Do you suffer from painful heavy periods?
Would you prefer a safer, more healthy alternative to chemical laden tampons and pads?
Until a few years ago, I had never even heard of using sea sponges as a replacement for menstrual tampons. And, at first, I was a little apprehensive at the thought. Especially, the thought of reusing them for 3-6 months (or longer) before disposing of them.
However, through my extensive research, I found there are many benefits to replacing standard tampons with sea sponge tampons, especially non-organic tampons that you can buy at any grocery store, corner store or convenience store.
Below are 2 photos of different varieties. The one on the left is more airy and soft and feels like almost nothing especially when it is wet – when you wet it, you can squish it down in your hand to almost nothing. I would recommend using this for very light days.
The one on the right is more dense and stiff. When you wet it, you can squeeze out the excess water, but, it does not squish down nearly as much as the one on the left. Once you insert them, you really don’t feel them at all – very different from regular tampons. I would recommend this one for the heavier days.
Here are a few benefits to switching to sea sponge menstrual tampons:
- Save the earth (standard tampons are made of paper & plastic)
- Lighter periods (many women report lighter periods after a few cycles when using sea sponge tampons)
- Less cramping (many women report much less cramping and discomfort during their period when using sea sponge tampons)
- Healthier vagina (no bleach or chemicals being inserted into your yoni each month days at a time) All sponges from the sea are rich in sea minerals that your body loves, including sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and so much more!
- Cleaner sex during period – unnoticeable by both partners since it is soft – insert sea sponge tampon during your period before participating in sexual intercourse and remove to clean shortly after sexual intercourse.
- Birth control sponge with spermicide (for centuries women have been using sea sponges and other similar items safely along with spermicide methods for birth control. If you are looking for a more natural safe alternative to dangerous chemical laden birth control gels, you might want to try Contragel Green Contraceptive Gel – which can also be used with cervical caps and diaphrams. Some women use a recipe of lemon juice and aloe vera as a natural spermicide – you may find information about this in your own research and you are fully responsible and this is a personal choice after sufficient research.
- Natural sea sponges are hypoallergenic
- Natural sea sponge contain innate enzymes and minerals that help prevent the development of odors, molds, and bacteria.
- Natural sea sponges are naturally processed and contain no artificial ingredients, harsh chemicals, or toxins of any kind
- Sea sponges are sustainably harvested so that they remain a renewable resource – they are harvested in a way that leaves part of the sea sponge behind and continues to grow again – therefore creating generations of safe natural sea sponges
- Possible less chance of serious side effects such as toxic shock – According to studies there have been no cases of toxic shock from use of natural sea sponges as tampons – which may be due to the natural enzymes and minerals that help prevent the development of odors, molds, and bacteria as mentioned above.
- Conforms to the natural curves of your vagina for much more comfort
- Very soft and comfortable in comparison to a stiff hard tampon being inserted into a soft vagina with natural curves
- Saves money – there are a variety of sources to buy sea sponges that are harvested for tampon use – many are reasonably priced – and can be reused for 3-6 months or longer, on average
My personal experience with using the natural sea sponge as a healthy, safe alternative to a standard tampon is this:
- Almost no cramping during my period at all any more – about 99% gone
- No vaginal irritation and discomfort
- Lighter periods
- No pain and discomfort of inserting, wearing & removing tampon
- Feel cleaner
- Cleaner sex during period
You can also double up on them if you need to for heavier periods. So, you can insert one, and then another.
A couple recommendations I will make – during sex, use one that is a little more dense. Due to the act of sex, it can get a little squished up high against the cervix. It will eventually loosen and drop with the blood flow, but if you are concerned, that would be my recommendation.
How do you insert and remove your sea sponge tampon?
When you first insert your sea sponge tampon, you will need to wet it with water, and squeeze out the excess. I normally will also squeeze it in a clean, dry towel a couple times to really get out the excess – but you will not want to insert it completely dry as this is a little uncomfortable. And, obviously, there is no cardboard or plastic applicator. So, you will need to feel comfortable with insertion and removal. You might even try and practice inserting and removing before your period to get used to the idea. If you are nervous, you can use a little coconut oil or other safe oil for you on the outer edge of the vagina to help with insertion.
