How does a menstrual sponge work?

Every year, each woman produces around 1-6 kilograms of waste during her period. And that's not all. 90% of all conventional menstrual products contain plastic and can therefore take up to 800 years to decompose!

Wait..WHAT?

But there is another solution: menstrual sponges.

Menstrual sponges are a natural and sustainable alternative to conventional menstrual products such as tampons, sanitary pads, menstrual cups and period underwear. But how exactly do the original tampons of all tampons work and what advantages do they offer? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about menstrual sponges.

For those in a hurry: The advantages of menstrual sponges at a glance

1. Menstrual sponges are purely natural and therefore zero waste products
2. One Hera-Organics sponge replaces up to 250 disposable products per year
3. The sponge adapts to the body and can be cut to the desired size
4. One sponge can absorb the liquid from up to 3 tampons
5. The menstrual sponge protects you 100% even during sports and is also completely invisible
6. Sexual intercourse despite period - no longer taboo thanks to menstrual sponge
7. Our menstrual sponges can be safely stored and changed on the go in the To-Go Case.
8. Fast & safe removal thanks to the reusable retrieval thread made of medical silicone

Menstrual sponge: What is it actually?

Menstrual sponges are natural, multicellular organisms from the sea. They consist of fine, water-permeable pores and there are over 10,000 species worldwide. These sponges have no brain, no nerve cells, no organs and no muscles. They are among the most primitive organisms on our planet and have existed for hundreds of millions of years. The natural sponges are used in many areas, from hygiene to medicine, thanks to their antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties.

Since ancient times, they have also served as a natural and sustainable menstrual hygiene product.

Hera Organics sponges are harvested by hand directly from the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, at a depth of 50-100m. We let nature work for us by only removing a portion of the sponge. This allows the sponges to regenerate themselves within a few months and have time to grow during the winter break. The cool thing? Our sustainable harvesting method ensures that the sponges come back even healthier and stronger, and all this in strictly controlled waters.

How does a menstrual sponge work?

A menstrual sponge consists of countless small pores that can not only absorb fluid but also store it. The Levantine sponges, which thrive on the Levantine coast, have particularly fine pores that can absorb a considerable amount of fluid.

Did you know that a woman loses an average of 60 ml of blood during her period? A single menstrual sponge can absorb up to 35 ml of this at a time. The pore structure ensures that the fluid is safely contained without you having to worry about leakage.

A size L sponge, as included in the Hera Organics starter set, can absorb as much liquid as about three regular tampons.

Unlike conventional products that contain artificial substances such as sodium polyacrylate, menstrual sponges are 100% natural and do not harm the environment.

Good to know: Superabsorbents such as sodium polyacrylate are effective in absorbing fluids, but have sustainability issues due to their non-renewable raw materials and lack of biodegradability. While they are not considered microplastics because they are larger particles, they persist in the environment and contribute to plastic pollution, and the widespread use of conventional superabsorbents currently poses a major environmental burden.

 

This is how you use the menstrual sponge correctly!

Preparation and cleaning

Before you use your menstrual sponge for the first time, it is important to clean it thoroughly. Our AthenaPure cleaning tabs offer a simple and effective way to do this:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Place the menstrual sponges in a container with 500 ml of warm water and add an AthenaPure cleansing tablet.
3. Let the sponges soak for at least 20 minutes.
4. Rinse the sponges first with cold water and then with lukewarm water.
5. Squeeze them well – now they are ready for use!

Repeat this process before and after your period. During your period, cleaning with tap water is sufficient. PS: You can also use the cleaning tabs during your period if you feel more comfortable doing so. However, it is not a must.

Changing and storing on the go

If you are on the go and have no way to clean the sponge immediately, we recommend our practical To-Go Case. These will make your life easier during your period:

1. Place a freshly cleaned sponge in your case.
2. Before going to the toilet, moisten a fresh sponge at the sink. Once in the toilet, remove the used sponge and place it in the case. Then insert the moistened sponge.
3. Store the used sponge safely in the case.
4. Clean the used sponge thoroughly at home.

The case is odorless, lockable and foldable to 2 cm so that it fits in any handbag.

 

Can you reuse period sponges?

Menstrual sponges are reusable for at least three cycles, which is what we recommend as a guideline. However, how long they actually last depends on the heaviness of your flow and the number of sponges used per month. With careful care, they can last longer, but should not be used for more than a year. After their useful life, they can be disposed of in organic waste, where they will decompose naturally, meaning 0% waste.

Conclusion: Menstrual sponges are little miracle sponges

Menstrual sponges offer a natural, sustainable and comfortable alternative to traditional menstrual products.

 

With the menstrual sponge you can not only make a valuable contribution to the environment, but also do something good for your body.

 

Are you open to trying an alternative to tampons etc.?

Then you can easily get used to our menstrual sponges with our HERA organics starter set .