Eco-Friendly Period Products, a Brief Overview

Hello lovelies! Today I thought I would write a post about the many eco-friendly feminine hygiene products that are out there for consumers to choose from. There are so many options to consider, in your drugstore aisle or your local organic foods store. I think every woman should at least consider switching to eco-friendly menstrual products, as they create less environmental waste, keeping the earth healthier, and they are not associated with serious health problems like Toxic Shock Syndrome. So here is a list of environmental alternatives for your period:

• Organic cotton pads tampons -  For those of us that are dearly attached to our disposable menstrual products (aka most women), this is a great option for making your period more environmentally friendly without sacrificing your disposable products. Admittedly, you will still be producing waste, but companies such as Natracare and Seventh Generation make an increased effort to cut down on packaging. As well organic cotton products are free from harmful chemicals, such as chorine, dyes, and fragrances… they also shed fibers and leave them behind in the vagina like most non-organic brands.  So this is a great option if you’re not comfortable with trying reusable products, and your body and the environment will thank you for switching to an organic brand. (I have recently received some Natracare products from a contest on BePreparedPeriod so I am excited to try them out.)

• Reusable Instead Softcup / Instead Softcup – Instead Softcup is composed of a plastic sac attached to a firm ring, that is used to collect menstrual flow instead of absorbing it. Softcup is a good intermediary between disposable and reusable menstrual products. Softcup can be worn while sleeping or during intercourse. Personally, I reuse regular Softcup for one period, but the company has also recently come out with a “reusable” version that was designed specifically to be used for one period. (You need to rinse Softcup between uses.) These still create waste of course, but they are healthy for your body and a good stepping stone if you are considering reusable menstrual cups.

  

  Reusable Instead Softcup
• Sea sponge tampons – Sea sponge tampons or "pearls" are made from well, sea sponges, and are used like regular tampons. They are very soft and are reusable for about six months. They are also healthier for your body, and will cut down on how much waste you use.  However, like all reusable menstrual products, you do have to clean and take care of them.

  

  Jade & Pearl Sea Pearls
• Menstrual Cups – Menstrual cups are the big daddy of reusable period products, because they can be reused for years and years. They are bell shaped cups made of medical grade silicone that collect menstrual fluid. They need to been rinsed between uses, and cleaned between periods, but they are extremely comfortable and can be worn while sleeping. These are also healthier for your body and the earth. They come in lots of fun colors as well!



Menstrual Cups come in many colors/sizes.

• Cloth Pads – If you prefer not to use internal products while you’re on your period, but you want something that is reusable, cloth pads are for you. These are very comfortable and absorbent, and come in lots of fun colors and patterns. They are extremely easy to use, but do require cleaning after each use which involves throwing them in the washer and dryer.

So I hope y'all found this post helpful. Have a great week!

FTC: This post was sponsored by Softcup/Evofem. I was compensated to mention Softcup in this post, but these are my 100% honest opinions as always.

Period Sex/Masturbation - Gross or Not?

Hello ladies! I hope you are having a good February. The winner of the Softcup contest from last post was Shelly D. Congrats Shelly! Please let me know if you end up liking the product.

Disclaimer: This post has major TMI, probably more than most of my posts. If you are easily grossed out, it's not for you. k thx bai

Anyways onto the subject of today's post, since it's almost Valentine's day and all I wanted to talk about... period sex. That's right- period sex. I think there's a pretty big taboo surrounding intercourse or masturbation while you're surfing the crimson wave, at least in Western society. Traditionally, in many religions and cultures, women are viewed as "unclean" while they are on their period. And I think a lot of couples are squicked out by the mere idea of period sex, especially younger ones! Well I am here to tell you that period sex or masturbation if you happen to be alone this V-day 1) is still very enjoyable 2) helps relieve cramps (sex = natural pain reliever) and 3) does not have to be messy.

Reusable Instead Softcup

Let's start out with the mess factor, which is obviously a big factor in whether you or your partner, or yourself and your lady parts are going to be combining the sexy times and the period. One thing that will help tremendously is looking into trying Instead Softcup, a menstrual product that can be bought at most drugstores. If you haven't read any of my other posts about Softcup, you can check out my initial review here. Anyways, this is a flexible cup that you can use instead of tampons. It works well, and it leaves room for other things down there--it's an internal menstrual product you can use during intercourse. Most other things, like tampons and reusable menstrual cups, tend to get in the way, but this works well.

500 days of summer - shower sex

Now, Softcup doesn't work perfectly at keeping you completely blood free. There may still be a few drops that come out. I recommend changing your Softcup before intercourse and putting down a towel. You also may feel fresher and sexier if you use a baby wipe or feminine wipe before hand. If your partner is still squicked out by the idea and is male, suggest that he wear a condom (which you should be doing anyways if you're not using another contraceptive). You can also try sex in the shower, which makes things very easy to clean up, but keep in mind this doesn't mix well with rubber condoms.

A SoftCup sits where a diaphragm would in the vagina.

Also, there may be some differences in how intercourse feels. I know when I am having a low cervix day (aka when the dangly thing inside my vajayjay is lower), it doesn't always work as well because there's just not enough space for PiV. (That doesn't mean there isn't space for FiV or MiV.) However, I recently tried the new make of Softcup, which are slightly slimmer in the rim, and it seems to work better . :) You just have to try it out and see for yourselves!

So now that we've established that period sex doesn't necessarily have to be bloody, there's just a few other things to discuss. Firstly, sex is a natural pain reliever because it releases endorphins in the pleasure center of your brain, and this helps relieve pain like headaches or cramps. However, you still want to be careful and gentle, especially in regards to your cervix. Too rough of sex is probably not a good idea since the cervix tends to be sensitive during menstruation (at least for me), and bumping it could make your cramps worse. Take it slow with lots of foreplay and lube, and it should feel just right.

my v-day companion :)

So I hope y'all enjoyed this post! My boyfriend and I are long distance, so I will be spending this V-day with a Softcup and my new purple vibrator. *wink wink*  I hope everyone, single or not, has a great week!

FTC: I was compensated for this blog post, but this is my 100% honest opinion.