I am going to give an overview of some different menstrual products that you may not have heard of. The advantages of these alternatives include the fact that they are associated with contributing less to environmental waste and are not linked to health problems, such as Toxic Shock Syndrome. So, delve in to my handy guide for those who are curious about different menstrual methods:
Hello everyone! I haven't blogged on here in a long time, but I wanted to come back on here today and talk about my experience with my Mirena IUD. I've missed you guys!
So as I've blogged about before, I used to use the NuvaRing as my birth control. They worked great, but just like other forms of birth control, they had to be replaced monthly. I got married about a year ago now, and we were moving overseas where I wasn't sure I would be able to get NuvaRings. So I decided to bite the bullet and get an IUD, which I have wanted ever since I knew what they were.
The IUD's placement inside the cervix
So what is an intrauterine device or IUD? It's a small t-shaped device that is inserted through the cervix and placed in the uterus by a gynecologist or similar professional. There are IUDs that work through hormones (like the Mirena) and there is also the Paraguard IUD which wards off sperm with copper which acts like a spermicide.
Hormonal and copper IUDs
They are highly effective and last for 3-12 years depending on the IUD you get. Copper IUDs are 99.2% effective and hormonal IUDs are 99.8% effective. The Mirena lasts 5 years and I have a small reminder card to keep in my wallet to remind me when to get it replaced.
First off, let's talk about insertion. The only drawback to IUDs is that they have to be inserted through the cervix. If you have given birth before your cervix will be stretched, and while you may feel some discomfort I do not think it is supposed to be painful. For women that have not given birth, it can be a little painful... OK for me it was really painful. I took an OTC pain killer before hand; there's usually no anesthesia with this procedure. It felt like very intense period cramps. (It also didn't help that I was on my period during this whole process. Also thank goodness for my gynecologist for dealing with a bloody vagina.) I would say my pain was about a 6 or 7 during the insertion on a 0-10 scale. Ouchie!
So it was quite painful for me, but it only lasted a couple minutes, or maybe less, but it felt like longer because of the pain. However, I did have aches and cramps for the rest of that day at about a 3-4 on the pain scale--not too different from bad cramps I get on the first day or so of my period. By the
next day I was fully recovered. If I did it again I would definitely
request some sort of topical anesthesia or something. Overall though, I
definitely don't regret it and I'm so happy to have care free birth
control now, especially since I'm living with my husband overseas.
I thought this was funny.
After the procedure you're left with two short strings that poke out of your cervix (but you can't feel them normally, unless you use your fingers). Periodically I check them to make sure they are still there and that the IUD hasn't expelled. That can happen but it's pretty rare. I haven't experienced any side effects (that I know of), and oh, right, I don't get my period anymore! While the copper IUD can lead to heaver periods, I knew I wanted to try the Mirena IUD when my doctor told me that the Mirena can lighten periods or make them disappear. Even though I have a blog about period products, I can't say I miss having my period. My cups do feel a little unloved though.
A graphic by Mirena showing how their IUD affects your period. At 8 months I no longer have periods, and mine stopped much earlier.
Now you might read that it's not safe to use menstrual cups or tampons with an IUD, but from my experience, and according to the research, this isn't true. I used my cup at the beginning when I still had a period and it was completely fine. It's recommended that you break the seal before pulling out the cup though, to avoid applying suction to the IUD, since the cup is right below it. But it's very secure, and I think I even forgot to break the seal a few times, and my IUD stayed right in place. (Still not recommending doing that though!) You should also know what the IUD strings feel like, and check them periodically. For tampons, the same rules apply, just make sure not to pull on your strings.
Birth control and internal menstrual products: vaginal accessories that jive together. Source.
The last thing I want to talk about is the price of IUDs which is a con. They cost around $400-600 depending on the IUD and where you live. I was fortunate in that my insurance covered the IUD cost; it's important to call your insurance company and check before looking into this. If your insurance doesn't cover the procedure or if your don't have insurance, try looking into places like Planned Parenthood. Also remember that the IUD is an investment at first, but you are actually saving money or at least breaking even in the long run, because they can last for 3-12 years; compare that to buying a refill once a month.
Also, this blog is only derived from my personal experience. There are some side effects associated with the IUD and risk factors, so make sure you do your research and talk to your doctor before considering getting and IUD.
