**Period Cups.**

**Maybe you have heard of them, maybe not.**

Maybe you have been using one for years, or maybe you remember that one time your super granola, bohemian friend mentioned using one.

Growing up, my mom was somewhat of a hippie herself, so “natural” and “organic” was nothing new. However, two years ago my mom was unexpectedly diagnosed with breast cancer, an aggressive form known as Triple Negative. So when SHE, someone healthy, young, and somewhat aware of carcinogens went thought this, I instinctually started digging deep into the potential toxins our family, and my own body was being exposed to.

I took a hard look into the food I was consuming, the cleaning supplies in the house, and even my potentially unsafe mascara before even thinking to ask, “are my tampons toxic?”

Ultimately to protect my own health, I transitioned off hormonal birth control and to a reusable menstrual cup, and have not looked back since.

Before We Dive In…

Let’s take a moment to talk about period stigma.

You may have felt uncomfortable seeing the title of this article or seeing the photo of me holding my period cup. Women’s periods are so often thought of as “dirty”, “unsanitary” or...maybe even “gross”. Let me say, periods are a natural experience, a gift that should be celebrated. There is absolutely nothing shameful or gross about periods, period cups OR any form of feminine products that handle period blood. Yes, period blood. I said it.

There are communities all over the world that ostracize and humiliate girls and women during their cycles due to lack of health education and knowledge. On top of that, thousands of women and girls lack resources to manage their cycle, forcing them to miss school, work, and opportunities.

Choosing a brand

There are a few reputable brands when choosing a cup, but my personal favorite is Dot Menstrual Cup, a woman-owned, US based company. For every Dot Cup purchased, one is given to a woman or girl in need, allowing her to prioritize her education, work, and community involvement without monthly shame or interruption. To learn more about how this company is helping females across the globe, click here. Stay tuned until the end of this article for more resources!

There is absolutely nothing shameful or gross about periods, period cups OR any form of feminine products that handle period blood.

Alright! Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

**What the H*LL is a Period Cup?**

A period (or menstrual) cup is an eco-friendly, sustainable alternative to tampons that is worn in the vagina for up to 12 hours and emptied in the toilet after each use. In other words, instead of absorbing blood like a tampon, the cup catches it. This may seem like a foreign concept, but soon enough you will master the cup and be telling all your friends about it, so stay with me!

Why Should I Use One?

It’s Better for Your Health

The vagina is a highly permeable and sensitive space. Anything placed inside is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, so we need to be sure about what products go up there and what ingredients are in those products. Generic tampons can have things like bleach, latex, odor neutralizers, dyes, pesticides, fragrances, and chemicals including dioxin and glyphosate- a “probably carcinogenic” chemical as recently ruled by the World Health Organization. All that up your hoo-ha getting quickly absorbed into the blood? No thanks.

Menstrual cups are usually made of non-allergenic silicone. Approved menstrual cup brands can be found on the FDA website- you can see what they are made of and where they are manufactured. Another reason I love Dot? They are registered with the FDA and use medical-grade silicone approved for inter-body use, so you are safe here.

It’s Better for the Planet

It’s estimated 20 billion sanitary napkins, tampons and applicators (including boxes and wrappers) are dumped into North American landfills every year. On top of that, most people improperly dispose of these products by flushing them down the toilet, clogging our waterways and affecting our water quality. Your cup is reusable and if properly taken care of, can last up to a decade…so let’s do the math. By switching to the cup, you are saving well over 1,000 tampons from sitting in landfills. That’s a lot of tampon waste and money from your wallet being saved!

It’s More Convenient

It may take a few cycles to master the cup, but once you do I promise it is more convenient. No more late night runs to the convenience store since your cup is always at home. Don’t worry about leaks because cups hold more contents than tampons can absorb. Not to mention, packing one small cup versus an entire box of tampons or pads while traveling saves hella room.

**It’s F*ucking Empowering**

Our cycles speak to us- if they are early, late, heavy, or light. Even the color and consistency of our flow are messages from our body. By using the cup you will become much more in tune with your body and cycle, truly empowering yourself for the now and the future.

