I tried unconventional period products and I’m never going back

I was first introduced to the idea of using something other than pads or tampons for my period during my freshman year of college, when some girls were passing out these strange things called “Softcups” on campus. I tried using it, and long story short, when I went to take it out at the end of the day, it ended in an embarrassing mess and a frantic rush to the sink to wash my hands. It wasn’t until two years later that I revisited the idea of trying something new. My friend’s arguments for the sustainability of her Diva Cup (no overpriced plastic or cotton, I could reuse it over and over, and I could wear it for 12 hours at a time?) won me over, and I’ve been using a Diva Cup for about a year now.

This week, I decided to broaden my horizons even more, by comparing four different unconventional period products: a cloth pad, a sea sponge, a Softcup (fingers crossed), and of course my trusty Diva Cup. And I must say, it was a fairly successful week:

The cloth pad, sea sponges, Diva Cup bag, and Softcup package

Day 1: The cloth pad

I decided to use the cloth pad the first day of my period, since it tends to be a light day and I didn’t want to take any chances on leakage. It was more comfortable than a regular pad, and obviously way cooler looking.

I mean LOOK AT IT

However, like regular pads, you have to change it every few hours, so unless you have a stockpile of these (which I do not), and/or feel like doing a lot of laundry, I’d probably save these for overnight use, if anything.

Day 2: The sea sponge

Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like: these are literally sponges that you shove right on up there. They’re basically applicator-less tampons, except they are SO much softer and easier to put in, and they come in sizes from extra-small to extra-large. I didn’t really run into any problems with the sea sponge, but for some reason, it kept feeling like the thing was leaking all day. I must have made four paranoid trips to the bathroom at work to check my underwear, but everything was totally fine.

Walking to work while wearing the sea sponge, fearing for what damage that sneeze may have just caused

I think if I could get past that feeling, sea sponges are a pretty easy and comfy alternative. And all you have to do for cleaning is wash them with soap and water between uses, and soak them once a day in warm water with baking soda.

Paranoid bathroom trip #3: still in the clear!

Day 3: The Softcup

I’m so glad I gave the Softcup a second try, because it ended up being my favorite of the four. It was way easier to insert than my Diva Cup, and like the Diva Cup you can wear it up 12 hours.

What a Softcup actually looks like, courtesy https://fitfunmom.com/2012/11/06/instead-softcup-product-review/

Out of all four products, it was the one that I noticed the least – I couldn’t feel a thing! And when I took it out at the end of the day, everything went much more smoothly than the first time (although this might be due to the practice I’ve gotten with my Diva Cup).

Checking on my Softcup and beginning to wonder if it’s weird that I keep taking toilet selfies at work

The only problem is that the version I had wasn’t reusable, and their reusable version can only be used for the duration of one menstrual cycle. If it weren’t for that, I would totally switch to Softcups forever. But for those considering switching from tampons, I think Softcups would be a great choice.

Day 4: The Diva Cup

There’s a reason I’ve been using a Diva Cup for a year now. I can wear it all day, it’s super easy to clean, and no matter how heavy my period is, nothing gets past that thing. However, it definitely took me a few tries to originally get used to it: it’s not the easiest thing to put in, and taking it out is a precarious process if you don’t want to end up dumping its contents all over your hand. But for me, the positives outweigh the negatives.

How I feel about Diva Cups, via at-home toilet selfie

It shares with the other products the same features of being toxin-free, saving a ton of money, and saving a ton of plastic and cotton, but it has the added bonus of being the most durable and leak-proof for me. So if I had to choose one of the four it would have to be the Diva Cup. Luckily, I don’t have to choose, and I will definitely continue to use the sponge and the pad in all of their unconventional glory, for many periods to come.

See you in a few weeks, little sponge

@TheTab