Overall, I love my Mirena IUD and I'm very happy with it so far, despite a bit of a bumpy start from the painful insertion. Of course if you are considering getting an IUD, do you own research, and talk to your doctor about it before you make a decision about what's right for you. (The wikipedia article is a good place to start, or scroll through the IUD tag on the Vagina Pagina livejournal community for more personal accounts. That's also a great place to ask questions from others, and doesn't it have the best name?!) There are also other alternatives that are semi-permanent to consider like the implant. I hope this blog has been hopeful for anyone who was curious. Please leave any questions or your experiences with IUDs down below in the comments.
Hello lovelies! Today I thought I would write a post about the many eco-friendly feminine hygiene products that are out there for consumers to choose from. There are so many options to consider, in your drugstore aisle or your local organic foods store. I think every woman should at least consider switching to eco-friendly menstrual products, as they create less environmental waste, keeping the earth healthier, and they are not associated with serious health problems like Toxic Shock Syndrome. So here is a list of environmental alternatives for your period:
Organic cotton pads tampons - For those of us that are dearly attached to our disposable menstrual products (aka most women), this is a great option for making your period more environmentally friendly without sacrificing your disposable products. Admittedly, you will still be producing waste, but companies such as Natracare and Seventh Generation make an increased effort to cut down on packaging. As well organic cotton products are free from harmful chemicals, such as chorine, dyes, and fragrances… they also shed fibers and leave them behind in the vagina like most non-organic brands. So this is a great option if you’re not comfortable with trying reusable products, and your body and the environment will thank you for switching to an organic brand. (I have recently received some Natracare products from a contest on BePreparedPeriod so I am excited to try them out.)
Reusable Instead Softcup / Instead Softcup – Instead Softcup is composed of a plastic sac attached to a firm ring, that is used to collect menstrual flow instead of absorbing it. Softcup is a good intermediary between disposable and reusable menstrual products. Softcup can be worn while sleeping or during intercourse. Personally, I reuse regular Softcup for one period, but the company has also recently come out with a “reusable” version that was designed specifically to be used for one period. (You need to rinse Softcup between uses.) These still create waste of course, but they are healthy for your body and a good stepping stone if you are considering reusable menstrual cups.
Reusable Instead Softcup
Sea sponge tampons – Sea sponge tampons or "pearls" are made from well, sea sponges, and are used like regular tampons. They are very soft and are reusable for about six months. They are also healthier for your body, and will cut down on how much waste you use. However, like all reusable menstrual products, you do have to clean and take care of them.
Jade & Pearl Sea Pearls
Menstrual Cups – Menstrual cups are the big daddy of reusable period products, because they can be reused for years and years. They are bell shaped cups made of medical grade silicone that collect menstrual fluid. They need to been rinsed between uses, and cleaned between periods, but they are extremely comfortable and can be worn while sleeping. These are also healthier for your body and the earth. They come in lots of fun colors as well!
Menstrual Cups come in many colors/sizes.
Cloth Pads – If you prefer not to use internal products while you’re on your period, but you want something that is reusable, cloth pads are for you. These are very comfortable and absorbent, and come in lots of fun colors and patterns. They are extremely easy to use, but do require cleaning after each use which involves throwing them in the washer and dryer.
So I hope y'all found this post helpful. Have a great week!
FTC: This post was sponsored by Softcup/Evofem. I was compensated to mention Softcup in this post, but these are my 100% honest opinions as always.
Hello ladies! I hope you are having a good February. The winner of the Softcup contest from last post was Shelly D. Congrats Shelly! Please let me know if you end up liking the product.
Disclaimer: This post has major TMI, probably more than most of my posts. If you are easily grossed out, it's not for you. k thx bai
Anyways onto the subject of today's post, since it's almost Valentine's day and all I wanted to talk about... period sex. That's right- period sex. I think there's a pretty big taboo surrounding intercourse or masturbation while you're surfing the crimson wave, at least in Western society. Traditionally, in many religions and cultures, women are viewed as "unclean" while they are on their period. And I think a lot of couples are squicked out by the mere idea of period sex, especially younger ones! Well I am here to tell you that period sex or masturbation if you happen to be alone this V-day 1) is still very enjoyable 2) helps relieve cramps (sex = natural pain reliever) and 3) does not have to be messy.
Reusable Instead Softcup
Let's start out with the mess factor, which is obviously a big factor in whether you or your partner, or yourself and your lady parts are going to be combining the sexy times and the period. One thing that will help tremendously is looking into trying Instead Softcup, a menstrual product that can be bought at most drugstores. If you haven't read any of my other posts about Softcup, you can check out my initial review here. Anyways, this is a flexible cup that you can use instead of tampons. It works well, and it leaves room for other things down there--it's an internal menstrual product you can use during intercourse. Most other things, like tampons and reusable menstrual cups, tend to get in the way, but this works well.
