It’s been a while since BTM has done a nookie/taboo/naughty/bedroom/women’s health post. Definitely don’t read too much into why there’s been the absense, I just had to balls up [ha!] again to write and share on such personal topics. But it was, ultimately, a no brainer. Here’s why:

[Most] Women bleed. If they’re lucky, they bleed every month. It’s a sign of a healthy and thriving reproductive system.

[Most] People bone. Whether you’re single and minglin’, in a relationship or in a non-labelled, undefined polyamorous love fest … you might find yourself between the sheets with a significant other [or three].

Yet when it comes to exploring these topics within a safe, supportive and open dialogue, we are sometimes a little backwards when it comes to sex and periods. ESPECIALLY when it comes to sustainability.

I’m a woman [spoiler]. A woman who is fortunate enough to have a healthy menstrual cycle and a healthy sex life. I’m also a woman who strives to be a conscious consumer in every one of her purchases. I advocate for no waste living in every aspect of my life, yet found that consumables involved in nit-nit-wiggy-wiggy and feminine hygiene were often overlooked. And when I went looking for answers and suggestions from doctors and other women and so on, it wasn’t really up for discussion.

So. I’m being brave and writing about two things that I’ve become pretty passionate about. No waste sex and no waste periods.

KIND CONTRACEPTION

This is probably the less comfortable of the two topics explored in today’s post. Not because I’m shying away from the chat around sex but more so because I’m so very new to having my eyes open to this, that I don’t feel as knowledgeable to share what I know. But, you gotta start somewhere right? So … watch this space. I’ll update it as I go.

For a number of personal reasons, I chose to come off the contraceptive pill a few years back now. I experienced post pill ammenorahea [a condition that affects so many women] and have taken years to undo, establishing a [now consistent] and healthy cycle. Condoms therefore stole the show when it came to safe sex which, for this chicka and many hundreds and thousands like me, is a non negotiable.

I looked into other options such as diaphragms, the copper coil IUD and Natural Cycles. The last little mention, Natural Cycles, is a natural fertility app that uses the Billings method to ensure that you only get down and dirty on your green ‘unfertile’ days, calculated by taking your daily temp. Personally, I do trust my body and this method of contraception, when used properly and with the utmost care. But the horizontal tango is a two way street [usually …] and both parties need to be comfortable with, and in support of, the chosen birth control method. So … I needed a plan B. With none of these seemingly greener options being as sustainable, kind and reliable as I would like I decided to research condoms.

I found a shittonne of information that I can’t un-know. I found out that condoms are often manufactured in factories that employ child labour. I found out that traditional condoms contain Nitrosomine, a known carcinogen, and these are exposed to the most absorbent and receptive part of our bodies. I found out that people working in rubber plantations [rubber trees, not condom slang rubber. But ha!] are often made to work in poor conditions, for unfair wages. I found out that casein, a byproduct of dairy farming, is used in the processing of latex condoms.

So basically what did I ‘find out?’

I found out that I didn’t want my ‘franger budget’ supporting businesses and industries that are detrimental to the planet, other humans or other beings.

Solutions

Because it ain’t all doom and gloom and we live in really exciting times. Sustainable and ethically produced condoms ARE available. I’ve recently signed up to try [as in purchase, not to sample for free in a randomized trial that will see me wind up with three lovely but illegitimate children] Sustain condoms. Sustain offers fair trade, vegan and environmentally conscious condoms that boast a similar pricepoint to other [less eco savvy] brands on the market and [most importantly] a comparative experience. I’ll be giving these bad boys a go over the next 1 to 12 months when they’re delivered [N, if you’re reading this, the 12 months was a joke] so will update this post when I can, anecdotally, report back. Research and science has never ever been more appealing.

Insert sassy emoji [and let’s throw in an eggplant while we are at it].

