Frequently Asked Questions About Sea Pearls^™

I have been using my sponge for about 3 days, and am noticing that it is slightly discolored. Is this normal? 
Sea Pearls™ are naturally bleached with hydrogen peroxide during the cleaning process. They may revert to their original, darker color after several uses. This is normal, but if it bothers you, they may be re-bleached in a solution of 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 water. This will also discourage any bacterial growth and unpleasant odors. 

How do I remove the sponge? It sounds like a great idea, but I want to make sure it goes in and out easily. Have there been any issues with this in the past? 
Sponges are very easy to remove. Simply feel for the perimeter of the sponge, grasp it and pull gently. You may sew a piece of cotton string or dental floss to the sponge if you wish , but it is not necessary. Your sponge will not get lost! Some women have reported that removing the sponge is easiest when sitting on the john because you are very relaxed. We have never experienced any problems with this, and we have been using and selling sponges since 1974. 

If I cannot fit the sponge in comfortably, can I trim it to a smaller size? 
You may certainly trim your sponge to a smaller size. However, do not cut the sponge in half, as Sea Pearls™ are in a specific shape. Rather, hold the sponge, and trim around the perimeter until you reach the desired size. You should not feel any pressure if your sponge is the proper fit. 

Should I sterilize my sponge after my flow has stopped? Should I boil it? How should I store it until my next cycle?
There are several ways to disinfect Sea Pearls™. You may soak them in any one of these mixtures below for about 15 minutes: 

1. A solution of ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide and ¼ cup of water. This will also re-bleach the sponge if it becomes discolored from use.

2. A solution of a few drops of Tea Tree Oil in a cup of warm water. Tea Tree oil is a very effective germicide and has been proven to inhibit up to 60 strains of bacteria, including S.Aureus. This will also eliminate any odor on your sponge. Soaking a sponge in the Tea Tree mixture we mention above then inserting it into the vagina is a great way to get rid of an active yeast infection. For some women it can be irritating so use discretion.

3. A solution of 1Tbsp. apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of warm water.

4. A solution of 1 Tbsp. baking soda in one cup of warm water.

5. A solution of 1 Tsp. Colloidal Silver to 1 cup of warm water. There is no pathogenic organism known that is not killed by Colloidal Silver in 6 minutes or less. Its use is also of benefit to women who suffer from recurrent candida (yeast) infections.

6. A solution of 1 tsp sea salt in one cup warm water.

Do not boil your sponges! Boiling makes the sponge denser and more absorbent, but it also shrinks and toughens the sponge, thus shortening its useful lifetime. Do not use harsh soap on your sponge. It leaves film that upsets the natural pH balance of your vagina.

After your cycle clean your sponges and let them air dry (preferably in natural sunlight). Store them in your cotton bag when not in use.

I was wondering if I can go swimming while using Sea Pearls™ tampons? What about menstrual blood in the lake? 
You may definitely use your sponge while swimming. The sponge will prevent any bacteria in the water from entering your vagina. We don't see any problem with your menstrual blood in the lake when you consider the millions of other organisms already in there. However, we would suggest that you use one of our disinfecting methods for your sponge after swimming in a lake or river. Have fun! 

What can I do if I am using a public restroom and don't feel comfortable rinsing out my sponge tampon? 
We suggest that you purchase 2 packs of Sea Pearls™, so you will have 3 extra sponges as a backup. Simply drop your used sponge into a Ziploc (we sell a special cotton mini sponge tote bag for this purpose), and rinse them when you return home. Caution: sponges that have been sitting in a Ziploc all day need to be well washed with a mild natural soap and disinfected by any of the methods described on our Website and in our brochure. 

How often do I need to replace Sea Pearls™ sponge tampons? 
Every woman is unique, emotionally, and physically, so sponges will deteriorate at different rates. Your sponges may last up to a year or more depending on how you handle, clean, and care for them. Having an extra set of sponges for back up is a good way to keep from being caught on your cycle without in case something unforeseeable happens. Some women have a set at home, in the car, and at work. When traveling out of the house it is a useful to have a zip lock bag or our sponge tote with a zip lock for when you use a public restroom or if you can’t rinse at work. That way you can store the un-rinsed sponge safely until you can clean it later in the comfort of your home. Many women put their used ones into their compost heaps or otherwise returning them to the earth. You can also boil your old sponges and use them for cosmetic or artistic purposes.

