People used to say “she’s on the rag” as if it were a bad thing. It accuses a woman of being on her period (as if it’s a bad thing) because her behavior or emotions aren’t up to par with some ridiculous standard, but in reality, the accuser probably has no idea if she’s actually menstruating or not. They’re also probably unaware that the phrase originates from the cloth rags women traditionally used (though it was not the only method) to absorb menstrual blood – much in the same way disposable pads work. And that’s an awesome thing. Today, in industrialized countries most menstruators use disposable pads or tampons, and rarely consider other reusable options such as rags. I touched on the health risks and amount of waste caused by disposable menstrual products in my previous column if you’re interested in some statistics, but now I’m going to cover some of our alternatives.

 

MENSTRUAL CUPS (you’ve got a few options, actually twelve!):

 

With a little research I found the The Keeper, Mooncup, Green Donna, LadyCup, Lunette, Fleurcup, MeLuna, Miacup, MPower, Yuuki Menstrual Cup, and The Diva Cup. There might be some more out there. Something I found to be interesting is that I’m pretty sure only one of the brands mentioned is made in the U.S. Not surprising, I suppose.

 

 Anyway, a menstrual cup is basically a little rubber (or latex) plunger that you fold in half, then fold again, insert in your vagina, and twist it to pop open inside your vagina. The cup seals the opening of your vagina with its little tip sticking out just a little bit. You can leave the cup in for up to twelve hours and it catches your menstrual blood until you’re ready to empty it. To remove it, you gently tug on the little tip and kind of squeeze and finagle it out. THIS TAKES PRACTICE! The first few times you try it you will probably get blood on your hands, but don’t be discouraged. Getting this little ritual down will be worth your while. I’ve been using the Diva Cup for about two years now and I struggled a bit at first, but now it takes two or four seconds to put in and take out. It’s just fabulous. You can run, swim, bike and even poop with it in. I have a bit of trouble sometimes with it leaking, but it’s just a little bit and I use a homemade reusable pad for back up. Speaking of that….

 

REUSABLE PADS:

 

Making pads is probably the most creative way to “control” your blood. There are so many ways to do this; I can’t even begin to touch on them all. My current way of making them is by tracing out a disposable pad with wings on a piece of cardboard giving extra room on the edges. Then I take a piece of flannel that is good for wicking moisture (old flannel pajama pants, shirts, or bed sheets work great) and use the pattern to trace and cut two identical pieces out. Next get some thick fleece (or fabric that is absorbent) and trace/cut the pattern out of that, minus the wings. Sandwich the fleece material between the two flannel pieces and sew along the edges of the inner piece and along the edges of the two flannel pieces. You can always double or triple up on the fleece depending on what your flow is like or for nighttime. After you have your pad sewn, you can either sew Velcro, snaps, or buttons to join the wings under the crotch of your panties. WARNING: if you use Velcro cut it into very small circles and make the wings longer and wider so that you don’t get scratched by the Velcro every time you walk. It’s a pain in the ass (inner thighs) to feel that all day long when you’re at work or wherever. It will seriously drive you crazy and make you walk weird.

 

OTHER THINGS:

 

Some people use small sea sponges to insert and absorb their blood. I am vegan so I do NOT recommend this. However, they are healthier than bleached non-organic tampons. Some health food stores even sell the sponges with strings on them for easier removal. If you’re interested in sponges, maybe try synthetic ones but research it a bit because you never know what’s in those either. Vaginas are very sensitive and you basically consume toxins and other stuff depending on what you put up them.

           

One time I was at an awesome workshop on DIY menstrual health at N.C.O.R. (National Conference on Organized Resistance – now defunct) and met someone that just used a bandana in her underwear. That’s punk as fuck. After she told me that another girl said “yeah? I don’t use anything. In fact, I don’t even wear underwear.” Double punk as fuck. So you basically have a lot of options as far as how you want to divert your period from ending up soaking through your clothes. You also have the option of not doing a thing at all. I think that’s awesome and it actually used to be the norm for some cultures to do that. But now, that’s not always an option for many of us. So hopefully the alternatives are helpful if you’re seeking healthier options.

