There was a time in the not so distant past where disposable feminine products were not available. As a convenience and a way to hide the “yucky” factor of menstruation, once created and marketed, they quickly became a big hit. Before long, using tampons and disposable pads became the costly norm. Most people I know don’t think about the cost too much because it is a necessity; they are something that we have to have. Or are they? One of my blog friends, Acquiring Balance, actually just wrote (totally unplanned:) about this as well where she talks a little about cost and has some links. I am just going to share a little of my own story here. Don’t worry nothing too extreme or detailed.
Upon beginning my menstrual cycle just short of 10 years old, I quickly learned that having my period was something to be dreaded. Yes, there was the beautiful part of knowing that I was becoming a woman and that this was all part of my dream to one day be a mama but aside from that I learned that cramping could last for days, even weeks at times. Urinary tract infections would trade places with yeast infections on a regular basis. It only grew worse as I grew older. Switching to just disposable pads did little to alleviate the pain. By the time I was 16, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and after surgery (upon which I learned that I would likely never have children) I was immediately placed on high doses of medication to combat the pain of menstruation that by this time lasted about two weeks of every month. While the medication helped in some areas, other things only worsened. Fast forward. Into my twenties, I decided that I didn’t want to continue with medication and began to brave the horrible cramping and misery of menstruation again. Plus UTIs and the whole bit. But I also began to research natural ways to combat all of these things and found some methods to help by trial and error. Totally by accident, I came across a site selling cloth pads and a thing called the DIVA Cup. When I saw write-ups addressing all of my issues, I was sold. I could basically buy every thing that I needed for the cost of the antibiotics and other things anyways so it was worth a try. Fast forward again. I have had one UTI in four years (after a severe flu during pregnancy). They were monthly. The same goes for yeast infections. And the cramping, oh the cramping. I now feel a dull throb for a day or two. I never have to remain in bed or even lay down (as opposed to hardly being able to do anything). While I will sometimes take something for pain in my hip which is a by-product of nerve damage done during my cesarean, I no longer need even mild pain medication like ibuprofen where as I used to top up days before hand and rotate what I took every couple of hours on the counsel of doctors. I use a combo of cloth pads, even during postpartum recovery, and the diva cup and believe me, I will never go back. Nor will others who have tried them (some whom I was able to share my information with.).
If you are still reading, you are either intrigued or wishing that you didn’t know me this well. Or maybe both. Can I just say that it is a natural and good thing about our bodies. I am not going to say that I don’t get varying moods because of hormonal surges, but I can now work with them and am even beginning to see them as a great thing now that I am not clouded by pain during menstruation. I know my body so much better now. I am cleaner, fresher, and so much less inhibited by my cycle each month. If there seems to be interest, I will write another blog about the logistics of using cloth and the Diva. Or since, even though I view our menstrual cycles as a beautiful thing, it is still a private thing as many beautiful things are. I understand that not everyone would feel comfortable asking questions so publicly and I would be happy to answer questions via email or whatever form you would feel comfortable with. I would like to end this section with these thoughts, using cloth and the diva is no more messy or stinky or inconvenient than using disposable. Truly. If your grandmother didn’t use disposables, let me assure you, cloth pads have come a long way, they have improved even since I began using them. It is just too bad that the early manufacturers of pads and tampons didn’t focus their time and advertising on perfecting reusable ones.
