Per Shawn, I am starting a discussion about "alternative menstrual products."

I am earth friendly & I try to do part as much as I can. One day when looking at a site about green friendly tips & hints, I came across the "diva cup." It's not really a tampon, & not a pad, but it is used while you are on your period.

Learning about this blew me away & got me wondering about pads. Yep, there are reusable menstrual pads too (but I guess this would be no different than using cloth diapers, right? You can wash those too!).

The logic behind these products is that they are reusable, so it's economical and you can feel you are doing your part in environmental conservation. With that said, I haven't bought one yet. I really want to try the divacup, but at the same time I feel kind of grossed out behind the idea. I mean the whole pouring out the cup & cleaning part, grosses me out, does that make sense? I guess it really is no grosser than thinking about a landfill full of used tampons & pads though!

Here is a website than can you tell you a little bit about other choices we have out there: www.epigee.org/menstruation_alternative_products.html

Here is the website about the divacup:
www.divacup.com

And here is one about washable pads:
http://washable-menstrual-pads.com.

Thank you Rella123 for taking me up on my offer of you posting on this subject. Ladies, I thought this deserved a forum all it's own. Check out these products and tell me what you think. I am curious at your thoughts....

I used to work with a girl who was very "natural" and she used some kind of sea sponge. I have never heard of it before or since but she said it was inserted and would absorb like a tampon. Then you squeeze it out rinse it and put it back in. Sounds a little too hands on for me.
I have seen this cup at walgreens and they say its safe to use during intercourse as well. I dont know if I would use one, but I also have very short light periods and also very infrequent so feminine products are not a big expense for me. Lucky me!