 

Aside from corporations profiting off harmful menstrual products, they also trap us with controlling our cramps. One could write volumes on menstrual cramp treatment, but I’ll just name a few that I’m most familiar with.

 

Now, I totally understand the lure of pills such as Midol and Pamprin. They are kind of amazing if you are doubled over in your bed wanting to die, puke, or have diarrhea. Most of you menstruators have been there. Please, have no shame in using those products if you need to. Most of us have to go to jobs and do not live in a society that understands the pain that cramps can deliver. However, it’s also not healthy to rely on NSAIDs or painkillers over a long amount of time. Here are some alternatives that might help you.

 

CRAMP BARK:

 

This stuff is amazing. I’ve only had it in tincture form which is basically herbs super concentrated in alcohol, usually vodka. I’m straight edge, but I am very willing to make an exception when it comes to consuming tinctures. If you’re concerned about that aspect, the amount of alcohol you consume is basically the equivalent to flavor extracts you bake with. Anyway, take a few drops of cramp bark under your tongue and hold it there for thirty seconds. Swallow and relax. The calming affects of this herb will occur within seconds. “Cramp bark” is not the herb’s scientific name, but it is named as such for its healing properties. You can also take a tincture of Dong Quai which helps to support the functioning of your uterus and can help alleviate cramps – but it tastes like absolute shit. So I’d really go with the cramp bark. You can get it at most local health food stores for about ten dollars a bottle that will last you maybe six months depending.

 

MAGNESIUM:

 

Magnesium also helps with cramps. You can get a large bottle for around ten or eleven dollars at health food stores and take two pills with food. I can’t remember why it helps, but it does. Not as quickly for me as cramp bark does, but other people have said it works instantly for them. It’s also good for you too regardless of your cramps.

 

TEAS:

 

Red raspberry leaf helps support the uterus. There are many different teas out there that have this in them. I don’t notice a drastic or instant difference in my cramps when I drink this tea, but it certainly helps to take the edge off. Many packaged medicinal teas will recommend taking red raspberry leaf prior to getting your period. Follow the directions or else you will not get the full benefits.

 

** There are additional herbs out there you can take as tinctures or teas, but please, please be careful and read about them first. Just because something is natural, doesn’t mean you can go willy-nilly with it. You can die or get very sick from taking the wrong kinds of herbs or taking them improperly. Talk to an herbalist if you don’t know something or look it up in several books to be sure about what you’re doing.**

 

ETC…

 

Sometimes just good old fashioned relaxing in bed with a heating pad or taking a hot bath can help you. Avoid caffeine, lots of oils and grease, eat dark leafy greens and lots of vegetables. This will really help you and you should be doing it anyway. My roommate Karen also swears by doing sit-up exercises to get rid of cramps. Try to remember that cramps are only temporary and that they will go away and that you are very strong.

 

** However, if you experience very extreme cramps and extreme aching in your legs or puking, you need to see a doctor and do not hesitate. These could be symptoms of something more serious than just regular cramps. Do not try to diagnose yourself. If you don’t have a doctor or insurance, call Planned Parenthood or 911 in extreme cases. It’s possible you have cysts or something else wrong and need them removed.**

 

So after touching on some tactics to reclaim our bodies from capitalism and fucked up social constructs, let’s get creative and take the whole system down. Dismantling the menstruation industry is a big job and boycotting alone might not be the only way to do it. So let’s work to apply the tactics we’d use on any other industry we want to eradicate.

 

Deface tampon dispensers with stickers and graffiti explaining why tampons are awful. Cause economic damage to corporate headquarters or companies that make harmful menstrual products. Educate your family and friends on reclaiming their menstrual health. If you don’t menstruate, you can still teach people about this stuff and be a strong ally. Try talking and thinking about this issue with spirit and rage and you will come up with endless tactics to employ.

 

We can come up with a million reasons why capitalism is screwing us and the Earth over, and this industry is certainly one of them, but now I hope you’ll think of it as a target now, and not just another reason.