink.
2
I've been using a DivaCup for 10 years and wish I'd known about it sooner. It's perfect for heavy days, lights days and everything in between. I'm so glad I never have to buy another menstrual product again. I hope I can convince my daughter to use one when she gets her period. It's so freeing.
27
How are reusable, washable pads any different from the rags our grandmothers used 80 years ago?
Are we going to go to reusable toilet paper next? Urine and feces are also natural excretions of our bodies.
There are many other ways to avoid paper and cellulose waste besides not using tampons.
Are we going to go to reusable toilet paper next? Urine and feces are also natural excretions of our bodies.
There are many other ways to avoid paper and cellulose waste besides not using tampons.
14
How are they different? They are not. Does that present a problem to you? Why?
The comparison between fecal matter, urine and blood is nonsensical though. Menstrual blood has nothing to do with your digestive system/urinary tract.
Oh, and reusable pads/rags are not necessarily the only solution, as you may have gathered from the article. If we use cloth diapers as a parallel, those are still problematic because of the amount and type of detergent we use. Menstrual cups are the best solution, and your ancestors would have loved them: no laundry, no discomfort, no mess.
They do involve touching your genitals though, which given the ridiculous applicators used in the US appears to be a problem for some women.Give it a decade or so.
The comparison between fecal matter, urine and blood is nonsensical though. Menstrual blood has nothing to do with your digestive system/urinary tract.
Oh, and reusable pads/rags are not necessarily the only solution, as you may have gathered from the article. If we use cloth diapers as a parallel, those are still problematic because of the amount and type of detergent we use. Menstrual cups are the best solution, and your ancestors would have loved them: no laundry, no discomfort, no mess.
They do involve touching your genitals though, which given the ridiculous applicators used in the US appears to be a problem for some women.Give it a decade or so.
1
With washable pads, you don't have to worry about running out and buying more. It's the same reasoning behind cloth diapers for infants - you never have to buy more, just wash them. (As a mom, I find cloth diapers convenient, but I find a menstrual cup more convenient, because there's no laundry included.)
6
What is different is a revolution in the materials used to make the pads.
2
Started using the diva cup 10 years ago and haven't looked back. When using, most days I forget it's even there--it's an incredible sense of freedom from having to change a tampon so frequently. It's also not drying or irritating, nor am I contributing so much waste. Truly changed my life.
31
i always used a sea sponge.
20
Me too, until I accidently used a spiny sea cucumber by pushing the wrong button on the restroom dispenser. Ouch! Back to soft sponges.
4
Using a diaphragm worked for catching my super heavy menstrual flow. I'm post menopausal but hated carrying a large tote full of supplies to the restroom at work. Also resented paying sales tax on all those boxes of tampons and pads.
13
Some of us used small sea sponges bought from the face care section in chemist shops in the late seventies/ early eighties. They were cheap, natural, soft to use, easy to rinse out. Used this method for years but warnings came out about mercury dangers ... A shame as they worked really well.
23
Thinx & their competitors have what appears to be a great alternative to removable pads. However, none of them carry plus-size panties. I just want access to the same products other women have access too. It's sad that Thinx, a company who prides itself on being trendy and open-minded, would intentionally shun a major consumer group.
19
http://lunapads.com carries period underwear up to a 3x!
11
I just looked at the Thinx web site. The panties go up to a size 3XL, equivalent to size 22-24.
11
Dear Kate also carries up to a 3X, which for them is size 24-26.
1
Read about menstrual cups for the first time when I was 15 years old, and 10 years later I've never looked back. I had periods so heavy they kept me out of school for days every month, and the cup could finally hold enough for me to live my life. It can be worn for all occasions. It never leaves me with a diaper rash (pads) or pain from dryness (tampons). The environmental benefits are just an added bonus: feminine hygeine products make up a lot of ocean waste, and anyone with the privilege of accessing more sustainable methods SHOULD. Of course, the ultimate solution ended up being a Mirena.
17
"Today girls and women are talking openly about menstruation..."
not in all countries, not in all cultures. sometimes girls and women can not talk openly at all. period.
see also, birth control and access to sanitary toilets, especially in india.
not in all countries, not in all cultures. sometimes girls and women can not talk openly at all. period.
see also, birth control and access to sanitary toilets, especially in india.
