Has Anyone Tried Out Natural Menstruation Products?

Yes I have a DivaCup and like it, takes some getting used to. Also, I use washable pads, they are softer, reversable, don't ride up, or stick to you! There are lots out there, many cute designs...

http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_type=all&am...=

A.

I still use the organic tampons, but not very many, but then my periods are much less intense than they used to be ... I had considered the cups before that

mostly I use some homemade 'pads' ... I got a snap-on kind with bamboo filler made from fun super-colorful cotton and cotton flannel scraps, they were mix-and-match 3 for $21 at Zoom Baby on Lombard and Greely, and I like them better than the cloth pads from the natural foods stores, although those work alright too ... I think I like the colors, mostly ...

I also made the simple switch to using my black (cotton) undies for light-bleed days, because staining doesn't matter

I use a Mooncup UK. It is a cup like the Keeper but made from a different material. There is also a Diva Cup, which is very popular and well-reviewed, and a Mooncup US, which is not regarded as highly as the UK version. I am so very happy with my cup. I also have a few cloth pantyliners that I purchased from etsy.com for some heavier flow days because I don't remember to change the cup often. I find the cup very convenient and worth the $35 I spent to not have to buy tampons or anything else for several years.

I have a blog and wrote about my discovery and first use of my Mooncup, http://twoboys4me.blogspot.com/search/label/Mooncup.

Grist.org did a review of a couple of the Keeper style products. It may be a good resource for you.

I have used both the Keeper and the Diva cup. I liked the Keeper better (though I like the appearance of the Diva cup better), though, to be fair, I did use the Keeper before giving birth and the Diva cup after. I found that the Diva cup leaked more; I never had that problem with the Keeper. Again, not sure if it was related to childbirth or the product. Still, they're both better than using tampons. Great for the environment and our bodies, but also great for our sanity! You don't have to change it as often, and they're no mess to throw away. Good luck!

I have loved the Diva cup for over a year now, just make sure to boil it before you store it between periods.

Hey D. - I've used the Diva Cup for a couple years now, and it's only gotten better over time. After the first two or three cycles I had the hang of it, and I really like it.

I just went out of town and forgot to grab the Diva cup, so had to use tampons. It was ridiculous! Each time I put one in I was picturing the cotton fibers cutting into me and Toxic Shock Syndrome spreading through my body!! I'm fine, of course, but it just underlined for me how much I have grown used to the Diva Cup and like it.

I didn't think of using Glad Rags (or the equivalent) until I started cloth diapering, and now I'm thinking, why not?!? But I currently use regular pads and panty liners with the Diva Cup. I would encourage you to go for it, give it a month or two, and you'll be glad you did!

I highly recommend www.lunapads.com

They sell cloth pads and the Diva Cup, which is similar to the Keeper.

This site has lots of info and advice:

http://menstrualcups.org/

The Diva Cup is a bit tricky to figure out at first.

Good for you for switching! You'll never go back!

Good luck,
D.

I started using the Diva Cup when I lived on a remote island for a year. It is very similar to the Keeper. It would have been very impractical and especially pollutive trying to deal with tampons or pads in that situation. I love it and am still (3 years later) using it. It does take a few tries to get used to putting it in and out (I compare it to getting used to dealing with contact lenses - you just have to practice a few times!).

My period now is very slow in getting started; about three days of very light flow before it all suddenly comes out. I have no problem with leaving the cup in 24 or more hours during the light flow and even during the heavy flow I only need to change it twice a day, tops. There is no health risk to leave it in that long.

I like that it leaves no smell and very rarely does it leak. I had a leak once when did not empty it out in time.

Besides being eco-friendly and convenient it's a lot cheaper than buying tampons or pads every few months too.

Between uses I just rinse it out with water and between months I'll either give it a thorough cleaning with water and soap or toss it in some boiling water for a bit (I did that on the island to properly sterilize it since it was VERY humid there).

I'm a big fan. You should just try it for yourself, but remember to give yourself enough time to get used to it! Also, it helped me to cut off the stem to make it more comfortable.

Good luck!

