Period Sponges: Yay or Nay?

Long gone are the days when women would have to use pieces of cloth to prevent their period blood from making a mess. These days, there is a wide variety of products on the market suitable for the heaviest of flows, and the most sensitive of skin.

Today we will be looking at period sponges. Are they for you, or are they another trend that you can afford to let pass you? Keep reading to find out.

What is the period sponge?Otherwise called menstrual sponges or sea sponge tampons, the period sponge is a product designed to absorb menstrual blood.

Just like a sponge would absorb water, these sponges are small and sterile and stops the blood from leaving the body. Instead, it stays inside of the sponge until you remove it.

Period sponges are usually individually packaged and come in a variety of colors and sizes. These typically last for up to 8 hours, after which it is removed and disposed of like a pad, or cleaned and set aside for later use.

What are they made of?The thing about period sponges is that it is not a new idea and women have been using sponges to absorb period blood for a long time.

With that being said, there are different period sponges on the market, made with different materials. Not all of them have been declared safe, but women, especially those who live in areas where certain sanitary products are not available, use them regardless. Here are a few:

Sea sponge

These are actual sea sponges from the ocean.

Like corals, these plant-like orgasms grow in colonies up from the seafloor. They are extracted by breaking a piece of the whole, often leaving behind a piece so the organism can regrow.

When they are extracted, they are cut into smaller pieces and sold in packages or out of large bins or containers. These period sponges are reusable and they contain natural enzymes which inhibit the growth of bacteria and prevents odor. They are also biodegradable and can last for up to six months before disposal.

Synthetic/Artificial menstrual sponges

Since it is illegal to harvest and promote the sale of sea sponges as a menstrual product in many parts of the US and the world, some companies have manufactured synthetic/artificial menstrual sponges.

These are generally not reusable and should be disposed of after 4-6 hours.

Household sponge
Typically used in low-income households where sanitary products are not a priority, some women cut up pieces of household sponge to use as a DIY period sponge.

While it is cheap, the sponge may contain chemicals and other unnatural ingredients which can cause irritation and even an infection. They may also be too rough and cause little scrapes and cuts on the vaginal walls. They can also break a condom during sex.

Makeshift sponge from unrolled tampon

Women have also made their own sponges by unrolling a tampon. While this may seem like it defeats the entire purpose of the tampon, some women prefer this method.

The unrolled tampon is used to cover the cervix and prevent blood from escaping the vagina. However, this practice is dangerous as some pieces of cotton may get stuck and can cause an infection

Do they come in different sizes?
The answer to this is yes, and no.

Some companies do sell period sponges in different sizes, typically small, medium and large.

Others sell them in one size. To get your perfect size, you will have to do a bit of trimming to personalize it to your vagina.

To trim, you will have to cut along the outer edges. The sponge must be dry and you should try your best to keep the sponge in its original shape.

How to use it
Using a period sponge is kind of like using a tampon.

First, you must wash your hands and remove it from the package. Next, you will have to wet the sponge or use lube to soften it up. This will make inserting it into your vagina much easier.

Then, squeeze out the excess liquid and compress the tampon for entry. If there is too much liquid, the sponge will fail to absorb the blood.

Lay on your back, squat down, or lift one leg up. Then, insert it into your vagina like you would a tampon. Once it is in, push it up across your cervix, and you’re good to go.

Wash your hands and wait for about 4–6 hours to take it out, depending on how heavy your flow is.

To remove it, wash your hands then get into a comfortable position, or the one you used to insert it. Relax, then slip a finger inside of your vagina. You should probably use your middle finger since it is the longest.

Make sure your fingernails aren’t too long because they can scratch the walls of your vagina. It is not a good idea to use a finger that you are wearing a ring on. Once your finger is inside, hook it around the sponge and gently pull it out.

If you find this difficult, use two fingers instead, i.e. your middle and pointer fingers. Make sure they are together upon entry. Once inside, open them up like a tweezer or scissors and pull the sponge out.

It is best to remove the sponge in your bathtub or shower, over your toilet or some tile. This is because some blood is bound to leak out when you remove the sponge. To avoid stains on your carpets or rugs, you can put a towel beneath you.

If you are experiencing difficulty with removing your sponge, don’t panic. Make sure you are relaxed as tensing up will only make it harder to remove. Try changing positions. You can either stand with a leg up, squat over the floor or toilet, or lay on your back and push your pelvis slightly forward. You can also make it easier by pushing it out with your vaginal muscles.

Do not use any form of tools, such as tweezers down there. You can also ask your partner for assistance.

In the very unlikely event that your sponge gets stuck, see your general practitioner or gynecologist. He/she will use the proper tools and techniques to get it out without causing damage to your vagina

Care

Unless the packaging explicitly says that the sponge is reusable, assume that it isn’t and dispose of after use.

However, if it is reusable, there are some care tips you must know to make it last longer, and, of course, to keep it clean.

Whether your new sponge looks clean or not, you should wash them carefully before use. This includes packages, single-use synthetic sponges. Better safe than sorry right?

It is especially important to wash sea sponges as they can still contain sand and other material from the sea.

To clean your sponge, use a mild, soap along with warm water, and let it soak for no more than five to ten minutes. Any longer will be shortening how long your sponge will last.

You may also use a mixture of a cup of water, a tablespoon of vinegar, 3 drops of tea tree oil a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. Rinse thoroughly with soap and warm water afterward.

You should never boil your sea sponge as this can cause it to shrink and become useless. Ensure it is completely dry before you store it.

Pros and cons

Using period sponges has its pros and its cons. They are as follows:

Pros:

Cons:

Things to note

Final word

Period sponges come with some great benefits, but an equal amount of side effects or drawbacks. For that reason, period sponges are a no from us.

There are much better alternatives such as menstrual cups, and reusable pads which take away some of these risks. What you will have to do is experiment with these period products until you find one that is perfect for you.