This post is sponsored by LOLA. Get 50% off your first order — see details below!
Okay, Friends. Without getting into TMI territory, can we discuss tampons for a bit? When LOLA, a new brand of tampons, reached out to me and wanted me to try their products, I said yes for two reasons:
First, I’ve been using the same-old grocery store products since I was a teenager. But in the last few years, I’ve heard about all sorts of alternatives. Menstrual cups and natural tampons and resuable pads and period panties. And I haven’t tried a single thing that’s crossed my path.
I keep meaning to — I really like the idea of trying something new, of possibly finding something that I like better, something that’s easier. I like the idea that people are innovating in this category. I think we need a ton more innovation! But then I forget, and my period comes, and I need supplies asap and just go with my usual box. So one reason I said yes, is that I wanted to finally, actually try something new.
The second reason is that the first descriptor I read about LOLA is that their tampons are 100% cotton with BPA-free plastic applicators. And suddenly, for the first time in my life, I asked myself: If LOLA tampons are 100% cotton, and they spell that out as a major selling point, then what are my usual tampons made of? What exactly am I putting in my body?!
Well, it turns out, that’s not an easy question to answer. The FDA doesn’t require brands to disclose a comprehensive list of ingredients in their tampons, so most of them don’t. Certainly, we wouldn’t stand for this with our food or beauty products, but somehow we’ve let tampons slip under the radar. (I imagine it’s partly because we’ve generally been taught to speak in hushed tones about our periods, or anything that relates to our periods, and sort of pretend they don’t happen.)
But we do know that major brands use a mix of synthetic ingredients in their tampons including rayon and polyester. And we also know that their tampons are often treated with harsh chemical cleansing agents, fragrance, and dyes. Yikes.
I admit that there was a time I wouldn’t have really cared. I would have said, whatever the ingredients are, surely they are in such a small dose, that it doesn’t matter. But then, when I started taking my depression meds, I had a realization. My pills are tiny. Like so super small. And I don’t even take a full pill. And yet, that tiny bit of chemical makes a massive difference for me. The difference between functioning normally and not being able to get out of bed. When that fact hit home, I finally grasped the drive some people have to use all natural/non-toxic products. Clearly, even small amounts of chemical can make a big difference.
You would think that since I have first person experience with this, I would be a real stickler for natural products. But I admit, I’m not 100% pure in my product consumption at all. As you may remember, I’ve tried several natural beauty products for myself, but often they are items that find their way to me almost accidentally. I haven’t necessarily sought them out.
I’ve wondered sometimes why I’m not more committed to all-wholesome-ingredients, all-the-time, and I can think of 3 reasons. Lots of times I make decisions out of convenience, and pick up whatever is close at hand. Other times, I just really like a product and how it works for me, even if it’s not totally pure and natural. And lastly, even though I know small amounts of chemical can wreak havoc on our bodies, sometimes it’s just easier for me to live in denial. Trying to purify every product in the house can be exhausting! (Anyone else feel this way?)
But that said, I do know when I find a natural product that works as well as whatever I was using before, and it’s equally convenient, that’s typically when I get on board. And speaking of working well plus convenient, here is what I like best about LOLA:
1) It’s a subscription. LOLA makes your life a little bit easier, because it arrives every month, just like clockwork, just like your period. So you’re always prepared, and you don’t have to think about it.
2) The subscription is fully customizable. You can choose your preferred mix of light, regular, and supers. You can choose your number of boxes, and the frequency of delivery. You can get exactly what you need when you need it.
3) LOLA’s subscription is flexible — meaning you can change, skip, or cancel it at any time. Pricing is $10 for 1 box, or $18 for 2 boxes per month.
4) The packaging is really handsome. A box of these sitting on an open bathroom shelf? I wouldn’t mind at all.
5) Want to give LOLA a try? The first 100 readers to use the code designmom will receive 50% off their order!
What’s your take? Do you think about the products you use for your period? Or are you on auto-pilot as far as that goes? How about new products on the scene — have you experimented with anything? Found a new product you prefer? How much of a concern are ingredients for you? Do you go out of your way to find natural health and beauty products, or are you like me and try them sort-of accidentally? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
P.S. — The code is for new customers only, and currently, LOLA only ships to the continental U.S.. That means no Hawaii or Alaska. Sorry!
ROBIN
March 29, 2016 at 10:36 amI love this! I’ve seen this around a few places online and would love to try it (later). I have been breastfeeding/pregnant for a while so haven’t had my period since 2013. Also we’re sorta planning on trying for another in the next 6 months (while bf?… gosh TMI) so I may or may not need tampons. I’ll pin this to my private board for a later date.