I've used the Diva cup for a little under a year now and wouldn't go back! I do still wear pads with it on heavy days though because there is some leakage but I'm thinking of switching to cloth pads.

S.
www.hazelaid.com
All natural, organic, handmade hazelwood necklaces for the relief of eczema, acid reflux, & teething pain for babies and their families.

I've been using a Diva Cup for about a year now. I have had no problems with it at all. It does have a bit of a learning curve and I think my first cycle was great, then my second cycle not so great, then my third cycle was better and it has become easier.

HTH
E.

check ou this website http://www.gladrags.com. They have three differernt kinds of "Keepers" as you refer to them & natural reusable pads as well. I myself like the pads the best.

I use Glad Rags and really like them. I switched last year. I find them so much more comfortable and I can't imagine going back to disposables (unless I'm traveling).

I tried them because I had some coupons from the Chinook book and I'm glad I did. I have more coupons from my Chinook books this year. If you want some PM me your address and I'll send them to you.

HTH,
C.-WAHM to 5 y/o virtual twins
Owner: http://www.BeHappierAtHome.com

I used to use the Instead disposable cups, and they worked fine - but less well after i gave birth. Then i tried the Diva cup - i thought that would turn into a good solution, but i've only used it through one cycle, and i think that i need a bit more practice to get it seated.

I like the Glad Rags quite a bit. You have to be okay with washing and re-using, but, i guess washing diapers got me accustomed to the idea... The are comfy and seem to work well. I think my on-going solution will be a small thin glad rag, probably combined with the diva cup for heavy days.

http://www.lunapads.com/
http://www.gladrags.com/

Hi, D.--
I bought some natural pads online and believe they were called Perfect Pads-- or something like that. They are the snap on kind of pad that have an outer layer of microfleece which would be the closest to your skin and then, I think, the bottom layer is cotton flannel. The inside is supposed to be hemp which is very antimicrobial and holds a ton! The best thing is that these really don't harbor odors and hold a ton which is great for heavy days. I find them pretty convenient and easy to use. I never buy pads anymore.

good luck with your search!

I have never used the keeper but have heard nothing but good things. i personally use Jade Pearl's sea sponge tampons and cloth pads that I purchased through www.punkinbut.com I love her pads, they don't catch hair, wash out completely clean in your washer, don't shrink. I feel so much cleaner with them, oh and my pads I use as inserts for my kids diapers (think fuzzy bunz).

S.

I second the motion on the Diva cup- the thing ROCKS! I also use "Mama cloth" sometimes. I REALLY like the ones at www.dominopads.com My teenage daughters thought the idea was a bit more natural than anything they were interested in. LOL! But, after one of my daughters recently ran out of her disposables and used some of mine, she asked me to order some for her! I cannot even tell you how much better my body feels using these things! No more nasty itching where it is socially unacceptable to scratch! YAY! Blessings to you and yours! :)

Hi D.,

As the maker and user of natural menstrual products, I am happy to share my personal preferences.

I love the Diva Cup (it was easier and more comfortable than the Keeper IMO). The downfall with it is you need a bathroom with a since if you are going to dump it, or you need to carry a water bottle with you. I pull it out, dump out the contents, rinse it and put it back in and I'm good for a few hours even on heavy flows. If you don't get the cups in just right, you can leak a little, so it's always wise to use a pad as a back-up.

The Seasponge tampon is the most comfortable and easiest to insert and remove, but you will get a little spotting when it gets full, so again you want to use a pad as a back up. But they are awesome to use! The negative is the same as the cups, you need a sink to rinse it out so you can insert it again. Or you need to carry two. Take one out and put a new one in and then go rinse the used one.

In regards to cloth menstrual pads, I have tried several and my favorites are Fresh Moon. You can view all of these products on www.punkinbutt.com under Just for Mom. They come with bodies and soaker pads or the super popular All In Ones which are easy care and use. Once you switch to cloth and natural products, you'll never want to go back!

For more information on why women choose to switch to natural products, I love the article The Period Predicament.

http://www.fresh-moon.com/period-predicament-t-4.html?osC...

If you live locally, you are welcome to come by and I can show you all of the products in person and discuss your options.

Sincerely,
A.

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