Day 4
So today, I had a lull day, in the morning. I just used a pad. But come lunch time, I felt I needed the cup. So I used it. At last I feel I have got the knack (at least 80% of the time).
I hardly felt it at all today.
Not much more to add.
Day 5
Now, I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or not (and I don't tend to believe in coincidences)
But my flow has really slowed.
I normally have a 7 day period, which is really heavy.
But today there really is nothing much to say.
I have already recommended the cup, as I am so impressed. But I must report back next month.
Until then, my little friend the cup, is safely tucked up into its little back.
Saturday, 10 August 2013
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Menstrual Cups, What's the big deal? Days 2 and 3
Day 2
Today I got up, unpacked my little cup from it's little bag and got on with it (You can, of course use them at night, though I'm not sure it could deal with my flow, so am not risking it)
But today, I couldn't get it quite a comfy, perhaps because my flow is heavier, so I persevered.
I also had ran out of pads, so I dug around in the washable nappy bags and used the liners. (even more value for money out of the washable nappies!)
We took the boys to the cinema, as we had promised they could watch Despicable Me 2.
What was great, was not having to take extra pads or tampons with me, and feeling quite safe that I could just empty the cup, and it would fill again. Very liberating actually!
But disaster strike! - I went into the toilet to reposition it, and my washable pad (nappy liner) fell down the toilet. I didn't have a plastic bag or anything! The best I could do was fish it out and hide behind the loo, until the film had finished and I could put it in the popcorn bag or something.
Except upon coming out my hubster had put all the rubbish (anything that remotely resembled a plastic bag) into the bin. Pretty awkward.....
Anyway I managed to survive with an imaginative use of tissue paper, until i got a bag to put it in. Phew!
Cup was still uncomfortable, but OK with adjustments.
DAY 3
This Morning, I also discovered, that nappy liners work better than even the super-ist super towel, with wings, for night time. Which is a really big bonus!
And then I took the little cup out of it's little bag, where it had spent the night, and quite easily, no fuss at all fitted it. Done and comfortable. (You can, of course use them overnight, but I wasn't sure it could deal with my flow). Today I have the knack!
The boys and I printed of some pictures of typical woodlands trees and went out identifying trees.
This was a real test for the cup, which I found to be comfortable.
I definately prefer the cup (when right) to the traditional methods of sanitary protection.
I feel I am converting....
This can only be a good thing. :)
Day 2
Today I got up, unpacked my little cup from it's little bag and got on with it (You can, of course use them at night, though I'm not sure it could deal with my flow, so am not risking it)
But today, I couldn't get it quite a comfy, perhaps because my flow is heavier, so I persevered.
I also had ran out of pads, so I dug around in the washable nappy bags and used the liners. (even more value for money out of the washable nappies!)
We took the boys to the cinema, as we had promised they could watch Despicable Me 2.
What was great, was not having to take extra pads or tampons with me, and feeling quite safe that I could just empty the cup, and it would fill again. Very liberating actually!
But disaster strike! - I went into the toilet to reposition it, and my washable pad (nappy liner) fell down the toilet. I didn't have a plastic bag or anything! The best I could do was fish it out and hide behind the loo, until the film had finished and I could put it in the popcorn bag or something.
Except upon coming out my hubster had put all the rubbish (anything that remotely resembled a plastic bag) into the bin. Pretty awkward.....
Anyway I managed to survive with an imaginative use of tissue paper, until i got a bag to put it in. Phew!
Cup was still uncomfortable, but OK with adjustments.
DAY 3
This Morning, I also discovered, that nappy liners work better than even the super-ist super towel, with wings, for night time. Which is a really big bonus!
And then I took the little cup out of it's little bag, where it had spent the night, and quite easily, no fuss at all fitted it. Done and comfortable. (You can, of course use them overnight, but I wasn't sure it could deal with my flow). Today I have the knack!
The boys and I printed of some pictures of typical woodlands trees and went out identifying trees.
This was a real test for the cup, which I found to be comfortable.
I definately prefer the cup (when right) to the traditional methods of sanitary protection.
I feel I am converting....
This can only be a good thing. :)
Monday, 5 August 2013
What's The Deal with Menstrual cups? A beginners approach.
For about a year or two now I have been hearing about menstrual cups, and I have been wondering what they are all about, and whether it would be a lifestyle change That I would like to enter, or could deal with even.
Because me, being rather uncomfortable of conversations of all things body, well lets just say, this is a whole other level. It has taken me this long to actually get around buying one.
So I guess the title should have been
- Menstrual Cups - approach with caution.
Because that's what I spent the last year or two doing. (some call it procrastination, others cautiousness)
But really, what spurred me on is the waste that is made, (by all consumables) but I could really do something by adressing these sort of products. I'd used washable nappies, when my monkey's were babies why not re-usable menstrual 'devices?'
