This is a post for the girls. Since I’ve been writing a lot about cleaning lately and generally being a bit ‘girlie’ I may as well air my dirty laundry completely, and talk about the mysterious menstrual cup. There are a few different brands out there but personally I am a fan of Mooncups. And, though I don’t have ‘self sufficient‘ periods, I do have less wasteful and more frugal ones!
Environmental Benefits
I have always worn tampons as I like having all the menstrual paraphernalia hidden away. No bulges for me, thank-you very much. But then as a teenager of the 1980’s I did wear many pairs of leggings. And, I’m sorry but menstrual pads and towels are not ‘legging friendly’.
But, as much as I like the convenience of tampons, I have always struggled with the fear of toxic shock syndrome and general health implications of tampons. I did look into organic cotton tampons but boy are they pricey! And, the fact is you are still putting a rough and absorbent, foreign body where it shouldn’ t really be. So there is still a risk.
As my green awareness has grown my attitude to tampons has altered. I stopped throwing them down the loo years ago, even though that’s what we were ’supposed’ to do with them. That didn’t stop the waste I produced though. It just got redirected to landfill, rather than the sea. I composted the cardboard boxes but couldn’t find a way of recycling hundred’s of tiny bits of plastic wrapper each year.
More and more, I’ve viewed tampons with disdain. There is so much waste involved and they aren’t any good for you. But, I have to be honest I had no desire to return to the sanitary pads of my youth. To those of you who use reuseable cotton pads and panty liner, my envy and congratulations. I know I really could just make my own and be properly self sufficient in all things menstrual. But I won’t, I’ve had it too easy for too long.
But, my eco-guilt and fear of toxic shock syndrome won out in the end. Last year I succumbed and purchased my first moon cup. Silly as this may seem, I admit to being a little apprehensive; what if I couldn’t use it - it cost £22! That seemed like quite a few tampons, and not money to be wasted. But I determined if others could manage it, why shouldn’t I?
On arrival, I was a little surprised by the size. But then, it isn’t an absorbent thing so it needs to be relatively large to fit snugly and catch all the menstrual flow. I dutifully read the instructions (all on recycled paper no less), sterilised the menstrual cup in boiling water and then used it! It’s very easy to get worked up about new things, but really it’s a pretty simple business. Which in hindsight is pretty blooming obvious.
Menstrual cups do take a little getting used to, but when when you first start your periods so do tampons and towels. I experienced the occasional small amount of leakage and worried I would never get the hang of it. But, even from the first month of using a moon cup, most days were absolutely fine.
As I said at the beginning I am a total convert. If you are thinking of buying some kind of menstrual cup here are some reasons to help you decide.
Benefits of a Menstrual Cup
Environmental Benefits
Less packaging, less waste each month, less cotton (one of the world’s biggest polluting industries) wasted.
Made of either latex (natural rubber) or medical grade silicon (from silica) one of the world’s most abundant resources.
Financial Benefits
One payment of £20 or there abouts for years of use. With women in the US spending, on average $150 a year on sanitary products, you get your money back pretty swiftly.
Health Benefits
No more absorbent cotton where bacteria love to multiply, reducing your risk of infections. Also, the lack of absorbency means using a menstrual cup will not affect the mucus secretions of the vagina, which are an important part of its defence mechanism and its way of cleaning itself.
There have been no cases of toxic shock syndrome linked to menstrual cups since their introduction in the 1930’s.
The smooth surface of the menstrual cups means they will not irritate sensitive skins, particularly important for those with allergies or thrush.
Vaginal health. I have to be honest and admit I did not previously feel my vagina was unhealthy, nor that it is more healthy now. But, I understand the principle. Using bleaches, rough textures, absorbent gels, fragrances and so on is bound to affect the state of the vaginal walls. Using just smooth silicon or latex has got to be better for the general state of health inside the vagina.
Practical Benefits
I didn’t really consider these before I purchased a moon cup. But with use, there are a few practical benefits which are worth considering:
More room in handbag and bathroom cabinet.
Less stuff to carry around each month, and much more discreet.
Fewer visits to the bathroom as the mooncup will hold much more than a tampon.
Less leakage - once you get the hang of it!
The smug factor - I’ve improved my carbon footprint and my wallet easily!
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ia chi: Ha Thi Hai Yen
So nha 19, ...