Before we get very far, let me just warn you that if talking about these rather personal things isn’t comfortable to you, please stop reading now!! This is bound to be TMI. I did receive a package of sea sponge tampons for free in order to facilitate this review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own!
When April from The Sea Sponge Company contacted me about trying sea sponge tampons, I was a little taken aback. Now, I have used a menstrual cup for several years now, so I am no stranger to alternative forms of period products: however, I had not even heard of sea sponge tampons before!
I contemplated turning her down, because it just seemed so weird. In fact, this is exactly the email I sent back to her:
April,
I admit I’m kinda freaked out by these! I do use a Diva cup (well, it’s actually called a “moon cup”), so I’m not a stranger to alternative kinds of things. I’m willing to take a look and try it out though!
She was so sweet and responded back with this:
Hey, Stacie!
I totally know how you feel, because I felt the same way before I tried them. It took me a couple days to get used to the idea of a reusable product. (This was before my husband and I founded The Sea Sponge Company and actually ended up being the reason we founded The Sea Sponge Company…to spread the word about sea sponge tampons!) But once I did get adjusted to the idea, they proved to be sooo wonderful! My cramps got lighter. Periods got lighter. I didn’t have to use pads anymore, because the sponges never leaked on me, which I love….Anyway, I’ve yet to meet someone who gave them a good shot and didn’t fall in love, so I’m confident you will too!
She was exactly right. I have been using them for months and love, love, love them, and I want to share a little more about sea sponge tampons with you!
“Sea sponges have long been enjoyed as a premium natural solution for a wide variety of household and personal hygiene needs. Their popularity as a bathing luxury was recorded as far back as the Ancient Greeks. And though less well known, silk sea sponges also found great success and popularity in history as one of the first “tampons” to ever be used.
Through the ages, these marvels of the sea have stood the test of time. Sea Clouds™ Mediterranean Silk Sea Sponge Tampons offer women today a natural feminine hygiene solution that is healthy and safe, comfortable and convenient, affordable, and earth friendly!”
Benefits of Sea Sponge Tampons:
Shorter Period
This summer, we were traveling and I ended up getting some conventional pads at the store. I was using them instead of the menstrual cup, and I realized my period was anywhere from 6-7 days. When I switched over to the Sea Sponge tampons, my period days decreased dramatically. Right now, they are down to about 3 or 4. This is a HUGE benefit to me! Now, maybe it was just a coincidence, and I’m not sure it will happen for everyone, but I’ll take it! With all the chemicals and synthetic fibers in mainline pads, it has me wondering…
Earth Friendly & Economical
I had no idea the average woman uses 17,000 pads and tampons throughout her lifetime. Yikes. That’s a lot! The great thing about Sea Sponge tampons is they are reusable (for three to six months or more depending on how you take care of them) and biodegradable. The Sea Sponge Company line of products is also sustainably harvested.
As for price, I know you can combine a coupon with a sale and get a pretty good deal on various period protection, but when you break it down over six months the price really isn’t too high for these Sea Sponge Tampons! I’m also a fan of supporting small family-owned businesses and purchasing natural & organic products when possible.
Super Comfortable
If you’ve inserted the sea sponge correctly, you won’t feel a thing. It’s awesome!
Can be Used During Lovemaki _g
Sorry for the underscore…just don’t want crazy stuff to show up in my ads. This is a benefit that you might want to know about, so head over to the Sea Clouds Sea Sponge Tampons 101 page to find out more!
No More Cramps
Again, this could totally be just my experience, but I haven’t had cramps for months now. I haven’t done any research, but I’m wondering if somehow the sea minerals could be part of that.
Never in a million years would I have thought I would use sea sponge tampons (mainly because I had never heard of them), but I am so happy to have found them. I definitely recommend them, and I’d love to answer any questions you have about them in the comments below! Be sure to check out the tampons at The Sea Sponge Company as well as the other sea sponge products they have for cleaning, cosmetics, and more!
Have you ever used sea sponge tampons?
Charlotte says
Wow, this is interesting! I use the Diva cup and really like it. I’ve noticed I get less cramping and am less moody when I take Evening Primrose Oil.
Stacie Nelson says
I’ve heard that’s really good stuff to take, but I haven’t tried it!
Thaleia from Something2Offer says
My sister just forwarded me your email to read your review. I am very excited to read this new alternative to throw away products. I don’t need feminine products, yet, since I am still nursing but I am very intrigued. Thanks for sharing.
Stacie Nelson says
You’re welcome! I definitely think they are worth a try!
SC Susie says
Believe it or not, I saw a TV “pirate” drama last year that was set around the 1700’s and it showed a scene in a brothel of sorts where they used sea sponges as birth control. I thought that was pretty clever although I did not think the comfort level would be very good. Thanks for the review – something definitely worth considering!
Stacie Nelson says
That is interesting! It does talk about that on The Sea Sponge company’s FAQ page (well, using it as birth control…not in a brothel)! They really are super comfortable once you have them in the right way. I don’t even notice it’s there until it starts to get saturated. At which point, it does begin to drop down. Sorry if TMI, but that is helpful to know I think!
Tami says
This leaves me wondering if I should hunt around and see if I can find any in the beach towns. I’ve really only noticed the sponge loufahs. Hmmm….and you’ve left the cup for them. That is intriguing!
Stacie Nelson says
Ha, ha! I actually didn’t “leave” the cup. Did I say I left the cup? I still use both. Generally if I’m going to be out of the house for many hours, I still prefer the cup just because I don’t have to change it quite as often. But, I don’t know how to explain it, but sometime my body gets tired of the plastic cup? I know, weird, but the sea sponge tampons are much more comfortable (once you know how to insert them correctly). It’s not an either-or for me–I just use both depending on what I feel like! 🙂
Tami says
ahhh. got it. No, you never said you left the cup! My interest is really in the decrease of period days. That would be great!
kortney marwood says
I’m eagerly awaiting my first order of sea sponge tampons. I have read many great reviews, so I’m excited to try them.
Stacie Nelson says
You’ll love them, but don’t be surprised if it takes a month or two to figure out the best way to insert them and remove them. It was a bit of a learning process for me!
Michelle says
Since you have used the moon cup as well, how do they compare? Is it just a matter of preference?
Stacie Nelson says
Hey, Michelle! There are things I do still love about the cup, so I tend to use both (at different times of course)! Sometimes if I’m going to be out of the house for quite a while, I prefer the cup since I don’t have to change it as often. But, sometimes I just prefer the comfort of the sea sponge tampons, so I go with those. It just depends on how I’m feeling I guess!
Krystal says
Just heard about the sea sponge tampons. I have some questions. How often to you change them?
America says
Hi Stacie,
My daughter and I talked about her possibly using a sponge when she starts her period. She questioned how she would change it or “empty” it while at school. Do you have any suggestions for us?
Stacie Nelson says
I’m not sure since I haven’t really had to worry about being out and about too much. Let me see if April has any ideas!
Teresa says
Have her carry an extra one in a smaller prescription bottle with a little water in it. This cam be kept inside a small wristlet wet bag. When it’s time to change-drop the dirty one inside the wet bag and wring out the fresh one and insert. This is how I do it in public restrooms.