Cloth Menstrual Pads

Okay, I know many of you ladies are going to have the same negative first impression I did when introduced to the idea of cloth menstrual pads. Seriously, as natural as I am, my immediate thought was "YUCK!- absolutely NOT!" BUT........ after trying them, my opinion has changed drastically. Now some people just can't deal with body secretions of any kind. So this may not be for you. I deal with "P" double "O" "P" everyday. So it's no biggie for me.

I decided to try some for the first time after Aletheia was born. The instant I put them on, I was SOLD! Sooooo SOOOOO comfortable! They truly are absorbent as well. Naturally they would have to be changed more often, but they fold up nicely and slip into a Ziploc bag in your purse. The one in the picture is called "Knickernappies" - although there are several brands to choose from and if you're really ambitious, you can make your own. There are ones that are organic and have more natural fibers than knickenappies. They have a small pad that snaps into the liner and then a larger one snaps over the top for heavier days. I purchased mine at Snootybootydiapers.com. She has a fair price and I am able to build up points toward money off of other merchandise she sells.

Disposable sanitary pads and or tampons have many hidden dangers to them. They have been linked to causing hormonal problems, infertility, cervical cancer, womb tumors, endometriosis and more.... I know it is more convenient now to turn a blind eye to this, but this is more serious than you might think.

The manufacturers of these products are putting asbestos in them. Why? - because asbestos encourages the body to bleed. More bleeding = more use of the product, which = more revenue for the company. Isn't that lovely? We are being harmed for the sake of lining the pockets of these rich companies. ARGH! Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and these companies don't care.

Other chemicals include chlorine, dioxin, and the use of synthetic material rayon. Dioxin is used in tampons and is also a cancer causing agent. The rayon is highly absorbent and increases the toxic affects of dioxin as well as the chances of TSS and or a staph infection.

The reason why the EPA hasn't pulled them off the market is because they say these chemicals are only harmful over a long period of constant exposure. So I guess 6-8 sanitary pads or tampons a day for one week each month for 30-40 menstruating years isn't considered a "long period of constant exposure".

Cloth menstrual pads are not the only option. There are safer options available. Here are a few companies that offer a safer solution - Organic Essentials 1-800-765-6491 and Terra Femme 1800-755-0212, and Naturacare. If you want to further advocate, write or call the many sanitary pad companies and voice your opinion. As they say, "Money talks" - so if there are enough people switching and voicing their opinion, the companies will be force to change.

There is also another interesting option that I might try (even though I have never been a tampon user). It's called the menstrual cup. There are several companies that make them (moon cup /Diva cup). It is a cup that is inserted and collects about an ounce of liquid before it must be emptied. Sounds a bit gross to me too, but it is more natural and can save a bundle of money and time in washing (for those who use cloth). If you're interested, go to www.iherb.com and use the coupon code MUT703 to get $5 off for a total of a little over $21 dollars. This is a great price.

Well there is one thing I must say..... with all of this cloth diapering and cloth pad business, I better start looking on Craigslist for a more reliable washer and dryer :) Our twenty year old set is soon to bite the dust.