Why I Don’t Wear Tampons

Green Living & Rest & Self Care

Maybe you think this is an odd question for me
to ask, but do you wear tampons? Or pads? Or both?

It’s important to talk about these things—to feel open
and comfortable conversing about our bodies, our cycles,
and our sexuality. I grew up in silence and shame around
these topics, so believe me, it’s something that I’ve had
to work with. And that’s why I feel it’s so important
for me to further this conversation along.

When I first started menstruating—on a hot summer
evening at the age of 13, I learned right away how to
use a cardboard, Tampax® tampon. And this is what I did
for about the next 8 years. Then I could just pop the
tampon in and wear my bikini or white jeans and forget
all about the fact that I was bleeding.

Things changed after my treatment for cervical cancer,
when my doctor advised me NOT to wear tampons for
several months. When I wore pads instead, I got to experience
the difference.

I experienced how NATURAL and SATISFYING it is
to let my blood flow down, as it should. I felt so much
healthier, softer, and in touch with my cycle—letting myself
wear baggy, comfortable pants on those days and
to avoid baths and swimming. In fact, all ancient
healing traditions advise this for women.

When we wear tampons we inhibit the natural downward
flow of menstruation. This can create congestion
in the uterus—creating anything from uterine fibroids,
to cysts, to menstrual cramps.

Whatever you do choose, please make sure that it’s made of
organic cotton—and none of that synthetic stuff.

Here are some great pads that I like to use:

  1. Organic, reusable:
    http://www.gladrags.com/p-6-gladrags-organic-undyed-day-pads.aspx
  2. Organic, dispoable:
    http://www.pandorapads.com/menstrual_pads_natracare_seventh_generation.htm
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Sara Avant Stover, Founder/Director of The Way of the Happy Woman™- Yoga, Meditation, and Life Balance for Women. For free tools and resources for women, including a Free Yoga for PMS CD, please visit www.TheWayoftheHappyWoman.com .

3 Comments » 3 Comments »

3 Responses to “Why I Don’t Wear Tampons”

  1. Lauraon 05 Jul 2010 at 2:38 am 1

    Wow, this is one of the most enlightening posts I’ve ever read. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and resources. I’m going to buy some organic and reusable pads immediately and will never again wear tampons again…thank you

  2. John Statleron 16 Jul 2010 at 1:01 pm 2

    Strangely, I wandered onto this page while doing a Google search for “ashland yoga clothes summer”. This post was the sixth one down in the results and caught my eye. I’m a sixty year old male with a post menopausal partner with whom I joined just two years ago. Among my other activities, I’m a community organizer and have worked on sexual liberation issues for more than forty years.

    This post gave me more insight into the emotional and physical experience of menstruation than anything I’ve ever read. Thank you.

  3. Saraon 16 Jul 2010 at 5:16 pm 3

    I’m glad you found it useful, John. Thanks for sharing!

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