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Menstrual Sponges: Alternative Menstrual Products
Menstrual Sponges information / (for review scroll down)
What is a menstrual sponge?
A reusable menstrual sponge is a natural sea sponge that is wet down with water to soften, (excess water is squeezed out) and is inserted into the vagina as a tampon to absorb the menstrual flow. (Pictured are 'silk sea sponges' that have been cleaned, sanitized, and shaped.... Silk Sea Sponges have smaller pores (denser) than other types of sea sponges making them the most common type of menstrual sponge)
***More information about sea sponges: Please be aware that sea sponges are considered ANIMALS (not plants). They grow in colonies on the the ocean floor. When sponges are harvested, sperm and egg cells are distributed through the surrounding area, making them a renewable resource. Most silk sea sponges will be sold as 'cosmetic sponges' instead of 'menstrual sponges' and will therefore, not provide the buyer with menstrual use information. There is alot of 'tabboo' about using a sea sponge for menstrual purposes, since (a) they are animals, (b) oceans are polluted, (c) you insert and remove with your fingers, etc.... that said, women from coastal areas have been using sea sponges long before disposable products came along. Women have not only used sponges to collect the menstrual flow, but they have also been used for contaception and also to apply medication inside the vagina.
Menstrual sponges can be worn for 3-4 hours and usually last for 4 to 8 months.
Before using a menstrual sponge:
You need to clean/ sanitize your sponge before use! Inspect your sponges for any particles such as sand, loose fibers that need trimmed, etc. You can boil a sponge for 2 minutes...please note however that boiling will shrink the sponge and can shorten its useful life.
Do NOT use harsh soaps to clean your sponge as they can irritate the vagina.
Cleaning your sponge:
Suggested ways to sanitize your sponges between cycles and before first use are soaking for 30 minutes in any of the following:
- 1/2 water + 1/2 hydrogen peroxide solution. (this is my personal choice)...... using this method will clean the 'discoloration from use'
- 1 Tbsp. baking soda in 1 cup of warm water solution
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of warm water solution
- several drops of tea-tree oil in 1 cup of warm water solution (this method is known to eliminate odors)
Using the sponge: (insertion, removal, during cycle care)
Insertion: With clean hands rinse your pre-sanitized sponge in water to soften it for insertion and squeeze out the excess water. Squash your softened sponge with your fingers and gently push it into the vagina where it feels comfortable and secure. (you may trim around your sponge if it feels uncomfortable............you should not feel any pressure if your sponge is the proper size)
What is the proper sponge size? (a dry menstrual sponge before trimming is APPROXIMATELY 2 to 2 1/2 inches long and 1-2 inches wide..... they do NOT have to be symmetrical in shape and can be wider on one side or wider on the bottom, etc. since they conform to your personal shape when inserted)
Removal: To remove your sponge, feel inside for the sponge, and gently grasp and pull out. Pull the sponge out slowly and carefully and try not to squeeze it while removing so that the flow stays in the sponge (some women prefer to sew a piece of waxed dental floss or cotton string to the sponge to make removal easier..........please note that sponges may tear, so care should be taken if using a string for removal) another method used to make removal easier is some women knit a drawstringed 'net' that they place their sponge in, and the drawstring is used as the removal string.
Rinse and reuse: It's as simple as it sounds....... Rinse your sponge after use thoroughly in water, squeeze out all excess fluids, and reinsert!
When away from home: When away from home, carry spare sponges in a zip-top type bag (or some women use film canisters). (pre-moistened if you like) Instead of rinsing your used sponge in a public sink and reusing, place it in the zip-top bag or film canister and use a fresh sponge...........clean your used sponge when you get home.
Sponge Storage: Your sponges need to be kept dry between periods, when not in use. It is suggested to keep them in a muslin or cotton bag so that they get some air circulation.
How much fluid does a sponge hold?
Approximately 1 ounce if FULL. (the average menstrual cycle produces 2-4 ounces)
I submerged a menstrual sponge in water and measured the water that I squeezed out....note that a completely full sponge WILL leak.