500 days of summer - shower sex
Now, Softcup doesn't work perfectly at keeping you completely blood free. There may still be a few drops that come out. I recommend changing your Softcup before intercourse and putting down a towel. You also may feel fresher and sexier if you use a baby wipe or feminine wipe before hand. If your partner is still squicked out by the idea and is male, suggest that he wear a condom (which you should be doing anyways if you're not using another contraceptive). You can also try sex in the shower, which makes things very easy to clean up, but keep in mind this doesn't mix well with rubber condoms.
A SoftCup sits where a diaphragm would in the vagina.
Also, there may be some differences in how intercourse feels. I know when I am having a low cervix day (aka when the dangly thing inside my vajayjay is lower), it doesn't always work as well because there's just not enough space for PiV. (That doesn't mean there isn't space for FiV or MiV.) However, I recently tried the new make of Softcup, which are slightly slimmer in the rim, and it seems to work better . :) You just have to try it out and see for yourselves!
So now that we've established that period sex doesn't necessarily have to be bloody, there's just a few other things to discuss. Firstly, sex is a natural pain reliever because it releases endorphins in the pleasure center of your brain, and this helps relieve pain like headaches or cramps. However, you still want to be careful and gentle, especially in regards to your cervix. Too rough of sex is probably not a good idea since the cervix tends to be sensitive during menstruation (at least for me), and bumping it could make your cramps worse. Take it slow with lots of foreplay and lube, and it should feel just right.
my v-day companion :)
So I hope y'all enjoyed this post! My boyfriend and I are long distance, so I will be spending this V-day with a Softcup and my new purple vibrator. *wink wink* I hope everyone, single or not, has a great week!
FTC: I was compensated for this blog post, but this is my 100% honest opinion.
Hello dears! Today I am going to be covering the topic of PMS, aka Pre Menstrual Silliness. For me personally, I usually experience lower abdominal cramps, leg aches, sadness and irritability, and general tiredness—the emotional tendencies beginning a little before my actual period and everything continuing into my period. The best remedy for all of these is to pamper yourself with lots of chocolate and relaxation time, but as a busy college student, that’s usually not an option. So I usually try to go to bed earlier, take some pain medicine, use my laptop as a heating pad, drink tea, eat yummy food, and avoid stressing myself out as much as possible.
No heating pad? Overheated macbook to the rescue!
Now that I use reusable cups or Softcup for my period, I have one less thing to stress about because I don’t have to worry about changing my period protection once every eight hours. I also never used to sleep well when I used pads at night, because I experienced frequent leaks. I love my cups for this reason; I can wear an internal menstrual product while sleeping, and I can sleep for hours and hours without a leak. Menstrual cups and cloth pads have saved some of my pretty undies—that’s for sure!
reusable Softcup :)
Some women that start using Softcup or reusable cups also say that their cramps go away completely. I wish this were the case for me, but I still get pretty bad cramps, which spread down to my upper legs, even though I use my cups. However, as I’ve mentioned before, I find cups to be much more comfortable to wear. I would occasionally be aware of the fact that I had a tampon in, but with cups I can forget about it and have one less bother.
Lunette & DivaCup
So that’s all I have to say about PMS. Please leave a comment with your opinions on the topic!
FTC: I was asked to do this series of posts on Instead Softcup by their marketing company, and I am being compensated,however these are still my 100% honest opinions about the product and my lifestyle.
Hello lovlies! Today I have a giveaway for y'all! I am very excited to announce that I am giving away a new, unopened box of 24 Instead Softcup! This is actually quite a lot of Softcup--if you use four per period it will last you for six cycles, and if you use one it will last you for two years! The box one lucky blog reader will be receiving is the new design of Softcup that has recently hit the market. I personally prefer this version because the rim is slightly thinner--it's a tad bit more comfortable for insertion/removal and PiV (more coming up on that later).
For more information on why I choose to use Softcup for about 50% of my period check out my past posts:
Now onto the giveaway rules. Follow them and you will have a better chance of winning. ;)
1. You must enter using the rafflecopter widget. Entries not entered through the widget will not be seen by me!
2. You must follow/subscribe to this blog. You can use email, Google connect, and other accounts I believe. You must provide this information in the giveaway. (Only I will be able to see it.) I will double check these things--please do not try to flout the requirement. No spam please.
3. You may choose to complete optional entries for a better chance of winning. These are also through the widget! Each optional entry is worth one more point:
Follow me on twitter @loveyourperiod
Post a blog comment. (Question below.)
