Okay, this blog is for the uterus owners.
Let’s talk about periods. We all suffer from them, whether you’re a heavy flow or a barely spotting kinda human, menstrual cups come to the rescue!
We can all agree that having a period can be so expensive! Whether you’re buying pads or tampons, you’re spending an excessive amount of money every month on these products just to fill the landfills, and only get a couple hours of questionable coverage.
I’m sure you’ve heard of these devices, as they’ve been gaining major traction lately. Some of us are still a little nervous about switching to them.. When I was initially looking into menstrual cups, my research had me looking to those I admired most and asking what this change really looks like? I have to put my fingers right in?.. like, yuck.
My perspective started to change when one of my closest friends explained to me how “metal” she felt when emptying her cup. It might be the Halloween lover in me, but now I always feel like a stone cold bad ass when I empty my cup. 😊 Though it’s not an act for the faint of heart, adding a funny/positive spin to the most awkward part helped me make the transition.
So why should YOU change to using a menstrual cup? It isn’t for everyone, but here are some of the reasons we made the change:
First things first, let’s mention that it is the more environmentally friendly option. One menstrual cup can replace 3-5 years of tampons, tampon applicators and pads in the landfills. Even tampons without the plastic applicator can take quite a while to decompose. On top of that, depending on where you live and which brand of menstrual cup you own, at the end of it’s life span, some of them are recyclable! So it’s a total win-win for mother earth.
Cups aren’t just better for the environment, they’re also way better for our bodies. In the US, tampons and pads are sold as medical devices and reviewed by the FDA-this means they are not required to list their ingredients on their packaging. Some of the newer organic tampons and pads are a little more transparent about their ingredients. Most cups are made with silicone or rubber. There’s no room for hidden ingredients. Body safe silicone is always the best way to go.
Cups have a longer coverage cycle than their counterparts. You can keep a menstrual cup in for up to 12 hours! I don’t know about you, but keeping a tampon in for that long just seems icky, let alone the dangers of toxic shock syndrome. Not only does it hold more, but they are made to fit in a variety of shapes and sizes for comfort. No more carrying around a box of tampons, or pads in your purse for back up. If you do have to empty the cup while you’re out, it’s so easy!
They’re cleaner! With pads you can get chaffing and rashes, and they keep moisture in which is a breeding ground for yeast infections. And tampon strings absorb urine.. which is pretty yuck. Tampons also strip your vaginal walls of naturally occurring lining which dries them out and can lead to microtears which is one of the leading causes of infections. This alone seems like a fantastic reason to make the switch.
Our favourite reason to make the switch is the cramps! Many people have stated that they have less severe cramps when using the cup. While there is no scientific data as to why this would stop cramps.. we’re not one to argue with hundreds of people on the internet. Literally none of us want cramps, and for that reason alone I was willing to make the switch. Some people have even reported that their cycle MAJORLY shortened. A 7-8 day cycle can become a 3-4 day period!
Once you get comfortable with using them correctly Menstrual cups can be your new period buddy. They come in all different shapes and sizes now to accommodate for the fact that everyone’s body is different. Our favourites come in two packs, so they have a smaller size and a larger size. If you’re new to using cups, or have a low cervix or smaller vaginal canal, start with the smaller size. A larger cup may be more appropriate if your vaginal canal is larger or your cervix is super high.
Personally, I use different sizes depending on what day my cycle is on. High flow days are a larger cup, and that low flow last day is always a smaller one!
Are you ready to make the switch? Try out something that might save our landfills? Check out the cups we carry here, and try them for yourself.
