Description
The Menstrual Sponges (also called “Sea Sponge Tampons” or “Period Sponge”) is a natural, renewable resource that’s been used in personal care for ages. It can be used as a natural menstrual tampon to keep your natural moisture and stay away from chemicals.
Small: size approx. 5 cm. Suitable for medium menstrual blood flow
Medium: size approx. 6 cm. Suitable for medium menstrual blood flow.
Large: size approx. 7 cm. Suitable for stronger menstrual blood flow.
Please Note: Levant sponges are natural sponges and thus may vary slightly in form and size.
How to use the Levant sponges
Levant sponges are a natural product. In contrast to tampons, it will neither dry up the vagina nor injure the mucosa, when used. Maybe you know the feeling, when the application of the tampon becomes harder and more painful in the last days of menstruation, because the tampon absorbs all of the natural vaginal fluids. Prior first usage you can soak the menstrual sponge in vinegar and water, to neutralise the pH. Every following time the sponge is used, it just needs to be moistenised with water, drained and inserted in the vagina with two clean fingers. It can be pushed upwards towards the cervix with the middle finger, just as a tampon would be inserted. The Levant sponges’ form will adapt to the vagina. If you feel the sponge is too big, you may cut it in shape as you please. But please do so only after you tried the sponge and realised how small it will become, when it is moist and squeezed.
Levant sponges can easily be inserted and extracted using two clean fingers. Tip: If you contract the pelvic floor musculature as if urinating, the sponge will be pressed outwards a bit and extraction will be easier. Please be assured that the sponge cannot just vanish. The only opening is the cervix, no wider than a few millimeters. When the menstrual sponge is completely soaked, please rinse under cold running water, so the blood will not clot. Rests of mucus that keep sticking to the sponge will be removed more easily with warm water. The mucus is transparent and consists of the uterine mucosa that is shed during menstruation and will be renewed in the new starting cycle.
How often the menstrual sponge must be drained and washed depends on the intensity of the menstruation. ¾ of the whole menstrual blood will be lost in the first 48 h of menstruation. Therefore, during the first two days it may be necessary to wash the sponge after 2-3 hours already. When the blood flow subsides, the sponge may stay inside for 4-6 hours before washing. The changing rate is similar to a regular tampon. Before re-insertion the sponge can be soaked in warm water – some women prefer soaking in warm water before draining, because the sponge will be comfortably warm.
How to clean the Levant sponges
Please let the sponge soak in a 1:2 solution of vinegar and water for a few hours every now and then, e.g. over night. Alternatively, a solution of 1/4 cup of H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) and 1/4 cup of water can be used, which will also bleach the sponge, if it has been darkened by use.
A few drops of tea tree oil in 1 cup of water will also do the job. Tea tree oil is very effective against bacteria and inhibits growth of up to 60 bacteria strains . It will also kill all odours that the sponge may have adopted.
After cleaning, the sponge should be left to air dry, so please do not leave it in a humid bathroom, where it may become infested with bacteria. The Levant sponges are best kept in a cotton sac, like a washcloth, washing glove or a clean sock. Never boil the natural sponge, it will loose its softness and shrink in size.
IMPORTANT: If you suffer from vaginal infection, please refrain from using the sponge and use an all new menstrual sponge after successful treatment of the infection.