Hooray, today we're celebrating HERA Organics' fourth birthday. What started in 2021 with a simple idea actually originated from a very personal experience of mine.

I stumbled upon the menstrual sponge rather by chance in 2017. I quickly realized that this natural product, sometimes called the "original tampon," could do much more than most women knew.

I wanted to share exactly this discovery. My idea was to make a natural period product more modern, understandable, and accessible so that more women could benefit from it.

 

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4 Years of HERA Organics in Numbers

• HERA Organics founded on April 1, 2021
• Over 20,000 satisfied customers
• One natural product in focus: the menstrual sponge
• Approximately 50 billion period products end up in landfills in Europe every year
• A woman uses about 16,000 disposable products in her lifetime
• Reusable and compostable: The menstrual sponge breaks the cycle of disposable products

 

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How years of discomfort led me to question my cycle

For many years, hormonal contraception was a normal part of my daily life. I took the pill for about ten years and also tried the contraceptive ring.

However, over time, I experienced increasingly severe symptoms. I regularly woke up at night drenched in sweat, had nausea and tremors. The symptoms kept recurring. For a long time, I couldn't find a clear explanation for them.

I sought advice from various doctors. But no one could identify a clear cause.

Eventually, I made a decision. I stopped using hormonal contraceptives.

Shortly thereafter, the symptoms completely disappeared.

Only at that moment did I realize how strongly hormonal contraception can interfere with the natural cycle. At the same time, my body needed time to find its own rhythm again. It took about a year for my cycle to stabilize.

During this time, I began to delve more deeply into my cycle and period products.

 

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Why I started to question period products more closely

While my body slowly re-adjusted, I also took a closer look at my period products. Some things had actually been bothering me for a long time.

Tampons often felt uncomfortable and drying for me. Sometimes I leaked. Sometimes wearing them just didn't feel right. When swimming, the visible retrieval string also bothered me.

And then there was the waste. Buying new products every month, used tampons and pads in the bathroom trash, and that typical smell. At some point, I asked myself if this really had to be the case every month.

When I started to inform myself more closely about period products and read their package inserts, I was not only surprised but quite shocked, as there was no mention of the ingredients. Upon further research, I found out that manufacturers have no declaration obligation. This means they don't have to state what materials are contained in their products. That's why, to this day, the package inserts of major brands often don't clearly state the ingredients. At the same time, many tampons and pads are not just made of cotton, as many believe, but often contain cheap plastic. And not just in the packaging, but in the product itself. Sometimes fragrances, bleaches, or plasticizers are also used. These products are used every month for many years in one of the most sensitive areas of the body.

I also took a closer look at the topic of cotton itself:

 

Even in agriculture, the effort is high. Conventional cotton has a very high pesticide use and is one of the most chemically intensive plants worldwide.

It was clear to me that I no longer wanted to simply accept this. So I actively started looking for an alternative.

 

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A small discovery with a big impact: the menstrual sponge

In my search, I came across the menstrual sponge. A product that was completely unknown to me until then.

Until then, I only knew soft tampons. At first glance, the concept seemed similar. However, upon closer inspection, it quickly became clear: soft tampons are made of synthetic materials, are intended for single use, are comparatively expensive, and generate a lot of waste. The menstrual sponge, on the other hand, is a naturally grown product.

I then tried the menstrual sponge myself and was immediately thrilled. It just felt right, and many of the problems I had before were solved quite naturally with it.

But what really surprised me was that no one I knew was familiar with the sponge. All my friends to whom I told about the sponge had never heard of it. That made me think. How can such a great product be so unknown?

 

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Conversations while traveling and a realization

The more often I used the menstrual sponge, the more often I talked about it with other women. With friends, acquaintances, and also while traveling.

The same pattern emerged repeatedly. Many women had similar problems with traditional period products. At the same time, hardly anyone knew about the menstrual sponge.

Some of my friends tried it on my recommendation and were surprised at how well it could work in everyday life.

It became increasingly clear to me what potential this natural product had. Nevertheless, hardly anyone knew about it.

 

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Jumping into the deep end: the first steps to HERA Organics

Eventually, this realization turned into an idea. The idea for HERA came about at the end of 2020.

Together with a friend, I started to consider whether the menstrual sponge could be made more modern and accessible. We had no startup experience. There were also hardly any female founders in our immediate environment. So we decided to just jump in at the deep end. 

But behind it was a longer process. We researched a lot, experimented, and questioned things repeatedly. The search for the right manufacturer, in particular, took time.

Through personal contacts, we finally came to Greece. We traveled there, met various producers, and got an idea of the situation on site. In the end, we deliberately chose a family business that sustainably and hand-harvests the natural sponges. It was important to us to know the origin precisely and to work with people who share our values.

