September’s Monthly Friend is Cathy L., the author of
Greenblooded: An Introduction to Eco-Friendly Feminine Hygiene.
Pick up your copy in the Books & Zines section of GladRags.com!

Name: Cathy Leamy
Age: 32
Hometown: Boston, MA
Current location: Boston, MA
Occupation: Web developer and cartoonist

Interests: Comic books, travel, dancing
Dreams: Still under construction! Mainly I’d like to live in balance and still squeeze as much as possible out of every hour of the day.

How long have you used reusable menstrual products? About 12 years

Reason for making the switch to reusables: I first tried cloth pads when I was on a frugal kick and found recommendations on pennypinching websites. Once I got into the swing of using them, I learned more about their health and environmental benefits - that’s when I became more committed to them and to spreading the word among friends.

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share: After using cloth pads for so long, it’s neat for me to take a step back and see the routines I’ve developed that I don’t even think about anymore - wearing just a holder as a pantyliner for the few days before my period starts, stocking up my backpack with pads for the day (”long day ahead - better grab a few squishies!”), the soaking, doing laundry, and stacking the clean holders and pads tidily in their box when that week is finished.

August’s Monthly Friend is Eve Agee, author of The Uterine Health Companion.
Read our review of her book and enter to win a free copy here!

Name:  Eve Agee
Age: 42
Hometown: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Current Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Occupation: Author of The Uterine Health Companion, Life Coach, and Medical Anthropologist

Interests: Yoga, traveling, cooking, and spending time with my son, husband and friends.
Dreams:  For us to create a beautiful future for the entire planet–for all humans, animals and the Earth.

How long have you used reusable menstrual products: About nine years.
Reason for making the switch to reusables: I started using GladRags because they are good for the environment and wonderful for my health.  They feel good on my skin and help me achieve my goal of eliminating as much single use plastic as possible from my life.  When I switched to GladRags, I had been researching menstruation in other cultures and was so delighted to find GladRags which offer healthy, more traditional ways of honoring the menstrual process.

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share:   Menstruation is a beautiful, natural part of our health, that helps us connect to our creativity, power and vision.  I’m so grateful to GladRags for providing women with reusable products that celebrate our uterine processes.  We as women have tremendous power to choose products that will help improve our world and nourish our bodies.  Using GladRags is a fantastic way to do just that.

Hannah is one of two interns who will be joining the GladRags Team for the summer.  We’re super excited to have her on board! 

Name: Hannah Forman
Age: 20
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Current location: Portland, Oregon
Occupation: GladRags Intern! almost college graduate, life-long student

Interests: Nutrition, Yoga, German, French, Feminism, French feminism, Performance Arts, Traveling, Photo Taking, Bicycling and the Sun.

How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: Haven’t started yet but I am looking forward to it!
Reason for making the switch to reusables: Well, GladRags makes a pretty clever case for it - I’m concerned about the well-being of the earth, especially in this near-apocalyptic age (2012). I’m also concerned about the well-being of my body and would like to remain toxin free as much as possible.

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share: I used to  try to hide the fact that I was on my period at all costs. (similar to June friend) Now, I think that’s a misuse of time that could be spent not only feeling great instead of feeling ashamed, but also talking openly about what alternatives are out there to support us.

Alyssa is one of two interns who will be joining the GladRags Team for the summer.  We’re super excited to have her on board! 

Name: Alyssa Beers
Age: 23
Hometown:Monroe, Connecticut
Current location: Portland, Oregon
Occupation: Crazy/Sexy/Cool GladRags Intern for the summer! Artist, Musician, Wall Ball Enthusiast, College Graduate (anyone want to give me a job?)

Interests: Drawing, collage, bicycling, playing wall ball, free boxes, diy projects, braiding hair, the many colors of wood, novice gardening.
Dreams: Going on a bike tour (it’s happening in July!) & to stop biting my nails (might never happen).

How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: 3 years
Reason for making the switch to reusables: My friend Mary said she had to go put in her “blood cup”- I had no idea what that meant so when I asked the answer was “Oh a safe, reusable cup that holds your period blood” I said “I HAVE TO HAVE THAT”. I’d like to say I’m “environmentally conscious” and was surprised to learn there were such amazing products — some from right here in Portland! — that I had yet to even hear about.

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share: The first time I used my Keeper I totally poured blood all down my arm. In a public restroom. People thought I’d come out of the stall having murdered a small animal or something. I’m totally vocal about all bodily issues after spending many of my formative years afraid to so much as fart in a room with my friends. I’ve come a long way to now being comfortable not only talking about how awesome it is to use menstrual products that won’t harm me or my environment, but comfortable enough with my body to use ‘em in the first place. Really, all you need is that first time of being like, yep, that’s my menstrual blood on my arm, and then you’re set for life.

May Monthly Friend: Sarah Fauber

Name: Sarah Fauber
Age: 31
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Current location: Louisville, Kentucky
Occupation: Self-proclaimed Jane of all Trades: nutrition and supplement specialist, childcare and pet-care provider, jewelry designer, soon-to-be self-published cookbook author, and seamstress.

