no, the title is not misleading.
i figured it’d serve as a nice warning for those that would prefer to not discuss it, OR that know me in person and wouldn’t want to read anything like this. either way… 🙂
stop reading now if you can’t handle reading about periods or vaginas.
readers who’ve stayed… i do this for you…
this post is dedicated to our monthly visitor and the ‘healthier’/more eco-friendly alternatives we have available to pads and tampons.
if you haven’t heard of a safer, more natural, or more eco-friendly alternative to menstruation products, i’m glad we can have this chat.
plasticizing chemicals like BPA and BPS disrupt embryonic development and are linked to heart disease and cancer. phthalates which give paper tampon applicators that smooth feel and finish — are known to dysregulate gene expression, and DEHP may lead to multiple organ damage. besides crude oil plastics, conventional sanitary pads can also contain a myriad of other potentially hazardous ingredients, such as odor neutralizers and fragrances. synthetics and plastic also restrict the free flow of air and can trap heat and dampness, potentially promoting the growth of yeast and bacteria in your vaginal area. this can lead to abnormal tissue growth in the abdomen and reproductive organ, abnormal cell growth throughout the body, immune system suppression, and hormonal and endocrine system disruption. (source)
doesn’t sound very vagina-friendly, right?
enter our alternative – the menstruation CUP!
note – i know there are many versions of this out there (with differing models, colors, etc.), so i will stick to the brand i purchased. it was NOT provided to me. i did my own digging into which brand i would like to try, and purchased it. there are bound to be loads of you females out there who use cups or have tried them, so PLEASE leave your experiences, your preferences, any tips, etc. below in the comments section.
what is The Cup?
these babies are a reusable alternative to tampons and pads, and are usually made of silicone. unlike tampons and pads, it forms a seal with vaginal walls to collect (rather than absorb) menstrual flow.
how is it used?
it’s inserted up into the vagina, and situated (ways of doing so vary from woman to woman) to seal against leaks and to avoid discomfort. it’s then left to collect menstrual flow. when it’s time to empty the cup, you can dump the contents into the toilet, rinse your cup, re-insert and go. your cup will of course need to be cleaned and disinfected between periods, and stored properly.
how long does it last?
you can keep a cup in for 8 to 10 hours. AND it holds way more liquid than pads and tampons so you can sleep in them and wear them without a bathroom trip during work hours.
how often do you have to purchase this? because it’s pricey!
most brands advise annually, which i assume is more due to caution than anything. your cup can last years as long as you take care of it properly and keep it clean.
what you should think about when purchasing one:
- shape – do you need one that is slimmer or wider? there are variances in shape you should check out.
- size – have you had a child or not had sex? there are different reasons why you’d need a different size cup.
- stiffness – do you need a softer cup or a stiffer one?
- how it’s made – are dyes used? is latex in the cup? etc.
- price – does your wallet approve?
why i purchased a cup from lunette:
i poured over blogs and vlogs for experiences with different brands. i took into account shapes, sizes, pros/cons, and price. i narrowed it down to lunette because of the list of pros vs cons, the un-colored silicone, and the price (which i found was cheapest on amazon).
my experiences:
generally speaking, i love my cup! there have been some times where i’ve been really frustrated with it, but i honestly prefer it to tampons now. inserting it can be tricky. i learned how to insert it when i wasn’t on my period, so i think that made things a lot easier. it never came out or was painful or uncomfortable, but i did have a HUGE problem with leaks. i was doing the punch fold (fold in half and then in half again, and insert) and learned it wasn’t opening all the way. i’ve since learned how to properly get it on up there and everything’s all good.
another issue i had was taking it back out, especially after sleeping with it. it moves up a little too far and it’s hard to get ahold of to break the suction. and if you don’t break the suction… well… let’s just say it hurts in a very unique way.
breaking the suction of the cup was something i felt was the messiest thing to do, but it’s not the end of the world.
i really enjoy the fact that i don’t have to mess with anything during the work day. and going to the bathroom hasn’t ever been an issue. if i need to empty it and i’m away from somewhere i can clean it, i wipe it thoroughly. it’s not ideal, but for those few and far between times it’s been okay.
overall – no discomfort, complete convenience, happy vagina.
SO YOU HAVE A CUP….
and it hurts… or leaks… watch this girl’s video. it was SO helpful to me! i was having leakage problems and this gal solved it for me after watching once!
keep in mind you can always try a different shape or size or softness. just because 1 type didn’t work doesn’t mean that none of them will 🙂
WANT A CUP?
research which ones would be best for your needs. there are lots of blogs and even vlogs out there that review various brands and types within the same brand. get to know as much as you can to make an educated purchase.
DONT WANT A CUP BUT WANT AN ALTERNATIVE?
awesome! here are some other alternatives you can look into:
- sea sponge (link for information only)
- organic cotton tampons and pads (not bleached; like these here)
HAVE A CUP ALREADY? TRIED ONE?
leave your experiences, preferences, tips, etc. below!!
anything i missed? lemme know!
see you guys later to talk about cramps!
almostexactlyblog.com 
I discovered the Instead Softcup a few months ago and I LOVE IT!! It has literally changed my life. Since having two kids I was having a problem with tampons staying in, especially when my period was really heavy. I bought a reusable Softcup off Amazon, and it’s been amazing. You can use it for one whole cycle, it stays in place, you can’t even feel it! You can use it up to 12 hours, it’s a lot more environmentally friendly, there is no odor, and you can have mess free sex during your period. I wish I’d found this thing years ago, it’s virtually changed everything about having my period! I highly recommend it.