March
2007
Does
Your Tampon Suck? An Alternative to Cotton Disposables
By Olivia Lane
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My Diva Cup seriously changed my life—or at least my life for
a few days every month. The Diva Cup is a little, flexible silicone cup
that you simply and easily insert and it collects all your menstrual
fluids.
It is way more comfortable than tampons or pads. And since it works by catching
fluids, it doesn’t do that crappy super sucking thing cotton/rayon tampons
are famous for if your flow is low. Besides, absorption isn’t really good
for our bodies anyway. (Toxic Shock Syndrome anyone?) And unlike pads, you don’t
have to feel like you’re walking around in a wet diaper all day. As an
extra bonus, the Diva Cup can collect a lot without ever leaking. I’ve
been known to wear it 12 hours straight!
The Diva Cup is also good for the planet and animals. Unlike most menstrual products
you find in the drug store, the Diva Cup manufacturer doesn’t test on animals,
pollute the environment with chlorine bleach or drain our resources with excessive
packaging. According to their website, in 1998, seven billion tampons, 13 billion
sanitary pads, plus their packaging, made way into landfills and sewage systems
in the U.S.! The Diva Cup is also a healthy choice since it’s free of dioxins,
pesticides, and other carcinogens found in run-of-the-mill menstrual products.
Plus this dandy cup will also save you some cash. It’s only about $35,
which is super cheap compared to disposables, especially when you consider that
it lasts for years.
If cups aren’t your thing, you can buy re-useable cotton pads from online
retailers like Luna Pads or Glad Rags. Even the least crafty among us can earn
punk points by whipping up our own pads with washable sponges.
Alternative menstrual products are definitely something to consider if you’re
vegan, care about women’s health and concerned about the environment. So,
no more excuses. Put your politics where your poonanny is and say adios to disposables!
Olivia Lane is a Brooklynite who spends her days blogging for SuperVegan.com.
To learn more about the Diva Cup visit www.divacup.com.
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