My old silk pillowcase died, so it was time to get a new one. My first one was cheaper, and I don’t think I cared for it properly, so it really wore out quick (had it for a few years I think). I plan on salvaging what I can and make something out of it, but I ordered this one (also in photo above) to replace it. I can totally tell the difference with my hair on a silk pillowcase, so I use it for less breakage.
After I saw this post on New Age Nesting, I’ve been thinking about alternatives to pads and tampons, so I decided to give a menstrual cup a try. I hate tampons and always freak out about toxic shock syndrome, so I’m hoping I like the cup. We’ll see. I’m definitely nervous about it, but it seems it’s cleaner, less waste, and saves money! I ordered this one, so we will see how it goes. I’m trying to convince friends to try it with me, so who wants to join in too?! I will tastefully report back a review after Aunt Flo comes and goes.
To go along with the cup, I ordered a few pairs of Thinx. Period panties are genius and I wish I knew about it when I was a teenager. I’m using it as back up to the cup and when I have light days. We’ll see. I’m skeptical about it, but I’m down to try. Knowing I have 2 girls who will have to deal with this soon enough, I’d love for them to have something that feels comfortable and not worry about leaks (eek!). I have a couple embarrassing accident stories from my teenage years, so maybe these really will be magic and I can spare them having to worry about it. It is a bit of an investment, but it will save in pads and waste (and money!) in the long run. Like the cup, I will report back my thoughts on it after I take it for a spin.
A friend is trying to convince me the benefits of essential oils, so I’ll give it a shot. I’ll be sure to share what I think of those too.
If any of you have any experience with any of the above things I mentioned, would love to hear your thoughts on it!
I’ve tried a couple menstrual cups – the Diva and the Luna. The Diva’s stem was pretty tough and poked into me, making me sore – ugh! I’ve had the Luna for a while and, while it’s softer, it still seems to shift around and poke me. You can cut part of it off, but it makes it harder to find when it’s time to take it out. A few years back my ob/midwife told me to stop wearing it because she thought it was bruising my cervix, but after a while she said it must be nothing.
I have long since gotten rid of the Diva, but I only wear the Luna on occasion. I’m always afraid it will leak, or slip down and be uncomfortable, etc. I’ll use it at home if I don’t have to go anywhere, but haven’t replaced tampons completely (the ob brand is so convenient and doesn’t have an applicator). I’ve read there are many factors that come into play with whether or not a certain type of cup will fit/work, and it can be impossible to know till you try (for instance, I have a tilted uterus), but I’m not going to buy each model that’s out there! After doing some research, though, I may try the Jennie if I have some extra cash laying around (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A2YZUAI/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I31R2TTGXX4IP0&colid=VC34DJX4VRT&th=1).
I’ve also tried cloth pads – even making my own! – but they’re bulky and don’t stay in place. SIGH Why is it so hard to be eco-friendly?? I’ve been super-curious to try the period panties, but if you search around – even on Amazon – there are cheaper brands. I’m thinking of getting some for my daughter, expressly because of the hassle of dealing with periods and those embarrassing moments. When I was in junior high, I had a super-heavy period that landed me in the hospital. My mom didn’t think anything was wrong so I basically carried a purse filled with pads around – I still don’t know how I managed! I would have loved something like that.
Essential oils are great! I think there’s a lot to say for aromatherapy as well as the benefits of using them in DIY cleaning and beauty products. I don’t have a huge stash, but I have a basic set that I use for different things (lavender, lemon, peppermint, orange, eucalyptus, tea tree, clove). I use lavender + lemon + peppermint OR eucalyptus in a bamboo diffuser and I LOVE it. I spent a lot of time researching diffusers and finally got one that’s real wood as opposed to plastic that looks like wood (https://www.amazon.com/InnoGear-Essential-Ultrasonic-Aromatherapy-Diffusers/dp/B01D1CJIS8/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1510619867&sr=8-3&keywords=bamboo+diffuser).
This weekend I was dealing with sinus issues and I held my face over a steaming bowl of water with eucalyptus and peppermint oils.