When you insert your sea sponge tampon, it is recommended to push it up higher closer to your cervix – be careful – during your period, your cervix can feel a little more sensitive than other times to bumping around.
Some women recommend “sewing” or threading a piece of plain dental floss through your sea sponge for easier removal. I don’t use this method, and have read of the sponges ripping from pulling the cord. Then you have to reach in and find both pieces.
Once your sponge is full, it will naturally drop down closer to your vagina, and you will be able to use a little pressure to push it out or insert your fingers and pinch it and pull it out. (Again, you will want to be comfortable with your body for this process). You will most certainly want to do this over the toilet, and be careful not to drop it in the toilet. You will want to have a sink handy, and carefully rinse it out, squeeze well to get rid of excess water, and reinsert it. It is that easy. Some women keep a bottle of water with them if they go out for this process, I personally, don’t advocate this for obvious messy reasons.
When you first try your sea sponge tampon for the first time, I would maybe make sure you are home for the day. That way you can gauge how often you should remove to rinse when it is full. Depending on how heavy your period normally flows, you may be able to wear it for up to 6 hours. Some women may only be able to wear for 1-2 hours if their flow is very heavy – however, you may notice a change once you begin using sea sponge tampons (but, I can not guarantee this.)
You will probably feel when it is time to change your sea sponge tampon, as it will feel like it has dropped a little. Don’t wait, as it can leak. If it is over full, and you squeeze your vaginal muscles, it can leak easily.
You may need to or want to wear a liner just in case as you might with a normal tampon.
How do you care for your sea sponge tampon?
Cleaning your sea sponge tampon is fairly easy. Once you remove your sponge, you just need to rinse it under running water, squeeze to remove all excess water, and reinsert.
In between your period or menstrual cycles, you can use a couple methods to sanitize it more by using one of the following methods: (depending which one tests best for you)
- A mixture of 1/4 hydrogen peroxide and 3/4 water and let it soak for 15 minutes or so, this will also help remove any staining.
- Soak for 15 minutes or so in a mixture of 1 cup of warm water and a few drops of tea tree oil.
- Soak for 15 minutes in a cup of warm water with about 1 Tablespoon of baking soda.
- Soak for 15 minutes in a warm water with 1 teaspoon of colloidal silver.
NOTE: Never boil your sea sponge tampon as this can decrease the life of the sponge significantly. Never use a microwave or dryer on your sponge. These can all cause your sponge to harden as well.
With care, your sea sponge tampon can last 3-6 months or longer.
Never rip your sponge, instead use a pair of scissors to trim it if needed.
Depending on the sea sponge you use, it may be lighter or darker in color. This will also depend on how it was cleansed before your purchase. I have noticed that the hydrogen peroxide lightens it over time and weakens it if you let it sit too long repeatedly in the peroxide at full strength.
NOTE: You are always responsible for your body and your health. I share information, my experience and knowledge and I am not responsible for your choices. If you have never birthed a child, this may or may not be an option you are comfortable with if you are not comfortable with tampons. Please use your own discretion when making informed decisions about your body.
– Yvette is a Certified Alternative practitioner of energy medicine & energy healing living in the Prescott Arizona mountains and works with clients remotely over the phone. Yvette is a certified Thought Field Therapy practitioner, Certified Level II Reiki practitioner, and a certified Access Consciousness practitioner & Access Energetic Facelift/Bodylift practitioner. Yvette uses advanced bio-energetic muscle testing (kinesiology) in combination with advanced energy/frequency scans and body scans created by Dr. Stephen and Beth Daniel, founders of Quantum Techniques. Yvette continues an intense study of self healing, Consciousness & spirituality and the Law of Attraction. Yvette is not a licensed therapist. Energy healing is not intended as diagnosis, prescription, or treatment for any disease, physical or mental. It is also not intended as a substitute for regular medical care. –
– Hold Harmless – by using these methods, you agree to be 100% solely responsible for your health & wellness, the health of your family, and animals and hold you Quantum Techniques, Dr. Stephen Daniel and Beth Daniel, & Yvette 100% free of responsibility or harm. Use of Quantum Techniques and other alternative healing methods mentioned above, and bio-energetic muscle testing has never been found to cause harm to anyone. –
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