Period underwear is specially designed underwear that has built-in absorbent layers to catch and hold menstrual flow. It eliminates the need for disposable pads or tampons, reducing waste and environmental impact. With period underwear, you can experience leak-free protection and enhanced comfort throughout your menstrual cycle.
As more people become conscious of the environmental impact of disposable menstrual products, period underwear has gained popularity as a sustainable alternative. By choosing period undies, you not only reduce single-use plastic waste, but also enjoy the benefits of reliable leak protection and increased comfort.
Now that you understand the basics of period underwear and its emergence as a sustainable alternative, let's dive into the benefits it offers compared to traditional products.
Period underwear offers a range of advantages that make it an appealing choice for menstruating individuals in Singapore. Here is an overview of the benefits offered by period underwear:
One of the key advantages of period underwear is its ability to provide reliable leak protection. These innovative garments are designed with multiple layers, including an absorbent layer that can hold a significant amount of menstrual flow. The moisture-wicking properties and waterproof outer layer help prevent leaks, giving you peace of mind throughout the day.
Unlike traditional menstrual products like pads and tampons, period undies prioritises comfort. They are made from soft, breathable fabrics that feel gentle against the skin, reducing irritation and discomfort often associated with disposable products. With their seamless design and flexible fit, period undies allow for unrestricted movement during daily activities.
Switching to period underwear contributes to a greener and more sustainable lifestyle. With each pair of period underwear replacing hundreds of disposable pads or tampons, you significantly reduce your contribution to landfill waste. By choosing reusable options, such as organic cotton or bamboo fabric, you also minimize the use of synthetic materials and harmful chemicals.
Period underwear utilizes innovative design and materials to ensure optimal absorption and comfort. The absorbent layer built into the garment quickly absorbs menstrual flow, keeping you dry and preventing leaks. Some brands even offer different levels of absorbency to cater to varying flow intensities.
In addition to their absorbency, period underwear is designed to be odour-resistant, thanks to antimicrobial treatments applied to the fabric. This feature eliminates any worries about unpleasant smells during your period.
By considering the advantages offered by period underwear in terms of leak protection, comfort, and environmental impact reduction, you can make an informed decision about incorporating this sustainable alternative into your menstrual care routine.
When it comes to selecting the best period underwear in Singapore, there are several key factors to consider. From understanding the available options to finding your perfect fit and identifying the most suitable brands, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed choice:
With the growing popularity of reusable period products, The Period Co. has emerged as a go-to destination for individuals seeking high-quality period underwear in Singapore. Their extensive range of products and commitment to sustainability make them a trusted resource for those looking to make the switch to eco-friendly menstrual solutions.
By navigating through these considerations, you can confidently choose period underwear that aligns with your comfort, protection, and sustainability goals while catering to your individual flow patterns and lifestyle needs.
When it comes to purchasing period underwear in Singapore, you have the option of exploring online retailers with a diverse range of products or visiting physical stores for an in-person fitting experience. Here's a breakdown of the available options:
Online retailers provide the convenience of browsing through a wide selection of period underwear from the comfort of your home. These platforms often offer detailed product descriptions, size guides, and customer reviews to help you make an informed decision. Some popular online stores for purchasing period underwear in Singapore include:
For those who prefer a hands-on approach to shopping, visiting physical stores provides the opportunity to see and feel the products before making a purchase.
Ensuring the longevity and performance of your period underwear requires proper care and washing practices. By following these essential maintenance tips, you can maintain the quality and effectiveness of your period panties over time:
Before using your new period panties for the first time, pre-wash them. This helps to remove any manufacturing residue and ensures optimal absorbency. Simply wash them with a mild detergent.
Most period underwear can be hand washed or machine washed, but always check the manufacturer's care instructions to be sure. If hand washing, gently rub the fabric together in cold water with a mild detergent, then rinse thoroughly. If machine washing, place the period underwear in a mesh laundry bag to protect them from damage and wash them on a gentle cycle with cold water.
To maintain the fabric's integrity and effectiveness, avoid using bleach or fabric softeners when washing your period panties. These chemicals can break down the fibres and reduce their absorbency.
It is best to air dry your period panties instead of using a dryer. Hang them up in a well-ventilated area or lay them flat to dry. Direct heat from dryers can cause shrinkage and damage the elastic components of the underwear.
For stubborn stains, treat them as soon as possible before washing. You can use stain removers specifically designed for delicate fabrics or try natural alternatives like hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar. Apply the stain remover directly to the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes before washing.
Remember to always refer to the specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer for your period underwear brand. Taking good care of your period underwear will not only prolong their lifespan but also ensure that they continue to provide reliable leak protection and comfort throughout your menstrual cycle.
Period underwear can be used as a reliable backup option during heavy flow days or when wearing a menstrual cup. The absorbent and leak-proof nature of period underwear provides an extra layer of protection, offering peace of mind and security during menstruation.
When using a menstrual cup or disc, wearing period underwear can serve as a backup in case of any unexpected leaks, especially on days with a heavier flow. This combination allows for dual protection, reducing the risk of leaks and providing added confidence throughout the day.
By incorporating period underwear as a complement to other menstrual products like menstrual cups or discs, individuals have the flexibility to tailor their approach based on their unique flow patterns and preferences.
Period underwear not only offers comfort and protection during menstruation but also provides significant environmental benefits. By opting for period underwear, you can make a positive impact on the environment by reducing the amount of single-use plastic waste generated by traditional menstrual products.
By opting for period underwear, you can make a conscious choice to support sustainability and reduce your environmental impact. Not only are you reducing plastic waste, but you are also contributing to a cleaner and greener future.
Remember, choosing the right period underwear that suits your needs is essential for both your comfort and sustainability goals.
Choosing the best period underwear in Singapore is a personal journey that combines sustainability, comfort, and individual preferences. As you embark on this exciting change, here are some final thoughts to consider:
In conclusion, period underwear empowers you to manage your periods sustainably and comfortably. By making the switch, you contribute to reducing environmental impact while enjoying reliable leak protection and enhanced comfort. Remember to find the right fit, choose a style that suits your preferences, and consider absorbency levels that match your flow intensity. Embrace period underwear as a step towards a more sustainable future!
]]>Here are the top four places to purchase period underwear in Singapore:
Looking for a one-stop-shop for all your period underwear needs? The Period Co is the answer! Their website boasts a user-friendly interface with an online chat/support function to assist you in finding your perfect pair. From various styles to different absorbency levels, they offer the most extensive variety of period underwear products. On top of that, multiple 5-star reviews from satisfied customers speak to the quality of their products.
