We generally don't think of birth control as a sustainability solution. But even if you use seventh generation tampons, menstrual cups (ewwww!), or sew your own (please, hippie..there's a nasty blood stain on the back of your patchwork skirt), you're wasting resources.
Not to disparage hippies (I guess most of them don't get their periods anymore)...I love em!
More below the intertwined tampon strings...
http://cdn.thegreenestdollar.com/...
According to Consumer Reports magazine, a woman will use thousands of tampons during her lifetime. And during a recent international coastline cleanup day, over 20,000 tampons were picked up in one day.
That's a lot of bloody trash! And, of course it's worse if you use pads or those tampons with applicators.
Using Depo Provera can stop your period cold. So can using the pill without the inactive ones. Implanon, the latest generation progesterone implants, are the single most effective form of birth control out there (see chart below for relative rates of pregnancy of major methods, including the tried and true "just pray" method that resulted in all our catholic cousins), reduces bleeding, usually by at least half, sometimes completely. The patch, the ring, and the Mirena (progesterone) IUD can do the same. Check with your doctor and decide which is best for you.
Fewer than 1 pregnancy per 100 women in one year
Fewer Pregnancies
• Implants
• Injections
• Intrauterine devices • Sterilization
• Birth control pills
• Skin patch
• Vaginal ring with hormones
• Condoms • Diaphragm
10-20 pregnancies per 100 women in one year
• No sex during the most fertile days of the monthly cycle
• Spermicide
• Withdrawal
85 or more pregnancies per 100 women in one year
More Pregnancies
• No birth control
The point is, we don't have to bleed so much. When we bleed, we risk anemia, increase ovarian cancer risk, and just feel like crap every 28 days. C'mon ladies...hop into the 21st century! And quit clogging our sewers with your nasty junk!
Disclaimer: this isn't about medicine, really...I mean, I'm just a chick like you. Obviously, your doctor should guide you through this decision process. I guess I did the most sustainable thing of all & had my uterus ripped out 7 yrs ago, but I don't recommend that! It's about sustainability. Oh, and please wear a condom anyway. There are some scary bugs out there!