Pros and Cons of Natural and Premative Menstruation Products

[mybodymyself]

The reason that I'm asking this is because since I 1st join here. I'm on the fence on this this still.

Think thats it for now.

Thank you.

[Singingmom]

I looked around to see if there might be a "sticky" for this since it's been talked about a lot, but I don't see one. Here are a few pros I know of: The super-absorbency of disposables actually causes you to bleed more/longer than you do with plain cotton. I find that so interesting and many women here confirm it. Also, the disposables are bleached which doesn't sound all that healthy.

[milkmommy]

I use cloth pads and can deffiently testify to the shorter bleed, I'd also get skin irritations and UTI easily with sposie pads but not with cloth. on a more personal note DH could always tell when I was menstrating with the sposies just a scent thing but not so much with the cloth.

Deanna

[Maggie]

I've also heard from several people that cramps are less severe using cloth pads. :tu

[allisonintx]

Ok, I have been using alternative products for a while, but I lost my diva and I couldn't find my cloth pads, so I used regular tampons this period...It was a FULL 3 days longer than it has been. It was always 7 full days and some when I had always used store-bought products, and I thought it might be a fluke that it has been shorter since I had my last baby, but it seems that it is actually related to the products I choose.

[mybodymyself]

singingmom, Deanna, Maggie, Allison,

Thank you for your responses to this and will look into this further.

[SansSouci]

With disposables - my period lasted 7 days, was very heavy, and was quite painful

With cloth - my period lasts 4-5 days, is medium to light, and I have virtually no cramps!!! My O cramps hurt more than AF now!!!! lol

I really do love using cloth. It perks me up during that time of the month, AND I feel better! :clap

[Lantern Light Mama]

I dont have UTI's anymore since I use alternative products! I havent had one in three years! No joke!

Pros of cloth pads:

more economical
environmentally responsible
biodegradable
no chemicals
no tree products
more sanitary
more comfortable
tends to shorten cycles (maybe this has to do with chemicals)
less chances of vaginal abrasions (compared to tampons)
less chance of T.S.S.
Pretty fabric choices

Cons:
must be washed
may be expensive to start off

Diva Cup Pros:
reusable last up to ten years
silicone (good if your allergic to rubber like in the keeper)
feels cleaner
less chance of T.S.S.
discreet
freedom from pads
more economical
shorter periods


cons:
cannot use if allergic to silicone
must be emptied and rinsed varying on your cycle
may be awkard to insert

The Keeper:
Pros:
last ten year
a good choice if your allergic to silicone
washes clean
economical
shorter cycle

cons:
not biodegradable
must be emptied as needed depending on your cycle
may be awkward to insert (especially if your not anatomically correct)

Sea Sponge Tampons:
Pros:
feel clean compared to tampons
soft
do not cause vaginal abbrasions
must be cleaned with peroxide (this is what a midwife suggested to me)
economical
biodegradable

cons:
sponges are animal like creatures and must be taken from the ocean to use as a tampon
I wonder what if the water they were grew in was contaminated?
must purchase new ones depending on the wear and tear your cycle causes
may leak

[mybodymyself]

I dont have UTI's anymore since I use alternative products! I havent had one in three years! No joke!

Pros of cloth pads:

more economical
environmentally responsible
biodegradable
no chemicals
no tree products
more sanitary
more comfortable
tends to shorten cycles (maybe this has to do with chemicals)
less chances of vaginal abrasions (compared to tampons)
less chance of T.S.S.
Pretty fabric choices

Cons:
must be washed
may be expensive to start off

Diva Cup Pros:
reusable last up to ten years
silicone (good if your allergic to rubber like in the keeper)
feels cleaner
less chance of T.S.S.
discreet
freedom from pads
more economical
shorter periods


cons:
cannot use if allergic to silicone
must be emptied and rinsed varying on your cycle
may be awkard to insert

The Keeper:
Pros:
last ten year
a good choice if your allergic to silicone
washes clean
economical
shorter cycle

cons:
not biodegradable
must be emptied as needed depending on your cycle
may be awkward to insert (especially if your not anatomically correct)

Sea Sponge Tampons:
Pros:
feel clean compared to tampons
soft
do not cause vaginal abbrasions
must be cleaned with peroxide (this is what a midwife suggested to me)
economical
biodegradable

cons:
sponges are animal like creatures and must be taken from the ocean to use as a tampon
I wonder what if the water they were grew in was contaminated?
must purchase new ones depending on the wear and tear your cycle causes
may leak


joyinthespirit,

Thank you for your response my question on this and etc.