If you prefer a physical shopping experience, head over to The Green Collective at Funan Mall. This eco-conscious store is a treasure trove of sustainable products, and their collection of period underwear is no exception. You can try out different styles and sizes, and the knowledgeable staff will help you find the ideal underwear to match your needs.
For the convenience of online shopping and a wide range of options, check out Shopee. This popular e-commerce platform offers a diverse selection of period underwear from various brands and sellers. You can browse through customer reviews and ratings to ensure you're making a well-informed purchase.
Unpackt, a zero-waste store in Singapore, is your go-to place for eco-friendly period underwear. By shopping at Unpackt, you not only get to make a sustainable choice for your period, but you also contribute to the reduction of plastic waste. Talk about a win-win situation!
How does period underwear work?
Period underwear is designed with multiple layers of absorbent and leak-resistant fabric that wicks away moisture and prevents leaks. It offers a reliable alternative to disposable pads and tampons.
Can I wear period underwear for heavy flow days?
Absolutely! Period underwear comes in different absorbency levels, including options for heavy flow days. Make sure to choose the appropriate absorbency level for your needs.
Are period underwear reusable?
Yes, most period underwear is reusable. After use, simply rinse them in cold water, then machine or hand wash them before air-drying. With proper care, they can last for years.
Can period underwear replace menstrual cups or tampons?
Period underwear can be used as a stand-alone option for lighter flow days or as a backup for menstrual cups or tampons on heavier days. It provides an added layer of protection and peace of mind.
Is period underwear suitable for teenagers?
Absolutely! Period underwear is an excellent option for teenagers who are just starting their period journey. It's comfortable, easy to use, and eco-friendly.
How many pairs of period underwear do I need?
The number of pairs you need depends on your flow and washing routine. Many people find that owning 3-5 pairs is sufficient for a cycle, but it's best to have extra on hand, especially during heavier flow days.
Making the switch to period underwear is a game-changer for anyone seeking a more comfortable and sustainable period experience. With the top four places to buy period underwear in Singapore listed above, you have a variety of options to choose from. Whether you prefer the convenience of online shopping or the personalized assistance of a physical store, these locations have got you covered. So, bid farewell to the discomfort of traditional menstrual products and embrace the world of leak-proof, eco-friendly period underwear!
]]>Are you a eco-conscious individual on the hunt for a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to tampons and pads? Look no further! Menstrual cups have gained popularity over the years for their environmental benefits and long-lasting use. In this article, we'll explore the best places to buy menstrual cups in Singapore. Whether you're a menstrual cup newbie or a seasoned user looking to restock, we've got you covered!
Here are the top four places to purchase menstrual cups in Singapore:
The Period Co is an online store dedicated to providing eco-friendly and sustainable menstrual products. They offer a wide range of menstrual cups, catering to different sizes and preferences. The website is user-friendly, allowing you to navigate through their collection effortlessly. Plus, they provide detailed product descriptions, reviews and most importantly have an online chat to help you make an informed decision.
The Green Collective is a brick-and-mortar store located at Funan Mall, Singapore. They are committed to offering a variety of sustainable products, including menstrual cups. Visiting the physical store allows you to get a hands-on experience and ask any questions you may have about the products. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you in choosing the right menstrual cup for your needs.
Shopee is a popular online marketplace in Singapore, and it's no surprise that you can find a vast selection of menstrual cups here. The platform allows you to compare prices from different sellers, making sure you get the best deal. Don't forget to check for product ratings and reviews to ensure the quality and authenticity of the menstrual cup before making your purchase.
Unpackt is a zero-waste brick and mortar store in Singapore that strives to promote a sustainable lifestyle. They offer a range of eco-friendly products, and you can find menstrual cups among their offerings. Buying from Unpackt not only helps you go green with your period routine but also supports the reduction of plastic waste.
Are menstrual cups suitable for everyone?
Yes, menstrual cups are generally suitable for most people. However, individuals with certain medical conditions, such as vaginismus or a tilted uterus, may find it challenging to use menstrual cups. It's best to consult with your gynecologist if you have any concerns.
How do I choose the right menstrual cup size?
Menstrual cups come in various sizes, and the right one depends on factors like age, flow, and childbirth history. Many brands offer size guides on their websites to help you make the right choice.
Can I wear a menstrual cup during sports or physical activities?
Absolutely! Menstrual cups provide excellent protection and can be worn during various physical activities, including sports and swimming. Once inserted correctly, they stay in place securely.
How do I clean and maintain my menstrual cup?
To clean your menstrual cup, rinse it with water after each use and sanitize it before and after your cycle. Boiling the cup in water for a few minutes is an effective way to disinfect it. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper maintenance.
Can I wear a menstrual cup overnight?
Yes, you can wear a menstrual cup overnight. Menstrual cups can typically be worn for up to 8-12 hours, depending on your flow. Remember to empty and rinse it thoroughly when you wake up.
Embracing the use of menstrual cups not only benefits the environment but also offers comfort and convenience to menstruating individuals. With the plethora of options available, finding a suitable menstrual cup in Singapore has never been easier. So, bid farewell to disposable period products and say hello to a more sustainable and pocket-friendly period experience! Remember to choose a reputable seller and the right cup size for a worry-free and enjoyable menstrual cup journey. Happy period!
]]>Are you tired of dealing with disposable pads and tampons that generate unnecessary waste during your period? It's time to embrace a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative: the menstrual cup! In this ultimate guide to menstrual cups, we will walk you through everything you need to know about this game-changing period care product. From understanding how they work to their benefits and tips for a comfortable fit, get ready to revolutionize your period care routine with menstrual cups.
For those new to the concept, let's start with the basics. What exactly is a menstrual cup? A menstrual cup is a flexible, bell-shaped cup made from medical-grade silicone or rubber. It is designed to be inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid, providing leak-free protection and comfort during your period.
Curious about how to use a menstrual cup? Let's break it down step by step:
Wash Your Hands: Before handling the menstrual cup, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly to maintain hygiene.
Fold and Insert: Fold the cup into a C-shape or pinch the rim to make it more compact. Insert the cup into your vagina, ensuring it sits below your cervix.
Create a Seal: Rotate the cup or run your finger around the base to ensure a proper seal against the vaginal walls, preventing leaks.
Empty and Clean: Depending on your flow, empty the cup every 8-12 hours. Remove the cup, empty the collected fluid into the toilet, rinse the cup, and reinsert.
Still unsure about making the switch? Here are some compelling reasons to choose a menstrual cup:
Eco-Friendly Option: Menstrual cups are reusable and can last for several years, significantly reducing the waste generated during your period.
Cost-Effective: Investing in a high-quality menstrual cup can save you money in the long run, as it eliminates the need for frequent purchases of disposable products.