Like this blog post.
Follow @insteadsoftcup on twitter
Like Softcup on facebook
4. You must leave the username to validate your following/subscribing/posting! Also you must leave your email so I can contact you if you win.
5. You should be 18 years or older or have your parents permission to enter. I will have to ask for your mailing address.
6. This contest is open internationally, but please know will have to pay the cost of shipping after $6 (via paypal). Sorry--I'm a broke college student!
Good luck! :)
FTC: This blog post and giveaway was sponsored by Instead Softcup, but these are my 100% honest opinions as always.
Hi lovelies! I am back with another post today about Softcup and working out. Now, one of my new year’s resolutions, and really year-round resolutions is to start running again. I got into it for a while this summer, but I fell out of the habit and it’s hard to get started again. I am honestly not a very fit person, what with all the time I spend sitting in front of the computer. I have a pretty healthy-vegetarian diet, but exercise does so many good things for the body as well. So I am really going to go for a run today. Well I’ll walk my dog, and save the run for tomorrow. Or the next day. ;)
Instead Softcup
Regardless of my negligent exercise habits, I often find myself invited to exercise with friends or needing to do somewhat physical activity for an extended period of time while I’m menstruating. This presents a problem because we don’t want to experience leaks while we’re running around, and we may need our period protection to last for a long time, especially if you’re going to be outdoors the whole day, hiking perhaps, without a bathroom in sight. This is where I think Softcup (or other menstrual cups) make a huge difference. Softcup is very comfortable and lasts for up to twelve hours.
The tampons I used in highschool
Back in high school, I used to wear tampons during the day and I participated in my high school’s marching band, which meant three rehearsals a week after a long day of school. Needless to say when I had my period, about four hours of sleep, and three hour band rehearsal, I was not a happy camper. Tampons were just the extra nudge in the wrong direction. They were fine for going to class, but then during band rehearsal it would feel like I literally had a stick up there while I marched around in fundamentals. Very uncomfortable, and I really wished I had found out about cups during high school. I also had to change my tampon right after school let out in the gross public high school bathrooms, because my tampons were semi-leaky on occasion and would definitely leak after a school day plus band rehearsal. When I look back it also seems very unsanitary to me, because I would wear disposable liners along with my tampon that had a non breathing plastic layer to them.
sweat + menstrual fluid + pantiliner I’ve been wearing all day at school = questionable
But anyways, on the other hand I absolutely love Softcup for exercise. I walked a 10k with a cup in, and it didn’t leak the whole time or bother me. I even ran (well, tried to run) the last mile or so, and I felt great. I have also worn cups on runs, and they stay in place beautifully and have a great capacity. You never have to worry about them leaking in the middle of a long run or a long workout. I have a friend who is very athletic. I turned her onto cups and she likes them a lot for running in official races or in general. I've also worn a cup while swimming and had no leakage--I was a bit nervous, and usually some water gets in the cup, but no blood comes out! And most importantly Softcup are sooo comfortable—I don’t feel them inside me at all (unlike tampons), so even if my legs and lower belly are aching from period pains, I don’t have to add another discomfort to my body while working out. I mean, hopefully the endorphins from my run should help with the aches, but sometimes after a run I just ache all over in more places.
Disposable and reusable Softcup
I hope y’all enjoyed this post, and are staying fit and exercising (unlike me). Please share any tips you have about getting motivated to go running and such and your opinions on exercising during menstruation. Thank you for reading!
FTC: I was asked to do this series of posts on Instead Softcup by their marketing company, and I am being compensated, however these are still my 100% honest opinions about the product and my lifestyle.
Hello lovelies! With the New Year just around the corner, it’s a good time to reflect about areas of our life that we could improve upon. I’m focused on important things like increasing my GPA and maintaining relationships as my college friends continue to shuffle around the country and the globe, but I also want to work on decreasing my negative impact on the environment. One way I could do that is to cut out a lot of disposable things that I use and toss out everyday. I can easily generate a long list of disposable stuff that I could replace with reusable items, most of which I already own.
drink cups – water bottle, thermos
razor blades – epilator
tissues – hankerchief
grocery bags – nylon shopping bags
cotton swabs – wash cloth
my envirosax.com bag that is really cute and portable!
We really live in world full of disposable products, but there are alternatives to almost every option. So I am going to try to make a conscious effort this year to bring my shopping bags with me when I go to the store, or my water bottle when I go to the dining hall, and in general reduce the amount of waste I generate with my reusable resolutions. Because although a lot of the stuff we throw away may be biodegradable, nothing decomposes very fast in landfills. Things need the proper space and time to decompose, like a compost pile, or else we will end up like the crummy garbage filled world pictured in Wall-E.
