Alternative Disposable Menstrual Products
Although this site is about putting readers in touch with reusable menstrual protection options, there are good and important reasons why many women choose to to use disposable products to manage their period. This page covers the lesser-known disposable options which, like reusables, remain eclipsed by the heavy marketing of branded disposable tampons and sanitary towels.
If you know of other disposable options/brands that could be included here, please get in touch!
Instead Softcup
Like a menstrual cup, this brand name product acts as a barrier and collects the menstrual flow rather than absorbing it. Unlike a reusable cup, it is worn high up inside the vagina, covering and cupping the neck of the cervix. Properly positioned, the Instead Softcup is unobtrusive during sexual intercourse. Some users swear by them for both intercourse and everyday menstrual protection, while others find them leaky and ineffective.
They can be worn safely for up to 12 hours. Although Instead advise against it for reasons of hygiene, some users report emptying, cleaning and reusing each cup before disposal to save money.
It is gradually becoming easier to buy this product, which remains relatively expensive, but here are a few links: The brand's US web site is here and allows you to buy a single cup to try, or a box of 24. In the United Kingdom they are available from Express Chemist and worldwide from the distributor at Softcup.eu.
Soft Tampons
Also called "sponge tampons", "comfort tampons", "action tampons", "sex tampons", "gynaecological tampons" and "stringless tampons". A disposable, soft foam sponge designed to be ultra-comfortable to wear and, being worn high in the vagina to close off the cervix, to be undetectable during sexual intercourse. Also aimed at comfort in sport, swimming, sauna and daily use.
Soft tampons are available in wet and dry forms, the former being pre-moistened and considerably more expensive. The dry kind can be moistened with water or with a water-based intimate lubricant. As with a sea sponge, moistening slightly does not ruin the absorbency, but makes the sponge conform comfortably to the shape of the wearer's body and makes insertion easier. It is a very different experience to using a rigid digital or applicator tampon although the wear time is similar, as are the safety precautions against infection and Toxic Shock Syndrome. The sizes (mini, normal) do not compare directly to traditional tampons so do not be put off if you feel you need "super maxi" to manage - the normal size sponges hold a great deal of flow. Unlike traditional tampons, the soft tampons are supposed to be sterile in their packaging.
Soft tampons are very flexible once moistened, so they can be folded, rolled or otherwise manipulated for easy insertion. Unless being worn for intercourse, it is not too important how you position the tampon - as high as is comfortable works fine, just like a sea sponge. They are firmer than a moist sea sponge and therefore somewhat easier to position as you wish. Some types of soft tampon have a loop or dimple in the foam to help with catching hold of it for removal. With the types that don't have this, you simply use two fingers like 'tweezers', or thumb and forefinger if you are wearing the sponge lower in the vagina, grasp the sponge and gently remove.
They are costly compared to ordinary disposable tampons or a reusable sea sponge. Pack sizes vary between the brands and range from 3 up to 50 - in general, the more you buy, the lower the cost per-tampon. Each tampon is individually wrapped. Brands include Gynotex, Beppy, Europharma and Joydivision. Although popular in mainland Europe and often packaged with English language branding, international distribution remains poor and the markup on imports is high. They are available online from condom suppliers, pharmacies, Amazon.de (Germany) marketplace, Ebay sellers. Here are a few links to try -
Beppy USA & Canada - Beppy brand of soft sponge (contoured shape, available dry and lubricated) for sale to US and Canadian customers.
Meluna - This well-known menstrual cup brand stocks the Joydivision soft tampon on their site, and offers singles as well as full packs. The newer models of the Joydivision brand feature a loop to aid with removal. Worldwide shipping from Germany.
Organic Tampons
Recognising women's concern about chemical residue and enviromental impact, some tampon manufacturers minimise these as much as possible by working with pure cotton, usually organic. Packs, wraps and applicators are generally biodegradable, too. Brands include Natracare, Seventh Generation, Organyc, Cottons, Organic Essentials, Jolie, Maxim.
Organic Sanitary Towels
As with tampons, some manufacturers have recognised women's concerns and produced greener and more body-kind alternatives. All of the tampon brands mentioned also offer towels, and most also make pantyliners. Some also make maternity/post-partum pads, gentler intimate washes, wipes and similar.