Extended Wear Time: Menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours, providing longer-lasting protection compared to pads and tampons.
Comfort and Freedom: Once properly inserted, menstrual cups are virtually undetectable, allowing you to move freely and comfortably.
Ready to find the perfect menstrual cup for you? Consider the following factors:
Size and Capacity: Menstrual cups come in different sizes and capacities to accommodate varying flows and vaginal shapes. Check the manufacturer's guidelines to choose the right size.
Material: Most menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone, which is hypoallergenic and safe to use. Some cups are also made from rubber or TPE. Choose the material that suits you best.
Firmness: Menstrual cups come in different levels of firmness. A firmer cup may be easier to insert and open, while a softer cup may be more comfortable.
Can I use a menstrual cup if I have never used tampons before? Yes, many people find menstrual cups easier to use than tampons once they get the hang of it. It may take some practice, but it's worth the effort.
Can I wear a menstrual cup overnight? Absolutely! Menstrual cups can be safely worn for up to 12 hours, making them ideal for overnight use.
How often should I replace my menstrual cup? With proper care, a high-quality menstrual cup can last for several years. However, it's essential to inspect it regularly for signs of wear and tear.
Can I use a menstrual cup during physical activities? Yes, menstrual cups provide excellent leak protection, making them suitable for sports and other physical activities.
Are menstrual cups hygienic? Menstrual cups are designed to be hygienic and safe when used and cleaned correctly. Remember to wash your hands before handling the cup and follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions.
Can I use a menstrual cup with an IUD? If you have an IUD, consult with your healthcare provider before using a menstrual cup, as there is a slight risk of dislodging the IUD during removal.
Congratulations, you've completed the quick guide to menstrual cups! Now equipped with all the knowledge, you can confidently make the switch to this eco-friendly and convenient period care option. Say goodbye to disposable pads and tampons and embrace a more sustainable way to manage your period. With a menstrual cup in hand, you'll not only reduce your environmental impact but also experience greater comfort and freedom during that time of the month. Make the change today and join the menstrual cup revolution!
]]>Say goodbye to bulky pads and uncomfortable tampons! Menstrual discs are here to revolutionize the way you manage your period. If you're tired of leaks and discomfort during that time of the month, menstrual discs might just be the solution you've been searching for. In this ultimate guide to menstrual discs, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about this innovative period product. From understanding how they work to their benefits and usage tips, get ready to embrace a new era of period comfort with menstrual discs.
For those unfamiliar with this game-changing product, let's start with the basics. What exactly is a menstrual disc? A menstrual disc is a flexible, disc-shaped menstrual product made from medical-grade materials. It's designed to be inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid, providing reliable protection against leaks and stains.
Curious about the magic behind menstrual discs? Let's dive into the mechanics:
Perfect Fit: Menstrual discs are designed to sit comfortably in the vaginal fornix, where they collect menstrual fluid without causing discomfort.
High Capacity: These discs have a higher capacity than tampons and can hold more menstrual fluid, making them ideal for heavy flow days.
Leak-Proof Seal: Once properly inserted, menstrual discs create a seal against the vaginal walls, preventing leaks and ensuring worry-free wear.
Still on the fence about trying menstrual discs? Here are some compelling reasons why they might be the best choice for you:
All-Day Protection: Menstrual discs can be worn for up to 12 hours, providing continuous protection without the need for frequent changes.
Comfort and Freedom: Unlike pads and tampons, menstrual discs are virtually undetectable and offer unparalleled comfort and freedom of movement.
Eco-Friendly Alternative: Menstrual discs are reusable and produce less waste compared to disposable period products, reducing your environmental impact.
Ready to give menstrual discs a try? Follow these steps for hassle-free usage:
Wash Hands: Before handling the menstrual disc, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly to maintain hygiene.
Fold and Insert: Fold the disc into a C-shape and insert it into your vagina, similar to inserting a tampon. Ensure it sits comfortably in the vaginal fornix.
Create a Seal: Use your finger to push the rim of the disc back, creating a seal against the vaginal walls.
Remove and Empty: After 8-12 hours, remove the disc by hooking your finger under the rim and gently pulling it out. Empty the collected fluid into the toilet, rinse the disc, and reinsert.
Can I use a menstrual disc if I have a heavy flow? Yes, menstrual discs are suitable for all flow levels, and their high capacity makes them an excellent choice for heavy flow days.
Are menstrual discs comfortable to wear? Absolutely! Once properly inserted, menstrual discs are incredibly comfortable and virtually unnoticeable.
Can I wear a menstrual disc overnight? Yes, menstrual discs can be safely worn overnight, providing leak-proof protection while you sleep.
How often should I empty and clean the menstrual disc? It's recommended to empty and rinse the menstrual disc every 8-12 hours, depending on your flow.
Can I use a menstrual disc if I've never used tampons before? Yes, many people find menstrual discs easier to insert and use compared to tampons, especially with a bit of practice.
Can I use a menstrual disc during physical activities? Absolutely! Menstrual discs provide excellent protection during sports and physical activities, allowing you to move with confidence.
Congratulations, you've completed the quick guide to menstrual discs! Now armed with all the knowledge, you can confidently make the switch to this revolutionary period product. Embrace the comfort, freedom, and leak-proof protection that menstrual discs offer. Say goodbye to period woes and discomfort, and welcome a new era of period confidence. With menstrual discs in your arsenal, you'll be ready to take on anything that comes your way during that time of the month. Cheers to comfort and convenience!
]]>Menstruation, that time of the month when Mother Nature pays a visit, doesn't have to be a hassle anymore. Bid farewell to the discomfort and inconvenience of traditional menstrual products, and say hello to period underwear! In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about period underwear. From understanding how they work to finding the perfect fit for you, get ready to embrace the freedom and comfort that period undies offer.
If you're new to the concept, you might be wondering, "What exactly is period underwear?" Fear not! We've got the answer. Period underwear, also known as menstrual panties, is a type of absorbent underwear specially designed to replace or complement traditional menstrual products like pads and tampons. They are made with multiple layers of moisture-wicking, leak-resistant, and odor-controlling fabrics to keep you feeling fresh and dry during your period.
Curious about the magic behind these innovative undies? Let's break it down for you:
Absorption Technology: Period underwear features a unique blend of materials that can absorb and lock away menstrual fluid, preventing leaks and stains.
Moisture-Wicking: The moisture-wicking properties in period underwear keep you dry by pulling moisture away from your skin.
Leak-Proof Layers: Multiple layers of leak-resistant fabric act as a safeguard against unexpected leaks, giving you peace of mind.
