How Women Can Bleed Green

By Eunice Wong, Truthdig. Posted January 26, 2009.

While the cup looks intimidating, it is folded to a very manageable size before inserting. There are numerous folding techniques, and different techniques work for different women. It is not painful to use.

Menstrual cups can last, with proper care, up to 10 years. They cost $20 to $30. In 10 years, the average woman spends about $500 on tampons and pads.

Menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time, including overnight. Unlike tampons, they are not associated with toxic shock syndrome. You empty, wash and reinsert it two or three times in a 24-hour period. You will almost never, considering how long you can wear the cup, have to empty it in a public restroom. 

When you try it for the first time, relax and remember it takes practice. Most women need about three monthly cycles to master the technique. Once you have it down, it takes only a few seconds to insert or remove the cup.

The initial reaction of nearly all women to the menstrual cup is "Gross!" But the cup is not messy. It holds a full ounce. The entire average monthly flow is two to four ounces. Most women, after wearing the cup for 12 hours on their heavy-flow days, will find that it is less than half full.

You can find lots of information and support online. A good instructional video is on YouTube.

Also, www.ecomenses.com has helpful information and pictures on menstrual cups, cloth pads and sea sponges. 

The Diva Cup is manufactured in Canada. There's also the Keeper (not for those with latex allergies), the Moon Cup and the Lunette. Each site has extensive FAQ sections, especially the Diva Cup site, which has more than 100 answers to different concerns.

This is one decision you can make that will have an immediate impact on the environment. You may not be able to afford solar panels or a biodiesel vehicle. Maybe you're not ready for a compost toilet. But you can do this. 

Nobody makes a greater mistake, wrote Edmund Burke, than s(he) who did nothing because s(he) could only do a little.

Eunice Wong is an actor based in New York.

References:

¹P2Pays--"Recycling and waste reduction statistics: The Disturbing Truth"

²Women's Environmental Network--"Seeing Red: Sanitary Protection and the Environment"

³Health News Digest

⁴P2Pays--"Recycling and waste reduction statistics: The Disturbing Truth"

⁵http://www.greenyour.com/body/personal-care/feminine-hygiene/tips/choose-cloth-menstrual-pads?subject=9133&category=9484

⁶E: The Environmental Magazine--"Inner Sanctum: The Hidden Price of Feminine Hygiene Products"

⁷Ocean Conservancy--"The National Marine Debris Monitoring Program: Total Debris Collected/National"

See more stories tagged with: menstruation, reusable menstrual items

Eunice Wong is an actor based in New York.

Liked this story? Get top stories in your inbox each week from Environment! Sign up now »