24
My mom, who died 4 years ago at 87, used menstrual cups years ago. But I think they were disposable. I remember thinking that they might overflow, but she seemed fine with it.
4
Yes there was something called the Tassaway cup in the seventies. I think it was disposable (toss away). I thought it was a new idea at the time, but I recently saw an ad for a similar item in a 1950's or 60's nursing journal. So the concept has been around for quite time.
12
Tassaway was not disposable, that is, it was meant to be washed and reused for numerous menstrual cycles. I tried it but it was not comfortable and you were advised to empty it every 4-6 hours if I am remembering correctly. Washing it out in a workplace restroom sink was not going to make a good impression. I'm guessing it may have been made of stiffer material than the present options. I'm glad the present edition seems to work for many; the concept was good.
9
More first world nonsense. Women in the rest of the world would be happy to have access to tampons and pads (as indicated by the NYT article on India last week). Any discussion of the environmental impact of tampon waste is ridiculous.
16
Or they might be happy to get something reusable that they only have to purchase once.
Why do you think waste is ridiculous?
Why do you think waste is ridiculous?
48
Fully agree. It is probably easier to obtain a cup and care for it than having to rely on money and stores to carry sanitary products.
I will definitely suggest it to my daughter. When I was a teenager I was glad for tampons. Pads were so uncomfortable and not practical at all. With tampons you could do anything. But the cup seems even better. And yes, it reduces waste, which is always great.
I will definitely suggest it to my daughter. When I was a teenager I was glad for tampons. Pads were so uncomfortable and not practical at all. With tampons you could do anything. But the cup seems even better. And yes, it reduces waste, which is always great.
33
What makes more sense to a woman with potentially limited resources in a developing nation? A product she can reuse every month, without having to spend money every time, one which enables her to leave the house (which many are forbidden to do while menstruating) to go to work or school... or trying to scrape together the money to buy new product every 28 days, if it's even available, risking dropping out of school because of all the time missed, etc.? Further, why not care about their environment too, or do you think that a clean environment is only for well-to-do people? Both environmental and financial poverty affect women in developing nations. Reusable items can help, in some small way, combat that.
77
I personally do not think that I will try any of these alternatives. I would already be satisfied if the tampons available in this country were better designed. Coming from Europe I was shocked (shocked!) to see that the majority of tampon brands available in the U.S. have an applicator (the only way one can get this crude piece of cotton inside oneself). What is up with that? The only brand that does not use the applicator is o.b. - when my local Target stopped stocking them, I wrote an angry complaint letter and now they are back on the shelves but please can someone explain to me the dominance of the tampon applicator? I do NOT get it!
57
American women are taught that touching your body is dirty and disgusting, thus the applicator. Using a finger in there would be wrong/dirty/sexual (?).
49
I needed to use an applicator. using my fingers wasn't easy for me.
17
Yes!!!! Moreover, in Europe, there are plenty of housebrands that work equally well as ob, and they're cheap! A box of ob can be $8-10. I stock up on tampons whenever I'm in Europe and pay maybe $2/3 for a box. Instead of delicacies from home, I've asked visitors to bring a few boxes of applicator-free tampons!
3
Lucky, lucky women who have sufficiently light menstrual flows to consider these alternatives. I was surprised to learn, about 30 years ago, that the amount of flow varies between women by almost ten-fold, if not more. For some women, it is a tablespoon or so; for others, more than a cup. I fell into the latter group, and could never understand why some women were so dismissive of women who experience problems during their periods (in addition to copious flow, there are debilitating cramps, nausea, and other symptoms). Now I know.
57
Yes!
For me, it's always been like mini-labor. Sometimes I even throw up. Naproxen sodium takes the edge off, but I still suffer. No medical issues -- just healthy misery. How I envy women who have light, easy periods.
"Free flow"?!? Yikes. Not unless you'd like to see a version of the first combat scene in "Tropic Thunder" right there in the office or on the crosstown bus. Who thinks up such insane ways to "send a message"?
For me, it's always been like mini-labor. Sometimes I even throw up. Naproxen sodium takes the edge off, but I still suffer. No medical issues -- just healthy misery. How I envy women who have light, easy periods.