Question – can you physically tell any difference between these and store bought ones?
Heidi
March 29, 2016 at 10:57 amI like 100% cotton, but the other thing that concerns me with tampons is the plastic applicator. sure, plastic glides more easily, but it seems like a lot of waste for a one-time-use product. I always look for cardboard applicator (even my husband knows to get them) but they’re not always easy to find and sometimes not available.
Heidi
March 29, 2016 at 11:04 amI do realize cardboard has it’s own issues as well!
Patty
March 29, 2016 at 11:17 amI agree Heidi – its harder to find cardboard applicators, but its what I prefer. I hate wasting that plastic and I don’t even find it easier to use! I wish this company had an option for cardboard applicators, then I would try it.
Fiona
March 29, 2016 at 2:09 pmHere in Germany we mostly have applicator-free tampons. Takes some getting used to but makes sense and is fine once you get used to using them!
dona
March 29, 2016 at 2:22 pmI agree, Heidi. I love the idea of 100% cotton (though I’d want organic). But the plastic applicator is a dealbreaker for me.
Cecilia
March 29, 2016 at 2:29 pmAfter seeing a caretaker at the Monterey Aquarium hold up a tennis-ball container full of plastic products from a dead albatross’s stomach, I will not buy one-use plastic *anything* anymore.
But—applicator-free tampons exist in the US! Natracare makes them. Organic cotton, chlorine-free. I buy mine at Whole Foods. They also make them with cardboard applicators. But I agree with Fiona, going without an applicator just takes some practice and the tampon itself takes up zero room in the front pocket of your jeans;)
rachael
March 29, 2016 at 10:57 amI use a Diva Cup, and have since last April. I cannot even describe the difference it makes in my period. No cramping, no pain, my period is easily 2 days shorter than when I used tampons. Also, now only the first day it starts is heavy and then for the 4 or so days after its incredibly light, like it could stop at any minute. I wear it for 12 hours straight and it never leaks, which is awesome for nighttime. I recommend it to everyone who will listen!!
I definitely go out of my way to find and purchase environmentally friendly products. The diva cup ensures that I’m not creating more garbage, and that I’m not putting chemicals into my body. I eat very clean and care about what goes in my mouth, so why wouldn’t I care about what I’m putting into my other body parts? I got my period five days before my 13th birthday and will have it until…50? 55? That’s roughly 500 months of tampons. That’s a lot of waste for one person to create! Right now I’m also trying to create my own deodorant because I don’t like the idea of all the nasty chemicals and aluminum that’s found in drugstore brands that could potentially leach into my body as well.
Kirsten
March 29, 2016 at 5:07 pmI use a menstrual cup as well, and I too recommend it to everyone! It doesn’t help my cramps any, in fact it aggravates them, but I love not creating waste, and being able to effectively and healthily deal with my period only twice in a 24 hour span! I hardly remember I have my period at all after the first day. I also have reuseable pads, and I like them just fine. I’d love to try period panties. I’ve used a cup for 15 years, I just could not fathom creating so much waste every month, nor risking toxic shock or exposing my body to bleaches and chemicals (which, sorry to say, this product will have plenty of, since it’s not certified organic.)
Jean
April 1, 2016 at 3:19 pmRachael, Good for you, you sound like a smart girl!
I have been using “Piper Wai” an all natural deodorant. The two women that invented it were on “Shark Tank” & got a deal. It comes in a jar & has charcoal & essential oils. My husband & I both use it & love it. I especially love the no chemical part. You can buy it online. It’s about $12 a jar.
Karla
March 29, 2016 at 11:03 amI’ve probably tried all the period alternatives, and I liked/disliked each of them for different reasons. I’ve used a Diva/Luna cup, disposable cups, and sea sponges, as well as cloth pads (in addition to your typical store-bought goods). I tend to go back to tampons for ease of use, preferring the OB tampons since they don’t have an applicator, which makes them easier to stash in my pocket or purse and doesn’t have any plastic/cardboard waste. Now if only they would stop packaging the tampons themselves in plastic!
Deborah
April 1, 2016 at 11:28 amI also us the OB tampons because they do not have an applicator. Funny thing is, years ago, OB had wrappers that dissolved in water. (A gelatin type material.) I always wondered why they stopped using it. Now if OB would only go organic, bleach free…) I’ve tried Natracare Organic, and they are super stiff and hard.
