TMI
/
This is the “TMI” blog. It’s the blog that, if my daughter read it, would embarrass her to no end. If I showed it to my husband, he would say, “Really? You’re writing about that?” We’re talking periods, menses, menstruation, “Aunt Flo” – whatever you want to call it and the products we use to get through it.
I’m not an expert on all things “down there”, but I do know that if I’m trying to eat organically, clean my house without toxic cleaners, and use shampoos without parabens and sulfates, I probably shouldn’t just put anything in or around such a sensitive part of my body.
I’ve used organic tampons from Seventh Generation or Natracare for years. I always thought those sleek plastic applicators were wasteful (how many acres of landfill would they fill up in America alone?!) and when I found out that most tampons were bleached with chlorine, I had to find out another option besides good old Tampax. I mean, who wants anything soaked in chorine in such a private area? Organic tampons are now available just about anywhere so it was an easy transition.
As my daughter gets closer and closer to puberty, I have begun to panic. It has made me reevaluate what I am using as I think about what she can potentially use. It’s one thing to use something yourself, it’s another thing to use it for your child. I want to tell her how wonderful it is to “become a woman”, but honestly I think periods are a pain. They’re inconvenient, sometimes uncomfortable and dare I say messy if not handled properly. I can hear all of you screaming that I’m ruining it for my daughter, but don’t worry…I’ll hold back my true feelings and try to remain upbeat and positive about the whole thing when the time comes.
One thing I have to keep in mind is that my daughter has Sensory Processing Disorder and clothing is a huge ordeal for her. With that in mind, I have come up with some natural options that I hope will work for her. Some of them, I have even tried and liked.
A friend of mine quietly told me one day that she had a pair of these amazing undies and she really liked them. So, I said why not and placed my order. It took me quite some time to build trust and try them, but I’m so glad I did. These are “period-proof” underwear that you wear all day instead of (or in addition to) wearing a tampon or cup. Do they work? So far, so good for me. They have never leaked and I never feel anything but dry. The only minor complaint is the smell. It’s similar to the smell of a pad, but after wearing tampons for over 30 years, I had forgotten.
I typically wear the thong pair (because, let’s face it, I’m a 46 year old mother of two and my “uniform” means I wear yoga pants) on days leading up to and following my period. Because these babies aren’t cheap ($24-$39 a pair), I initially only had one pair. While they’re machine washable, they need to be hung dry and since I only had one pair, I would wash them nightly so they’d be ready to go the next day. My suggestion? Start with at least 2 pairs!
Another reason I love Thinx is because of the freedom they can offer young girls. So many young girls aren’t ready for tampons or cups, and pads can be inconvenient and embarrassing. Plus, remember way back to when you first got your period – you’re usually not regular so accidents can happen at any time. These period-panties can be game-changing to teenagers.
I initially had a love/hate relationship with my Diva Cup. I finally tried it, after having it sit in my cabinet for almost a year. I’ll just say this…when it goes in correctly, it’s awesome. But it took time and practice and when I couldn’t get it in just right (for me, this means it won’t open all the way) it is sooooo frustrating. I’m excited to report that it has never leaked but at first I wasn’t confident and only wore it in conjunction to wearing a pair of Thinx underwear. Now, after using a Diva Cup for more than a year, I’ll never go back to pads or tampons. It’s convenient, economical and I get to feel pretty environmentally conscious because of all the waste I don’t contribute. Bonus points for Diva now becoming a Certified B Corporation!
I can’t imagine a young, teenage girl using a cup – at least initially. I’ve seen some great YouTube videos to help girls decide which one to use and how to use them, but I think I think pads or Thinx would be easier for a young girl. But then again, pads and Thinx don’t cut it in the pool, so….
Another product that I’m considering are Heart Felt Bamboo Reusable Cloth Menstrual Cloths as recommended by Kelly Brozna of The Spunky Coconut. They’re made with a bamboo charcoal layer that is supposedly super absorbent, hypoallergenic and naturally neutralizes odors.
