For individuals who menstruate, each month usually presents two options: pads or tampons. But how much do individuals really know about those white cotton plugs and bunchy scented pillows? Not enough, according to Kelsey Boucher, member of the UNH Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) and Tampaction campaign coordinator. Because, unbeknownst to many users, these products are harmful not only to the environment but to the human body as well.
Fortunately, at a meeting back in February, four SEAC members were able to persuade bookstore manager Sarah Hutz to make alternative menstruation products available to students.
"Conventional tampons pose a serious threat to the health of those who menstruate," Boucher said.
Currently, the only menstruation products available at the MUB bookstore are Tampax and Stayfree brand pads and tampons. "The companies that produce these products use pesticide-filled cotton and rayon tampons," Boucher said. Rayon has been linked to several serious health problems (including Toxic Shock Syndrome) and has also been known to cause cuts in the vaginal walls.
In addition to personal health concerns, conventional menstruation products take quite a toll on the environment, according to information provided by SEAC.
The Tampaction Campaign has been running since last spring. The campaign is concerned with the massive amount of waste created by disposable menstruation products. "The average menstruator may use 16,800 pads or tampons in a lifetime," Boucher said, "contributing to the millions of plastic tampon applicators which wash up on beaches around the world." (The term "menstruators" is used in place of "women" because not all people who menstruate identify as women.)
In order to avoid such eventualities, SEAC advocates the use of reusable menstruation products such as washable cloth pads and an increasingly popular product known as the Keeper. These products do not create excess waste and are also safe for menstruators to use. "The Keeper is a re-useable menstrual cup that is made of natural gum rubber," Boucher explained. "It is inserted much like a tampon but does not absorb anything. It just collects your menstrual blood."
Senior Hannah Sherrill adores her Keeper, which she bought for $15. "I've had it since my freshman year," she said. "I think it is definitely worth the money. Tampons are so expensive!" Keepers are commonly sold for $35 now. Compare that one-time payment to a lifetime of buying $10 boxes of tampons.
In addition to cloth pads and Keepers, SEAC suggested that organic pads and tampons be made available to students. "The organic tampons and pads that we suggested do not use pesticides on the cotton, are not chlorine bleached and do not contain rayon," Boucher said.
So how much will these earth-friendly products cost compared to conventional brand pads and tampons? "Organic tampons and pads are slightly more expensive due to the care and concern taken by their manufacturers," Boucher admitted. But she adds that the reusable products can save menstruators hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in a lifetime. "Re-useable cloth pads have been called expensive at $14 a piece," Boucher said. "But you won't ever have to buy disposable pads again."
Boucher is confident that the alternative products will be available to students in the very near future. "These things take a little time," she said. "We had our meeting with the bookstore manager in February, and we will keep inquiring as to when the products will be available."
In the meantime, SEAC Tampaction organizes several pad-sewing workshops every year in which people can sew their own cloth pads. "There will be another pad-sewing workshop this semester," Boucher said. The time and date of the workshop will be announced in the near future.
SEAC holds meetings every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. in MUB room 116. Those interested in becoming involved in SEAC and/or the Tampaction Campaign should e-mail the group at seac.unh@lists.unh.edu, or simply drop by the office.
To learn more about alternatives to tampons, check out the Tampaction Web site, www.seac.org/tampons.
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