Ashley Mary , the artist behind the pouches

How to Use It

How to Insert It

First ALWAYS wash your hands with soap and rinse your cup out. Hold the cup with the opening facing up (stem down), and push one side of the rim in with your thumb. If it’s easier, roll and fold the opening, making a “C” shape. Insert it into the vagina, stem facing down. Use you fingers to make any adjustments and to make sure the cup is fully in place. Once it’s in, gently release the fold and the cup will open back up. Again, you can twist and adjust the cup into place- it should not be uncomfortable! If you are still confused you can find a photo diagram here.

*Pro tip- shorter finger nails are better here, vaginal tissue is sensitive so be mindful!

How Long to Keep it in

After no more than 12 hours, remove the cup and empty the contents into the toilet. You may need to do it sooner depending on the unique intensity of your flow. So if it feels full, empty it out and take note! Although the risk of using a cup is lower than using tampons, prevent infection and Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) with timely removal and rinsing.

How to Remove it

Again wash your hands! Grab the stem of the cup and pretend like you are about to push out a baby or pass gas- this will help the cup naturally come out. Gently pull. You will meet a little resistance, so slowly work your way higher to the top of the cup, pinch and pull down to “de-suction” the cup. You may need to reposition your fingers to get a better hold and wiggle it out. Dump your blood in the toilet, rinse the cup with water, and re-insert.

How to Clean it

Each day, wash your cup with natural soap (I like Dr. Bronner's unscented). If you're in public, just dump it and re-insert your cup without rinsing it, but remove and rinse right when you get home! At the end of the month place it in boiling water to remove any bacteria. I put it in a special, small “period-friendly” saucepan and place it in my cute storage pouch until next month.

*Pro tip- in a public bathroom, still wash your hands before and bring in a wet paper towel before getting into the stall in case things get messy.

FAQs

Does it hurt? The first time you insert the cup, it may feel uncomfortable but once it’s in, NO it should not hurt. If it does you may need to cut the stem to find the right fit for your shape, or try a different company with a smaller size. If inserting still hurts, turn to any form of natural lubrication or wet your hands.

Does it leak? It shouldn’t! However for the first few times, get to know your flow and take note of how often you may need to change it. If a leak does happen, try removing it earlier, and when re-inserting, make sure the cup is open all the way and pushed up far enough. If in doubt, use a pair of Thinx period-proof undies for backup!

Can I sleep in it? Absolutely! I sleep with mine every night during my period and dump in the morning.

Can I workout in it? Spin your heart out girl. I have done everything from Soul Cycle, to hot yoga, running and swimming in my cup. Yogis, be aware however you are not recommended to go upside down during your period. The contents could go back into your uterus so save your headstands for later.

Can I have sex in it? Sorry but no sex while the cup is in.

What if I have an IUD? The data is conflicting on using an IUD and menstrual cup simultaneously. Please talk to your OB/GYN, midwife or women’s health nurse practitioner before making the switch.

Where can I find it? You can purchase your Dot Cup online, on amazon or at your local retailer! Remember for every Dot Cup purchased, one is donated to a girl or woman in need, so your contribution is meaningful and appreciated!

Remember, breaking the period taboo starts with our conversations. I encourage you to talk about this topic with your friends, sisters, women and MEN in your life who care about the reproductive health of themselves and women all over the world.

Talking about your period isn’t gross or weird, it’s empowering.

For More

If you are looking to transition to less toxic products, check out my post on How to Make the Transition to Clean Beauty and 10 Ways to Start Living More Holistically NOW.

To Learn More About Women’s Health Issues & Period Stigma

Period End of Sentence - new Oscar winning documentary, yes it’s on Netflix

Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand For Menstrual Equity by Jennifer Weiss-Wolf

Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and the Half the Sky Docuseries

Period Power by Nadya Okamoto

Womancode by Alyssa Pitti to perfect your cycle or get it back

For a systematic review study done on the safety of menstrual cups, you can read more here.

I am grateful to partner with Dot Cup for this post. For more information head to their website dotforall.com, e-mail them at info@dotforall.com, or find Dot Cup on Instagram.

Have you tried a menstrual cup before? Please let me know your experience and if you have any further questions. Drop me a line in the comments or find me on social media, I would love to hear from you!