Paige
March 29, 2016 at 11:15 amI’ve been thinking about this a lot lately after reading an article about a girl in the UK who had to have her leg amputated from using Kotex brand tampons and getting TSS and it’s made me realize that I want to start using more natural products for that time of the month. I’ve been meaning to look into organic tampons, so this was a good reminder that I really need to look more into this,
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Emily
March 29, 2016 at 11:23 amAnother strong voice of support for the Diva Cup! I was very hesitant/resistant to trying it, but now that I’ve been using it for a year and a half, I can’t believe I didn’t make the switch earlier. I usually empty/clean it every 10 hours on heavy days or 12 hours on light days, meaning that I don’t need to worry about it while at work or out of the house. Even if I do need to give it a re-fresh while I’m in a public restroom, at this point it’s no big deal to me given the positives.
SusaninPeckham
March 29, 2016 at 12:27 pmI’ve been using a moon cup for eight years or so. I love it! I’ll never go back to tampons.
Emily
March 29, 2016 at 12:47 pmAnother Diva Cup user here! I’ve only used it for 2 months, but already love it. I can usually get through the whole day (dawn til dusk) without changing it, and even on heavy days can get through my work day. I love the longevity, and I like getting to know my flow. However, the best perk by far is: zero waste!
I had one leak overnight (I may have not positioned it correctly) but compared to many leaks with tampons, or the awful feeling of “overnight pads”, I’ll take it!
Rebecca
March 29, 2016 at 12:59 pmI love my cloth pads from Sew Fussy on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewfussy). They last a long time with proper care, I’ve had mine for 6 years!
I am thinking about trying a menstrual cup for times when pads aren’t convenient or possible as I hate using tampons. I’d love to see a post about the different brands of cups, there are so many it’s a bit overwhelming.
Ling
March 29, 2016 at 1:53 pmI was also overwhelmed when I looked into menstrual cups & found this thread to give the best overview of the various major brands out there http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/648061.html
I personally felt the diva cup never gave me a good seal & found the thicker rim on the moon cup to be better but everyone’s body is different so take the recommendations you see online with a grain of salt :) I think once you get used to a menstrual cup, you will never look at another pad again! Maybe a pantyliner :P
Rebecca
March 29, 2016 at 2:20 pmThanks Ling!
Ling
March 30, 2016 at 6:44 amNo problem! Feel free to email me if you have any other questions :)
Summer
March 30, 2016 at 9:02 amThanks for the link, Ling! I think I’m going to try a cup. I have to say…the “sizes” freak me out a little. I’m in my early 30’s, but no kids…and now I feel like I’m thinking waaaay too much about vaginal size, hahaha.
Summer
March 30, 2016 at 9:22 amOkay, Moon Cup ordered! Eeep!
Yvonne
March 29, 2016 at 1:06 pmInteresting discussion!
I got my period in the 80’s – LITERALLY the moment when Toxic Shock Syndrome was ALL OVER the news, magazines, even warning labels on store shelves (once tampons re-appeared)!
So I’ve NEVER tried tampons (I feel so alone in this – am I the only western woman who has never used a tampon?) – for fear that I would be that one to get TSS and die! Things that happen at 14 can make a lasting difference!
Pads have always been fine, but as my daughter is getting closer to puberty I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. Maybe tampons will be easier for her because she swims, dances and does sports (things I didn’t do) (BTW anyone have a teen girl using the Diva or other cups?)
Having had reactions to all kinds of pharmaceuticals – including Monistat and other vaginal medicines – I am very interested in what we use for personal care. The tissues of the vagina are incredibly sensitive – anything that comes into contact with them will ultimately be absorbed into the bloodstream.
I’m curious if these new tampons are bleached like other cotton tampons?
Thanks for the conversation!!
Ling
March 29, 2016 at 1:47 pmWhile I appreciate the move that LOLA made with their materials, I must put out another vote for menstrual cups (Diva cup & Moon cup are two well-known brands)! I urge every women who has a period to consider trying it out. It’s even more environmentally & body-friendly (not to mention wallet-friendly too)!
I started out with the Diva cup but recently changed to a Moon cup as it fits me better. When I was still figuring out the best position for the Diva cup, I would pair it with a washable cloth pad in the odd instance of leaks. In total, I probably invested $100 with the cost of the diva cup + Moon cup + 7 washable pads and the diva cup + washable pads have lasted me 8+ years! Imagine how much 8 years worth of tampons would cost and the waste that goes with it. Yes, your hands will get dirty but we all wash our hands after using the bathroom anyways.
