Sea sponges can work really well, but you have to change them a bit more often then tampons, in my experience, and you should also have plenty of them, because they need to be thoroughly boiled between uses.

However, a lot of women (like me) find that using tampons where the fiber hasn't been bleached with godawful chemicals is a lot more comfortable to use. I sometimes get an allergic reaction if I use commercially-bleached non-organic-cotton tampons. The brand I use is called Natracare.

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Hanne Blank
Associate Editor, Scarleteen

My understanding was that that risk -- as long as they are being changed fairly regularly -- was based in the rayon fibers and chemicals used in processing commercial brands. Is that not what it is?

From what my medical informers tell me (I just called my local sex-positive Nurse Practitioner to verify this stuff, so I assume she knows her stuff), the toxic bleaches and synthetic fibers can contribute to TSS by creating a less immunologically sound climate inside the vagina, and because superabsorbent tampons can actually dry out the vaginal lining so that there's none of that nice protective immunologically functional mucous left to help protect the body from bacterial invasion through the vaginal wall.

TSS is a syndrome caused by the very common staph infection -- staphylococcus aureus -- which can breed in any pooling blood or bodily fluids. Staph bacteria are normal and common, and about 1 in 3 people have 'em in their bodies at any given time. Usually they don't cause problems because your body's immune system can keep 'em in check.

What makes the difference between it being just a "bacteria hangin' out" thing and a potentially fatal systemic infection is whether or not that bacteria does two things: multiplies enough to produce toxins that make you sick, and gets a chance to get into the bloodstream.

Both things can happen with tampons that aren't changed often enough or with tampons that are too high absorbency for a woman's needs and which a) collect a lot of blood in them, making a staph breeding pool, while simultaneously b) drying out the vagina and increasing the chance of bacteria and toxins getting into the bloodstream. Any tampon can do it if the other circumstances are right. Some are more likely culprits than others.

Common symptoms of systemic staphylococcus aureus infection (aka TSS) are: a sudden high fever (temperature), vomiting, a sunburn-like rash, diarrhea,fainting or feeling faint or dizzy or confused, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms. What can make TSS so serious is that the toxins from the bacteria can damage the kidneys and liver, and can cause you to go into shock. It can happen really quickly, and because a lot of the early symptoms are so much like a case of the flu, a lot of people don't think to go to the hospital until it's quite late in the game.

It's much *less* common to have someone get any infection from tampon use, including the infection that can lead to TSS, if they do the following:
1) Wash your hands before you insert a tampon.
2) Use the lowest absorbency tampon you can get away with.
3) Alternate tampons with sanitary pads during your period.
4) Don't go to bed with a tampon in, use a pad instead.
5) Change your tampon frequently -- every 3-4 hours is a good minimum guideline.
6) If your vagina seems dry inside when you insert a tampon, use a little water-based lube so that you don't scratch or abrade the walls of your vagina in the process.
7) Never use two tampons at the same time.
8) Always remember to take your tampon out at the end of your period! (I guess sometimes people forget.)
9) Use unbleached cotton or organic cotton tampons if you can, since they're less likely to disturb the chemical balance of your vagina and less likely to cause any reactions to residual toxins.
10) If you've ever had TSS or a severe staph infection, don't use tampons at all.

My NP pal Leah also told me that men and children can also get TSS -- not from tampons, obviously, but the same syndrome can happen with internal bleeding or with surface wounds that aren't taken care of very well.

So that's the scoop. Now everyone, including me, knows about 700% more than they ever dreamed they'd live to know about the specifics of toxic shock syndrome.

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Hanne Blank
Associate Editor, Scarleteen

Thanks for doing the extra legwork!

Eventually, yanno, Hanne (and it happens already) unless we're standing in the same room, no one will be bale to tell the difference between us.

Some of the non-cotton fibers, rayon in particular, have been implicated in TSS cases because they are absorbent in ways that seem to encourage staphylococcus aureus growth. This goes hand in hand with the fact that non-cotton fibers are most often used to add absorbency to super-absorbent tampons.

Steering clear of "super absorbent" or "super plus" tampons is a good idea. These tampons often use non-cotton fibers in them, first off, which can cause some reactivity problems. Second and more significant, to avoid TSS/staph infection, you want to avoid having large amounts of blood being held within the vagina (inside a tampon) for a long time.

If your flow is that heavy, use a regular tampon plus a pad as backup rather than using the super-plus tampons. Or just use pads.

If you choose to use commercial brand tampons, or if you can't find or get organic or unbleached fiber tampons, you will, most likely, be just fine. It's one of those situations where I would probably say to *prefer* the unbleached/organic ones over the others when you can, but when you can't, follow the directions and keep an eye out for possible problems.

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Hanne Blank
Associate Editor, Scarleteen

They are similar, save that the Keeper is reusable, Instead is not. You could swin with both of them.

In all honesty, I don't know what to say about the having sex issue. Instead is not unlike a small and less well-fitting diaphragm, so I don't think it would harm you in any way, but the material it's made out of is flexible, so I also don't imagine it would really retain the blood it's holding that well if it were being knocked about, either.

In general, I guess that since I don't see a need or good reason to use ANY kind of tampon or cup during sexual activity UNLESS it is a birth control device, unless a gynecologist gave it the thumbs up for that, I'd be wary.

the instead menstrual cups ARE disposable. my friend had a big box of em left b/c she freaked out when she saw how to insert the cups, so she just gave the box to me. i haven't used them yet, but i'm willing to try.

another good website on menstrual options and the history of menstruation is the museum of menstruation (http://www.mum.org).

they're awesome, you just have to get the knack of it.

i'm one of those types who could *always* feel tampons, no matter what. the best i could do was use OB brand which i only slightly noticed rather than being constantly bugged. -so i only wore tampons when i had to.

man, i use Instead now in place of both tampons & pads. i only keep pads around for over-night times when i think i'll want to sleep for longer than 12hrs.

no feeling them, & the only time they leak for me is the same time anything else did -i.e. when i'm having my heaviest flow & i don't replace them often enough to keep up.

like tampons you can swim, jog, lift weights, etc... but without the constant worry of TSS nagging & no string to interrupt oral luvvvv (or escape bathing suits, or show in community-style showers, etc).

woohoo! i've heard about having sex with them in & i'm looking forward to trying... just haven't been in the mood while having one in & my husband at home all at once!

But almost everyone around here who's tried the keeper likes it. Just go with whatever is comfy for you.

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"No self-respecting woman will let a naked man in socks do the squelchy with her'-Jeff Murdock

Can someone compare the Keeper and Instead for me? Is the Keeper bigger? Smaller? Easier? What?

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~lemming, Scarleteen Advocate

Now don't get grossed out, but I've read of people who actually collect their menstral fluid and mix it with water and feed it to their plants. I believe I read this in the book "Cunt" by Inga Muscio.

You can also use sea sponges. Of course you want to purchase a natural sea sponge and then boil it down first. After it's been boiled you make sure the sponge is entirely dry and insert it in. It can stay there for several hours or until full. When the sponge is full you simply take it out and ring out all of the blood in the sink and wash the sponge clean, then make sure it's totally dry and re-insert it. I have never done this so I have no idea how well it works. Please do some research of your own or read "Cunt" to find out more information on this method.

I know that you can also find flannel pads and unbleached cotton tampons at most natural food stores.

I was just noticing in a couple of your posts you seem to be re-surfacing information that's already been mentioned a few times. Just wanted to send you a reminder to read others reply's as well, so we don't sound like we're nagging.

P.S. Welcome to Scarleteen!

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"No self-respecting woman will let a naked man in socks do the squelchy with her'-Jeff Murdock