This week is tampon alert week, with the rather in yer face theme from Tampon Alert of “Please tell her - tampons can kill.” Tampon Alert was set up by family and friends of Alice Kilvert, who died from tampon-related Toxic Shock Syndrome at the age of 15.

Toxic Shock syndrome can be quick and deadly. Of the women who contract it, 6% will die, while hundreds will be left with devastating health effects such as loss of limbs, paralysis, loss of hair and miscarriage.

Alongside WRAP’s recycling week, this is the perfect opportunity for women to think about trying a reusable form of sanitary protection. It’s better for your health and for the environment. Not to mention the swathes of loot you’ll save.

In her lifetime, the average woman (as if there could be such a thing!) will throw away 12-17,000 disposable sanitary items.

Where is away? it’s at a beach or a big hole in the ground near you. So if you’re thinking ‘ewwwwww, washable, reusable sanitary products’, then stop and have a think about 17,000 pads or tampons washed up on a beach somewhere. Anyone for a barefoot paddle?

There are lots of choices out there and the gorgeous Rachael Hertogs is jumping right onboard to support this week with some scrummy special offers. She is the sole manufacturer of organic washable pads in the UK. Visit her site to look at some of her wonderful creations and then email her at womens_workshops@yahoo.co.uk about her special offer.

Buy any patterned and luxury pads (including 2 liners) for only £5  (plus P&P). Add ‘Special Offer’ in the subject line and type your order in an email and she’ll send a special rate invoice to you via Pay Pal!

If you’re a keep it all inside kinda gal, then the mooncup is for you. It’s a bell shaped menstrual cup around two inches long and made from soft silicone rubber. It is worn internally. You just take it out and empty it, wash it and put it back in. You can buy them in chemists and from health food shops.

Photo credit http://crabmommy.blogspot.com/ for her very cute tampon Datschund

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