Also, it’s SO much nicer to pack on vacation instead of worrying about finding a pharmacy where ever you are in the world or having to lug around tampons/pads in your suitcase. Of course when traveling you should be mindful of using clean potable water to clean your menstrual cup with though. I’ve even used it while camping. Yes, it’s a bit more icky but I just make sure to have a squeezable sports water bottle and hand sanitizer. I LOVE not having to think about my period for most of the day. I just empty once in the AM & once in the PM. On my heaviest day I will empty sometime midday but that’s it! Compare that to the number of times one would change out a pad or tampon. One last benefit: using a menstrual cup will get you even better acquainted with your body & flow patterns :)
But yes, thank you for bringing periods out of the closet so I could talk about this! I never know how to tell other women about it but want to let everyone know so badly!
Cecilia
March 29, 2016 at 2:34 pmWow, thanks for this recommendation. I may just try it! I hate the waste of even applicator-free tampons.
Ling
March 30, 2016 at 6:45 amYES!! SO happy you would consider it! Do email me if you have any questions about it :)
magnoliachica
April 2, 2016 at 9:20 pmAnother menstrual cup convert (Diva Cup). I switched to a menstrual cup for two of the reasons people have listed here: no waste (until time to replace the cup – recommended after 12 mos or so); fewer chemicals in my body. I’ve been really happy with mine (although I’ve had less use thanks to two babies in the past couple years) and will continue for a long time.
Anna
April 5, 2016 at 4:03 pmI use a Luna cup & it’s terrific! Highly recommend.
bryssy
March 29, 2016 at 2:15 pmMenstrual cups all the way. I use diva or moon at home and disposables when we are traveling. I’ve used them for 10 years and have no plans to stop!
Heather
March 29, 2016 at 2:36 pmBefore we started trying for our first baby, I read a book on fertility and the doctor/author wrote that he recommends that women stop using tampons to improve their fertility. It seemed odd to me, but I decided to try it out and in just two months of using pads instead of tampons, my period shortened by 2 days or more each month, and I stopped getting cramps. I think beyond the chemicals in tampons, the very nature of their use – as a plug – may be frustrating for our bodies.
Chenay
March 29, 2016 at 2:39 pmI love my Diva Cup! And with a two year life, it doesn’t get much greener than that when it comes to feminine products.
Liza
April 1, 2016 at 11:22 amMe too! I’ve been using it for about 7 years.
If you’ve tried it before and find it uncomfortable, try flipping it inside out.
Sarah
March 29, 2016 at 3:18 pmI switched to cloth pads about 3 years ago and I haven’t looked back. Yes, I do have to wash them and hang dry, but it’s just routine. I actually kept a stash of old pads and tampons for about 2 years, thinking they’d be a good option if I ever wanted to go back. But I just gave them away to a friend because I knew I wasn’t going to need them.
I’ve used a menstrual cup before, and still have it somewhere, but find it’s just easier to use pads.
The cloth pads are super cute and so comfortable- it really doesn’t feel much different than underwear. I have about 20, which last me about my whole cycle. Yes, they were more expensive up front (most were about $7 from an Etsy seller) but they look brand new and I’ve NEVER had any issues with leaking.
LB
March 29, 2016 at 3:31 pmFascinating discussion. I just started my period again after a few years (IUD) and switched to Honest Co.’s organic cotton products since I’ve got a subscription with them for other household things. What you say absolutely makes sense . We’ve been slowly switching out our products for more eco friendly versions for several years now. It may be a long process, but I’m hoping it makes a difference, even in a small way.
Kate the Great
March 29, 2016 at 4:19 pmAnother vote for menstrual cups over here, though the only thing new to say about them is the initial sticker shock. Being a thrifter and a Craigslister and even an occasional dumpster diver, the price of a menstrual cup is always something I just have to grit my teeth about and click through as fast as I can.
That said, I’ve bought two of them in the past seven or eight years– one pre-babies and one after the birth of two children and turning 30. The price very quickly becomes worth it.
I use disposable pads to catch drips and at the very end of many periods, and I’m curious about cloth pads. I’ve heard that cloth pads attach using snaps, and that won’t fly for me because I’m also a garment-wearing Mormon.
