Endometriosis and severe pain: Why Lea switched to the menstrual sponge
Severe pain. Three days a month out of commission. And yet, for a long time, the feeling that this is normal.
Lea was 22 when she was diagnosed with endometriosis. Today she says: In addition to the diagnosis itself, a change in her period routine also made a big difference for her.
Lea wrote to us and told us about her endometriosis and how the menstrual sponge feels to her. Her story touched us deeply.
We found her insights so valuable that we asked if we could share her experiences. Perhaps this account will help you if you are living with endometriosis. Perhaps it will encourage you to try new approaches.
Facts for those in a hurry
• Diagnosed at age 22 after years of severe pain
• Tampons and menstrual cups increase the feeling of pressure
• A soft sponge without a vacuum felt more comfortable.
• As a result, Lea experienced less pressure and discomfort
• Washing out became a conscious body routine
• A better understanding of the body changes how we deal with symptoms.
How was the endometriosis diagnosed?
For many years, Lea suffered from severe pain during her period. Despite this, she long assumed it was "just part of it." It wasn't until she was 22 that she decided to actively seek answers.
“I went to an endometriosis center at my own request,” she says. After a corresponding examination, she received the diagnosis in 2022.
The diagnosis wasn't a shock. More like an explanation.
Finally, what she experienced every month had a name.
Many people with endometriosis report similar experiences. Pain becomes normalized. And it often takes years to get a diagnosis.
What did her period feel like before her endometriosis diagnosis?
Even as a young woman, Lea experienced severe pain during her period. "I was often unable to work for three or more days a month," she says. The pain was simply a part of her life, and she considered it "normal."
Looking back, she says she didn't question her symptoms for a long time. Periods were simply something you had to endure. Added to that was a feeling of shame. Menstruation wasn't something people talked about openly.
It was only much later that she realized: Severe, debilitating pain is not a condition one simply has to accept.
When are period pains no longer normal?
If pain, like Lea's pain did, regularly restricts your daily life, painkillers offer little relief, or you are unable to work for several days, you should have your symptoms checked by a doctor. Severe pain is not something you simply have to accept.
The following symptoms should also be taken seriously:
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very heavy or unusually long bleeding
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foul-smelling discharge
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Pain during bowel movements or sex
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severe back pain
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Nausea or circulatory problems
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Pain that radiates into the legs or back
In such cases, endometriosis or another physical cause may be present. The sooner you have it checked out, the better you can receive targeted support.
Tip: Keep a menstrual cycle diary. Note when you experience which symptoms, how severe they are, and how you feel. This will help not only you but also your doctor.
Why can tampons and menstrual cups be difficult to use with endometriosis?
During her period, Lea initially used tampons without hesitation. They were discreet, easy to change, and convenient for everyday life. "I found them to be okay and practical," she says.
She didn't like sanitary pads, though. She found them uncomfortable to wear and smelled unpleasant.
Later, she tried a menstrual cup. But she clearly noticed that something didn't feel right. "I experienced more intense pain, this vacuum sensation, and a strong feeling of having a foreign object inside."
Especially with endometriosis, additional pressure in the pelvic area can be perceived as unpleasant. For Lea, it was clear: she wanted an alternative that was softer and didn't create a vacuum.
How did the menstrual sponge come into play?
After her experience with the menstrual cup, Lea looked for a gentler alternative. The menstrual cup had caused her pressure, and she didn't want that feeling anymore. So she started looking for another option.
When she came across menstrual sponges, she was curious. "The soft material immediately appealed to me," she says. The idea of using something natural felt right to her.
Sustainability also played a role. Less waste. More conscious treatment of one's own body.
It wasn't a big decision. More like a quiet feeling of: This could work.
👉 Click here to go to the HERA online shop for menstrual sponges.
What felt new when you first tried the sponge?
Lea explains that washing the clothes was new to her at first. "It took some getting used to," she says. However, over time she got used to it really well.
Instead of finding it unpleasant, she began to perceive her period more consciously. Amount, color, consistency. Things that had previously happened more or less incidentally.
For her, this was a step towards a more natural way of dealing with her body.