The name also came from this time. HERA, named after the Greek goddess. We chose this name because for us, HERA stands for strength, femininity, and a new perspective on one's own period. 

Our idea behind it still stands today: Bleed like a goddess.

At the same time, we started to gather initial feedback. And the feedback honestly surprised us. Many women were immediately curious or enthusiastic. At the same time, very specific questions arose: How does changing work on the go? How do you clean the sponge correctly? What do you need to get started?

Precisely these questions led to the creation of our products. Step by step, we not only made the sponge itself more accessible but also everything around it. That's how the starter set ultimately came into being. A simple, well-thought-out entry for anyone who wants to try something new.

Step by step, an idea became a real product.

 

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The launch of HERA on April 1, 2021

After many discussions, ideas, and preparations, the time had finally come. On April 1, 2021, HERA Organics officially launched.

In 2023, another big step followed with participation in "Die Höhle der Löwen" (Shark Tank), which generated even more attention for the topic.

Thus, a personal experience gradually turned into a brand that inspires more and more women for the menstrual sponge.

 

Click here to visit our HERA online shop

 

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Why I want to break the cycle of disposable products

Another driving force behind HERA Organics for me was the enormous waste problem associated with traditional period products.

In Europe alone, around 50 billion tampons, pads, and panty liners end up in landfill every year. On average, a woman uses about 16,000 disposable products during her lifetime.

This is not just about waste, but also about resources. Many of these products consume large amounts of water and energy during production.

For me, therefore, a simple question arose: Can't it be done differently?

The menstrual sponge shows that there are alternatives. As a natural product, it can be used for a longer period and generates significantly less waste than traditional disposable products. In the end, it can even be composted and returned to the natural cycle.

That's precisely what HERA Organics is about for me. Making natural period products more accessible and offering women an alternative to traditional disposable products.

 

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Looking Ahead

Four years after its founding, one thing is clear to me: the journey of HERA Organics has only just begun.

In recent years, thousands of women have placed their trust in us. Over 20,000 customers already use the menstrual sponge and share their experiences with us. Many report feeling freer, more independent, and more comfortable during their period. This shows me that we are on the right track.

We are also increasingly receiving attention from external sources. Media, gynecologists, and experts are talking about HERA Organics and the menstrual sponge as a sensible alternative to traditional disposable products. Even the investors from "Die Höhle der Löwen" (Shark Tank) recognized the potential behind the concept.

And yet, we are only at the beginning. We are working on new products and in the future, I want to reach even more women and educate them about natural period products.

Our mission is clear: every woman should have the opportunity to learn about the menstrual sponge.

Because for me, HERA Organics is more than just a product. It's about a new body feeling, more freedom in everyday life, and a self-determined approach to one's own period.

And that's exactly what I want to continue working on in the coming years.

FAQs

What is a menstrual sponge?

A menstrual sponge is a natural sea sponge used as an alternative to tampons during menstruation. It is inserted similarly to a tampon, adapts to the body, and can be reused multiple times.

How does a menstrual sponge work?

The menstrual sponge is lightly moistened, squeezed, and inserted into the vagina. There it absorbs menstrual blood. To change it, it is removed, rinsed, and reinserted alternately with a fresh menstrual sponge.

How long can you wear a menstrual sponge?

A menstrual sponge can be worn for about 6 to 8 hours, depending on the heaviness of the period. Afterwards, it should be removed, rinsed, and reinserted or replaced with a fresh sponge.

Can you swim or exercise with a menstrual sponge?

Yes. Many women find the menstrual sponge comfortable, especially during sports or swimming, because it is soft and adapts well to the body.

Is a menstrual sponge more absorbent than a tampon?

Menstrual sponges can be very absorbent and adapt flexibly to the body. As a result, many women find them reliable even with heavier periods.

How long can a menstrual sponge be used?

With good care, a menstrual sponge can be used for several months before it needs to be replaced with a new one.

How do you clean a menstrual sponge?

Before and after your period, the menstrual sponge can be thoroughly cleaned with HERA Organics cleaning tablets. During your period, it is sufficient to rinse the sponge with clear water. Afterwards, it can be reinserted alternately with a fresh menstrual sponge.

Is a menstrual sponge hygienic?

Yes. If the menstrual sponge is rinsed regularly and thoroughly cleaned after your period, it is a hygienic alternative to traditional period products.

Is the menstrual sponge sustainable?

The menstrual sponge is a natural product that can be used for a longer period. At the end of its use, it can even be composted, which generates significantly less waste than traditional disposable products.