Ling
March 30, 2016 at 6:54 amHi Kate :) I’m not familiar with Mormon garment rules (I’m not even sure rules is the right word I’m using here! Sorry!) but yes, many cloth pads attach to underwear with little “wings” with snaps, much like disposable pads that have sticky “wings”. However, there are wingless cloth pads out there. I bought my cloth pads from this etsy seller, who has some wingless ones too https://www.etsy.com/listing/169395104/surprise-set-of-3-x-8-flannel-panty?ref=shop_home_active_21 Again: I apologize if I’m over-stepping or being totally ignorant! Always learning though :)
C
March 31, 2016 at 6:39 amMany Mormon women wear panties when they are on their period to accommodate the hygiene products they need/prefer to use. FWIW.
Liza
April 1, 2016 at 11:25 amI recently bought some cloth pads. They are so comfortable and nice. I just wear a pair of thin underwear under my garments.
I am seriously ready for them to make garments that are more accommodating for pads. Considering how many babies we have (which means weeks of postpartum bleeding when tampons are not an option) and the number of women that wear pads for incontinence, it’s time there was a simple option that didn’t require layering.
Kate the Great
March 29, 2016 at 4:44 pmThat might be part of it for you– what with garments and a modesty standard and six kids and a blog with a major career behind it, this is just one area that you just want to keep simple. And as much as I love my menstrual cup, I totally get it. It’s like food bloggers I read about or those who have amazingly complex personal interior spaces: most of the time, they dress simply. Their wardrobe is the simple part of their lives when so much else is complicated.
Heather
March 29, 2016 at 5:39 pmI am intrigued by all the love for the diva cup. Can anyone speak to their use with an iud? I seem to remember that the suction needed to keep the seal intact and the iud itself are sometimes incompatible. Anybody have first hand experience?
RS
March 29, 2016 at 8:48 pmHeather,
I’ve had the ParaGard (non-hormonal IUD) for over a year and have never had a problem with getting my Diva Cup to seal. I’ve been using the Diva Cup for over two years and have continued to use it seamlessly after the IUD was inserted.
I also want to mention for all those thinking about trying the Diva Cup: The small piece sticking out, used to adjust it and to pull the cup out, irritated me. I turned the cup inside out and it worked like a charm!
Ling
March 30, 2016 at 6:57 amRS: you can cut that off! I trimmed it all away on the diva cup but with the mooncup I found the surface too be too slippery for me so I left half of it and for the most part it hasn’t bothered me. But turning it inside out is some really out-of-the-box thinking :)
Beth
March 30, 2016 at 12:25 pmI have a Mirena and one of its fabulous side effects is that I barely have periods. Maybe need a panty liner – that’s it. So, I haven’t needed anything for almost 5 years!
Meghann
March 29, 2016 at 7:02 pmIUD user here, so I’ve not had my period in a couple of years! I have to say, I can’t imagine going off an IUD because I so hate my period. I used to have it for nearly two weeks…every two weeks! Awful! Think about all the waste! I always used the OB tampons in my period days though. I loved how small they are, and while covered with a bit of plastic, still much better than a large plastic applicator.
I find this discussion so timely though because I was recently starting to worry about whether my lack of period will be damaging in any way for my daughter. She’s only 5 now, but I started thinking about this with the recent discussion regarding sex ed coming from porn. So when my kids recently said that a person would die if they kept bleeding for a few days, I took that as a perfect moment to introduce periods. They thought this sounded a bit strange, but anyway, does anybody else have experience with this?
Annet M
March 29, 2016 at 7:04 pmAnother cup vote here! I went with Ruby Cup, which they apparently supply one to a program in Kenya for every one sold, so that seemed like a good deal for me. I had to shorten the end slightly (which they say is common) and I found I had to adjust to it in the first month, but now, I don’t even notice it and I love, love, love it. I was a pad person previously and had homemade ones for a long time but then those died after years and I couldn’t be bothered to sew more, so I went back to pads with plastic wrap, inside plastic, then backing plastic. Ugh, ugh. SO so happy with my decision. Easier, cheaper, cleaner than all the alternatives.
Michelle
March 29, 2016 at 7:49 pmI am a tampon girl but have never used one with an applicator. I get bad headaches when I use anything but 100% cotton tampons. I’m so glad that I discovered that about 15 years ago because back then I would never have considered what I was actually putting in my body (to sit for days – obviously changed) and what it might be doing directly inside me.
It’s good to know America has them as when I lived there many years ago, my Mum would send me tampon care packages from Australia so I didn’t have to suffer. Old school subscription!
Rachel
March 29, 2016 at 8:26 pmI have been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last 3 years (with only one period between kids), so this doesn’t really apply to me right now, but I’m definitely interested for the future. I am also happy to hear all of the recommendations on the different cups…that is something I would definitely like to try.