I would love a silk pillowcase. My hair seems to have gotten worse with age… though I think it has something to do with hormones after baby #4. It’s dry, tangles easily, not a pretty sight. Adding the pillowcase to my wish list!
I’ve been thinking about using the cup for months now! I haven’t invested in one yet, and I don’t have any other friends who use one either, but maybe I’ll finally do it! Can’t wait to read about your Aunt Flo + cup experience, haha
I use the blossom cup and love it! (After 2 kids!) I’ll never go back to pass or tampons!
I love my cup, I try to convert all I know!! I started my 13 year old on the cup and she totally got the hang of it and loves it which makes me happy because I have 3 other girls and it will save me tons of money!
I have used a menstual cup for 14 yrs! It is so healthy for your body and easy to travel with too!
AND oils have been great for our family! We have been using them consistantly for over five years… I’m excited for you to start on this journey.
I tried the cup with the same enthusiasm after the recommendation of several friends. Unfortunately, I am one of the seemingly few who had a bad experience. The short version is the cup damaged a nerve “down there.” It has been almost a year with dozens of doctors appointments and six months of pelvic physical therapy and I am only just now pain free. I regret the day I bought that thing!
I just ordered the same exact cup on Sunday! It should be in tomorrow and I’m excited to try it out!
I am on my third cycle with the combo of a cup + sea sponges after baby #3. First months was a bit disappointing as it wasn’t quite the “miracle” of 12 hours no changing that everyone talked about (more like every thirty minutes, yikes). However after realizing that I just needed one for a heavy flow and it was still going to be a “work in progress” (super helpful article http://putacupinit.com/heavy-periods/) it’s a bit easier to manage. Either way I’m happy to be avoiding all the unnecessary and unregulated junk in my system and honestly even with having 3 kids I feel like I’m learning more about my body by using these products now than I ever did. I only wish I had known about it 17 years ago!
I’ve been using the divacup for around 5? years and i LOVE it. i still prefer tampons on my heaviest day when i have to go out, otherwise i’m using the cup. it’s a little easier for me to “feel” when the tampon is full vs when the cup is full, and when the cup is *too* full it’ll sometimes leak 🙁 but yeah, i love it for the lighter days when a tampon doesn’t make sense. i still wear pantyliners with my cup though, because a little bit of blood still leaks through. this is probably the first time i’ve commented since following your blog and it’s about periods LOL. but yeah, the cup was a lot of trial and error for me and i actually didn’t use it often in the first year or so of getting it, please don’t hesitate to ask me anything if needed!
I love using my diva cup and Thinx panties! Total game-changers (and cost-, and environment-savers). Although right when I discovered them, I got pregnant, so I haven’t been able to get that much use out of them yet 🙂
http://putacupinit.com
This quiz helps find the right cup for you. It took me a few tries to find the right size for myself, but when i did, it was life changing. I wish they would have been around when I was younger! Would have saved me so much period embarrassment/shame! One of the best parts about using a cup is how clean it keeps you(after the learning curve of course (; ). Yay for periods!
I live in Canada, where only the Diva Cup is available, and I’ve never been able to get it comfortable. But someone recently gave me different model (from Britain, I think), and it’s life-altering! I can totally use it for my whole period now, although on day 1 and 2 I have to empty more often.
I haven’t commented for years!
I’ve used a mooncup (British brand) since my eldest was in nappies (he’s now 13). I recently boiled it dry when sterilising and had to buy a new one. I chose a pretty purple one off Amazon but… it kinda hurts. The material is just a bit harder than my mooncup and it just isn’t fitting comfortably.
My point is, if I’d started with this one, I’d have been put off using one.
Definitely use that quiz others are recommending (I used it before – it’s asking the right questions). (I should have used results instead of opting for purple because it’s pretty…)
Washing the cup can be a bit of a footer (good Scottish word for you there) if I’m out and about – you really need a sink by the loo to rinse it before popping it back in.
Good luck!
Karen (Scotland)