Scary Tampon Recall Might Change Your Periods Forever

on November 15, 2011 at 2:00 PM

tampons Another day, another recall, and this one hits women in the worst possible place: Kotex is recalling its tampons because the plastic applicators may be contaminated with bacteria. Really. WHY OH WHY is there bacteria on the tampon applicators?!?

Here are the crucial details: These are the "Natural Balance Security Unscented, Regular Absorbency" tampons sold at Walmart, Fry's, and Smith's with SKU numbers 15063 and 15068. And now, the crucial question: Wouldn't you like to be in full control of the bacteria that goes into your va-jay-jay? Maybe it's time to explore your options -- as in, a menstrual cup. Never heard of it? Scared? Read on.

So, what is a menstrual cup? As you can see in the image below, it's a little, flexible cup that you fit all the way up your vagina up near your cervix. It could be made of rubber (latex) or silicone. It hangs in there through the wondrous powers of suction and collects your menstrual goodies for around eight hours (on average). Then you pull it out, dump the contents into the toilet, wash, and insert again.

menstrual cups Yeah. I remember my first reaction to this description, and it was something along the lines of EWWWW! NOOOOOO! Wouldn't that put me in close contact with my lady fluids? Gross! But then I read a blog post about cups where the writer asks, "Just from a practical standpoint, wouldn't it be nice to get over that?" And I thought, Yes, yes it would be nice to get over that.

Dear readers, I dared try the cup. And it was okay! I survived. Yeah, it does takes some practice. But I don't miss paying for tampons every month, I don't miss wondering if I can flush the tampons without flooding the bathroom, and I especially don't miss that horrible feeling when I open the closet and realize I forgot to stock more tampons and am up a big, red creek.

You're wondering -- what about bacteria? Okay, so everyone says there's an extremely low risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome. I'm going with that. It's up to you to clean your cup, and I like that. Bleaching is not recommended, but soap and water (for the cup and your hands) will do the job. You can also soak it in hydrogen peroxide if you want to get it extra clean. Clearly these are not for everyone. But as a control freak, I have to say, the cup is working for me so far.

Have you tried a menstrual cup? What did you think? Did you keep using it, or was it a disaster?

Images via ecastro/Flickr, Greencolander/Flickr

About the author Adriana Velez

is a staff writer who dabbles in food, parenting, news, entertainment, molecular biology, and anything else that that pops into her head. She lives with her husband and elementary school-aged son in Brooklyn, land of urban farms and artisan everything.

Filed Under: menstruation

Comments (62)

LoriAnn87

on Nov 15, 2011 at 2:06 PM

I tried it once and really didn't like so I went back to using pads.

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tuffymama

on Nov 15, 2011 at 2:15 PM

I use mama cloth and pads. Nothing but a penis or a finger goes in there, LOL. I have a lot of pain and cramping from just tampons, I get cramps for days after a (very gentle) gynecological exam (from my kind and patient OB/Gyn) and I'm not about to put a teacup up there. Ouch.

amomonous

on Nov 15, 2011 at 2:29 PM

im just not sure how i feel about it... i have seen that and wondered...and i am all about saving every penny (i actually write to tampon comapnies asking for samples and they happily send them...after i have my second baby and my period returns, i have a supply that will allow for one FREE month because of the samples, lol) but i don't know if im about to put what looks like a funnel up there...tampons can be unfomfortable enough...idk how i cup would feel...but in the interest of saving money, i might just try it :)

Nonmember comment from Jay

on Nov 15, 2011 at 2:54 PM

I've been a cup user for 9 years - an absolute must for heavy flow! - with even the most absorbent tampons and pads I'd leak through both within 15 minutes - cups don't leak like tampons. Plus thanks to cups I've gone from chronic BV and thrush to not a single infection in 9 years! Cups pose no risk of TSS, infections, or dioxin, plus can even lessen cramps. More comfortable, easier to use, saves a load of money, good for environment, and ethical companies. Plus cups are FAR more convenient as they can be worn for 12 hours, with any flow, overnight and before your period, and nothing shows outside the body. I started with a Mooncup - http://www.mooncup.co.uk/wc.php?u=1741 (20% of the sale via this link goes to women's health projects) - but have a few different brands now (also use a diaphragm as a menstrual cup for mess-free sex on my period). Honestly they're absolutely fantastic and I'd never even consider going back to tampons or pads again! :-)

spacebunny82

on Nov 15, 2011 at 3:03 PM

My Friend tried this and she said the cup got caught on her pelvic bone when she was leaning back in her chair at work and when she sat forward the cup tilted and the "contents' spilled out into her panties... so that was the end of that.

Kritika

on Nov 15, 2011 at 3:20 PM

How on earth does THAT get upTHERE?!

Nonmember comment from Sella

on Nov 15, 2011 at 3:25 PM

BEST THING EVAR!!! I have had one for 3 years, wish I found it years ago, as I am going into my change of life cycle... I have a diva cup. I no longer spend the bucks a month to buy products, just boil it and wash it and voila!! I have tried to get my daughter (24 years old) to use one, but she says.."EWW"...not eww to me but whew...so glad I do not have to "FEEL" tampons anymore..so glad I do not have to smell pads...It took me 3 months tops to "learn" how to use it correctly...now I can do it with my eyes shut...GREATEST thing and no risk of TSS or any of the "added chemicals" that tampons have.

ashjo85

on Nov 15, 2011 at 3:35 PM

How can you lay down with that, wouldn't it leak? I wouldn't mind trying it, but my initial reaction was dubiousness. Thank god I'm pregnant, for now.

Mrs.Kubalabuku

on Nov 15, 2011 at 4:06 PM

I think after reading Jay's comment I'll have to give it a try. I also have a heavy flow, and use tampons, pads, and even DIAPERS to try and keep it off my clothes! There have been months where my DH tried to take me to the hospital, even. I'm a SAHM for the next few years, so if I can figure it out in that time, who knows? Saving money, not staining stuff all the time...

For women afraid of it tipping and leaking or something, just wear a pad as a backup until you get the hang of it. My guess is the girl who tipped hers might not have done it correctly, or had a poorly fitting cup or something. Seems worth the investment to find out if it works or not.

jaxmadre

on Nov 15, 2011 at 4:14 PM

I used one and it was great for all the reasons the writer mentioned. Best part was NO LEAKS. EVER. EV-ER.

I would say the ONLY drawback would be if I felt the need to empty it at work, I couldn't really bring myself to wash it out in a public sink. But the truth of the matter is -- it truly can wait til you get home because it never fills up. Not even on heavy days.

I recommend it.