SUSTAINABLE CYCLE
Until recently, I was always embarrassed to talk about my period. I never understood how women felt so empowered by their monthly cycle, when I dreaded it every month. It’s not even that I have a heavy or painful experience, its just that using tampons, with all of the excessive plastic, knowing that I was creating SO MUCH WASTE, left me feeling like I was creating more harm than good. How could I feel good about this natural process, when it was creating so much unnatural harm to our environment?
Did you know. . . women contribute nearly 20 billion single-use tampons, pads and applicators into North American landfills every year?!
Not only are we trashing our planet, but we’re using synthetic materials in our own bodies. Most tampons are synthetic, bleached, wrapped in plastic, with plastic applicators, sometimes soaked in chemical fragrances or dyes, and packaged in plastic boxes, all of which are single use. The average woman leaves behind 11,000 menstrual products in her lifetime, all of which can be completely eliminated with natural, sustainable solutions!
I heard that menstrual cups were all the rage, but my experience with them did not leave me wanting more. Unfortunately I got a size too big, and the discomfort deterred me from using one again. I begrudgingly returned to tampons, guilt, shame and all.
It wasn’t until one of my friends mentioned that she started using a SEA SPONGE for her period, and my interest was immediately piqued!
I’d been looking for a comfortable, natural, sustainable alternative and I had to try it for myself!
When I shared on Instagram, I got such an overwhelming response that I had to share in more detail here.
The sponges that I used are sustainably harvested and are completely natural. The company inspects, cleans, and trims each sponge before purchase, but since they are natural you can even reshape them to fit yourself perfectly. Before using the sponges, all you have to do to disinfect them is soak them in a natural solution of warm water, vinegar, tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide for 5-10 minutes.
To insert the sponges, you simply soak it in warm water, and then squish it to a more oval shape and just stick it in there! I’ve never gotten so intimate with myself during a menstrual cycle, and while I thought I would be nervous, squeamish, or just simply grossed out, I had the complete opposite experience.
Taking the sponges out can be a little difficult, but you can also just thread a piece of string or floss and attach it to the sponge for easier removal. To clean, simply run the sponge under warm water and reinsert!
It doesn’t have to be disinfected after every use, in fact you can soak it every other day, and then after your period is complete before your next cycle.
I’ve used my sponges for 2 cycles now, but I’ve read that they last anywhere from 6-12 months, and when you are done, they simply biodegrade back into the earth.
The sponge lasted much longer than any tampon, and was so comfortable to sleep in, with zero leakage (which I cannot say about tampons.)
I’ve always felt so horrible about using tampons and pads, and not to mention just how gross they are accumulating in land fills all over the world. It is an unnatural solution to a natural and beautiful cycle. I feel excited about my period now, for the first time in my life! And I’m more excited that I get to share this experience with you in hopes that you find some relief and an alternative solution to your time of the month!
Since we’re talking periods, I also have to mention that I started using Thinx underwear this year, which I was also extremely skeptical about until I tried them for myself. I’m in love! Its like a sexy, reusable pad that makes me feel absolutely free!! They have a ton of styles, for different flows, depending on how heavy your cycle is. They have everything from thongs to leotards! I love the high waisted style pictured above & the boy shorts for sleeping.
Use my code MIKIASH10 for $10 off your order!! Shop here.
I hope this was a helpful post, and gives you another option for how to nurture yourself in a way that is more aligned with nature itself.