Anyways, on to the next part of my heading. I mentioned that most people I know don’t even think about purchasing disposables but this is not the case in developing countries. I have read from reliable sources (and know from experience) that often it would cost a good portion if not all of a family’s monthly income to buy disposable feminine products for a month. And this is a big part of why I decided to publicly share this on my blog. Especially in African countries, girls will simply not go to school because of their period. They can’t afford disposables and will be teased and harassed if they do go using strips of cloth or whatever for obvious reasons. Or some of my reading has shown that they will use a product too long which can be dangerous. So they simply don’t go, but this is a problem because many school will not allow girls to miss so many days and so they will be removed from the school. I don’t think that I need to get more into how this is such a problem. I first got the idea of making cloth pads for African school girls last summer from my sister in law who had joined with some others make pads for some of these girls. I have wanted to do it ever since because I believe it is a way that I can use some of my gifts to help and encourage other women. I am putting this feeler out to see if there would be interest in joining me. I am currently in the process of setting up a link with some people who work in both the health and educational field, who would be in charge of distributing to the girls who need them. And I am going about collecting the materials needed to make the pads (and hoping to receive discounts because of where they are going.). Then at the end of March (hopefully), I will be hosting a African School Girls Pad Making Party. And I would love extra hands and/or sewing machines. You don’t even need to be a crafter or sewer for this because there will be so many ways to help. And as way to encourage trying them out yourself, I have been thinking that anyone who is interested could purchase materials and we could make some for personal use. You can just purchase pads which are really great, but I would like to be able to make more than what I could afford to purchase ready-made.
Now I know that not everyone who reads my blog lives near me therefore I could have shared this in a different venue, but I admit, I wanted to share it for any one who might want like to hear about it.
So is anyone interested? Or did I just further cement the idea that I am a little odd? That’s okay too, but I hope that it food for thought and I like helping people be odd like me.
super interested in helping missy!!! and i have been wondering about the diva cup for ages..so we should talk : ) ..alsob about what you have done to combat the cramps.
obviously not alsob…..just ALSO : )
That is so cool. A pad making party for African school girls. That is something I never imagined. But after you explain it, it totally makes sense.
That is by far the strangest party theme I’ve ever heard of…but count me in! It’s a beautiful idea. Too bad we can’t make Divas.
I am laughing as a I read your blog, remembering having a group of women in my living room – passing around a [new] post-pregnancy Diva cup (I was still nursing). The Diva is such a everyone-is-curious-but-no-one-wants-to-ask! It’s still unused if anyone is SUPER curious (ha ha).
Now here’s a personal question – do you ever wear the “diva” pin that came in package? Someone suggested all women should have a “special pin” for that time of the month 🙂
haha! no I don’t wear it..it lives on the little bag that holds the diva when not in use!
Count me in. I can’t sew but I want to help any way I can! I also ordered a few extra ( about three for my sister and she won’t take them so I will add them to the pile. They are unused obviously:)This is great! Thanks for the info.
I’ve got super human powers and pretty much haven’t had a period in almost six years. Not counting postpartum of course. Someday I’ll get to try some of this stuff out a little more.
I might come to that 🙂 and bring my sewing machine…which I will hopefully be using with more success by then. But then at least I’ll be around people who can go “uh, you’re doing that wrong, fix it like this.” If nothing else, someone with more experience could use the machine.
That would be so great Jenna! The pattern that I plan to use will be very basic.
Hi! Every once in a while I have stopped by your blog…and it really intrigues me! If I lived near, I would be in on a party like this. I would even learn to sew! I have heard of the M.A.K.A pad movement in Uganda and thought well of their efforts, but a simple solution like making cloth pads is also a great idea for young african women. Great idea!
Thanks for stopping by! I just think that cloth pads just make so much sense both here and in developing countries, that is why I was so impressed when my sister in law Sarah told me about what her friends were doing.
How fascinating! I really like this ‘party’ idea, and want to join in with helping hands or materials. I have fleece and terry cloth, cotton and other fabric squares from projects, but cannot sew (yet) worth a dime.
You can count me in too! I can’t sew / don’t have a machine, but I will package or do whatever needs to be done!*BIG fan of the Diva cup myself! lol…
Big fan of cloth pads. Are you the one who first suggested them to me several years ago?
I love this post. I had no idea what a huge difference it made for you to have them! And I LOVE the idea of making cloth pads for African women and girls. Right now I am trying to narrow down projects and so I just don’t think I can take it on yet, but I will contact you someday when I am ready to make some so you can tell me where to send them!
