warning about tampons

[wildwitch]

I just found this on another board im a member of and thought it quite important so im passing it on to everyone here.  

"hello ladies,

i'm not sure if this is the right section but boycotting a product is the act of a consumer so 'green consumer' it is!

anyway, i've just found out that i have pelvic imflammatory disease and, after seriously questioning my husband's extra curricular activities, it looks like tampons are the culprit. i think i might be at increased risk because i recently miscarried too.

well, this has led to a bit of research. i've found out about campaigns in north america against the use of dioxins in tampons. i thought that polluting our water and landfills with them was bad enough but this is revolting!"



http://www.seac.org/tampons/hr890.html

http://www.seac.org/tampons/

Scary stuff dont you think.

[Rowan]

There is an alternative - recommended by a number of my friends and my daughter swears by it

The Mooncup - http://www.mooncup.co.uk/

It has the added advantage of there being nothing to dispose of in landfill sites

[wildwitch]

yeah moon cups are a brilliant idea, maybe when people read this about tampons they will switch.

If I buy them I always go for the organic ones, im sure thats a bit greener than the other types.  I would never use the non organic variety.

[Cat]

I can recommend Mooncups, have been using mine for a few months now with no problems.

[sandramigs]

Re mooncups.
I have used them in the past, but recently my niece has been advised against them ; she has recently been diagnosed with endometriosis -a condition where uterine lining cells find their way into other places within the abdominal cavity, could find themselves attached to kidney, bladder or bowel, where they also undergo a regular monthly bleed causing extreme discomfort.
The theory is that mooncups and tampons for that matter cause an upward pressure to the uterus, allowing a small amount of menstrual flow ( sorry guys) to back up the Fallopian tubes and freely spill out into the abdominal cavity. The blood flow will always contain some living cells from the uterine surface,   which may adhere and grow on the surface of other organs.
My own experience is that  mooncups can be useful for those intimate moments, and tampons for swimming, but anyone thought of using washable pads? http://www.thefword.org.uk/reviews/2003/05/moon_mammas_fleece_menstrual_pads

[puffedpride]

The most viewed article on downsizer is by a lady who makes her own reusable pads (in zany colours). Article comes complete with instructions, templates etc.

I'm sure it has been read so much for all the wrong reasons!

Go into www.downsizer.net and look under articles.

[Cathy]

How about sea sponges - I've been meaning for an age to get some and may finally take the plunge. Here's a site, only annoying thing is its not toally clear if that photo is of one of them or if they're more shaped and they are bleached: http://www.seapearls.co.uk/home.php

[Cathy]

These also look quite interesting: http://www.cuddlebabes.co.uk/erol.html#308x0&&http%3A%252F%252Fwww.google.co.uk%252Fsearch%3Fhl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26q%3Dreusable+sanitary+pads%26btnG%3DSearch%26meta%3Dcr%253DcountryUK%257CcountryGB

[wildwitch]

How about sea sponges - I've been meaning for an age to get some and may finally take the plunge. Here's a site, only annoying thing is its not toally clear if that photo is of one of them or if they're more shaped and they are bleached: http://www.seapearls.co.uk/home.php

Plant like creatures though, not sure about that.

[Rowan]

Sponges are animal - albeit very simple ones

"Until the mid-1700’s, the texture and appearance of sponges suggested they were plants. Zoologists eventually debunked this theory, re-classifying the sea sponge as a simple multi-cellular, bottom-dwelling animal called “Porifera”. The word means “pore-bearing” and refers to the many tiny openings or holes visible on all sponges."

[Andrea]

Hi,

I bought a Mooncup a few months ago and gave it a go. After I had cut the stalk short enough so that it didn't protrude, there wasn't really enough to get a grip of to get it out, especially as it gets slippy!!!

This sounds funny now but it was fairly unpleasant at the time. After several attempts to remove the Mooncup I was seriously on the verge of telling my fiance to go and get the pliers!. Luckily, I persevered and managed to remove it - believe me he was seriously unimpressed when I told him afterwards that he had had a narrow escape!!  

Anyway - can't get on with it I'm afraid but I do buy the organic tampons and dispose of them properly.  

[Cathy]

Plant like creatures though, not sure about that.

That does feel a little weird - esp. for you vegans. At least they don't have eyes *gasp* what a thought. Still interested, personally, just cos mooncups sound uncomfortable/intimidating.