Are you still on the fence about making the switch? Here are some compelling reasons why period underwear might be the best choice for you:
Comfort and Breathability: Unlike pads or tampons, period underwear provides a comfortable, breathable, and irritation-free experience.
Eco-Friendly Alternative: By choosing reusable period underwear, you're reducing your environmental impact, one menstrual cycle at a time.
Cost-Effective: Investing in high-quality period underwear can save you money in the long run, as they are reusable for up to several years.
Ideal for All Menstrual Flows: Whether you have a light flow or a heavy one, period underwear comes in various absorbency levels to suit your needs.
Ready to make the switch? Here's a step-by-step guide to finding the perfect period underwear for you:
Assess Your Flow: Determine your average menstrual flow to choose the appropriate absorbency level.
Size Matters: Get accurate measurements and refer to the manufacturer's sizing chart to ensure a comfortable fit.
Style Preferences: Period underwear comes in various styles, such as bikini, boyshorts, and briefs. Choose the style that aligns with your preferences.
How often should I change period underwear? It depends on your flow and the absorbency level of the underwear. Generally, you can wear them for up to 12 hours on lighter days and around 4-6 hours on heavier days.
Can I use period underwear during workouts? Absolutely! Period underwear is designed to be flexible and comfortable, making it ideal for all kinds of physical activities.
How do I wash and care for period underwear? Rinse them in cold water after use and then machine wash them with mild detergent. Avoid using fabric softeners or bleach, as they can affect the absorbency.
Are period underwear leak-proof? While period underwear is designed to prevent leaks, it's essential to choose the right absorbency level based on your flow and change them as needed.
Can I wear period underwear overnight? Yes, many brands offer period underwear specifically designed for overnight use with higher absorbency levels.
How long do period underwear last? With proper care, high-quality period underwear can last up to 2-3 years, making them a cost-effective and sustainable choice.
Congratulations, you've completed the quick guide to period underwear! Now armed with all the knowledge, you can confidently make the switch and embrace the comfort and convenience they offer. Say goodbye to discomfort and waste, and hello to a new era of period positivity. With period underwear by your side, you can navigate your menstrual cycle with ease, empowering yourself with every step. Embrace the freedom, be kind to the environment, and stay comfortable and confident throughout your period journey!
]]>If you use pads, you're having them pressed up against your body, specifically the skin around your vaginal area, for around 5 days every month. The skin around this area is highly permeable. Items that come in constant contact with your skin are absorbed into your bloodstream and distributed throughout your body.
Disposable sanitary pads contain certain stuff that you definitely don't want near your vagina. They cause undesirable side effects and are detrimental to your health. Many report heavier periods and worsened period cramps. Over time, they may even lead to major illnesses like cancer!
Sanitary pads are not naturally pure white. The fibres in pads are chlorine bleached to give them their clean and sterile appearance. This bleaching process creates dioxin, a highly toxic pollutant. You may think that the levels of dioxin in sanitary pads are quite low and do not pose any danger. However, dioxin accumulates in the fat stores of the body over time, and can stay there for up to 20 years. Exposure to dioxin can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, hormone dysfunction, endometriosis, and various forms of cancer.
Apart from cotton, rayon (synthetic fibre derived from wood pulp) is also used in your sanitary pads. Rayon is cheaper than cotton, and helps to enhance the absorption capacity of pads, but also contain dioxin from the bleaching process.
Conventionally grown cotton is heavily sprayed with pesticides and herbicides, and these chemicals can stay on the cotton long after it has been harvested. Side effects of exposure include infertility, hormonal disruption, thyroid malfunction, diabetes, endometriosis and depression.
Sanitary pads often advertise themselves as 'leakproof', with an impermeable plastic layer at the bottom of pads which do not allow liquid or air to pass through. The plastic traps moisture and heat, creating an environment that promotes the growth of yeast and bacteria. It can also cause sensitive individuals to experience burning, chafing and soreness.
Scented sanitary pads with odour neutralizers and other artificial fragrances contain a combination of unknown chemicals, which can enter the bloodstream and cause side effects. On the surface, they also irritate the skin, causing allergies and reactions.
Growing up in Singapore, pads are usually the first menstrual product recommended to us during sex ed class or through our mothers. But it's not too late to try an alternative! Reusable cloth pads do not contain harmful chemicals, as they don't require bleaching or fragrances. They are usually made of cotton and not synthetics.
If you're squeamish about blood, here's a way to wash cloth pads without having to deal with the blood. Or you can start with small changes, like using cloth pantyliners instead of disposable liners on a day-to-day basis.
Menstrual cups are also a great alternative to disposable pads! If you've never used tampons before, don't worry, you can still switch to cups. The learning curve might be slightly steeper, but the benefits it brings are worth it. Other than being better for your health, they are also more comfortable and convenient. (Here are 13 reasons why you should try a menstrual cup!)
Ready to make the switch? Shop our range of reusable cloth pads and menstrual cups now!
]]>A Drip. A Drop. A Deluge: A Period Tragicomedy is a collection of intimate, funny, and sometimes embarrassing stories about menstruation as experienced by different women. Told in comic form, this book unapologetically spills the beans on what it is like to have periods, covering different stages of a woman’s menstruation journey from menarche to menopause. The book follows six Asian characters as they navigate their menstrual cycles and the emotions that accompany it.
A Drip. A Drop. A Deluge: A Period Tragicomedy explores the lives of 6 different women experiencing their periods in their own way.
I used to express myself through writing on random sheets of paper and journals. It was only in my mid-twenties that I started drawing because I ran out of words to describe feelings. Slowly the words came back and comics became a longer form. It allowed me to express in a way words could not on its own.
When I first read a comic in my adult life - I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly and artist Ken Niimura, it opened my mind’s eye to the possibilities that comics could be with tenderness and emotions - and I endeavoured to reach that in my own way.
I've been illustrating about menstruation because I had these huge complex feelings that I could not describe to any one person. Those pieces were created to park a particular shame or the compounded feelings so that I could distill them into specific ones. I thought, if I put it out there, it might resonate with someone else too and over time, it did! At the heart of it, I wanted people who menstruate to feel a little less alone. I would also like to contribute to the conversation around periods. We all may struggle differently and it helps to talk about it. Perhaps this book could be a ticket to start that conversation among us who are shy or afraid to start.
I have to give the creative credit to the team at Difference Engine for coming out with it! They captured my stories so well in a line. It feels a lot like periods, doesn't it? We can have all the calendar, apps, spots or hire a butler to warn us of our impending period but nothing quite prepares us when it arrives at full speed. The drips and drops are both literal and psychological. There are the PMS signs, the spotted underwear and then there is the deluge. It just consumes us like a wave. You feel things immensely, perhaps in the form of a mental fog, soaked pads or a full cup. One of my favourite sentences is, "You can't read a page when you're on it," and that is how it is. It's all tragic at the thick of it and once we're out of the tough periods, we are laughing at ourselves and this cycle repeats.