Can you use more than 1 sponge at a time? On heavy flow days, yes you can use more than 1 sponge to help accomodate a heavier flow.(be sure to remove all sponges every 3-4 hours to rinse) Many sponge users like to use pantyliners for backup protection as they can leak when full.
Are sponges safe?
They are NOT 100% safe, however many, many women safely use them
-Sponges grow in colonies on the ocean floor and are not sterile, so great care must be taken to use them safely.
-There has been at least (1) case of TSS reported from a sponge user.
-Sponges should be removed every 3-4 hours and thoroughly rinsed.
-Sponges should be sanitized before their first use and between menstrual cycles.
-Polluted waters also should be taken into consideration. (They grow in the ocean, and the ocean isn't sanitary)
-Sponges DO disrupt the natural vaginal environment since they 'absorb' all fluids. (They are less drying than disposable tampons though, since the sponge is moistened to soften it for insertion)
-Sponges can tear.... which poses a risk of left behind fibers after removal.
-Sponges for menstrual use don't last forever! Generally they last for 4-8 months. If your sponge starts to show signs of deterioration, then DON'T use it anymore.
If they are not 100% safe, then why use them?
**environmentally friendlier than disposable tampons and pads, since they are reused for many menstrual cycles.
**cost savings since they are a reusable product.
** Easy to use- Women who have problems using menstrual cups often enjoy and successfully use menstrual sponges as their alternative menstrual solution.
**comfort- These are reported to be the MOST COMFORTABLE insertable menstrual solution. (I agree that these are incredibly comfortable and soft to insert and remove!)
**they have been used by women during sex. (I have not tried this) I have found by researching menstrual sponges that prostitutes regularly use them so they can continue 'working' while menstruating. I read that their partners are unaware that they are menstruating and are unaware of the sponge since the sponges feel natural. (note, that I am not recommending this practice.... I am just offering information)
Costs: a set of 2 menstrual sponges that come with a storage bag generally cost $10-$12 (in 2007). If you buy 3 inch silk sea sponges sold as 'cosmetic sponges' or bath/craft sea sponges with small pores, they generally cost much less.
 Menstrual Sponge (wet down, excess water squeezed out)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Menstrual Sponge Review:
I had mixed feelings about menstrual sponges before I tried them. To be honest, if I didn't have this website, I probably wouldn't have tried them..........Now I am glad I did!
COMFORTABLE- These are incredibly comfortable. Since they are so soft and squishy, you really can't feel them (until they become saturated)
EASY TO USE- Insertion is extremely easy......Just push it in...................Removal is a little more work, as you have to get a hold on it and try to remove it without squeezing the flow out... I remove a sponge in 4 hours because I don't want it in there longer than that. Note that I have a light flow so even on my 'heavy' day, the sponge has not gotten even half full....so for me, removal was not a problem....no mess...
RELIABILITY- I have had NO LEAKS..... I use backup protection with these though in case it is changing time and I have the sudden urge to sneeze uncontrollably...........I don't trust these as I do the cups so I use a backup, (cloth panty-liner or padded-panties such as lunapanties).......... I don't think I will ever trust these enough to use without a backup
CONVENIENCE????????- hmmmmmmmmmmm...... well, yes and no.... If you have easy, private, access to running water, then using these is convenient...just rinse and reinsert.............. I remove a sponge every 4 hours since I don't want to leave one in any longer than this... After using a cup for 6-12 hours at a time, 4 hours seems like I am digging for sponges constantly and can be inconvenient.... The initial cleaning/sanitizing/shaping, etc. is inconvenient but necessary...... I was shocked at how hard it was to find a sea sponge where I live.....I never did find any in the cosmetics sections of the stores I frequent....I live in the midwest US though, so maybe they are easier to find in coastal areas.
