The Maxi With The Moxie:
Green Menstrual Products
by Jeanne M. Lambert
 What's commonly used, rarely
discussed and has a greater impact on the environment than disposable diapers?
What's white (or pastel pink or blue) but not at all green? What is this
disposable product that has escaped mainstream criticism even though
alternatives exist? The answer: women's sanitary products.
On average, women spend two to three times more days using menstrual products
in a lifetime than they or their children spend in diapers. Many of these
products end up in sewage systems. Many tampon applicators litter beaches. The
pads end up in landfill sites. These are fairly serious considerations and
affect all of human, plant, and animal life. This information alone may provide
motivation for change if one is concerned about such things.
What of the personal health questions? With deodorized, scented,
chlorine-bleached tampons, mini-pads, maxi-pads, regular, thin, super...among
the many commercial options, many women have assumed that there are safety
standards for products such as these.
But truthfully, there are no enforced requirements, no minimal standards for
safety. With toxic-shock syndrome still a concern and the carcinogenic dioxins
potentially in any bleached products, this deserves more serious research and
might give the needed motivation to change current habits.
What are the alternative options? Our grandmothers used rags and strips of
cloth and would leave them behind when traveling, or soak, wash and reuse them
when at home. It may seem like a step backward for women to take this approach.
Who needs more laundry? More work for women?
There are several greener options available but first and foremost, a change
in mindset is required – not only to include sanitary products in our greening
efforts but to change our attitudes toward our menses.
In many simpler cultures, women seclude themselves during their menstruation.
Rather than seeing this as a quarantine imposed by men, as it was once
negatively described, it would be a break from the daily routine and chores, an
opportunity to be with and learn from other women. It would be nice if we could
have that little R & R and experience of community every few weeks in this day
and age!
To make the switch from disposables to reusable products requires an attitude
change from being able to 'throw away the “mess” (or is it the evidence?) of our
menses and perfume and deodorize at the same time, to accepting the reality of
this natural part of our bodies. The menstrual cycle is a big part of being
feminine – of being a woman. It is a time to be celebrated.
The Options
For those not comfortable wearing pads, there is a soft, natural rubber
menstrual cup that is worn internally that catches and holds menstrual blood. It
is easily removed, long-lasting and reinserted, and has no health risk. Not only does it
have a positive impact on the environment, but it will save hundreds of dollars
in other commercial sanitary products.
Some women use natural sponges; a more simple, yet effective, absorbent
material. However, the jury is still out on the safety of this approach,
considering most of these sponges grow in polluted ocean waters and essentially
no testing has been done.
Many women prefer pads and for them there are many options. There are
different cottage industries marketing cotton sanitary pads in every shape,
size, color and thickness possible. These flannel pads are made of 100 percent
cotton – in some cases organic and or unbleached. Most of them have a covering
with wings to snap around the panty or a G-string arrangement and have a folding
removable liner that allows for thorough cleaning and quick drying.
There are smaller width pads available for young women. Different
absorbencies of pads allow for individualizing the set of pads to suit your
need. One product is available in three different colour schemes – gentle pastel
prints, vibrant dark prints, or unbleached organic cotton. Some women use the
cup during their heavy flow and cotton pads at other times.
The Work
What of the work involved? The key to keeping the pads from staining is
soaking them. This makes washing easy. There is no rush to get them into the
washer. The time is limited only by the number of pads you own. An automatic
washer does a great job getting them clean and they hang dry overnight, although
an automatic dryer will fluff the cotton fibers more. The menstrual cup needs
only to be rinsed out.
When at work, women find the menstrual cup easy to use and travel bags are
available to store pads safely when en route.
Says one user, “Contrary to feeling burdened or put-off by washing my pads, I
feel pampered. The cotton is so nice. The same reasons I cloth-diapered my
babies all apply!”
Say others: “The cotton is so soft, I feel clean and comfortable throughout
my cycle.” and “I feel ecologically virtuous.”
Many women are finding comfortable and effective alternatives to conventional
sanitary products. Perhaps the adage “try it, you'll like it” applies. In
addition to feeling more connected with the web of all natural life, you may
benefit from better health and save money, too!
Jeanne M. Lambert is a freelance writer who
lives with her family in an owner-built solar home in Ontario, Canada.
This article was published in Natural Life Magazine in 1995.
| 
