If your upbringing was anything like mine, periods were somewhat taboo until they happened (I freaked OUTTTT when I got mine at the young age of 11), and the solution to managing periods were tampons or sanitary pads. They were my two options, and I was none the wiser until my late twenties, that there are in fact other alternatives.
Whilst tampons are the easiest course for the time of the month when you’re active and busy at work, they always do play on my mind. Have I left one in too long? Did the string go missing? What if I’ve totally forgotten to remove one when I was tipsy the other night? I found out about Toxic Shock Syndrome a few years back and have been paranoid every month about it since.
When I thus stumbled upon The Period Co. on Instagram, I was intrigued as to how these products can really help and become game-changers of the dreaded monthly cycle. The Period Co. is an eco-friendly business based in Singapore, specialising in reusable menstrual products – menstrual cups, reusable cloth pads, and period underwear, providing easy access to purchase the products as well as spreading knowledge and experiences on this topic.
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Given I rarely use sanitary pads now, their reusable eco-friendly cloth pads were not my main point of interest, although they do sound fab:
“Disposable pads contain plastics, which block airflow to the vagina and are uncomfortable and crinkly.They also contain synthetic fibres like rayon which are bleached to give it a clean and white appearance. On the other hand, cloth pads are made of breathable fabrics that keep you comfortable throughout the day. Using reusables also helps to minimize the waste created by disposables. In fact, an average of 17,000 pads, tampons and pantyliners are used per lifetime.”
My preference is the period cup. I have never used one before, never owned one before and was still, at the age of 33, using the internet to educate myself on this area. The Period Co. has a very useful information page, in which it says:
“A menstrual cup is a menstrual hygiene product (like tampons, pads and liners) made of latex, silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). It is usually bell-shaped, around 2 inches long and flexible. A menstrual cup is worn internally, but collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbs. Unlike pads and tampons, a menstrual cup is reusable and can last for years.
There are many benefits to using a menstrual cup. Menstrual cups collect flow, not absorb. As such, they don’t dry you out or disrupt the pH levels of your vagina. They are also comfortable when inserted correctly, and have a greater capacity than pads or tampons. Using cups minimizes the waste created every cycle, and are cheaper in the long run.”
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The period cup will eliminate my worry over TSS, will reduce my personal waste on the environment, open up my bathroom cupboard space (I have an insane amount of products in there I swear) as well as being better for my body too. It sounds like a win-win situation all round! I browsed the website’s various different brands, as well as looking at The Period Co.’s handy comparison chart to find what is the most suitable for me personally.
I decided on Saalt Soft Cup Duo, $87.90, offering Small and Regular sized cups that are easy to fold and can cater for lighter and heavy flows. I felt best to get two different sizes so at least one will hopefully work with me. The cups arrive in the sweetest packaging, complete with their own pouch each and instructions leaflets:
This cup is made with an ultra-soft silicone formula designed to be both gentle and super comfortable for those with bladder sensitivity, cramping or discomfort with firmer cups. The Saalt Soft was designed in collaboration with the cup experts at Put A Cup In It, who have helped over a million menstruators find their goldilocks cup.
I also, on the advice of the website and speaking to friends, chose a cup cleanser too, to help me wash it correctly. If cleanser / cup wash isn’t for you, there are wipes as an easier option and you can keep them discreetly in your handbag. I opted for Lunette’s menstrual cup cleanser, $17.90, which is scented with lemon and eucalyptus oil for their purifying properties:
So how to use?
The first step (which I also hadn’t even thought about until I read the instructions properly) was to sanitize the cup in boiling water for 5 minutes. After which, you can read various different methods of folding the cup up, so it is easy to insert. Given the soft nature of my chosen cup, it wasn’t too difficult. I found it easier to give it a go for the first time in the shower, but that’s just what worked for me. You may find it quite fiddly for the first time, but I think it really is just a case of ‘practice makes perfect’ with these situations.
Once you’re happy with where it sits inside (you don’t need to push it in deep), you have to twist the base (where you are holding it) in circular motions to then encourage the cup to fold out properly, into full cup pose. It has obviously gone in folded, and thus needs to unfold. This bit I found really tricky if I am honest. Obviously, it HAS to open back up to work properly, or else you’ll get leakage. Once again, it is a practice-makes-perfect situation and I am still trying to perfect my technique.
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Before I ventured down this cup path, I was worried it would be painful, I’d do it wrong, it would never get inside or somehow fit incorrectly. Let me just rest at ease all other mindsets similar to mine – it is much easier to use than it looks and you cannot feel it! I actually felt it inside less than I usually do a tampon. My other worry? How would I clean it, take it out / put it back in when not at home?
This for me was the trickiest part. I am still getting a handle on the best method. For instance, whether at work or in a public restroom, you need to find a method that best suits you to master the art of taking it out, emptying it, putting it back in without – dare I say – getting blood everywhere. Nobody wants to leave a bathroom looking like a homicide crime scene! Given I have such a light and short period, I didn’t get too long to really master such scenario, but I plan on cracking on next month and getting it sorted, with the aim that it becomes effortless and auto-pilot.
Am I pleased with my menstrual movement from tampons to cups? Absolutely. I adore the sustainable aspect of it, and how better I feel for my own body using something recyclable with no added chemicals too.
If you’re wanting to browse The Period Co.’s entire range and purchase items for yourself, click here.