In defense of the plastic applicator: I am a pretty serious recycle-reuse gal (and educating others on the environment is even part of my job). One of my friends was giving me a hard time about plastic applicators, and I was pretty bothered by it. At the time I said, “if there is one thing I can be picky about, it’s what I put in my vagina!” I stand by that statement, and I think it applies to more than just tampons–who you have sex with, how doctors handle your OB/GYN care, etc. There are about a million other things you could do for the environment that you are probably not doing right now, so I say, if you want to use cardboard, more power to you, but if you like the plastic applicator, don’t feel guilty!
Ling
March 30, 2016 at 7:02 amI commented on someone else’s inquiry about cups earlier but thought I’d comment directly here in case you get the notification :) When I first looked into menstrual cups I found this thread to give the best overview of the various major brands out there http://menstrual-cups.livejournal.com/648061.html
I personally felt the diva cup never gave me a good seal & found the thicker rim on the moon cup to be better but everyone’s body is different so take the recommendations you see online with a grain of salt :) I think once you get used to a menstrual cup, you will never look at another pad again! Maybe a pantyliner :P
Maddy
March 29, 2016 at 8:43 pmI’ve been a diva cup user for 10+ years. It took a few cycles to get the hang of, but I love the ease and lack of chemicals and waste. I love it and have only had to buy the odd box of tampons, when i’ve forgotten my cup on vacation or something. Which now feel very uncomfortable compared to the cup. Recently postpartum I used the honest company’s pads, and I thought they were fantastic.
Jennifer
March 29, 2016 at 10:22 pmAnother happy cup user here!
Lauren
March 29, 2016 at 10:53 pmI use a menstrual cup (Diva/Blossom) or sometimes organic, non-applicator tampons. I understand exactly what you mean when you say: “Trying to purify every product in the house can be exhausting!” I am constantly working to eliminate the chemicals from our food, cleaning supplies, and beauty products, and it’s such a difficult process! I’ve been at it for 10 years and it’s still a challenge.
Jolene
March 30, 2016 at 12:38 amI love that you opened this discussion- I enjoyed reading through the comments. I am a relatively new but very happy diva cup user!
Dee
March 30, 2016 at 9:00 amI also use a menstrual cup. I started a couple of years ago. I love it! I started using it because I was concerned about the amount of waste and chemicals involved in disposable tampons/pads. But my favorite thing about it is that, since it only requires attention twice a day, I am able to forget about my period for most of the time. No more worrying about leaks or about when I will need to change a pad or tampon. It is so liberating! I cannot recommend it enough.
Denise
March 30, 2016 at 9:23 amI am happy to see 100% cotton products out there however there are still downsides. Is the cotton bleached? That would be not good for the body. Also the waste isnt good either. Menstrual cups instead of tampons are a much safer ( no toxic shock syndrom risk) and cloth pads are a good replacement for pads. I after used one or the other for the last 8 years and am never ever turning back.
Hannah
March 30, 2016 at 10:37 amI have kind of a combo approach right now. I use LOLA tampons when I’m at work – I love them! – although I echo the concerns of some fellow posters about the single-use plastic applicators. It feels like a waste.
So, when I’m at home, I wear reusable pads that I sewed out of 100% cotton flannel. They have snaps that go around my panties to stay in place, and are the mooooost comfortable pads I’ve ever worn. All you have to do is rinse them in the sink, then throw them in the laundry with the rest of your dirty clothes (which is why I don’t wear them at work). I’m not a big fan of tampons in general (they tend to make my cramps a little more painful), but really hated all the trash associated with using pads. This is a much better situation for me.
And I have my first menstrual cup in the mail on its way to me now! I can’t wait to give it a try. I’m excited to create less waste, and save money.
jen
March 30, 2016 at 10:45 ami actually have to use a tampon and a pad. that’s how heavy my flow is. i’ve tried the menstrual cup and could never figure out how to easily insert and pull out and it just became a blood bath after too many attempts. i’ve tried organic application free tampons too and they started leaking after 30 minutes. so i keep going back to my usual tampons and pads. i don’t feel good about at least i am leak free.
Jessica brown
March 30, 2016 at 3:49 pm3 letters. I.U.D. No period. Best possible invention in the universe!
rachael
March 31, 2016 at 6:58 pmI had one for a year and half and got pregnant. I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum and would say its the worst invention in the world! LOL! Love my son dearly though :)
Sarah
April 5, 2016 at 3:57 pmBe careful Jessica! You have a period because that’s what your body needs to be healthy. I don’t want to tell any woman what to do with her own body, so I just recommend really researching the topic from reliable, holistic-health sources (not just IUD manufacturers and the people who peddle them). A lot of women end up with chronic health conditions from IUDs and hormonal birth control as well.