Where am I going with this? Well, I think this time of the year is a good time to try new things, and for you, reader, one of things might be a reusable menstrual product. One woman will dispose of thousands of tampons or pads in her lifetime (and spend a fortune on them too), and we make up half of the population so that's a lot of used tampons. (Yuck!) These are usually made of some combination of cotton and plastic, and like I said, nothing decomposes in landfills. Nothing. In the future, archaeologists are going to be able to learn everything about our lives from them, because it will also still be there to get dug up. But anyways, this New Year, why not try something new that will help the environment and save you money? Like... reusable menstrual products, perhaps?
There are lots of options under this category: silicone menstrual cups, cloths pads, sponges, etc. but today I am going to be discussing the new reusable Softcup, which I was very excited to try out and compare to the disposable Softcup which I have used before. For those of you that don't know, Softcup is a menstrual cup composed of a crinkly plastic ring and a firmer plastic rim.( For more information about the Softcup see my original review.) The new reusable Softcup comes in green packaging and was designed to be used for one cycle. I have yet to see this in a drugstore, but they are available to buy from the company’s website.
reusable Softcup and packaging
The disposable Softcup and the reusable Softcup are exactly the same size, but they both differ from the Softcup that was on the market when I last did a review of disposable Softcup. The rim for both disposable and reusable versions of Softcup has gotten thinner, which I think will improve comfort during sex, but the diameter has stayed exactly the same. The sac that holds the menstrual fluid also seems shorter now, although I did not notice any difference in capacity. So if Softcup didn’t work for you before because of its size, then I am betting it still would not work for you with this slightly different model. They have also changed the packaging on the disposable Softcup from a purple to a pink box, although the wrapper on an individual Softcup is still purple. The box is also much smaller. For some great comparison pictures of the new and old Softcup design check out this livejournal post.
new design disposable Softcup and packaging
As a regular user of disposable Softcup, I have personally reused one cup whole period and then thrown it away, even though that’s not recommended by the company. I started using Softcup after trying out the Lunette and DivaCup, which are menstrual cups designed to be used for years and years, so it seemed weird to throw out a cup. They are easy to rinse with water after removal and reinsert. Women have done this before, and they will do it again. If you’re a menstruation nerd like me you might know about one of the earliest menstrual cups, Tassaway, which you were supposed to toss away after each use, but many women reused them because their wear time was longer. Regardless of my tangent, I am glad that the Softcup company came out with this product, because it sounds like they are listening to their customers.
green wrapper for reusable Softcup
The packaging for this product is literally very "green" and super cute. It came with some instructions, which are easy to read and very helpful for troubleshooting. I tried the reusable Softcup out for about three days of my last period, and it did not leak once, even though I wore it for long periods of time and slept with it in. (It did “leak” a little when I peed, but that’s only because I move my pelvic muscles at the same time which slides the Softcup down a little.) The Softcup seems easier to insert, now that the rim is a teensy bit thinner. The firmer rim was noticeable during and just after insertion, but I could not feel it after about a minute or so.
reusable Softcup
The Softcup rinsed clean fairly easily with water and a little elbow grease, and there was no menstrual fluid that got caught in any crooks or crannies of the rim or sac. However, this cup seems like it would be rather hard to clean without running water—i.e. in a public bathroom stall. Unlike a bell shaped menstrual cup, where all the fluid pools in the bottom and pours out easily, the fluid is always spread out across the bottom of the sac with this cup. Since I have rather gelatinous fluid it doesn’t slide easily off of the cup and into the toilet, which means I would have to spend a lot of time wiping out the fluid with TP, which is just not my favorite thing to do. I think bell shamed cups are just easier and faster to use on the go.
The materials, which include a slightly firmer rim and a thicker, more durable looking material for the sac, held up the whole time, and I was not afraid that I would accidentally puncture the cup with a fingernail or something like that. Removal was simple and as non-messy as possible as long as I kept the Softcup upright, which is easy as long as you are careful and paying attention to what you are doing. I generally only spill fluid when I'm either tired or not thinking about what I'm doing with my cup.
disposable Softcup (left) and reusable Softcup (right)
I also tried out the new design of the disposable Softcup for the last two days of my period, which is very similar because it has the same dimensions but different materials.
