The hidden dangers of female menstruation products

Originally posted by RedBalloon

As for the cup - again I question the cleanliness. If cleaned PROPERLY, then it might not be as bad, but how often do people clean things properly. When in a warm wet place like the vagina with so much available food (blood) bacteria have a little party and can quickly take over in normal conditions. Throw in a poorly cleaned cup left in for 12 hours or overnight, and you have set up a beautiful environment for all sorts of problems. This blood was also meant to be disposed of. Your body wants it OUT. Why keep it inside for half a day or more? Yikes. I'd be all for all natural tampons, but sea sponges look somewhat "ouchy" and the cup is just a little too sketchy.

If you can't trust yourself to properly clean the thing, don't use it. The cup, when used and cleaned properly is great!

Sea Sponges aren't ouched. You wet them a bit before insertion and you can't feel a damn thing, they move with your body. They're worth trying. Don't say no just because it doesn't look like it'd be comfortable.

I can give you more information on the cup, as well, if you'd like.

Originally posted by Bleys
Actually this is becoming a more common practice. The pill has three weeks of hormones and one week that's inert. I (under doctors supervision) started my next month's pills instead of the inert ones. Kept me from having my period while spending a summer in the back country of Wyoming. I only did it for a couple of months. I just felt uncomfortable staying on the pills for an extended period of time.

I know that one of the pharmacy companies is actually marketing a "no period" pill using the same methodoloy. Personally, I don't know if I'd do it full time without a few more years of clinical studies. If I find it I'll post it.

Supposedly, it reduces the risk of certain cancers related to the female reproductive tract. We weren't even meant to menstruate so much, and throughout history women spent much more time pregnant. So you might actually be doing your body good.

Having a child before 30 reduces your risk of breast cancer, though, and the pill tends to prevent that. And, if you have a family history of breast cancer, the hormones may up your risk even more along with the added risk of not carrying a baby as mentioned above.

They go inside the vagina, how would they be a crotch enhancer?

And they are not too big, you can trim them down to fit.

Is the look of them really important? They don't contain dioxins or other chemicals when commercial products do. THAT'S what matters, not what they look like.

Settle down...I was just playing around...I thought we were all past having to use the [sarcasm] tags...

Interesting topic......[sarcasm]but seeing as how my input isn't wanted ( )...and that I'm a guy, I'll just butt out...[/sarcasm]

[edit on 10/21/2004 by EnronOutrunHomerun]

Originally posted by Bleys
I know that one of the pharmacy companies is actually marketing a "no period" pill using the same methodoloy. Personally, I don't know if I'd do it full time without a few more years of clinical studies. If I find it I'll post it.

hmmm...even if it was guaranteed 100% safe I don't know how anyone could stop a natural event happening to their bodies with drugs, especially periods. I'm a guy so you're probably thinking "yeah what do you know?" lol, but there's just something about intentionally stopping it that creeps me out. I think of it more in long term effects, down the generations what would it do to how a womans body works?
Oh well, trailing off topic there never mind...

Originally posted by EnronOutrunHomerun

Settle down...I was just playing around...I thought we were all past having to use the [sarcasm] tags...

Interesting topic...

...[sarcasm]but seeing as how my input isn't wanted (

)...and that I'm a guy, I'll just butt out...[/sarcasm]

It's not that I don't appreciate your attempt at humor...

Just that when it comes to a topic like this, that is generally shamed upon, serious discussion is needed because it happens so rarely.

Originally posted by parrhesia
If you can't trust yourself to properly clean the thing, don't use it. The cup, when used and cleaned properly is great!

Sea Sponges aren't ouched. You wet them a bit before insertion and you can't feel a damn thing, they move with your body. They're worth trying. Don't say no just because it doesn't look like it'd be comfortable.

I can give you more information on the cup, as well, if you'd like.

I trust myself to clean it right, I just don't want to, and can't imagine whipping the thing out in the sink at work Just doesn't seem practical. And while I trust myself to clean things I put into my body, I don't trust many potential users who don't take hygiene as seriously. I'm considering ordering the sponges just out of curiosity and to give my boyfriend a laugh, but I don't think they are for me. I can usually get by with nothing at all for all but half a day so I'm not too worried about my trusty stringed friend.

Originally posted by RedBalloon

Sea Sponges aren't ouched. You wet them a bit before insertion and you can't feel a damn thing, they move with your body. They're worth trying. Don't say no just because it doesn't look like it'd be comfortable.

I can give you more information on the cup, as well, if you'd like.

I trust myself to clean it right, I just don't want to, and can't imagine whipping the thing out in the sink at work Just doesn't seem practical. And while I trust myself to clean things I put into my body, I don't trust many potential users who don't take hygiene as seriously. I'm considering ordering the sponges just out of curiosity and to give my boyfriend a laugh, but I don't think they are for me. I can usually get by with nothing at all for all but half a day so I'm not too worried about my trusty stringed friend.

The sponge is suitable for use during intercourse, as well. When wet you can't feel it. Give them a try, you may like them.

the ones i used were disposable cups, no cleaning required, but they are not flushable, then again neither are pads. And they were not 40 dollars, a package of 10 was about 12 dollars, about twice the price of tampons.

Originally posted by John Nada
I'm a guy so you're probably thinking "yeah what do you know?"

You've had girlfriends, and a mom, and perhaps even sisters, so join on in. You've seen more vaginas than me.

Good point about long term effects of stopping menstruation though... actually, more than good. Excellent point. Time will tell what effects that truly has. Who knows what could go along with menstruation that we don't know about.

Found it!

The drug is called Seasonale. I'm glad this wasn't around when I was in my late teens or early 20s - I wouldn't have hesitated to go on it consequences be damned.

No more periods

Originally posted by kastinyque
the ones i used were disposable cups, no cleaning required, but they are not flushable, then again neither are pads. And they were not 40 dollars, a package of 10 was about 12 dollars, about twice the price of tampons.

OK, but the non disposable types, like the diva cup and the keeper, they go for about $40, and can last for up to 10 years. It's worth the money - you'll save tons.

yes I agree, just thought id mention the disposable kind for people who want to avoid the consequences of pads/tampons, but dont want the hassle of sanitizing their "monthly" equipment.

Originally posted by kastinyque
yes I agree, just thought id mention the disposable kind for people who want to avoid the consequences of pads/tampons, but dont want the hassle of sanitizing their "monthly" equipment.

Good point - Convenience is a big part of why women moved away from using reusable pads or cloths, etc.

This is a good comparison...

convenience, cleanliness, money, chemicals and dioxins (regular pads and tampons) Versus convenience, cleanliness, no chemicals or dioxins and tons of money saved and tons of trash saved from the landfill