Remember the toilet paper shortage at the beginning of 2020? Well, rumor has it that menstrual products are going to be coming up short soon. Everyone panicked then and started hoarding TP and price gouging, etc., but instead of that option for this possible shortage, I thought I’d share a few items that I’ve personally used over the years.
Diva Cup
It’s a little silicone cup that inserts in the vagina to collect blood during a woman’s period. I used this option the most. I kept a couple of them on hand and used them for many, many years. (They last forever!) I used both the regular diva cup (see link and photo below) as well as a generic version I found on eBay too.
https://divacup.com/
Cloth Pads
However, with the diva cup I never felt all the way safe to go without a pad, so for years I made my own pads out of cut up baby mattress protectors and flannel from patterns I found on the internet. Here’s a website discussing these things with a link to several sew-it-yourself options.
https://sewingsociety.com/how-do-you-make-reusable-cloth-menstrual-pads-links-to-free-sewing-patterns/
The homemade stuff worked just fine for what I needed them for, but if you’re not into sewing, you can get premade ones off eBay for fairly cheap (see pic below). My mom uses some like these for incontinence issues and they work really well.
Yes, I know, it’s gross. Yes, it’s not optimal or super sanitary. Yes, you have to wring out your own blood. Yes, you have to wash it. But it’s no worse than washing cloth diapers and that’s been a doable thing for parents since the beginning of time. In fact, for 1000s of years many women have just used wadded fabric cuz that’s all they had. Sometimes ya just gotta do what ya gotta do. 🤷♀️
While a shortage of menstrual products is only a rumor at this point, now may be the time to look into these alternative options for tampons and pads (and perhaps incontinence pads). Beyond just shortages and inconvenience, there are definitive health benefits to using alternative and natural options. The store items are big sources of endocrine disrupters—in other words, the chemicals in them mess with your hormones and get you out of whack. And of course, there’s tremendous benefits for the environment as well.
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you; don’t be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
The purpose of Jordan’s Crossing Herbal Connections is to promote the sharing of information about healthy, natural products and dietary supplements. JCHC’s views and opinions are INFORMATIONAL ONLY and are not intended to constitute medical advice. If you are sick, injured or pregnant, please consult a licensed health care professional.