Rebecca
March 30, 2016 at 4:22 pmI’ve been using LOLA for the past year, no more emergency trips to the store! I found their customer service to be outstanding. Although my flow is light and I don’t use many tampons, I like the idea of cutting down even more by way of the menstrual cup.
Gee
March 30, 2016 at 5:32 pmHope they make a pad!
Kelley
March 30, 2016 at 10:38 pmI recently started using Thinx, the period underwear, and so far I love them! They were able to completely replace other products for me, and are really easy to use and maintain. I will say that I don’t think I have the heaviest of periods, but they’re not nothing either. On my heaviest day I used to go through about 4 pads (I’ve never found tampons very comfortable, and rarely use them) and my Thinx handles it like a champ!
Willa
March 31, 2016 at 12:14 amYay, period talk!!! I have a bunch of thoughts.
1. My personal way of dealing with my period: skip it with hormonal birth control! I love not having a period. Having a monthly period is not a health necessity and some research has shown that mensturating less often is healthier in the long run, lower risk of some cancers, etc. Malcolm Gladwell wrote a great essay about this: http://gladwell.com/john-rock-s-error/
2. I really liked the Diva Cup when I used to have one, especially knowing I was creating almost no waste in the long run. No matter what size I got, I still always had to wear a back-up cloth pad but that is the same with tampons for me.
3. I also LOVE cloth pads, but you do have to get comfortable with seeing and dealing with menstrual blood, and people in your household might have to also. Which I think is a good thing! When I started using the Diva Cup and cloth pads, I felt like it completely changed my perspective and I got so much more comfortable with my period and my body. I soak my pads in water after I use them (I have a little bucket which I keep in/near the laundry area), rinse an additional time if needed, and then throw in the washer with normal laundry (dark colors or towels). You can also get cloth pads made of organic cotton (or sew your own) and I use a lower-chemical/fragrance-etc.-free detergent to wash them.
4. Finally, I’m pretty skeptical of LOLA. Getting rid of the synthetic fibers is a great start but if I were looking for a tampon that was really closer to chemical and toxin-free, I am looking for 100% organic cotton and chlorine-free (unbleached).Using the designation “100% natural” is meaningless, that is not any sort of industry or technical standard. Cotton is an extremely pesticide and herbicide-intensive crop when it’s grown conventionally and those chemicals and toxins remain in the cotton when it goes in your body. These chemicals left in non-organic cotton are equally or ever more troubling than synthetic fibers in terms of causing TSS or other negative affects, as far as I have learned (sorry, no citations here). Cotton is also bleached and processed with chemicals to soften and whiten. I see that LOLA says “no chemicals” but that also seems like a vague statement and I couldn’t find any specific info about how they process the cotton they use or images of the actual tampon on their website.
CiCi
March 31, 2016 at 10:28 pmAnother newer Diva Cup user, before that only organic cotton tampons and pads for years. Conventional cotton uses more pesticides than almost any other agricultural product. I definitely don’t want that in my body.
Bek
April 1, 2016 at 3:56 amAnother cup user here!! I use a JuJu Menstrual Cup and love it. So much better than pads/tampons!
Also, here in Australia we almost always use tampons without an applicator. I don’t even think I could figure out an applicator… but tampons are just inserted with your finger.
I’ve also had the benefit of only having two periods in the last 6 years as I don’t seem to get my period while breastfeeding!! Now my little guy is 19 months. I’m still feeding him but just got my cycle back and I don’t think there’s more babies on the cards so I’ve got to accept this monthly occurence once again!!
Heather C
April 1, 2016 at 11:41 amYet another enthusiastic Diva Cup user! I switched about 6 years ago after concerns with the chemicals and bleach used in conventional pads and tampons. It was literally life changing and I will never go back. There was definitely a little bit of an adjustment period (no pun intended) learning how to insert and remove the cup, but you get the hang of it after a few months. There is incredible cost savings over time, no waste, and far fewer leaks (maybe 3 in 6 years!), and I love not having to worry about watching the clock. It is emptied twice a day, maybe 3 times on a heavier day, and that is it. Very liberating!
Liza
April 1, 2016 at 12:23 pmDid you see this article from NYT Gabrielle?
