Feminine Hygiene

Cups
Two types of menstrual cups are available in the Ottawa area: The Keeper, and the Diva Cup.

Both come in 2 sizes (one for women who have given birth vaginally and one for those who haven't).

The Keeper is made of natural gum rubber and has a 3 month money back guarantee The Diva Cup is made of silicone and has a one year money back guarantee

Possible concerns: Women who have allergies or sensitivities to any form of latex should not use menstrual cups which are made from rubber

Ottawa-area retailers of menstrual cups include:
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe
 * Herb and Spice (375 Bank St) 613-232-4087
 * Kardish Specialty Foods (2515 Bank St) 613-737-0305
 * The Natural Food Pantry (3 locations)
 * Nature's Care Health Products (6 locations)
 * Ottawa Natural Clinic (151 Slater St.) 613-235-3993
 * Rainbow Natural Foods
 * Rama Lotus Centre
 * Venus Envy
 * The Wheat Berry 206 Main St. 613-235-7580

Non-local Suppliers

Pads (cloth)
Soft and breathable, these washable pads will last for years. The pad snaps around your underwear and have an insert for extra absorption. Soak and wash in cold water; hang them up to dry, or dry in the dryer. Pads come in various sizes and colours.

Possible concerns: While white/light coloured pads are sold they are not very easy to keep clean. Most cloth pads are not organic. Luna Pads (available locally) does make an organic pad but it is only available in natural white.

Ottawa-area retailers of cloth pads include:
 * Arbour Environmental Shoppe
 * NaturEmporium
 * Venus Envy

Non-local Suppliers

Or print out this pattern and make your own (made available by Bloodsisters.org for free but they accept donations)

Pads (natural disposible)
Natural disposible pads are chemical free pads and made from plant cellulose. They are not chlorine bleached and are free of rayon, plastics and other similar synthetic materials that have a negative impact on our environment

Possible concerns: Product is disposible and thus contributes to landfill waste

Ottawa-area retailers of natural disposible pads include:
 * Herb and Spice
 * Loblaws (in the natural section)
 * The Natural Food Pantry (126 York St.) 613-241-6629
 * New Edinburgh Pharmacy (35 Beechwood Ave.) (613)749-4444
 * The Wheatberry (206 Main St.) 613-235-7580

Non-local Suppliers

Natural Sea Sponge
These natural sponges can be trimmed to fit you comfortably, and can be re-used for a few periods. Simply boil before first use, then insert and leave in place for 4-8 hours. Remove, rinse, and repeat! Natural Sea Sponges aren't treated with bleach or harmful chemicals.

The brand of menstrual sea sponges available in Ottawa are from Jade and Pearl. The sponges used by this company are from Tarpon Springs, Florida. As the sponges are harvested, millions of egg and sperm cells are released into the surrounding water, making the sponge a renewable resource.

Possible concerns: The sea sponge must be thrown away after approx. 4 menstural cycles The sea sponge is not a vegan product

Ottawa-area retailers of natural sea sponges include:
 * Venus Envy

Non-local Suppliers

Tampons (organic, cotton, non-chlorine bleached)
Organic non-chlorine bleached cotton tampons do not contain synthetic materials such as rayon, or chemical additives such as binders or surfactants. Certified organic cotton tampons removes the risk of direct exposure to residues from chemical pesticides and fertilisers used on traditional cotton. These tampons also do not contain any dioxin (a by-product of all chlorine bleaching methods and probably carcinogen)

Possible concerns: Product is disposible and thus contributes to landfill waste

Ottawa-area retailers of organic cotton unbleached tampons include:
 * Herb and Spice (375 Bank St) 613-232-4087
 * Loblaws (in the natural section)
 * The Natural Food Pantry (126 York St.) 613-241-6629
 * New Edinburgh Pharmacy (35 Beechwood Ave.) (613)749-4444
 * The Wheatberry (206 Main St.) 613-235-7580

Non-local Suppliers

Why should I Choose 'Green' Feminine Hygiene Products?