FAVORITES?- I like the silk sea sponges best because of the tiny pores. Brands vs. cosmetic or craft sea sponges? Buying a sponge specifically made for menstrual use is really nice and comes with a storage bag and menstrual use instructions.... but to be honest there isn't a difference in the sponges themselves once you sanitize and shape a cosmetic or craft sponge for menstrual use and these are MUCH cheaper.......Cost or Convenience is the issue on these.... I am not sure which is more important to me
FINAL THOUGHTS: Ok, I decided that I really like these especially for my lightest days (worn with padded panties) when a cup is overkill, and I don't feel like using pads. I prefer to use a cup when away from home for an extended amount of time and when travelling, and I prefer to use cloth pads at home on my average days (I don't have heavy flow days)......... so yes, menstrual sponges have a place in my menstrual product rotation and I will continue to use them (occasionally, and with the utmost care)!
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Make your own menstrual sponge
How to choose, sanitize, and shape a sea sponge for menstrual use.
Choosing a sponge: When choosing to use a bath/ craft sea sponge for menstrual use; Choose the sponge that is the most dense, with the smallest pores. (What I did, was buy (1) set of sponge tampons so that I could get an idea of what I was looking for...... I have pictures included below that you can use for reference.
Sanitize the sponge: Inspect your sponge for any particles such as sand, loose fibers that need trimmed, etc. I boil a sponge for 2 minutes before cutting, or shaping and this shrinks the sponge and makes it a little denser...please note however that boiling can shorten its useful life....(I only boil a sponge once.........after the initial boil, I sanitize by soaking...........see below)
Do NOT use harsh soaps to clean your sponge as they can irritate the vagina.
Suggested ways to sanitize your sponges between cycles and before first use are soaking for 30 minutes in any of the following:
- 1/2 water + 1/2 hydrogen peroxide solution. (this is my personal choice)...... using this method will clean the 'discoloration from use'
- 1 Tbsp. baking soda in 1 cup of warm water solution
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of warm water solution
- several drops of tea-tree oil in 1 cup of warm water solution (this method is known to eliminate odors)
Shaping the sponge: Wet down the sponge with water to soften it, and squeeze out all of the excess water. With a pair of scissors, round the edges, and trim the fibers so that they are not fluffy.....I like my sponges to be the approximate size of 2.5 inches long, and 1.5 to 2 inches wide.....(try bigger first, then trim it down to where it is comfortable for you)
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Silk Sea Sponges- (very small, dense pores)
On the left-(2) Sea Pearls sponge tampons from Jade & Pearl, On the right: (1) 3-inch silk sea sponge from Florida Sponges,
(note that the Florida sponge is APPROXIMATELY 3" before any trimming.) These are sold as 'cosmetic' silk sponges, not menstrual sponges.......... I have included them here, as other women informed me they use them for menstrual sponges because they cost less sold this way. If you buy one of the Florida Sponges for menstrual use, please note, that you will not receive any 'menstrual use information' with them. (That's what this site is for!) Notice how these are very similar.
Sea Sponges with small pores
On the left: (2) Sorella Luna Sponge tampons, On the right: (2) sponges I cut from a larger sea sponge that can be found in bath, craft, or hobby stores. These sponges have slightly larger pores than the silk sea sponges pictured above, and are darker in color. Again, notice how these are very similar.
Be sure to clean/ sanitize any and ALL sponges before using for menstrual use.
Links to the sponge sites: (for more information or to purchase)
Sea Pearls™ Reusable sea sponge tampons (from the United States) http://www.jadeandpearl.com
3" Silk Sea Sponge at Florida Sponges (from the United States) http://www.floridasponges.com/
Sorella Luna sea sponge tampons (from the United States) http://sorella-luna.com 
From left to right:
Instead softcup, lunette cup, sea pearls sponge tampons, silk sea sponge
>>> Menstrual Cups Information <<<
excellent information on Alternative Products links:
Menstrual cup support: http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/
Museum of Menstruation: http://www.mum.org/MenCups.htm
Great site for alt. menstrual products: http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~obsidian/clothpads/Cups.html (yep, those are my cup pictures!)
If you have any questions, please contact us by email at sewinlove@doll-garden.com
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