Reddit reviews Sea Pearls Reusable Sea Sponges - Classic Medium 2pk

Try sea sponges! I know it sounds crazy, but sea sponges rest against your cervix and absorb everything, and because they are spongey, you can still do insertion things without worrying about a mess. I use them to have sex on my period and I will never buy tampons again.

Here's a link to a name brand, but you can also just buy a cheaper large sea sponge (as long as it is natural!) and cut it up yourself!

Edit: I made an /r/sex post about sea sponge tampons, if anyone would like more detailed information from a regular user!

If you dislike pads because of the uncomfortable, crinkly diaper-ness of them then you could try out reusable cloth pads. There are a few companies that make fancy ones, like luna pads, or you can make your own.

Menstrual cups are an option, but do some research to see if other people who have the same problem as you have had success with them. The Menstrual cup livejournal community is a good resource for this. I've never gotten headaches from tampons, but I used to get weird cramps from them. I tried 2 different menstrual cup brands- one with a soft, thin rim (Diva cup) and one with a larger, harder rim (Mooncup UK). The one with the larger rim gave me the same kind of cramps as tampons (though not quite as bad). The softer rim didn't.

A third option is using a natural sea sponge. I find it a little icky, but I have friends who rave about them. They're supposedly a lot more comfortable than tampons and so might relieve your problems. They're also reusable for several cycles, which is pretty cool IMO (if you're squicked out by blood, then none of the options I've listed will be good for you, unfortunatly), and less complicated than menstrual cups. I'm sure there are lots of brand options, but I did some quick googling and found some on amazon

I have a few thoughts/suggestions:

1. Reconsider an IUD. Not already having kids isn't a good reason to deny someone an IUD. There is a slightly bigger risk of the body rejecting the IUD, but it isn't big enough to stop you from trying. I got an IUD last November and it has been wonderful. I have never had kids. If your doctor's only reason to say no to the IUD is because you haven't had kids, go talk to another doctor. If you're in the US, I've heard good things about Planned Parenthood.
   
   
2. If you are having problems with tampons, you might want to consider alternatives. I personally use and love the Softcup. There are also other options, like the Diva cup, the Moon cup and Sea Sponge Tampons. I have heard good things about them, although I haven't tried them personally. I suspect one of the cups might be good for you since it doesn't absorb like tampons do, so it can't cause you problems from overuse.
   
   
3. If you're still having vaginal pain this long after the tampon problem, is it possible that you have a bad yeast infection or something?

So weird but these never did work for me at all. Never was able to even try during sex as they just leaked even normally.

I use the Sea Pearls. Literally nothing beats them.

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Pearl-Sponge-Tampon-2pk/dp/B000VV27OU

Have you ever tried looking up a how-to video? We can give advice all day, but I'm guessing you've looked up how to put in a tampon before and haven't had luck. At this point, watching a guide might be your best bet.

But if you read advice and watch instructions and still can't get it, or if you want an alternative, just use a menstrual sponge. They're softer and don't have a defined shape, meaning they take some of the comfort and positioning difficulties out of the equation.

Jade and Pearl Sea Pearl Sponge Tampon Md 2pk SP-RM https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000VV27OU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Eq7PDb1BK074W

You can leave sea sponge tampons in during the act! https://www.amazon.com/Jade-Pearl-Sponge-Tampon-SP-RM/dp/B000VV27OU

Lol, not regular sponges. Menstrual sponges. Its basically a hidden tampon.

http://www.amazon.com/Jade-Pearl-Sponge-Tampon-SP-RM/dp/B000VV27OU

And yes sex workers/hookers/ladies of the night really use them. When inserted deep enough clients don't even notice. Not sure why I'm being downvoted.. There are subreddits for sex workers and they give tips to eachother. This is one of them.

Yeah, I have a close friend who uses sponges for period sex:
https://www.amazon.com/Jade-Pearl-Sponge-Tampon-SP-RM/dp/B000VV27OU

I guess you just pop them in before the act, and then remove & rinse after.

I tried the Softcup and removing mine was like a scene from Dexter in my shower stall. Needless to say I did not keep using them.