I was a late bloomer, who got her first period at 15 years old. Starting late meant that I had a front seat watching other girls in class navigating social norms like asking for pads and such in their coded language. I also remembered my mother telling me how I should be clean or other older women judging a kid according to how early/late they got their periods - yet not allowing it to be an open conversation. It is a natural process, occurring in every woman in some form - why are we still trying to pretend it does not happen? I mostly remembered that I had an easy start but it was towards my years in university that I started to bleed really heavily and I began to wonder how do other women have it altogether? How do they not hover on the cushioned seats? This might be the seed of all the period illustrations I have done!
At 30, after several gynae visits, I was convinced I would have it figured out. But I'm still going through changes. It was after researching and illustrating the menopause story that I came to the conclusion, we will never know what is ahead of us. I feel that I could write a giant encyclopedia and I would still not be done writing because our periods keep evolving. It has a life on its own. In some way, I am beginning to feel like a mother with a uterus-child.
I relate to Rita's story deeply. I do check out toilets of potential workplaces and ever since I started using a menstrual cup, I've built a mental list of places with bidets! In my conversation about uterus and menstruation problems with close women friends, I often find that it is a long process before you're taken seriously. Since then, I enjoy spreading facts about periods because it helped me. I used to have really bad constipation near my period and I did not quite see the correlation. It did not help that I kept getting male GPs who would simply prescribe laxatives. It was after noticing how I was missing class at regular intervals did I have an aha moment. I am now on a mission to inform every woman about prostaglandins.
During the course of writing this book, I chanced upon the United Nations Population Fund and at the same time news about Palestine and crisis-hit Lebanon were coming into my newsfeed. It is perhaps the first time I understood the gravity of period poverty. Period poverty exists and we do not talk about it enough. Periods do not stop just because your country is in a crisis or your situation is falling apart. How does a woman in the family weigh her financial decisions in these difficult times? How can we create conditions for women to bleed comfortably? It boils down to basic human rights and basic infrastructure which is not readily available to everyone and we need to do more about it.
I hope readers realise that every menstruating person has their own relationship with their periods. I hope we talk about it a lot more, make art, create spaces for conversations and raise awareness. It could save lives.
Enjoy 10% off the Deluge Bundle with promo code ‘PERIODCO10’ at publisher Difference Engine's online store. Includes 10 tragically comedic stickers, an A6-size limited edition art print, and a hard enamel pin that you can pin to your apparel to proudly display period positivity! Promo code valid till 19 Dec 2021.
]]>So I bought the SuperJennie cup earlier this month and was able to try it out right away.
My goldilocks cup is the large Fleur. I was a bit skeptical about how the SuperJennie could work better. At first I found it a little harder to open. It took some fiddling, but I got used to it. I use the punch down fold and coudn't punch it down all the way because it wouldn't pop open as easily as the Fleur. By the end of my cycle it was as easy to insert as the Fleur.
For the first time in a long time I had an accident-free month. No overflows. I think this could be a combination of two things. One, I was being paranoid and emptying it any time I felt the slightest bubbling, and that was usually at 7.5mL. Two, my cycle alternates between angry river and silent flood. I was on angry river this month (cramps, but lighter flow). I only completely filled the cup once, (overnight) and I wasn't able to see how full it was because I was sleepy, wasn't used to the cup, and dumped half of it in the toilet trying to remove the cup. Removal got easier too. I'm curious to see if I can wear it overnight without leaks on a silent flood month. With the Fleur I usualy have 1 or 2 nights that I have to get up and change it in the middle of the night.
The cup measures approximately 37mL to the holes and 41 to the top. Although I don't need the stem I might just leave it because it didn't bother me at all. - kathlyne
I got my Super Jennie in the mail today and here is my review.
The first thing I noticed is that the Super Jennie was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be. The SJ is a very soft cup. For me it is just on the verge of being too soft, but not quite. I am one of these people who has to let the cup open and then push it up. Even though the cup is really soft, this method still works with this cup. Once the cup is in, it is like you are not wearing a cup at all. I know you can’t feel most cups but with this cup, it is as if it is totally non-existent. Even when you squeeze with your muscles, you cannot feel it whatsoever. It’s great that you can’t feel it there but I am curious to see if when I have my period that I am over-anxious because it feels like nothing is there. Sometimes just feeling I am wearing one gives me security knowing I am not bleeding all over the place.
I did a capacity test with the SJ. It turns out that the SJ holds the exact same amount as the large Yuuki. This means it holds more than the Meluna XL but less than the Luv Ur Body.
The stem on this cup is really thin. I like it in the fact that it looks like it is part of the cup, not a stem that has been added to the cup. When I removed the cup, it was quite easy to get out. I can’t really talk about a “seal” with the cup because I never really experience much of a seal with most cups aside from the Meluna XL Sport. I was worried that the stem would come off like the one on my large Yuuki did but I think it is going to be fine since getting the cup out was easy.
I am not good with getting a cup to pop open while inside but I tried folding it in a C-fold for my review. The cup is pretty springy and wanted to open up on my hand while holding it. If my hands were slippery or wet, I don’t think I could have held onto it.
I can’t write about whether or not I experienced any leaks since I am not having my period right now. We’ll see how it works when that time comes! - bluemoon79
Okay, my period is due any day now, so the SECOND my cup was dropped into my mailbox, I rushed out to grab it, wash it, and try it on.
I'll be honest. I like a firm cup. When I say firm, I mean FIRM! This cup isn't even close to what I would consider to be firm, or even what I would consider to be medium softness. It is soft like a Jello jiggler! That worried me. I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to get it open, and even if I did, I would have to spend a lot of time coaxing it open. Nope! I was able to use the punch-down fold, and get the cup open and in position in 60 seconds or less! You don't know how much this means to me. My biggest problem with any cup, is being able to get it open quickly and easily. I thought it was maybe a fluke, so I pulled it out, rinsed it off, and tried again. Easy as the first try.
This cup also holds a LOT. I'm not worried about capacity or leaks as I'm pretty experienced with using a cup, and can troubleshoot those problems, should they arise. So, this little gem will be great for my heaviest flow days!
On to the stem. I actually couldn't feel it. This was a surprise to me because I ALWAYS feel the stem, at least at first. Not on this cup! Again, I thought it was too good to be true, so I stood up and wriggled around. I sat down as fast as I could on the hardest surface I could find. I did toe-touches. I bounced around on my bed like a kid at bedtime. I twerked. I scrunched myself into a ball. I did lunges. I did everything I could think of to try to make the cup shift uncomfortably, or make the stem feel awkward. Nothing worked! The cup stayed completely in place! So, I tried the ultimate test. I had a bowel movement. If you can do that whilst wearing a cup, without having to reposition it, you know you've got a good thing!