There are plenty of washable pads, and I guess they are easily made, but them alone wouldn't do, as I suffer with Mennorhagia - heavy bleeding, and apart from the fact that towels get me through and hour if I am lucky! The thought of all that extra washing it would create, makes me queazy! - Life is too short to be washing every day!! (I mean clothes washing btw)
So I thought some more, and procrastinated a bit, and then just like you do at the edge of the pool on a hot summer's day I dove in and brought one! :D
Of course this was right at the end of my last period, so I have sat looking at it, just for old times sake (last minute procrastination) for the past month.
DAY 1
Once I realised , that it was 'time' for the cup. I curiously took it out of it box, and double checked the instructions, then washed it as per instructions. Then dried it, then realised that drying it made it fluffy from the towel. So I washed it again and rinsed in boiling water.
I then double checked the instruction again. (just to be sure).
In the meantime, I was fully protected by a pad, but time was limited.
I then got distracted by something totally un related. (yeah, notice a pattern here?)
Time running out, with pad
Make it to the Bathroom, lock door to keep small people out. Look at said cup, laugh. Look at stem
Remember the holy advice of menstrual cup, from all women of the menstrual cup collective* "If it's uncomfortable, cut the stem". Decide to get scissors just incase. Get accosted by small child, who needs a cape, but then skips off calling "aww, I know my leggings will do!" - Yeah really leggings for for everything with this child!
Find scissors, make it back into bathroom, get thedoor locked without being spotted. Look at said cup, and laugh again. - I think it's nervous laughter.
Check instructions again (Never know if something has changed...).
Fold cup, and insert.
It actually was easier than expected!!! :o
mmm, but uncomfy - but I know there must be a knack.
Take out, rinse and cut stem.
I soon found out this wasn't quite enough.
So I came back, cut some more, and for some stupid reason, I cut it diagonally. Yeah OWCH!!
Out it came, More cut, and back in..... And this time, it was ok.
After going out, I found that it was much more comfortable, it had kind of gotten into a better position from me walking about.
still wearing pads, for leaks, but was expecting that. And now, there is no rubbish to sort out, and I am really amazed, by how much cleaner it feels.
And really bloody pleased at being a lot kinder to the environment. So double bonus.
But only day 1, lets see how it goes.
Because me, being rather uncomfortable of conversations of all things body, well lets just say, this is a whole other level. It has taken me this long to actually get around buying one.
So I guess the title should have been
- Menstrual Cups - approach with caution.
Because that's what I spent the last year or two doing. (some call it procrastination, others cautiousness)
But really, what spurred me on is the waste that is made, (by all consumables) but I could really do something by adressing these sort of products. I'd used washable nappies, when my monkey's were babies why not re-usable menstrual 'devices?'
There are plenty of washable pads, and I guess they are easily made, but them alone wouldn't do, as I suffer with Mennorhagia - heavy bleeding, and apart from the fact that towels get me through and hour if I am lucky! The thought of all that extra washing it would create, makes me queazy! - Life is too short to be washing every day!! (I mean clothes washing btw)
So I thought some more, and procrastinated a bit, and then just like you do at the edge of the pool on a hot summer's day I dove in and brought one! :D
Of course this was right at the end of my last period, so I have sat looking at it, just for old times sake (last minute procrastination) for the past month.
DAY 1
Once I realised , that it was 'time' for the cup. I curiously took it out of it box, and double checked the instructions, then washed it as per instructions. Then dried it, then realised that drying it made it fluffy from the towel. So I washed it again and rinsed in boiling water.
I then double checked the instruction again. (just to be sure).
In the meantime, I was fully protected by a pad, but time was limited.
I then got distracted by something totally un related. (yeah, notice a pattern here?)
Time running out, with pad
Make it to the Bathroom, lock door to keep small people out. Look at said cup, laugh. Look at stem
Remember the holy advice of menstrual cup, from all women of the menstrual cup collective* "If it's uncomfortable, cut the stem". Decide to get scissors just incase. Get accosted by small child, who needs a cape, but then skips off calling "aww, I know my leggings will do!" - Yeah really leggings for for everything with this child!
Find scissors, make it back into bathroom, get thedoor locked without being spotted. Look at said cup, and laugh again. - I think it's nervous laughter.
Check instructions again (Never know if something has changed...).
Fold cup, and insert.
It actually was easier than expected!!! :o
mmm, but uncomfy - but I know there must be a knack.
Take out, rinse and cut stem.
I soon found out this wasn't quite enough.
So I came back, cut some more, and for some stupid reason, I cut it diagonally. Yeah OWCH!!
Out it came, More cut, and back in..... And this time, it was ok.
After going out, I found that it was much more comfortable, it had kind of gotten into a better position from me walking about.
still wearing pads, for leaks, but was expecting that. And now, there is no rubbish to sort out, and I am really amazed, by how much cleaner it feels.
And really bloody pleased at being a lot kinder to the environment. So double bonus.
But only day 1, lets see how it goes.
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