Lauriel
April 1, 2016 at 8:14 pmAnother super happy diva cup user here! Although on my heaviest days I like to wear a thin pantiliner. I’ve been looking into and debating buying some THINX panties…but I just haven’t done it yet. Would love to hear what other have to think about them!
KF
April 2, 2016 at 7:48 pmI have so many thoughts, stating w LOLA–I cannot get over $10 for 18 Tanpons. Also, am I the only one who can’t get away with Supers on the heavy days? Since my second baby my periods are nightmarish and I discovered ULTRA tampons (Tanpex w plastic applicators)–even so I have to ha he it every hour on the worst day. Misery. Thinx have changed my life. The fit isn’t terrific, at least on my body, but they work and they save me so much stress about middle achool-style accidents at the grocery store or overnight. (I use them as Tanpons backup.)
I tried a diva cup and loved it on lighter days but the fit was wrong on the heavy days when I really need it. I need to revisit the list posted above and find a better cup option. Ugh, periods. (And yes, I tried the hormonal iud to lighten my periods but the other side effects made it a no-go.)
Melissa
April 4, 2016 at 8:33 amAnother cup-lover. I started with Diva but had such heavy periods that I couldn’t make it through the workday, much less overnight, without it leaking. I’m very happy wit the Fleurcup.
The link provided earlier comparing cups is very useful in deciding on shape and capacity.
Mia
April 4, 2016 at 5:22 pmI use LOLA, but I’m thinking of switching back to the non-applicator OB tampon instead. LOLA, I guess because it’s 100% cotton, doesn’t hold nearly as much as the other tampons do, which is why they are using synthetic materials (to hold more, I think?) I love the idea, but until LOLA can create a Super size that holds more than an hour’s worth of menstruation, I just can’t.
Colleen
April 4, 2016 at 10:38 pmI tried the Diva Cup and even after almost a year of use wasn’t getting a leak-free seal. I switched to the disposable Instead ones and have had better luck with those, but still have to use tampons on heavy days. I hate the waste, but the convenience trumps it for me. Ugh, periods are the worst.
Emily
April 5, 2016 at 9:24 amI switched over to a Diva cup after my second child and I love it!!! I wish I had known abot them 20 years ago. I seriously want to go peddle them to high school girls and change their lives as soon as possible! They are ideal for obvious enviromental reasons, but also with a 12 hour change out time they are great for active, sporty, and outdoorsy ladies alike.
They do take a few tries to get the hang of but they are worth it!
Kara
April 5, 2016 at 2:59 pmLove the subscription idea and the 100% cotton but would not buy because of the plastic. There are far too many alternatives to justify disposable plastic applicators.
Emma Ricupero
April 5, 2016 at 3:07 pmThis is great! The packaging truly is great. Speaking of packaging, that’s probably one of the main reasons I buy new products (as a graphic designer it’s in my blood)! However, my mom always bought organic toiletries, and to this day I still use Seventh Generation pads and tampons. I may have to try this LOLA steal though! The packaging definitely beats that of Seventh Generation.
Some of my favorite organic ( or close to organic ) products are Naobay oxygenating face cream, Visanti exfoliating face wash, Shea Moisture Shampoo and Attitude shampoo.
Jen
April 5, 2016 at 4:30 pmI was the menstrual cups’ biggest skeptic! BUT after a discussion much like this on social media, I decided to give it a try after reading so many positive experiences with it! Mostly I was shocked because I had never heard of a menstrual cup and was super curious and willing to give it a try. I’m not a person who’s super consious of waste nor did I ever mind using tampons, but I’ve been using the Diva Cup successfully for 8 months and I won’t wver go back to tampons. I love that I save money each month, I love that it sits in my cupboard or in my purse and I’m always prepared when my period starts! I aleays seemed to be out of tampons when my period came. Seriously though, the Diva Cup is amazing! And I won’t lie, very awkward the first few cycles. So much so that I ALMOST gave up. I tell all my friends about it and recommend to them all!
Nicole
April 6, 2016 at 9:15 amAnother Diva Cup user here. I’ve been using it for a few years and wish I’d known about it years ago. When I think of the waste and money spent on tampons and pads over the past twenty years… Plus it’s so much more comfortable and as others have said, so nice to only have to deal with it once or twice every 24 hours! The up front cost can be daunting, but it can last for a few years, and aren’t so hard to find anymore (Walmart!)
I also use cloth liners when needed, but find they slip around a lot (I have ones with PUL on the back, like cloth diaper covers). So I tend to keep a box of Natracare liners on hand. Love that they are plastic free – all the wrapping goes the city compost!