It also performed just as well and did not leak. Again, It has the same dimensions as the reusable Softcup, so it does not seem any different when inserting, besides having a less firm rim that was slightly more comfortable during insertion. The major difference I found that when I tried to rinse it clean, the menstrual fluid was prone to getting stuck between the rim and the sac. I genuinely do not think this cup is as durable as the new reusable version or as easy to clean, although it’s almost identical in other aspects.The sac material feels less durable and is clear and shiny, while the rim is light pink and softer than that of the reusable Softcup.
The only caveat I have to this review is that I disagree with this new Softcup being described as “reusable," because honestly I don’t consider a product that you throw away after 5-10 uses to be truly reusable, at least in the way I think about the meaning of the word. In my humble opinion, I think reusable things should be reusable... for pretty much forever. I am going to continue to use the same Softcup (after sanitizing with rubbing alcohol of course) and see how long one cup can hold up. And while I think this product is a great way to ease yourself into trying alternative menstrual products if you are leery about the prospect of them, it does not help the environment as much as using a Lunette or the DivaCup does. Reusable Softcup does technically produce less waste when compared to tampons or pads, but it seems like the waste that is produced would be harder to get rid of in the end. That is my only serious beef with the new reusable Softcup, and otherwise I really like it.
Overall I think it’s a definitely a step up from the disposable version, and I will probably repurchase this instead of the disposable Softcup. And for me the Softcup is still far superior to any tampons or disposable pads, because you can wear them while having sex, for longer amounts of time, without the risk of TSS, without odor, and while sleeping, exercising, or whatever.
Anyways, I hope y’all have a safe and relaxing holiday season! I am going to reward myself with some new thong cloth liners from etsy with my Christmas money as my first step towards being reusable (to eliminate some disposable liners I have been using with my sexier undies). I might also buy a few more nylon shopping bags in cute prints, which I will place in each purse so that I am never without. I am also determined to become one of those people who are constantly attached to their water bottles. What about y’all? Do you have any reusable resolutions? Leave a comment below if you do.
FTC: The company provided me with these products to review on my blog, and I am being compensated for these blog posts on Softcup. However, I always write with my 100% honest opinion about products on this blog.
Hello all! For the next couple of posts I will be doing a series of posts on the Instead Softcup. I originally did a review on the disposable menstrual cups back in March, 2011, so check out that post if you want to see my initial review and opinions on the product, and how to use them. Also I recently made a twitter for this blog under the username loveyourperiod; so if you want to keep up with my blog posts via twitter, follow me. :)
As a college student that lives far away from home, I do a lot of traveling back and forth from home for breaks, especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving. So invariably, I will end up traveling with my period at some time or another. When you're running through the air port trying to catch your connection and feed yourself lunch, or when you have to sit in the car for seven to eight hours with your dad the last thing you want to worry about is needing to change your "feminine protection." This is where Softcup can really come in handy.
One of the biggest advantages to Softcup is the ability to wear them for 12 hours. Now this isn't for every woman, especially those with a heavy flow, but I have found that I can wear a Softcup for 10-12 hours without leaking, unless I have a very heavy day. (I consider myself to have a moderate flow compared to other women.) Although, the exact capacity hasn't been measured, Softcup come in somewhere quite a ways ahead of regular absorbency tampons. This means that you can wear a Softcup for longer than a tampon without leaking.
And even if they made tampons that could compete with the capacity of Softcup--I do know there are some pretty hefty tampons out there--it's not healthy to wear the same tampon for more than eight hours because of risks for bacteria infection and TSS. The pink ring on Softcup is made of polymeric material that is also used in catheters and baby bottle nipples, so the material is inert and will not harbor bacteria, unlike the cotton in tampons. Before Softcup was put on the market, testing was done to see if the product altered bacteria levels in the vagina; the results showed that there was no change in bacteria levels for the women in the study. (This is not the case with tampons.) This suggests that there is no risk for infection with Softcups, even if you are wearing them for 12 hours at a time.
Since Softcup has a longer wearing time than tampons, this makes them a great option for traveling. When I fly, I can pop in a Softcup before I leave for the airport, make to the airport, through my flight and connections, and back home before I need to change to a different Softcup. If was wearing a tampon, I would be more worried about it leaking, or needing to change to a new one while I was flying in one of those horrid airplane bathrooms. I am not the most organized person, so flying is always a little stressful, and it's nice to not have to add another element to the process. Softcup is also a lifesaver on long family car rides, where the objective is usually to keep driving for as long as possible without stopping. There are no surprise pit stops because of my period, and I may be able to make it the whole car ride without changing my Softcup.