In short, I do not understand how they could make a cup so small that can hold so much, a cup that is so soft, yet can open so easily and not slip, and how they can keep the price so low, while making it attractive, with everything from the holes to the seams being nicely finished. I suspect there might be some sorcery involved. Either way, thank you Super Jennie for coming to the rescue! Five stars all around! - Jennifer Lewis
After having used other branded menstrual cups for four years I recently bought both the large and small Super Jennie cups. I LOVE THEM!!!! Super Jennie large has such capacity that I can easily wear my cup without any concern, even overnight! I have no leaks, don't experience any cramping, and find the Super Jennie brand cups to be the BEST I've ever seen. So much so that I bought one for each of my siblings! Super Jennie makes my period not just manageable but actually semi enjoyable! I cannot recommend Super Jennie enough - truly 10/10 all around, plus the have exceptional customer service. All round this company has me as a customer for life! Thank you Super Jennie! You really do come to the rescue and exceeded my high expectations in every aspect <3 - Liz
Decided on the Super Jennie cup? Get it here!
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When PSLove provided some packs of MenstruHeat for us to review, I wondered how effective this natural heat therapy could be when even pink Panadols sometimes couldn't ease the cramps. Continue reading for our review!
It's really simple. When you open the plastic packaging, the ingredients in the heat pack react with the air and start to heat up. There are no medications included in the heat pack, just good ol' natural heat. Peel off the adhesive backing and stick it on your body or clothes, depending on the amount of heat you prefer.
MenstruHeat are most commonly available in 2-packs, with 2 heat packs and an instruction/fact sheet included. It's also mentioned on the fact sheet that MenstruHeat is registered with the HSA, which is another reassurance that MenstruHeat is a safe product!
Each heat pack is individually wrapped, and once you tear open the packaging, it starts to heat up! So don't tear it open until you're ready to use it, as it will heat up within 10 minutes.
Personally, MenstruHeat has been awesome. It's been effective so far in easing my cramps and backaches, which in my opinion are the worst things about periods. Not to mention, it's long lasting (up to 12 hours of heat!) so I can just stick it on and go about my day, without having to replace the heat pack every few hours. It's sort of like magic!
You can also stash a pack of MenstruHeat in your bag, since it's so small, slim and convenient, so you can use it any time your cramps hit, be it in school or at work!
I got 2 of my friends with more severe cramps to review MenstruHeat as well, just to see if it works for them. Here are their reviews:
"MenstruHeat totally changed my world when I tried it. Being a fitness professional, sometimes my cramps can be a real pain (pun intended) especially since my work requires me to be active - sometimes it interferes with work and i have to cancel teaching clients or classes. I also have trouble sleeping when cramps are bad at night, and end up missing sleep - but these packs are like warm hugs that help me go to bed with no trouble at all! I found a new best friend for my periods :)"
"Was in great pain yesterday and tested MenstruHeat out by pasting the heat pack on my abdominal area and felt some relief after 10 minutes and fell asleep. It was not too hot for me on my skin perhaps because I have high tolerance for the heat but it tends to get less sticky after the 6th hour as I was sweating. Overall is a saviour!"
]]>We believe everyone deserves an honest period hence we use every purchase of our products to equip vulnerable communities with access to healthy period products & taboo-free knowledge about their bodies alongside alleviating period poverty in Asia. Here’s how we do it:
1. The LUÜNA Period Collective
We established a global network of social initiatives, whose communities in need we support through donations of healthy & planet-friendly period care and providing taboo-free menstrual health education. These organisations work tirelessly to tackle deeply embedded menstrual stigma, together, we’re combatting period poverty.
2. A better period
In 2020, in response to the impact of COVID-19, we launched a new global initiative called, ‘a better period’. Using a portion of profits from purchases made by our community and corporate partners, we continue to raise period product donations to vulnerable groups affected by the virus including frontline medical staff & low-income families.
3. You Buy, We Give
In 2019, through our You Buy, We Give initiative, we raised over 1,000 cups to be donated to communities in need. alongside the donation of products, we delivered our #NoMoreSecrets workshops to promote safe usage of the cup and break down the menstrual stigmas prevalent within many low-income communities.
In summary, we believe that by incorporating these initiatives to help alleviate period poverty, we are better able to educate and provide essential period products to those in need. Education is the most important thing that can be shared through the generations and we hope to be able to continue to bridge that gap especially within low-income communities. Learn more on the organizations we work with here.
There’s a lot of confusion and myths circulated about women’s health, and one common misunderstanding of female anatomy is the hymen.
Illustration by: @justforsensation
The hymen is a remnant tissue just inside the opening of the vagina. It's left over from a vagina formation during its embryonic development. Lots of people associate the hymen with virginity and assume the hymen “breaks” when you have penetrative sex for the first time, but is it true?
Many people think the hymen totally covers the opening of your vagina until it’s stretched open, but that’s not usually the case. For most women, it’s a membrane covering the vagina opening that naturally has a hole to allow period blood to come out. But some other women are born with little hymenal tissue or without the tissue at all! Not everyone who has a vagina would have a hymen, so don’t trouble yourself finding it.
If you do have a hymen, it would come with a hole that’s big enough to allow period blood and the usage of tampons. In some rare cases, though, some women have hymens that cover the entire vaginal opening, or the hole in their hymens is so small that it would interfere with sex or tampon usage. In these cases, they would need to see a doctor to remove the extra tissue.
Many people believe that the indicator of virginity is an “intact” hymen, and some women would even seek for a hymenoplasty or hymen repair surgery in order to prove their virginity. However, having a hymen and being a virgin is not the same thing. Some people are born with hymens that are naturally open, and many activities, such as cycling and swimming, can stretch the hymen. You can’t tell if someone has had sex by the way their hymens look or feel.
Many people believe there should be blood after the first sexual intercourse. However, the hymen is a membrane that can be stretched with minimal or no injury. It only has a few blood vessels, so even if it's torn, it may not bleed significantly. Forced penetration and lack of lubrication may cause lacerations to the vaginal wall, both of which are most likely to be responsible for the “blood-stained bedsheets,” rather than trauma to the hymen.
The hymen is a membrane inside your vagina, so it’s impossible to see your hymen yourself even with a mirror and a flashlight. It’s also nearly impossible for your partner to feel it during penetration, or feel it by fingers. Stretching or tearing the hymen might hurt some people, but most people won’t feel it happen at all.