Interests: Bicycling, party and small event coordinating and participating, VH1 “reality” TV shows, cooking and food research, reading.
Dreams: I have always wanted to own my own shop. It would be a place that could incorporate all the things I love to make and do and share with people. GladRags would definitely be available at my store.

How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: 8 years
Reason for making the switch to reusables: I made the switch after 3 years of hesitation. Primarily I was looking for an alternative to tampons that would alleviate vaginal dryness, be cost-effective, and not contribute to waste in the environment. It took a couple of months to get used to The Keeper menstrual cup but then I was so happy with it I bought one for a friend and she’s been using it for the last 7 years. I am continually enthusiastic about other benefits such as the reduced risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, not having to remove my menstrual cup when I urinate, never having to worry about packing tampons with me because when I need it my menstrual cup is already on my person. And I love reusable pads as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to my menstrual cup or just as added protection. I’m always informing women I know or meet about reusables.

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share: For years I’ve had bouts of Menorrhagia, excessive menstrual bleeding. Sometimes my periods would be so heavy I would have to use two super-plus tampons and an overnight pad just to make it 3 hours. Occasionally my periods would last for over a month. The first time I was diagnosed with Menorrhagia I had never heard of a menstrual cup but wished something like it existed. The third and last bought of menorrhagia occured about 7 years ago and having my menstrual cup made going through it so much easier. During this time I finally correlated weight gain and consumption of hormone enhanced dairy with my bouts of Menorrhagia. After weight loss and a switch to organic, r-BGH free dairy it has never returned. It would be an amazing opportunity for women to be consulted about menstrual alternatives at their gynecological check-ups. And I’ve often wondered what possibilities would occur if GladRags menstrual alternatives could be a part of sexual education for young women. Here’s a funny little anecdote about a time at work when I was informing a female co-worker about menstrual cups she exclaimed “that sounds right up my alley,” and I replied “literally.”

April Monthly Friend: Viki Carter

Name: Viki Carter
Age: 38
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Current location: Denver, Colorado
Occupation: Hospice Social Worker

Interests: Spending time with my two amazing daughters, my husband, and our Boston Terriers; knitting, reading, music and art.
Dreams: Honestly, I am living my dreams - I love my job, my family, and my life in general!

How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: About seven years now.
Reason for making the switch to reusables: When my youngest daughter was born, we were firmly committed to cloth diapering, both for the environment and for her health. When my period started back up after her birth, I was having a great deal of discomfort and irritation from tampons/disposable pads. I thought; “Wait a minute - I am already cloth diapering - how is this different?!” I ordered some GladRags online, and have never looked back!

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share: I am so grateful that using reusable menstrual products has almost “forced” me to be really open with my daughters about this. We talk very openly about Mommy’s period and what it is and what it means. My oldest is showing all the signs of impending puberty, and she wants to use cloth pads when the time comes. Nothing will make me prouder than ordering her her very own set!

March Monthly Friend: Mary

Name: Mary
Age: 26
Hometown: Laramie, WY
Current location: Laramie, WY
Occupation: University Staff

Interests: Dogs, cooking, coffee, travel…
Dreams: To be a great mom (in 12 weeks when my baby is due!)

How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: 1 year
Reason for making the switch to reusables: I always found regular pads to be so uncomfortable, sticky, and frankly made me yeast-prone no matter how often they were changed. I know a lot of people are worried about the environment, and I care about that too of course, but the bottom line for me was comfort. I picked up GladRags at my local organic co-op and loved them! I have since switched over completely.

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share: So I noted above that I am 28 weeks pregnant. You might think, why does she even need GladRags??? Well let me tell you… it wasn’t too long into the pregnancy that I began to realize that when you are pregnant, everything drips like a faucet. I was at the library a few months ago in an elevator, trying to crane around to look past my belly to see what was on my pants when my boobs started leaking milk too. I may not be having my period, but if I don’t wear a liner every day it looks like I peed my (stretchy) pants! No fun at all. This is the adventure that is motherhood, I suppose. Since I had used GladRags my last few periods before I conceived, they were the natural choice for protection with the increased discharge and I am so grateful! Not only do I leak but I sweat too and I think I might die of heat rash if I had to wear sticky plastic every day. Yuck. Not only have cloth pads been good for me, they have been good for my baby too. I’ve been inspired to stock up on reusable breast pads and cloth diapers! These more natural options just feel right, and that’s important when I’m making choices for the little girl I love the most.

February Monthly Friend: Teresa M. Stillwell

Name: Teresa M. Stillwell
Age: 37
Hometown: Conover, NC
Current Location: Conover, NC
Occupation: Help Desk Analyst for IT dept at a busy local Hospital

Interests: Nature, saving the environment, green living, photography, and reading. I also love to spend time with my cat baby, Gus, and my husband, Chad.
Dreams: To one day own my own company or be able to work for myself in some self-sustaining way.