How long can I keep my sponge in? How will I know when it is full? Can I sleep with it in overnight? How much does it hold?
Sponges are soft and textured like your vaginal wall and very east to remove. You will become more familiar with your menstrual flow and learn how frequently you need to rinse your sponge with each cycle. Sponges have an absorbency of 6-9 grams of fluid. Much like a regular tampon. We recommend changing your sponge every 4-6 hours. You can also safely sleep with your sponges in overnight. They may leak when full, (as tampons do), so you may want to use them in combination with a thin panty liner or Lunapanties on your heaviest day. When a sponge is ready to be changed it will begin to work its way to the vaginal opening as it is saturated. Simply feel for the perimeter of your sponge with your fingers, grasp it, and pull out gently.

Is it okay to use 2 Sea Pearls™ tampons at once for heavy menses? 
It is perfectly alright to use 2 Sea Pearls™ at once as long as you are comfortable and remember to pull them both out to clean. 

Can I use Sea Pearls during intercourse? Will my partner notice the sponge? 
It is perfectly safe to use your Sea Pearls during intercourse as long as you rinse and clean your sponge thoroughly afterwards. A sponge may be higher in the vaginal cavity after intercourse, so if you can not reach your sponge do not be afraid. It is not lost and if you relax it will travel back down naturally. If this issue does arise we suggest relaxing your muscles, squatting, or sitting in a warm bath. Sponges are textured much like the vaginal wall, so if your partner does notice the sponge it will not be of any discomfort. Some women even use Sea Pearls with a natural spermicide of their choice.  

What is the difference between the sizes? Are the heavy flow sponges larger, longer, or denser than the lighter flow sponges? What makes them capable of holding more fluid?
The teenie sponges are very small and are meant for very light days or for young girls. The larger sponges are the same in density and texture as the regular and teenie size sponges, just slightly bigger in general. We get different types of sponges and every batch is unique so the density and texture can vary from time to time. Women who usually prefer the larger sponges may have a much heavier flow and/or may have a larger vaginal cavity. If you order a sponge that is too large for your body they can always be trimmed!

I see you sell cosmetic sponges as well. Can you tell me the difference between the cosmetic sponges and the menstrual sponges? 
The shape, size, and texture of our cosmetic sponges vary from that of the Sea Pearls and are not meant for menstrual use. They are not shaped for vaginal use, they may not retain as much liquid and may have more holes, and they generally do not have the durability on the level of a menstrual sponge. However, they work great for make-up, face washing and any other cosmetic use!  

You say that Sea Pearls are harvested in a sustainable way. Could you give more information about that? Where are they harvested, and how?  
Our sponges come mainly from the Gulf Coast of Florida, the Bahamas and occasionally, from Greece. We work closely with the University of Florida Sea Grant Extension Program to insure that sponge harvesting remains a sustainable resource. Sponge production in Florida has been consistent in recent years. Field studies have confirmed that commercial sponges are a small fraction(less than 2%) of the total sponge community and commercial sponges are not found in coral reef areas. Our field work has also documented the remarkable regenerative capability of sponges. Sponge tissue left attached to the substrate when the sponge is harvested can actually grow to produce a new sponge within months.  

I've heard about child labor in the Philippines where children have to dive for the harvest sponges sometimes causing ear damage. Who harvests your sponges?  
We do not get sponges from the Philippines. Our sponges are harvested only by professional adult sponge divers that we know personally.

Can it really be true that North American women throw away over 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons every year? 
Sad to say, these staggering figures are conservative, based on a woman using 5-6 tampons a day, for 5 days a month, for 38 menstruating years. I personally have used sponges for 27 years. My 4 daughters have used them also, as have many of my friends. Just in our little circle that makes quite a dent, wouldn't you say? 

What causes Toxic Shock Syndrome? What is its relationship to tampon usage? 
The direct cause of TSS is the presence of the bacterium s. aureus in the bloodstream. Research has concluded that s. aureus enters the blood through wounds in the vagina known as cervical erosion. Research done on ordinary tampon usage reveals that tampons dry out the vaginal mucosa, especially toward the end of your period, creating tiny invisible wounds that may lead to vaginal and cervical ulcers. This may explain the close connection between TSS and tampons. Sea Pearls™ sponge tampons do not have the same drying effects as ordinary tampons.