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Sea sponge tampons – are they safe?

 


As we talk more and more about the importance of sustainability, reusable and natural period products gain on popularity, among them sea sponge tampons. 


What are the sea sponge tampons? 

Also called menstrual Sponges and Period Sponges, they work exactly like traditional tampons. They are worn inside the body to absorb menstrual flow. They are made from sea sponges, which are living organisms, that grow in the oceans. Depending on the flow, one sponge can be used for up to 8 hours. 


How to use them? 

Always sanitize a sea sponge tampon before the first use and wash your hands before inserting it. Put the tampon in warm often so it gets softer and then squeeze it to get rid of water. When the sponge is soft squish it and carefully insert it.  The sea sponge tampons are easy to put in for majority of menstruating people, but you can add a small drop of organic oil on a sponge to make the process even more comfortable. 


How to clean and store sea sponge tampons?  

You should always rinse the sponge between removal and reinserting. It is also the safest to sanitize it before you use it for the first time, one time a day during your period and at the end of the menstruation, before you put it away for the rest of the month. 

The best way to sanitize it is using mild natural soap or soaking it in a warm water with a teaspoon of sea sponge cleaner or baking soda for 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a few drops of tea essential oil or one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to put in the cup of water.  Remember to rinse you tampon afterwards. When you are not menstruating, you can simply store your clean, dry sea sponges in a cotton bag. 


What are the advantages? 

Menstrual sponges are an amazing option for the environment. They are fully renewable, because when the sponges are harvested, a small piece of organism is left behind, so it can regrow and be harvested again. What is more, depending on the heaviness of the flow, the sea sponge can be washed and reused for up to six cycles. It is much more sustainable than using several traditional tampons during each period. 


What are the concerns? 

The main concern is hygiene and safety.  Sponges are living organisms. When they are in the ocean, water circulates through the pores on their bodies, which allows them to absorb food and get rid of waste. Unfortunately, as a research by Univeristy of Iowa  has found out, some sponges may contain sand, grit or bacteria after harvesting. This creates risks of  various infections, leading to health problems. Additionally, there was one case of toxic shock syndrome associated with the sea sponge tampons recorded in the USA.  

Another fear is that, if a sponge is not cleaned and dried properly between the uses, it can become mouldy or breed harmful bacteria.


What are the alternatives? 

While more research is being conducted into sea sponge tampons, you can use other sustainable period products, safety of which has been already examined and confirmed. One of the most common ones are reusable period pads.  

They are simply the more sustainable version of a disposable pad. They often come with a little waterproof bag that’s called a wet bag. After use, you can rinse a pad in cold water and put it in the bag. Later you can simply throw it in the washing machine and reuse many times. 

Another option are menstrual cups. They are flexible funnel-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone. Exactly like tampons, menstrual cups are placed in the vaginal canal. They can hold more blood than other methods and can be worn up to 12 hours, which makes them more eco-friendly and  comfortable. If cared for properly, they also last between  six months and a few years. 

The other option is absorbent period pants. They are underwear made from an odour-eliminating, super-absorbent fabric. They can be washed and reused time and time again for years. You can wear them alone or as back-up alongside a moon-cup or tampon on heavier days.

 

 

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