Learn About Healthier Product Options for You and the Planet
With tons of product options, comes an abundance of questions. How do you know which product to choose?
We’ve got your back! We’ve done the work for you: our articles will introduce you to your options, go over their pro’s and con’s and share real life product reviews so you can decide for yourself which option is best for you!
Start with the articles to the right, then check out our other articles and free resources.
How To Use A Menstrual Cup
By Softcup
Using a Menstrual Cup for the First Time
In a feminine hygiene market dominated by tampons and pads, trying a menstrual cup may seem intimidating at first. Menstrual cups have been around as long as tampons but are less familiar to some women. Whether you’re dealing with unpredictable periods, experience a heavy flow or want to enjoy an active lifestyle, using a menstrual cup may help you better manage your period. It’s important to know your options when it comes to feminine protection.
How to Use a Menstrual Cup
There are two kinds of menstrual cups: the first is a soft, flexible cup that is worn internally, in the natural space under the cervix and behind the pubic bone where it conforms to your body. When inserted properly, it can’t be felt. You can wear it for about 12 hours at a time, after which it is disposed and a new one is inserted. It is also the only feminine hygiene product that can be worn during intercourse.
Other menstrual cups are bell-shaped and inserted internally to form a suction seal once inside the vagina. These are emptied, cleaned and re-inserted. The same one is used for each menstrual cycle.
Both types of menstrual cups are designed to collect your menstrual flow rather than absorb it. Just like the first time you used a tampon, it may take a few times inserting a menstrual cup to get it right. read more…
5 Ways to Make Your Period “Green”
That said, where does this leave you? There are so many ways to be “green” or “eco friendly.” You can buy organic produce (free from chemicals & pesticides), you can use cloth shopping bags instead of paper or plastic, you can choose to ride a bike or walk instead of taking the car, and the list goes on…But have you thought about making your periods “green?” Why not?
Did you know the average woman uses an estimated 16,000 menstrual products in her lifetime? Think of the amount of waste that creates. Now times that by like… EVERY WOMAN on the PLANET! Disgusting! And it gets worse, most traditional pads and panty liners are made from 90% plastic. How long do you think that will take to decompose? Horrifying!
You may be wondering, “How on earth do you make your period green?” We don’t want to bombard you with a lengthy list so here’s a few ideas you might try. It includes both disposable and reusable options. (more…)Michelle’s Diva Cup Review
I first heard about the Diva Cup a couple of years ago and I immediately judged it. The idea of inserting a bizarre-looking contraption I’d never heard of in my vagina wasn’t very appealing to me, especially since using tampons and pads were the mainstream (and what I thought where the only) options for dealing with your period. I quickly dismissed the menstrual cup, thinking only hippie/granola/environmentally-conscious women were using it.
Eight months ago, at 24 years old, I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. Since then, I’ve been focusing a lot on my health and embracing a healthier, cleaner, greener lifestyle. I am very conscious of what I put in and on my body, from everyday food to cosmetics which contain chemical ingredients and potential carcinogens. I had been thinking about switching to the menstrual cup because it seemed a more natural way of dealing with my period, but was afraid to do so. I wasn’t sure how it worked, how to insert it and if it would hurt. I kept asking my BFF to try it before me to see if it was worth it or not!
Last week I started my period and went to the pharmacy to buy my “period supplies”, where I saw the Diva Cup among all the tampons and pads. “Enough is enough” I thought to myself, “time to face the “beast” and get this over with”. So I bought a Diva Cup and left my usual supplies behind.
Playing It Safe With The Lunette Cup
By Heather Schweich
I honestly can’t remember a time after I started my period when I wasn’t aware on some level of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
My mom was not a tampon user; they made her nauseated and feel horrible when she tried them in high school/college, so when I started menstruating she got me pads, just like her. Well, lower absorbency, but you get the idea.
The problem was that I was a ballet dancer. #1 Pads = not cool. #2 They would never stay in place. So I asked her to let me get some tampons.
She did, and I’m not sure if it was the box insert, a news story, or word of mouth but TSS was a huge concern for her. I didn’t really get the seriousness of it, but I knew enough that I was willing to go along with her guidelines: use natural fiber (cotton) tampons – don’t use a higher absorbency than I needed – use pads at night.
My Lunapads Story/Review
“This story/review came to us at such a great time. As we approach Earth Day, we’d love to hear what challenges you may take on to become more eco-friendly. Will trying an organic or reusable menstrual product make the list?” – The Be Prepared Period Team
My LunaPads story actually started with a challenge a friend gave me around Easter 2011. She told me to go garbage free (or only be allowed to use 1 bag of garbage from then until Christmas Eve. I was doing great until that time of the month came about, I got out my Always pads and said “Oh crap…um what do I do with 8 months of pads if I can’t use garbage?” So I began going online and looking for options. I found LunaPads. I liked the idea that they had the replaceable center. I ordered 6 pad centers and 1 of the pad. I got the cutest design ever, some flowers that looked like the 60s! (my favorite era) I excused myself for that week of garbage since they hadn’t arrived yet, and threw out the bag. (with actual guilt!) When my products arrived, I was so excited, even though I didn’t have my period I wore them for a week! I just wanted to see how they were. read more…
TOP RESOURCES
HORMONE BALANCING TEA BLENDS - $14.97
ORGANIC PERIOD 2GO KITS - $14.99
MENSTRUAL CUP 101
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