How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: I have used reusable menstrual products now for 3 years, and I wish I had tried them 23 years ago (of course they weren’t marketed then). I had wanted to try them for years, but every time I mentioned to any friend or family, they would say: you can’t be serious - reusable menstrual products you have to wash - no thanks! I’ve suffered for years from irritation, infections, rashes, and discomfort and dread every month. Now since I’ve discovered GladRags, I almost look forward to my monthly friend. I’ve never felt so comforted and comfortable and not worried in my life regarding my menstrual cycle. For years I’ve worried about leakage, TSS, and other side effects of plastic and chemically altered products that aren’t meant to go in or on your body. Before my cycle was so heavy, and now since I’ve stopped using tampons and plastic pads, not only am I more comfortable, but my periods last about 1/3 as long as they did before and they are not as heavy. My cramps I’ve suffered with since I was 13 have also greatly diminished. I am in awe! I will forever be a GlaRags customer, until I go through menopause, and then will still be grasping my pantiliners till the end :-). I have told all my friends and family and coworkers about reusable menstrual products. I have even brought new boxes and packs for them to look at and have given some as gifts to get them interested in buying. I love the products and I know if every woman would try them, the disposable feminine product business would go broke! I’m on a crusade to save the private parts of all the females I know from the injustice of rayon, polyester, and plastic, as well as a list of chemicals.

A day with out a GladRag, is a sad day indeed!!!

GladRags are your friends
Up until the menstrual end
No more rash on those private parts
No more worries about those chemical darts
No leaks to ever cross your mind
As long as GladRags are on your behind!

January Monthly Friend: Jamie

 Name: Jamie
Age: 22
Hometown: Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Current Location: Milford, DE
Occupation: Housewife, Bible teacher

Interests: I love wildlife, nature, BBC Dramas, Sherlock Holmes, classical movies, vintage style, and antiques.
Dreams: To live forever on a paradise earth.

How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: Almost a whole year.
Reason for making the switch to reusables: It saves money, is a million times more comfortable than disposable tampons or pads, and is a lot healthier for my body and the environment. My husband loves them too because he doesn’t have to run out last minute when I run out of my “supplies.”

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share: My husband is really cool and supported my use of reusable menstrual pads from the beginning. He is not like some other guys who are easily offended or grossed out by seeing menstrual products. He just accepts it as a normal part of life. He jokingly calls the nighttime pad “the elephant.” I believe that using reusables is much better for your body, and helps you nurture your body and have a more positive attitude.  Rather than hastily wrapping up a used tampon or pad and throwing it away in disgust, washing my GladRags, patiently hanging them up to dry, and neatly placing them back in their drawer, clean, soft and ready for my next cycle helps me feel more positive. I know that it’s healthier for my body and the planet. It almost feels “complete.”

December Monthly Friend: Dionne M. Frey

Name: Dionne M. Frey
Age: 36
Hometown: Denver, CO
Current location: Portland, OR
Occupation: Personal Assistant and Student Midwife

Interests: Midwifery, women’s health, reading, knitting, nature walks, herbs, alternative medicine and health.
Dreams: My dream is to be a midwife and help babies enter the world peacefully by empowering  women to choose how and where they give birth.  I want to change the world one birth at a time.

How long have you used reusable menstrual products?: I’ve used reusable menstrual products for 9 years and I love them!
Reason for making the switch to reusables: I was tired of ugly, itchy disposable pads and I felt disgusted when I thought of all the disposable products that I would use in a lifetime of menstruation piled up in a landfill.  I also thought that breathable menstrual products like GladRags would help stop me from having so many yeast infections and they really did help.  I really wish I had thought to search for reusable products sooner, not only because of the landfill thing, but because they are so much more comfortable and beautiful than disposable pads.

Funny anecdotes, deep thoughts, or anything else you’d like to share:  When I was a little girl my grandma told me that she got her period when she was 10 years old and that she and her sisters used to use old rags to catch their menstrual flow that they would wash and use again.  I thought it was kind of gross,  not because they washed them and used them over and over, but because they used scraps of old things that used to be used for something else.  I guess I always thought that  there should be something especially for menstruation. As soon as I turned 10, I thought, “OK, I’m old enough to get my period now!” and I was very excited, checking often and sometimes feeling disappointed when there was no red spot in my panties.  It didn’t come until I was 12, in gym class, and I had to go to the nurse’s office to get a pad. I felt so bummed out when I put on my first disposable pad thinking, “This is what I was so excited about?” The pad was thick and scratchy and I didn’t feel womanly wearing it at all.  The first time I put on a GladRag at the age of 27, I wished I could turn back time and put on a GladRag on that first day of my period and celebrate my menarche.  I also wished that my grandma was still alive to see that there really was something special to use just for menstruation, and it was not an ugly, itchy, disposable pad that had been created to clean it up, freshen it up or hide it from the world, but to be comfortable and help women feel good about their bodies.