Perhaps that's precisely the important point: menstrual blood isn't disgusting. It's a natural part of the body. If society's view of it changes, then how we deal with it can also become much more conscious and natural.
How can the menstrual sponge help with endometriosis?
For Lea, the biggest difference lies in how it feels to wear. The sponge doesn't exert any firm pressure and doesn't create a vacuum. She had found this particularly bothersome with the menstrual cup.
"Since I started using the sponge, I feel better much faster after my period," she says. She doesn't describe it as a miracle, but rather as a noticeable improvement in her daily life.
What's important to her is that the sponge doesn't treat endometriosis. But for her, this form of support during her period feels gentler and she feels better overall.
Tip: Many women find menstrual sponges particularly gentle. They adapt to the body without pinching or drying out – an advantage if you don't feel well or experience pain during your period.
How does the menstrual sponge feel compared to other products?
For Lea, the sponge feels more natural and discreet than tampons or a menstrual cup. Compared to before, Lea describes the feel as significantly softer. No rigid material. No pressure. No noticeable vacuum.
"It feels much more natural," she says. So much so that she almost forgets about her period in her everyday life.
Especially in cases of endometriosis, when the body is already sensitive, this reduced feeling of a foreign body can make a difference.
How has switching to a menstrual sponge affected her body and cycle?
The change led Lea to engage more intensively with her menstrual cycle. She learned to perceive her body more consciously.
Lea says that not everything changed solely because of the sponge. But it was an important impetus.
She began to pay closer attention. When does her period start? How does her body change throughout her cycle? Which days are particularly sensitive?
Preparation also played a role. Instead of buying tampons in an emergency, she knew: My period is coming soon. I'll take my sponges with me. This conscious planning brought her closer to her own rhythm.
"It showed me that pain can lessen," she says. And that it's worthwhile to engage with your own body.
What advice would she give to other women with endometriosis?
Lea advises those affected to remain open-minded and try new things. Menstrual sponges can be a gentle alternative for those with pressure sensitivity or sensitive mucous membranes.
“I would say: Give it a try,” she says. Especially if tampons or the menstrual cup feel uncomfortable, the sponge can offer a different experience.
And that is precisely the crucial point for Lea: coming to terms with her own illness.
Endometriosis is complex. No one is to blame for it. And no one "causes" it through wrong behavior. She emphasizes this explicitly.
However, what she has learned is that when you begin to better understand your own body, to observe and take your own patterns seriously, the way you deal with the symptoms changes.
For them, this didn't mean foregoing medical care. Rather, it meant paying attention to their own needs in addition to it. What feels good to me? What worsens my symptoms? What feels right?
Conventional methods can be important and necessary. At the same time, for some sufferers, simply suppressing symptoms is not enough. Taking one's own bodily sensations seriously can be an additional step.
For Lea, this was the turning point: not to work against her body, but with it, and the menstrual sponge helped her with that.
FAQs
Can a menstrual sponge cure endometriosis?
No. A menstrual sponge is not a medical treatment and does not replace medical care. However, it can be a more comfortable alternative to tampons or menstrual cups for those affected.
Is the menstrual sponge safe for people with endometriosis?
Generally, yes, if it is used correctly and cleaned regularly. It is important to pay attention to hygiene and consult a gynecologist if you have any concerns.
Can the sponge reduce pain?
It does not treat endometriosis. However, some users report that the softer material and the lack of vacuum cause them less pressure.
Can the sponge get lost in the body?
No. The vagina is anatomically limited. The sponge cannot "disappear" into the body. It can be easily removed with a retrieval string or two fingers.
Who is the menstrual sponge particularly suitable for?
Especially for women who find rigid products or vacuums uncomfortable. It can also be an alternative for those with sensitive mucous membranes or pressure sensitivity.
How long does a menstrual sponge last?
With proper care, a sponge will last you 4 to 6 months. After that, it can be composted or disposed of in the organic waste bin.
How do I find the right menstrual product if I have pain?
Choose a product that is soft, flexible, and comfortable to wear – especially if your stomach is sensitive. Many find menstrual sponges comfortable because they adapt to the body and are barely noticeable.
