Menstruation
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Menstruation is the most visible demonstration of the menstrual cycle of women. It consists of the disintegration of the functional layer of the endometer in the absence of pregnancy, conveyed by more or less abundant heavy bleeding, evacuated by the vagina. It is proper to mankind and some species of higher primates.
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[edit] History
Since the beginning of times, women always had periods of menstruations. For certain ethnos groups, these periods, in the past called "moons", were regarded as sacred by all the tribe, as a moment during which women embodied their full feminine powers.
Indeed, the moons were an important period of time when women were to set rituals, focus on their life and meditate on what had occurred during the last cycle. The woman entered in purification and it could receive much more easily visions or premonitory dreams (for example for Yuroks in California, as well as other tribes... and those rituals reappear).
The menstrual blood was sacred and used to prepare life potions by egyptians or entered in the composition of offerings for the renewal celebrations by greeks.
[edit] Feminine hygiene
Towels and disposable tampons did not exist in the past... Women used all kinds of manners to collect their blood flow.
In our asepticized world and the impetus of overconsumption, these ancestral manners were replaced by the disposable products we know today. With time, the perception of the menstruations changed: they are often seen like being reluctant, making us scornful of our own body.
It is possible, for those which did not do it yet, to regain power on their hygiene and to choose the methods which are appropriate to them. The ancestral methods are still very effective and much more natural than the disposable tricks. These alternatives are moreover, very simple, economic, ecological, healthy and practical.
[edit] Chemical products
Synthetic towels and tampons that we impose on our body each month contain dioxins, a highly toxic product for human beings and other forms of life. The vaginal wall absorbs easily a lot of chemicals contained in the tampons. The problem is that our body cannot get rid of them and it accumulates more and more toxins, thus increasing the risks of cancer, of weakening of the immune system, vaginal infections, congenital malformation and headaches. The disposable medical towels are also the cause of many disorders of health.
[edit] Environmental damage
With the current environmental problems, we must act for our future and our planet. Nowadays, a woman uses on average between 10 000 and 15 000 tampons or towels during her life, which in fact represents approximately 20 billions each year, and this, in North America only! These products and their packaging, whose manufacturing process pours enormous quantities of dioxines in the environment, are possibly found in the dumps and the incinerators when they are not simply thrown in the toilets to find itself in our rivers. Arf! It would be surely wise to change some of our practices...
[edit] Alternatives
Fortunately, it is possible to avoid chlorinated products. Many women are interested in more ecological and economic alternatives. Here are some examples which will surely interest you.
[edit] Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups (mooncup, keeper, divacup, etc.) are cups with bell's shape, that you insert in the vagina, manufactured either out of natural rubber and flexible, or out of silicone. It is generally perceived as being comfortable and practical, especially on a journey... Some prefer however other methods, but find it interesting all the same in certain occasions. Their lifespan is approximately 10 years.
The vaginal dryness caused by tampons disturb the microbial balance of the vagina and make it more likely to itchings and to develop bacterial infections, as well as toxic shocks.
With the menstrual cup, there is no problem since it does not absorb. Natural moisture is thus protected. It also makes it possible to measure the quantity of the flows. It's a good way to learn about our body or discover it!
Easy of maintenance, you only have to rinse it and sterilize it before and after the cycle. The menstrual cup is not easy to find on the market. You can however buy it on line. The most famous brands are Keeper (out of rubber), Divacup and Mooncup (out of silicone). Contrary to rubber, silicone does not involve risks of allergies. Some websites propose to test it during 3 months. A Divacup approximately costs 35 euros, equivalent to 3 to 4 months of disposable menstrual products.
[edit] Sea Sponge
The sea sponge is a very ecological renewable resource (easily biodegradable) that one can comfortably carry in the vagina. It should be rinsed when it is full, approximately every 2 hours and it is reusable immediately. It is not the preferred method of women of today, because it can leak a bit, but it is still an interesting alternative. For an easier handling, it is possible to attach a dental silk to the end (not the ones with mint).
Its lifespan is approximately 6 to 8 cycles and its cost is approximately 8 $. You can find it with the cosmetics in the majority of pharmacies and in natural food stores (for your health, do not use synthetic sponges).
[edit] Reusable Towels
These towels are an alternative durable, ecological, economic and healthy. Practical and easy of maintenance, most women like them. You can do them yourself or buy them under various formats. Some towels are very thin and comfortable.
The absorbing side is made of a soft absorbing natural fibre fabric. There is then a piece of frieze or duffel (100 % cotton) very absorbant. Then there is a piece of impermeable fabric which makes the towel super effective. The last fabric is intended to make the towel even more comfortable, avoiding the contact of the skin with the impermeable matter. For the towel to hold well, it has wings which stick with a button pressure or a piece of velcro. Other thicker towels exist (for example, at Blood Sisters which manufacture reusable cotton towels). They are also made by hand, but in very colored fabrics. They do not have impermeable layers: they are thus much thicker, but oyou can add or remove layers according to your need. They cost approximately 8 $.
[edit] Create your own!
- get cotton, absorbing fabric (sponge, duffel, frieze, sherpa, velvet, microfibre (not to put in contact with the skin), etc.)
- optional: an impermeable part
- to bind them, you can also get pressure buttons or velcro.
[edit] Washing
It takes 5 minutes to hand wash them and you can even put them in the washing machine. Always with cold water to not stain. You can add vinegar, lemon juice or essential oil of lavanda in the water to disinfect. There are hydrogen peroxide or the ox gall which also cleans very well blood. You have to only soak your towels in cold water a few minutes before washing. The water of steeping becomes an energy drink for your plants.
If you feel concerned by your health, your budget and the environment, it is time to make the right choice and choose a better alternative to your hygiene...
[edit] See also
[edit] Internal links
[edit] External links
- http://www.keeper.com
- http://www.divacup.com/
- http://www.mooncup.co.uk
- http://www.lunapads.com/
- http://www.bloodsisters.org
[edit] Bibliography
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