KIND MONTHLIES

As women, our monthly visit from aunty Flo can bring about so much fret. We are riddled with thoughts of “Do I have a tampon?” “Shit, I have that white party this weekend!” “I was meant to spend a weekend with Chad in the Bahamas, what am I going to do now?!” or “AHHHHHHH! THE PAIN! Why does my uterus hate me?!”.

Do you know what doesn’t help the stress and drama? Realising the environmental impact of our feminine hygiene projects and proceeding to experience a giant case of the guilts [along with a hefty dose of ‘the cramps’] every time we bleed. Because, on top of the thoughts of spillage, taxation on sanitary products, interruption to intimate times, why not chuck on a generous side serve of environmental guilt?

Here’s the facts. A woman is likely to use approximately 17, 000 pads and/or tampons throughout her lifetime. That’s 17, 000 single use items that go directly to landfill. That’s 17, 000 opportunities to choose differently.

Menstrual Cups 

‘What the bleep is a menstrual cup, you weird hippie?’. Mooncup UK sum it up best on their incredible site, so have a looksie and then come back to read on. I’ll wait here.

I first considered purchasing a cup when I was due to trek the Inca trail in Peru [hair flick, no biggy] and realized that the once in a lifetime hike coincided with the onset of my period. Peruvian plumbing is unique, at the best of times. Off grid and on an Incan trek? Shit gets primitive and bush squats are necessary. But I quickly became a little grossed out by the concept of a cup and pushed the idea of its potential in my life aside.

Fast forward 18 months after I conquered Machu Picchu [again, hair flick, no biggy] and I was drawn to these crazy little contraptions once again. I pride myself on being a conscious consumer in the stuff that I eat, wear, use on my body, buy for my house … why should my period deserve any less attention?

I braved up, got over my initial reservations and requested a cup for my birthday. Thanks mama bear. And, truth? I have not looked back. It’s insanely easy to use [once you get the hang of it, just be patient and persevere]. It saves you money on single use sanitary products. It’s oh so safe, eliminates the risk of toxic shock and you can wear it up to 12 hours before emptying. It’s empowering to know that you are not adding to landfill and can have a ‘no waste’ period with ease. It’s insanely discreet with no ‘string’ to worry about. And, I found that it fostered a deeper connection with this time in my cycle and really allows me to tune into what my body is doing each month.

I’m a total mestrual cup convert, and I hope you will be too. If you have any questions at all, I’m here. I’m here, judgment free and oh-so-open-minded. So hit me up if you want to chat privately and ask yo’ burning questions.

Tampons 

I understand that Moon cups aren’t for everyone. And that’s totally and utterly fine. But if you do choose to tampon-it-up, choose wisely, as not all tampons are created equal. Traditional tampons [i.e. the recipe that has been handed down over the years of product development] contain bleached cotton, rayon and plastics. That’s right, plastics. We put these little cocktail of nasties into us each and every month [and what’s more absorbent than thin vagina skin people?!]. Over exposure to rayon can include such side effects as nausea, vomiting, chest pain and headaches. Cotton and rayon fibers are bleached using chlorine resulting in the production of dioxin, which has been linked to endometriosis, breast cancer and immune system suppression.

Before jumping on the menstrual cup bandwagon [and, trust me, it took a while] I used Tom Organics. Tom is an incredible Australian brand that uses 100% organic cotton, free of chemicals and harmful pesticides. They are also biodegradable, use recyclable packaging and honour total transparency within their supply chain. I love their brand, product and ethos.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and kind option for your sanitary needs, seriously look no further than Toms. These bad boys are available at Coles and most Health Food stores.

So there you have it friends. For those of you who read to the end, thank you and well done. This was a bit of a long post, but one that’s so very important to me so I hope you don’t mind my lengthiness [that’s what he said …].

Apologies for all the double entendres and cheeky brackets, but if you can’t lol when you’re learning how to be an ethical woman in this modern world, when the bloody hell can you?!

Blessings and so much [eco savvy] boning x

PS. I have zero brand affiliation or endorsement. I have reported on brands and products that I have purchased and/or trialled based on my own research and received no reimbursement or incentive for this post.