image from http://www.softcup.com/
Another benefit for traveling, is the ability to reuse the same Softcup for one period and save some space in your suitcase. Softcup recently came out with a reusable Softcup designed to be used for an entire period or menstrual cycle, which I think is awesome. (Personally, I always reused the regular Softcup for an entire period anyways, even though they were intended to be one-use disposable products; they were still pretty easy to rinse and reuse.) Either way, bringing just one Softcup on a trip takes up a lot less space in your suitcase, than the usual large kit of tampons and pads.
image from http://www.softcup.com/
Overall, Softcup are one of my favorite options for traveling, and they work well for me. I can wear the Softcup for 10-12 hours; it's great with physical activity; you can't feel it when it's inside; I can sleep in them; it doesn't do funky things to my lady parts; I have used it during sex with a moderate amount of comfort (more on this later); and I don't have period odor when wearing them. Some women do have difficulty using Softcup however, so I am not going to guarantee that this will be the perfect menstrual product for every woman. Different strokes for different folks, and like any new menstrual product it takes some practice and a couple cycles to become completely comfortable with the Softcup. Thank you for reading! I hope y'all have a wonderful holiday season and safe travels. :) If you have any questions or idle comments please leave them in the comment section of this post or send them to me on twitter! For more information on Instead Softcups, please visit the lovely and very helpful Softcup website. You can also take a look at this how-to page on wikiHow, if you have any questions about using the cup.
FTC: I was asked to do this series of posts on Instead Softcup by their marketing company, and I am being compensated, however these are still my honest opinions about the product.
Since I've been doing a lot of reviews lately, I wanted to try something different and go through all the Pros and Cons of menstrual cups. So, here we go. :)
Various menstrual cups
A menstrual cup, is a small silicone, TPE, or rubber cup that is inserted into the vagina during a women's period. It collects the fluid instead of absorbing it like a tampon, and is rinsed and reinserted between uses. That's right, it's a reusable menstrual product! If you haven't heard of these before, you are probably pretty grossed out right now. But before you click away, read a little more, and I think you'll understand the benefits of a menstrual cup, even if you don't necessarily want to try one out. Menstrual cups...
1. Save you money. The average women uses $4000 worth of disposable menstrual products in her lifetime. $4000! Just think of all the shoes I will be able to buy now that I've switched. Menstrual cups, depending on the brand and where you buy them, cost only $25-50. And they last for 10 or more years if you take care of your cup.
2. Save you trips to the drugstore. You never have to replenish your stock of tampons or pads. No more stopping for emergency supplies because you just got your period, and I always absolutely hated getting checked out by a male cashier when I was buying tampons.
3. Are environmentally friendly. That average women we were talking about uses about 16,000 disposable menstrual products in her lifetime. If there are 7 billion people in the world, we have 3.5 billion people that will have a period every month for about 40 years. Just think about how many pads and tampons must go into landfills daily. Since nothing really decomposes in landfills, disposable menstrual products are a big contributor to human waste. Most cups are made of silicone, which is recyclable, and they are reusable. So if you are a bit of a tree hugger like me, or if you just tend to choose sustainable products, the menstrual cup is the way to go.
Fleurcup
4. Are healthier for your body. When most of my friends heard about menstrual cups from me, they were really grossed out because it seemed unhygienic. However, I would argue that menstrual cups are just as hygienic and healthier than tampons or pads. They are made of inert medical grade silicone, rubber, or TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), which does not harbor bacteria, while blood soaked cotton provides an environment for bacteria to grow. This is why tampons are linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome and vaginal infections, and pads are linked to UTIs. Of course, these problems with disposables can be avoided by changing them regularly, but there are still other health benefits with cups. Tampons and pads are made with lots of chemicals, fragrances, and bleached cotton. Menstrual cups have not been linked to any health problems, and they keep the vaginal environment intact, by not sucking up extra moisture like tampons. Many cups also have measuring lines so you can monitor your flow to check to see if it's a healthy amount.
5. Are vagina positive. When using a menstrual cup, you learn more about your vagina, your cervix, and your cycle. It's a great feeling to be more in tune with your own body. When I was using tampons and pads, I threw away the tampon after using it, and my period was generally gross, smelly, and annoying. With a menstrual cup I saw my own flow and realized it was a natural, healthy process. I don't think it's gross anymore, and I know a lot more about how my body works.
