Some of you might think that this post is gross or it's too much information, but I'm a woman writing this blog for other women and periods are a fact of life. So deal with it. I wanted to talk about something that has changed the way I think and relate to my period: menstrual cups.
Menstrual cups are usually made of silicone and are an alternative to tampons or pads. You insert them in your vagina and they work by collecting and holding the menstrual blood until you take them out and empty them. I bought one for a backpacking trip because the thought of packing out used tampons freaked me out and this seemed like the easier option. I tried it out for a week before I took it backpacking and it definitely took some time to get used, but now I love it so much I haven't gone back to tampons! This blog is for BadAss Chicks, and they are ladies who probably travel, play sports, or explore the outdoors. BACs aren't about to be hindered by their body's need to shed it's uterine lining, but our periods make it hard to be adventurous when we have to be running to the bathroom every couple hours and hauling around a supply of feminine products. Menstrual cups will give you some freedom back, so you can be your BA self with confidence on your period in any situation. Here are some pros and cons of the cup:
Pros:
- It's reusable - think of how many tampons and pads you send to the landfill every month, now think about how many you use over a lifetime! The environment will thank you.
- It's cheaper in the long run - all those tampons or pads that you buy every month cost money. While it initially cost more than a box of tampons (mine was $40) they last a lot longer and will save you of money over time.
- They're better for your body - think about tampons with all the fibers they're made of. Do you really think none of those bleached fibers are being left behind in your body? Think again. Drop a tampon in a glass of water and watch what is floating in the water. The cups are made of medical grade silicone and not only do they not leave anything behind but....
- They won't dry you out - they don't take away your natural fluids with them.
- They're more comfortable - they're flexible and heat up with your body so they form to you body. I didn't even notice how uncomfortable tampons were until I switched, now I can't go back.
- You deal with them less - during a normal flow day you only have to clean your cup about every 10-12 hours, unlike every 2-3 hours like tampons or pads. You can go so much longer without having to find a bathroom while still feeling secure.
- They're great for travel - I lived in a foreign country for a year that wasn't up to speed on tampons so all us girls that moved there had to pack soooo many tampons, and then scout the city for more supplies. One of my friends I met there only packed a cup so she didn't have to worry about tracking down more tampons. If I had known about cups before I moved I would have had more room in my suitcase for shoes...
- They're great for sports - since they don't have to be dealt with as often as tampons and they don't leak when inserted properly, they're perfect for all kinds of sports like swimming, gymnastics, running, and of course backpacking
Cons:
- Not available everywhere - they're not usually found in grocery stores so many women order them online. I actually found mine in an natural food store and I've seen them for sale in outdoor sports stores.
- They take a little while to get used to - putting them in and taking them out comfortably and quickly takes a little practice. I would recommend that you give it two full cycles before you make up your mind that you hate them because the first cycle is really awkward and it's not until the second time that you feel confident.
- They're a little grosser than disposables - if you're just used to throwing tampons or pads away and hardly looking at them it might seem really gross to empty and wash a cup with menstrual blood. At first it's a little weird, but you get used to it, and you'll be better educated about your body. It's a natural, normal thing and you shouldn't be grossed out by your own body.
- They're awkward to wash in public restrooms - if you don't want to walk to the sink to wash it with people watching you can get around that by simply emptying it into the toilet then wiping it out with some tissue paper. As long as you clean it later at home it'll be fine. Alternatively you can bring a little squeeze bottle of water and some of the cup wash into the bathroom with you. That's what I did while backpacking.
- They need to be sterilized once a month - you need to give it a really good cleaning with the cup wash once a month then sterilize it in boiling water. This doesn't take very long, but if you forget to do it and your period starts you'll have to have some backup available until you get clean it cause you don't want an infection...
- You'll want to tell everyone about it - you'll annoy your friends and neighbors by telling them waaay too much your vagina and period. But seriously, once you convert to the cup you'll wonder why no one ever told you about this before and you'll find yourself trying to spread the word *cough* blog post *cough* :)
Ms. G
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