I may have been, I am not sure:), I am getting bolder in talking about it though that is for sure!!
I have a very simular story to you missy! I had terrible periods that lasted a long time, after a surgery confirmed i had endometriosis and i probably wouldn’t be able to get pregnant, i was given depo shots to prevent periods and so on and so forth… anyway… 3 beautiful boys later, stopping my doctors reccomened “treatment”( a.k.a. birth control pills without periods) , using cloth pads and taking extra liquid calcium when i have cramps (it works VERY well) life has been great, my periods only last for 3 days tops (they use to be 2 weeks) with little to no pain. Anyway I’m glad you and kmarie have posted about this topic!I so wish that i lived closer because i would LOVE to get in on this party for making them for girls in africa! I have made my own pads and I’m actually going to be making some more in the next couple of weeks! Would it be alright for me to just send you a shipment that you can include with what the party gets together?
That would be great! Thanks Kristin:)
As you know, my story is similar to yours. I love the party idea and after life settles in here a bit I may try to host one here.I too have been loving the Diva since 2005.
ps Praise the Lord for Dr.’s being wrong!
“If you are still reading, you are either intrigued or wishing that you didn’t know me this well.” “Or did I just further cement the idea that I am a little odd?” You totally crack me up. This is a personal thing and yet it is a reality for nearly every woman on the planet for a good portion of her life.I think this is a great idea. Such a practical way to help girls go to school and therefore change their lives. I have no idea what fabrics are needed or where I would get a pattern but I would totally be into this. Perhaps there are some other woman from the Loops interested and we could do one here too? Do you have a link for a pattern and instructions? I would be willing to organize it here but I’ll need your help finding the people who are interested.
That would be great Julie! Let me work out some details and than I can give you a little more information…maybe we could do it some time in April or May when I come to visit my family?
sounds like a fun party – count me in 🙂
So glad you posted, Missy! a) it reminds me to put you in touch with my friend, and b) I too use a “diva cup”, except I’ve bought mine in Britain, so it’s technically the Moon Cup. And I just got some cloth pads when I was pregnant with Micah and haven’t used them yet… but I think it’s a brilliant idea.
Hello – a friend sent this post to me. Thank you for sharing your story and thanks for sharing your love for girls in Africa. I’ve been organizing pad parties here in Hamilton Ontario. Check out the videos that aired on CTS (100 Huntley Street & Full circle) here:
– http://bit.ly/Pad_Party
– http://bit.ly/PadParty_FullCircle
So happy that others are interested in the same thing. Send me an email if you want any more information on how I solicited sponsors to give me all the raw materials – everything was donated. We’re planning on doing it again in the next couple of months.
Heidi. I would be super interested in your solicitation ideas. I want to host such a party in chilly Manitoba!
How do I join your Pad Party?I live in Burlington, have a sewing machine and am not a bad sewer.
Rachelle,I believe that Heidi is presently biking across North America with her family but I believe the pad parties are still happening in the Hamilton area, I will try to track down the info for you if you would like.
hi. so a friend sent me this after a discussion i had with her about cloth pads.
i am in manitoba, but SUPER interested in throwing a party like this here.
are you willing to share your distribution contacts with me? also a pattern?
Oh of course! I will be posting a pattern in the next day or so…as soon as I can get a pattern post done and I will let you know about the distribution contacts as soon as I can. The organization that we will be sending ours to would love to receive more to give to the girls they work with.I am just curious….do I know your friend who sent you to my blog?:) I am so excited that others are interested in this!
Also did you see my recent post with an update? http://thismama.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/pad-party-for-school-girls-in-uganda/
actually, it was Christie. hope she doesn’t kill me for saying so. 🙂
I think it is amazing what you are doing! If I wasn’t busy with a newborn, I’d make some pads to send!! This is something I’ll definitely do once I have time again. Good work!