I did, however, just purchase menstrual sponges and can't wait to try them. Which means I can't wait for my period ^whatiswrongwithme?? And in true uterus style I'm showing no signs of my damn period. >_<

I am going to try these two things

https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Division-Soft-Tampons-Dry-10St/dp/B000LRUIOK/ref=pd_sim_121_1/130-6786755-1186332?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000LRUIOK&pd_rd_r=4972873e-4bc6-4f80-83b9-77bde6faffad&pd_rd_w=ybxvP&pd_rd_wg=9y3jq&pf_rd_p=5abf8658-0b5f-405c-b880-a6d1b558d4ea&pf_rd_r=HZ4HE27YN126858KJ133&psc=1&refRID=HZ4HE27YN126858KJ133

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Pearls-Reusable-Sponges-Classic/dp/B000VV27OU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

and also buy black condoms in case there is any leakage.

They're better than the sea sponges some people use.

Yes, seriously

Try these next time!

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. Just remember the light at the end of the Ntunnel. ;)

I really like using sea sponges! Way less leaks, washable, reusable & can be disguised as makeup applicators.

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Pearl-Sponge-Tampon-2pk/dp/B000VV27OU

The funny thing is, there is an actual sea sponge as tampon product.

> how are sea sponge tampons different from the normal ones?

They are made of natural sponge that is just cut to a shape that fits inside the vagina. They are softer and gentler than cotton tampons. There is no applicator or string, though, so you have to get your fingers involved in insertion and extraction. Since you use cups that wouldn't bother you. Also, the sponge has a lot more "give" in it than a regular tampon. You couldn't have intercourse with a regular tampon, but the sponge just gets squished up and over during PIV, so everything stays tidy. Also, sponges are washable and reusable unlike regular tampons. Here's a link to an amazon page with sponges.

No one has mentioned sea sponge tampons yet--no string and they're great.

>Hey guys! I realized today that a lot of women are not aware of sea sponge tampons. I used to pretty much "opt out" of sex during my period, because it was too messy and too much of a hassle, even when I felt really horny.
>
>Sea sponges rest against the cervix, so they absorb everything before it reaches the vaginal canal (which is where a cotton tampon would be inserted.)
>
>Because they are spongey and absorbent, you can have sex with the sponge in, and your partner will not feel any difference! I prefer these to Softcups because the cups are made of plastic, and while they do a good job of holding back the flow, they can be felt by your partner. Some women even use sea sponges for contraception, by pairing them with spermicide (your mileage may vary!)
>
>This is only a good option if you feel comfortable with your ladyparts, as you do need to push it in and pull it out. I use mine now instead of regular tampons, and I rinse them out every few hours as needed. I always rinse them out before sex to avoid any possible leaking. After each cycle, I soak the sponge in warm water and 5-10 drops of tea tree oil, rinse, and let dry for the next cycle! While on my period, I keep a spare cotton tampon and a plastic baggie to store the sponge in my purse, just in case I find myself in a situation where rinsing the sponge every 3-4 hours is difficult, or if my flow is very heavy.
>
>If you take proper care of your sponges, each one should last you about six months.
>
>Also, the link I provided was for a brand name of sea sponge tampons-- these are nice because they are already the right size, and they come with a carrying bag, but you can always buy a large sea sponge and cut it up yourself to save money! Just make sure it is a natural sea sponge.
>
>I hope this information is useful to some of you out there!
>
>EDIT: Here is a cheaper option for the frugal-minded! I haven't used these ones personally, but some of the reviews indicate that they work well as tampons. I liked having the Jade & Pearl set for my first time, because it comes with instructions/tips and a carry bag, but if you don't care about that, save yourself some money!

https://www.amazon.com/Jade-Pearl-Sponge-Tampon-SP-RM/dp/B000VV27OU

Try sea sponge tampons(which are reusable) or soft tampons (which are a type of sponge anyway) if you can find some. (Depending on where you live, you can get sea sponge tampons on amazon)

They don't have to go up near your cervix like the softcut does, and they can be cut smaller so you don't need to find that 'invisible sweet spot' that is required for comfortable tampon use.

It's not as fun as pads, but if you are enjoying the pool party you wont notice you have one in.

I have vulvodynia and hypertonic pelvic floor (which is very similar to vaginismus, except it effects the urethra and anus too) and I use sponge tampons when I need to be swimming or whatever.

Keep in mind what others have said about physical therapy, even though you can't access it now, start looking up professionals in your area that do it, good ones can be hard to find. If you are really struggling you can start off at home, If you are in the US vaginismus.com sells a 'self care kit' they may be of use. I personally preffer the Femmax kit But it doesn't come with the books and DVD's which you will need if you don't have a physiotherapist helping you out.