6. Last longer. They have higher capacities than tampons and pads, so you can change a cup less frequently. If you have a moderate to light flow, you will be able to change the cup every 12 hours or so. The most absorbent tampon has about a 15ml capacity, and cups range from 15ml to 30ml of capacity. (Tampons may leak before they are fully saturated as well.) So for women with very heavy periods, this is a great solution. Personally, I can leave my cup in for a whole day without needing to change it. :)
7. Give you a "happier period." Menstrual cups do what tampons and pads have always promised to do in their commercials. There is no string, so cups show nothing outside of the body, and there's no period odor. Unlike tampons, you can put a cup in before your period starts, about when you think it's supposed to come; this is really helpful if you have an irregular cycle. Some women (not me) also find that their cramps decrease or go away when they start using a cup. I forget that I'm on my period all the time while I'm wearing a cup. :)
8. Are great for a busy, active lifestyle. You only need one cup while traveling or in your purse/backpack, instead of hauling around a case of tampons whenever you go on a long trip. They are great for long trips because they last longer, and if you go hiking, you don't need to worry about carrying around and disposing of tampons or pads. Menstrual cups can be worn while swimming, sleeping, horseback riding, doing yoga, etc.
9. Are pretty. Menstrual cups come in lots of different colors, and some are even made with glitter. Even though no one sees my cup while I'm on my period, I feel better because I'm using something cute. :)
MeLuna menstrual cups
10. Leak less often.A study done on cups found that they leaked half as often as tampons or pads, and had to be changed 2.8 times less often for the women in study. If nothing else a menstrual product shouldn't leak, and it should make your life easier. My cups only leak if I let them overflow, meaning I left them in too long, whereas I always got an old discharge/blood mixture and occasional leaking with tampons. I've also ruined underwear, pajama bottoms, and sheets while wearing pads at night; I'm much more confident, and sleep easier when I'm wearing my cup.
11. Are so much more comfortable. Menstrual cups are made of soft squishy silicone, and I never feel mine when it's inside. I always found tampons very stiff and uncomfortable while exercising--like I literally had a stick up my vagina. Pads always felt like diapers to me and they tend to shift around and leak, and sometimes the sticky part gets stuck in unmentionable places. Menstrual cups look large, but they fold up small for insertion, and if your vagina can fit a penis, or a baby's head, it can also fit a folded up menstrual cup. If you unroll a tampon and compare it to a menstrual cup they are about the same size anyways.
A DivaCup folded up nice and small
There are a few characteristics about menstrual cups some might call negative, and it would be dishonest for me to leave them out of this post. But honestly I don't think they are that big of a deal. Also menstrual cups...
1. Are hands on. You have to actually put your fingers inside your vagina and you will see your menstrual fluid. If this makes you squeamish, this may not be the best option for you. But honestly it's natural to know about your own vagina and you should be comfortable with your own bodily functions. Many women around the world use non-applicator tampons, which also involve using your fingers.
2. May be more difficult to use. Like tampons, menstrual cups have a learning curve when you are using them for the first time, only it is a bit longer (about 1-3 cycles). You can decrease this time, by reading the instructions thoroughly and watching instructional videos etc. I had no leaks when I first started using a cup because I was already well versed in the insertion and removal process.
Femmecup
3. Require a bit more time and effort. I'd say menstrual cups add about a minute to the time it takes to change them, when compared to tampons. You also have to take about five minutes out of your day to clean your cup after the end of your period. Big whoop. :)
4. Can cause discomfort. Sometimes menstrual cups can press on the bladder or rectum for some women. (This did not happen for me.) I should also note, that some women have trouble going to the bathroom with the cup in (again not for me). This is easily solved by removing the cup beforehand, or switching to a softer cup with a less pronounced rim. I'm not going to claim that menstrual cups work for everyone, because they don't necessarily work for every woman. There are other reusable alternatives like sea sponge tampons and cloth pads, and you can also use organic cotton disposables, which are a lot healthier than their drugstore counterparts.
So this concludes my post on the pros and cons of menstrual cups. I hope you found this helpful! Also just a note, menstrual cups can be used by virgins, just like tampons, I would just take a little extra care so as not to stretch or tear your hymen (aka cherry, corona). Leave a comment below if you would consider using a cup, or if you are already a cup user.
You can watch my video on the advantages/disadvantages of cups here if you need extra persuasion. ;)
You can purchase menstrual cups from many online retailers, or check out your local Whole Foods or organic/health store. There are links to all the vendors on the wikiHow Choose a Menstrual Cup page, and I also recommend doing a search for "buy [brand of menstrual cup]" on Google to find the cheapest price. Thanks for reading! :)
Fleurcup
MeLuna menstrual cups
A DivaCup folded up nice and small
Femmecup
Lunette Selene