In conclusion, the state of your hymen — or lack thereof — has nothing to do with whether you’ve engaged in sexual activities. On top of it, the idea of virginity means very different things to different people. So there is nothing to worry about!
]]>This is one of the most frequently asked questions by young people who are interested in menstrual cups but who are worried about using them if they are a virgin. The following is a guide that will help dispel the most popular myth regarding menstrual cups and their relationship with virginity.
Yes, absolutely! Virgins can use menstrual cups just like anyone else.
You may find using a menstrual cup uncomfortable or daunting at first, but you can reduce discomfort in a few key ways:
Remember: it is perfectly normal to feel uncomfortable or awkward when you use a menstrual cup for the first time and it may take a while to feel comfortable using this type of product. The more you practice, the easier it will become.
No. Menstrual cups have nothing to do with your virginity and using a menstrual cup will not make you lose your virginity.
The hymen has been used in many cultures as the “proof” of women’s virginity, but this is an incredibly flawed understanding of the hymen.
The hymen is a thin tissue that covers the vagina. The hymen may cover the entire vagina or part of the vagina; some people are born without a hymen at all! The hymen can be worn down over months or years due to bike riding, sports, doctor examinations, tampons, and other activities. A person may be a virgin but not have an intact hymen.
Virginity is not a tangible physical barrier that is ‘broken’ upon penetration, such as the insertion of a menstrual cup or even a tampon. Virginity is a social construct related to someone’s first penetration through sexual intercourse; it is not a biological construct.
Inserting a menstrual cup is not sexual intercourse, so even if you stretch or tear the hymen, (if it has not already been worn down), this does not mean you are no longer a virgin. The state of the hymen is not a reliable indicator to prove or disprove virginity.
Ultimately, it is your body and your choice of which menstrual product you want to use. Menstrual cups can be a great alternative to traditional pads and tampons, as they don’t need to be changed as often, can help prevent leaks, and are more sustainable than other options.
If you are considering using a menstrual cup as a virgin, here are some options that may work well for you.
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The COVID-19 period is likely to be one of the most difficult times we have had to go through, both individually, and as a global community. Never in recent times have we felt this restricted in things we could do or places we could go. But despite these challenges, life still goes on and there's no escaping from monthly periods. They may sometimes be difficult to bear (consider checking with a doctor if it's severe), but is a normal processes women go through, and there should be no stigma or embarrassment associated with it. But what happens when you run out of disposable pads and tampons only to realise that the shelves in the supermarket have all been swiped clean?
"Every time my period comes, I rejoice in the fact that my body is functioning correctly."
Free bleeding may be empowering but it's not quite a modern option if we want to get things done at home. Thankfully really clever people have engineered reusable materials that help us remain out and about with our busy lives during this time of the month. There are period cups, period underwear and reusable pads that exist, but have you heard about them before?
I've previously been skeptical about them myself, and with the hustle and bustle of life, I found myself reluctant to make the change, but when I read this post from The Period Co I figured it was time to give it a try. I've been a pad user all my life, and tampons never worked for me, so I naturally picked out period underwear and cloth pads over period cups. (Maybe I'll try cups in the future, but I'm pretty happy with the other options I already have!) The transition was such a breeze for me, but having said that, I understand that no period is the same, and your requirements will be different from mine. I will not assume the switch would be as easy for me as it is for you, but I'll share my experience with you so you can make an informed decision about switching to reusables!
"Periods are not too gross, too weird or too inappropriate to talk about."
I started out having my period at 15 and have flows that lasted 3-4 days each time. I am a light-moderate bleeder and have a regular but slightly longer cycle of 32-35 days. I used to have cramps more frequently when I was younger but now, with better diet discipline I would only have it on the first day and possibly the day before. Cold drinks are a big factor that would cause cramps and I would avoid it during the few days before and during the period. If I had cramps, they would last 30min - 1hr in the mornings and I would be fine for the rest of the day. I typically change 3 pads on the day of my heaviest flow (plus one more for the night).
So with that in mind, what I needed in a menstrual product was something that would be comfortable, yet sufficient for my flow rate. Period cups were not necessary in my case because most period underwear would be more than enough to manage my flow, on the heaviest day I would change it once during the day. However my advice is that if you have heavier flows that require more pad/tampon changes through the day, the cup may work better for you because not everyone can carry around extra period underwear for changing. Now that you know alot more about my cycle than my own doctor, it's time to get into telling you why I'm such a fan of period underwear!
Disposable pads contain plastic because they could engineer it to be absorbent yet lightweight. However in hot and humid conditions, it tends to generate a lot of sweat around the pubic area, causing it to feel sticky and uncomfortable. Reusables made of organic cotton or wool blends allow better ventilation reducing this uncomfortable sticky sensation especially when you already have to deal with the blood. The Modibodi Underwear in particular has a Patent pending Modifier Technology™ layer that allows the inner surface to moisture wick and feel dry despite absorbing all that fluid. This comfortable sensation is unrivaled with any other pad I've used in my life.
Disposable pads contain up to 90% plastic, with the average pad containing as much plastic as four carrier bags.
Even the absorbent core itself is frequently made of plastic because it could be engineered to be lightweight yet super absorbent. However because plastic is a petrochemical derivative, there are other chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates which are problematic chemicals that can affect not only our skin (with allergies and contact dermatitis) but also affect our hormones and disrupt endocrine functions. Wearing pads in the past while i exercised also used to give me rashes due to the plastic friction against the skin, but this doesn't happen anymore with reusables!
Common tampons and pads contain bleached and non-organic cotton, rayon, wood pulp, or a combination of these materials. Bleached products tend to have a by-product called dioxin which is a toxic environmental pollutant that has multiple impacts on the immune system, reproductive organs and is also a carcinogen. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) describes the risk of adverse effects from dioxins in tampons as “negligible", there is a potential cumulative effect of the toxin with multiple exposures especially in areas rich in blood vessels (ie. the inner vaginal wall). In addition to dioxin, non-organic cotton and rayon can also contain pesticides and herbicides including diuron, a suspected carcinogen. This is a risk I'm not comfortable to take so I'm back to unbleached, and as much as possible, organic materials!
The Modibodi underwear I've been using has liquid tight margins around the gusset which prevent the flow from going down the sides or along the back. This is so much better than pads which had plastic wings that were not absorbent and sometimes caused leaks that would stay on the sides.
The absorbent cores in these reusables are firmly fused and sewn to other parts of the underwear/pad and does not clump up like the materials in disposable ones, so the blood stays where it needs to, even through the night and while exercising. This gives me a peace of mind and also makes it an ease to wash!
