As modern women, we are privy to choices our mothers and grandmothers never had. There are hundreds of birth control options, dozens of techniques to remove hair and blemishes, and aisles of lotions and potions to meet every hair style, make up and self-tanning trend. But when it comes to our periods, we’re generally stuck with two choices: pad or tampon. Sure, there are a wide variety of brands; we can choose wing or thong-cut, extra absorbent or “junior” strength. But when it comes right down to it, the options at the drug store just aren’t in line with the culture of choice we’ve become accustomed to.

Tampons and pads work, and they’re easy to use. Very disposable and discrete. However, along with the convenience are the scary long-term effects of those handy, nicely wrapped “hygiene” products. The terms “feminine hygiene” and “sanitary products” imply that we’re somehow dirty and need to be disinfected. What better way to do that than with bleach? The rayon used to make tampons and pads is bleached during manufacturing; the bleached material gives off byproduct called dioxin that can potentially cause everything from cancers to reproductive problems to endometriosis. Unbleached tampon are an option, but you’re still at risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) when you use tampons, which increases with higher absorbency and prolonged usage (not changing them often enough). Plastic applicators can tear your delicate vaginal walls, and tampons can also cause vaginal inflammation and dryness, yeast infections, ulcers and lesions. Ouch.

Besides the effects on your body, think about how many tampons and pads you use and throw away. Let’s say you use 5 per day for 5 days a month, for 38 years. That’s 11,400 pads and tampons (plus their packaging) per person. With about 150,000,000 women in the US…well, that’s a lot of trash. Fortunately, there are alternatives to pads and tampons if you just venture out of the Feminine Hygiene aisle. Some options to consider include:

The Diva Cup
By far the best period solution investment you can make, these flexible, hypoallergenic silicone cups save your body and the environment. The Diva Cup is worn internally like a tampon, but unlike a tampon there’s no increased risk of TSS and the best part is—you only need one. Ever. At about $35 for a lifetime guarantee, it sure beats the $6,000+ you can expect to spend on pads and tampons. The Diva Cup fits in the palm of your hand and is designed to catch and hold your flow; once or twice a day you just empty it, rinse it out, and put it back in. You can sleep with it, swim with it and yes, even go horseback riding. At the end of your period you boil it, put it in it’s storage bag and forget about it until next month. The cup comes in two sizes and fits comfortably once you get the hang of inserting it. You may still need a panty liner “just in case” but you’ll find far fewer leaks and embarrassing moments with the Diva Cup. It’s a virtually hassle free period solution. www.divacup.com

The Sea Sponge
Sea sponge products are also worn internally, but they take “natural” period solutions to a whole new level. These are actual sea sponges that have been harvested in eco-friendly and sustainable ways, then thoroughly cleaned and packaged for your period pleasure. They have the same benefit of reducing the risk of TSS and are reusable, although they should be removed every 4-6 hours like a regular tampon, and should be replaced entirely (on average) every 6 months. Sponges are relatively inexpensive too…you can find them at natural food stores and online for just a few bucks. The sponges are rounded and soft (like the sea sponges you may use in your bath), and are easily inserted. When your period is over, just rinse it in a solution like the ones suggested at Jade and Pearl. Sea sponges are very absorbent, but as one woman put it, “When it’s full, you’d better find a bathroom fast.” As you get to know how they work with your own body, you’ll be less likely to have sponge overload. Since they have to be rinsed before reinserting them (and you may not want to walk out of a public stall with a blood-drenched sponge in your hand) it’s a good idea to keep a couple of backups with you. Vegans may not want to use sea sponges since they are actually simple animals (no organs or tissues), not plants. www.jadeandpearl.com

Reusable Pads
Ever wonder why they call it “being on the rag?” In the olden days, women would fold up layer after layer of rags and wear these bulky, messy pad-prototypes in their underwear. Go even further back, and you’d find women sitting on piles of rags for days since the idea of portable period solutions hadn’t been developed. Fast forward to 2007, and reusable pads are making a comeback. You can go old-school and make your own (try http://pacificcoast.net/~manymoons/howto.html) or buy them from companies like Lunapads. These cotton pads are pretty—they come in lots of fun colors and patterns— absorbent, and won’t shift around like stick-on pads since they’re held in place with snaps. The nylon protective bottom layer adds extra leakage protection. They also offer Lunpanties, which are really cool since you definitely know the pad isn’t going anywhere (also great as backup protection). You can keep your reusable pads for several years (at around $14 a piece), and just throw them in the washing machine to clean them. They may stain but hey, who’s looking at your pads? www.lunapads.com

Change is scary, and many women are squeamish about alternative period solutions, but when you weigh the benefits, it’s a no-brainer.

Now that you’re ready to make the switch to body-friendly, environmentally friendly products, what to do with all those leftover tampons and pads? Donate them to your local women’s shelter or try some of the crafty ideas from Karen Laven’s book “The Other 23 Days: Scores of Alternative Uses for Feminine Hygiene Products.” And remember: you have a choice!

Sarah Glendon Lyons is a devoted Diva Cup user who enjoys walking past the Feminine Hygiene aisle and not wasting money on tampons. Special thank you to Tarja Stoeckl for her input and information.