"Free flow"?!? Yikes. Not unless you'd like to see a version of the first combat scene in "Tropic Thunder" right there in the office or on the crosstown bus. Who thinks up such insane ways to "send a message"?
6
The diva cup is recommended for heavy periods. I have extremely heavy periods and it has changed my life. I no longer have to go to the bathroom every hour.
4
Another advantage of the cup is that you can actually measure your flow-- just dump it into a container instead of the toilet. I did this once to measure it, since I thought maybe it was heavy-- it was over 1.5 cups! I could then report this to my doctor. Someone should do a study and figure out accurate flow amounts. I have heard "average" is 2 Tbs per month but I have a hard time believing that, since I can get that in a half hour!
4
Free-bleeding sounds very unpleasant and unhygienic. You wouldn't just pee yourself or vomit on yourself and not do anything! If you're flow is so light you barely even stain your underwear, fine, I do that, too, because I take birth control to limit my period. But I could never free-bleed with my natural period. There would be so much blood it would practically be a biohazard! Fine enough for a statement, not very practical for everyday.
95
Oy vay--free bleeding with blood dripping down your leg ---now that sounds like real empowerment --Give me a break
84
People forget menstruation is a sign of youth. When we go through menopuase, it's a reality check that we are getting to the top of the hill. Both sides of the hill have their benefits, just in different ways.
11
I prefer menopause.
71
I can't wait! :-)
12
I am now menstruating once every other month, instead of once a month. Periods are still heavy and painful, but boy I appreciate that month off. Can't say I'm looking forward to menopause as it does mean I'm getting older and time is steadily marching forward, but when it comes I will embrace the changes!
1
While the diva cup sounds intriguing - what do you do if you need to change it and you are in a multi-stall restroom?
17
You either rinse it with a water bottle, wipe it with a paper towel or toilet paper, pee on it to rinse it, or just reinsert without doing anything. I've used a menstrual cup for almost 20 years -- bought one at a quirky health food store as a teenager, before most people knew about them. I've emptied it in dozens of public restroom stalls, bus toilets, porta-potties, outdoor privies etc. It really isn't a big deal once you're used to it. Actually the cup makes traveling and using any type of restroom simpler, because there are no "supplies" to bring with you and nothing to throw away.
67
I appreciate the response - I hadn't thought about those alternate ways to rinse the cup.
21
Ooh, I never thought of peeing on it to clean it. Interesting idea. I have used the Keeper - a natural rubber version of the Diva Cup - for about 15 years. I used the same one for about the first 11 years. Talk about economical and earth-friendly! My only concern with changing it while out in a public restroom is that it can be a bit slippery and I worry I'll drop it, but then again I almost never need to deal with it while out during the day. I only typically empty it in the morning and at night - another MAJOR benefit over tampons that require more frequent changing. By the way, I have found that the Keeper is a bit stiffer than the Diva and that works better for me because it maintains the right cup shape while inserted versus getting squished, and consequently I don't have as much trouble with leaks as when I tried the Diva briefly.
20
Any woman who used a diaphragm discovered the added benefit that it held menstrual fluid very well. Diva cups sound like a wonderful idea.
36
I use one, and they're fantastic! If your flow is light enough you also only need to empty them every 12 hours. They're so much more convenient and (for me) comfortable than any other method I've tried.
10
Diaphragms, cups, and the other alternatives are things that gynecologists should be suggesting to their patients. I'm not saying that they should medicalize the process or push diaphragms over over-the-counter items. But at least mention to your patient who uses a diaphragm that it could come in handy for her periods, too.
Not so long ago, menstruation was called "the curse." Women in higher strata of society were considered unable to function not only during their "monthlies" but, because of them, in general.
With the misogyny in the recent presidential election, and the insinuations of unfitness and lack of "stamina," it seems that primitive fear of women has not been entirely dispelled.
Not so long ago, menstruation was called "the curse." Women in higher strata of society were considered unable to function not only during their "monthlies" but, because of them, in general.
With the misogyny in the recent presidential election, and the insinuations of unfitness and lack of "stamina," it seems that primitive fear of women has not been entirely dispelled.
3
The Diva Cup is great! I started using it a few months ago and love it (tampons were too drying, pads never seem to fit well). I also use the underwear for lighter days. Both very comfortable and I'm not looking back!