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Ladies: Have You Considered Reducing Your 'Special Lady Time' Waste?

reusable knit tampons

Knit or crochet a reusable tampon! Credit: Fern and Faerie

Okay, girls/women/wymyn, it's time to have a candid talk. Yeah, we've discussed this topic before, but my dear friend, and GreenDaily assistant editor, Kristen Seymour, sent me a link and now I can't stop asking myself: could I knit -- and use -- a reusable tampon?

There are plenty of reasons to avoid the ubiquitous "petal soft" plastic applicator Tampax. Let's start with health issues like toxic shock syndrome, not to mention whatever side-effects are caused by the chemicals used to bleach the cotton. Plus there's the issue of waste created by "feminine products" -- even those applicator-free o.b. tampons.

We all want to reduce our impact on the planet. Or at least we say we do. But are you really ready?

Here are your options:

The Mooncup, Diva Cup or The Keeper Cup -- whichever brand you pick it's an "internal option" made of rubber, which "collects rather than absorbs" fluids.
  • Pro: no waste
  • Con: requires a way to clean up -- hand sanitizer isn't gonna cut it

Reusable cloth pads, like Luna pads.
  • Pro: no waste
  • Con: doing the laundry just got a little messier

Stopping your period with birth control pills (under a doctor's care, of course!)
  • Pro: no waste
  • Con: that's a lot of messing with your body chemisty

Organic cotton tampons
  • Pro: avoid the scary Dioxin in traditional tampon brands
  • Cons: still creating waste

Knitting -- or crocheting! -- your own reusable tampon
  • Pro: no waste, choice of colors, and it's a hobby that can help you quit smoking
  • Con: there's that laundry issue again
So many choices, and I'll be honest, the wuss out choice of organic cotton tampons is as "green" as I can make my special lady time. What about you? Let's see some Green Lady Warriors represent!

Which traditional tampon alternative would you use?

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