Radical Feminine Hygiene

Both campaigns advocate reusable menstrual supplies such as menstrual cups, sea sponges, and washable cotton pads. But disposability is not an easy habit to break. As Jeanne M. Lambert wrote in Natural Life magazine in 1995, 'To make the switch from disposables to reusable products requires an attitude change from being able to 'throw away the 'mess'' of our menses . . . to accepting the reality of this natural part of our bodies.'

In contrast to the sleek torpedo design of the conventional tampon, the menstrual cup resembles a miniature toilet plunger. It is made of soft latex rubber and collects rather than absorbs menstrual flow, thus protecting wearers from the vaginal dryness in which TSS bacteria can thrive. New cup wearers have to adjust to rinsing the device rather than throwing it away. But among other benefits, the product is economical. DivaCup, MoonCup, and The Keeper each cost about $35 and are said to last 10 years.

The menstrual cup is not the only tampon alternative on the market. Some women swear by sea sponges, porous creatures harvested right from the ocean floor. Sea sponges contain no processed materials like rayon but are nonetheless absorbent enough to be used for menstrual protection. Sponges have been praised as an environmentally friendly product based on their ability to regenerate if they are carefully harvested. Other women praise the comfort and simplicity of Glad Rags and LunaPads, reusable cotton pads that hark back to the time-tested method of washing and reusing cloth strips.

Whatever alternative you might choose, it's bound to take some adjustment. But why not give it a try? Closing the last pink, crinkly gap in your ecoconsciousness may end up being as easy and as good for you as it is good for the world.