Alternatives to Pads and Tampons

Have you ever gone to the store to buy yourself some tampons (pads)? Have you ever been disgusted with the outrageous price of these products-considering they are just a mass of cotton? I went to the store last week in fact and found that the tampons I was purchasing cost over 7 dollars! Now if you think about that, depending on how many you use each cycle, you could be spending $80 year?

In the book 'cunt,' Muscio refers to this, "Why the flying fuck should a woman have to pay huge corporation over and over because the lining of her uterus naturally, biologically sheds every month?"

I agree with her! Why should we pay so much just so we don't bleed everywhere? What did women do before there were companies like Kotex? Well - you see women used to use rags. Yes, rags. You could cut them up into the right length strips, and layer as many as you needed. If you wanted to get fancy you could even design and sew your own. Then when you had used them, all they'd need was a good washing out.

This method is still used by some today - but there are other methods that are also much cheaper:

Sea Sponges: $12 for 2
*Each one lasts for about 3 cycles
*Boil in hot water before first use
*Rinse and wash out with soap and hot water each time it is full --Can squeeze the blood into a jar and add water; use to feed plants
*When done with cycle, wash out and let dry before putting away
**To avoid toxic shock syndrome: Keep sponge clean.








The Keeper: $35 dollars - lasts for years
*Small cup with stem that inserts into the vagina and rests just under the cervix. *Catches blood flow -when full it will drip a small amount of blood, letting you know that it is time to empty.
*See 'liberating links' on sidebar to find more information



Rags: $ varies
*Reusable mentrual pads (washable)
*Fantastic alternative to disposable tampons and pads
*See 'liberating links' on sidebar to find more information



Liberate yourself from the multi-million dollar corporations controlled by men!!

I myself am going to promise here and now - that I will try the 'sea sponge' during my next cycle!

Menarche Parties!!!!

So can you remember the first time you had your period? I can. It was not exciting for me - I was scared and upset and wanted nothing to do with it. However - I soon realized that there was no escaping it. Looking back on my experience I now wonder why it had to be that way? Why did I get upset?

For my Women's 301 class I was assigned to read the book 'cunt' by Inga Muscio. In her book she addresses menstruation and how it is portrayed culturally as a negative thing. It's a taboo subject for many. Most women hide their tampons (or whatever you use to absorb the blood) away out of sight. The only time you hear a woman talk about her period is when she is having cramps. The only time I have heard men talk about it was in complaining about 'PMS.'

Women, I think, need to embrace themselves and their menstruation. One way we can do this is by throwing Menarche parties for our own daughters when they are old enough. We could even suggest them to friends or relatives with daughters. If we can culture ourselves and our friends to be proud of menstruation just think of how liberating that would be?!

If you have never read about a Menarche party, they are celebrations put on for girls when they get their periods. Its a celebration for becoming a woman. There are different ways to do this. In 'cunt,' Muscio says that the honoree should wear a red dress and have a red cake. Red gifts wrapped in red paper should be brought by women young and old. Old women can talk about the moon and the lunar cycle-the ties women have to it. They can also talk about the joys of bleeding and then not bleeding. One can also have decorations and games associated with being a woman such as 'pin the ovaries on the uterus,' 'puberty bingo,' or 'menstrual bingo.'


There are so many ways that we can make this a positive thing - unite and celebrate your womanhood!!!

Please check out this video on you tube about Menarche parties: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVI89uVPqOs

Here are some helpful links to aid you on your quest for planning a Menarche party!!

http://www.womanwisdom.com/

http://vaginaverite.com/menstruation/menarchparty.html

http://www.celebratepuberty.org/shop/cubecart/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=5

http://www.womanwisdom.com/w_coa-menarche-services.shtml

Lunar Calendars

Women are explicitly tied to the moon. Our menstrual cycles follow a 28 day cycle - the same as the lunar calendar. This is something that all women share, it unites us!

To begin mapping your own cycle you must put together a lunar calendar or purchase one.
On the first day of your period, mark the day on your lunar calendar. Note the phase of the moon.
Continue this process until you have reached the end of your cycle for the month.
Do this each month and you will eventually know to the day when you are going to get your period - even if you are 'irregular.'

Knowing how your own cycle works and embracing it will help you become more in tuned to yourself.

I would love it if anyone would comment on this!!!!

I am placing some links for where to find information about mapping your menstrual cycle using the lunar calendar. Also links to where you can purchase them. Hope they are useful!!!

http://www.thelunapress.com/

http://www.menstruation.com.au/

http://www.moonsurfing.com/lunartools.html

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6787419