Reusables always have a higher upfront fee because they're designed to be made to last. But in the long run, even the most expensive reusable options may end up being cheaper than depending on reusables for your entire life. Here's a breakdown of the average costs done by Seedly.sg:
I'm pretty bad at crunching numbers but it's pretty clear to me that reusables are the much more wallet friendly option available, if you buy them and actually do use them! Personally, I'm happy to be paying slightly more as well if the reusable options are more comfortable and reassures me that there are no toxic chemicals or plastic bits directly in contact with my skin.
With reusable menstrual products, I was delighted to find myself keeping away from binning anything at all! Pads and tampons are always wrapped up in so much plastic (for sanitary reasons) and cutting them out really helps to reduce your waste. Studies in the United States have shown that in a single menstruating lifetime (avg 40 years), women may use between 5,000 - 15,000 disposable menstrual products with a vast majority ending up in landfills as plastic waste. In Singapore, this ends up on our one and only Semakau Landfill after going through incineration. With our landfill running out of space, we're against the clock to reduce our waste.
If I've convinced you to read up more on reusable menstrual products, head over to The Period Co to do more research about the options you have here in Singapore! I hope these reusable options will be more widely available in the future so more women can make informed decisions on how to deal with their periods and most of all be introduced to other more comfortable and safer options for their bodies.
Do comment below if you've tried out any reusables and let me know what your favourite type is! Stay home and stay comfortable and stay safe during this period!
Reproduced with permission from Curiously Green.
Original article here: https://www.curiously-green.com/post/the-most-comfortable-period-ever
Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding, and literally means "heavy periods.” Menorrhagia is categorized by a period flow so heavy that you must change your pad/tampon or empty your menstrual cup every hour for 1 day or more; they may also coincide with debilitating cramps, though not everyone who has heavy periods experiences these cramps.
There are many different factors and even conditions which can cause your periods to become heavy. Some of the most common reasons why you could be experiencing a heavy period are:
The presence of fibroids or polyps in your uterus can also cause heavy bleeding in addition to longer periods which may last for days or potentially weeks on end. Fibroids are small muscle growths within the uterus walls, and polyps are abnormal tissue growths that grow within the inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. Fibroids are benign, but they can still cause problems (such as heavy periods) if left untreated.
An imbalance in your hormone levels can cause your uterus to develop an unusually thick lining every month, which results in a heavier period flow when the lining begins to shed. A hormonal imbalance can be caused by certain diseases or even due to genetics.
Some types of medications may cause heavy periods. Examples of medications which carry heavy periods as a potential side effect include: anticoagulants or blood thinners, including aspirin and heparin; antidepressants and antipsychotics; hormonal contraceptives; certain herbal medicines, such as ginseng; and tamoxifen.
In some cases, an undiagnosed problem with your kidneys or liver may be the culprit behind a heavy period. Your doctor will likely want to test your urine if you have heavy periods in order to look for signs of problems with these vital organs.
Endometriosis is a condition which causes the unusual growth of endometrium, a tissue which normally grows inside the uterus. Endometriosis causes the tissue to grow outside the uterus, which causes it to become inflamed. The end result of endometriosis are heavy and painful periods, which can include both a heavy flow as well as severe cramps and even pain during sex.
It is not unusual to have an occasional heavy flow for a day or two on your period. However, if you notice that you regularly have heavy flow for days on end — or even for your entire period — then this is a sign of something abnormal.
If you can't maintain your usual activities when you have your period due to blood loss and cramping, or if you dread your period because you have such heavy menstrual bleeding, consult your doctor as soon as possible, so they can determine the cause and manage your symptoms or condition causing the heavy flow.
]]>Celebrate Green Friday with up to 20% off the entire weekend!
Use code GREENFRI10 for 10% off storewide, no minimum spend.
Use code GREENFRI20 for 20% off storewide for orders above $100!
* Not valid for bundle and sale items. T&Cs apply. Promotion ends 2 Dec 2019, 2359h.
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With the idea of bringing menstrual cups to Singaporeans, we started a Carousell account 4 years ago with a lot of hope and a few boxes of menstrual cups. At that time, we never realized that one day, we would be a full-fledged business with our own store, carrying a full range of reusable menstrual products. This rebrand has been a long time coming as we have always felt that no one really knew what 'LiveLoveLuna' stood for - it was just a name we came up with because we needed one.
As we grow, our brand should reflect what we do best - managing periods. From information on menstruation and the reproductive system, to making different period products accessible to this part of the world, we talk about periods on a daily basis. It is the sole focus of our business - to make periods happier, healthier and greener for everyone. The Period Co. was naturally the most apt name we found.
In the coming week, we will be gradually changing our look on our website and social media. We will continue striving to be a leading resource on menstruation, breaking taboos and facilitating open discussion, and making reusable menstrual products more accessible for everyone.
Thank you for supporting us all this while, as we've grown and learned throughout these past 4 years.
- Gee
]]>If you are looking for reviews of the Hello Cup, look no further! We have compiled a list of helpful online reviews from all over the world.
An ad showed up on Instagram for the @thehellocup, it looked adorable, so I contacted the New Zealand based company to ask if they had any customers with Vaginismus that had success with their cups - they have quite a few sizes and colours which was promising. I told them about my last experience, they were extremely helpful and seemed to really care. A couple of weeks later I received the Teen XS Hello Cup, just in time for my period. As you can see the packaging is adorable as is the cup, it’s definitely got the aesthetics down pat. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t just look pretty, it’s a great little cup!
It’s been a couple of cycles now and it hasn’t become stuck, the rounded toggle makes it much easier to grab out, and the seal easier to break. The MoonCup I had previously would frequently go up too high but I haven’t noticed it as much with the Hello Cup. Some days it is still a little difficult to get in or out and due to the tightness (I can’t even get a finger in some days) and I struggle to get a perfect seal every time for the same reason, so I still use the cloth pads as backup, but I mostly haven’t required them, the cut back on laundry is very much appreciated. The cup itself had a slight plastic odour when I first opened it, it was very faint though, I could only smell it when it was right up against my nose, this disappeared with a quick wash. It is smooth and almost rubbery in texture but gets a good slip with water and especially with Sylk lubricant. The biggest plus for me is the lack of little lips and ridges that hold onto stains and tissue, the Hello Cup is easy to clean, even the little holes are slightly larger so nothing gets stuck in them like it did with my previous cup. It does stain if rinsed in hot water, so I would recommend rinsing in cold water first to avoid staining.
finished my cycle and finished using my Hello Cup for the first time ♻️✨ moved to Aussie recently and didn’t want to be wasting so much money on tampons and pads. brought my lil cup with ma as a deal because we weren’t really sure what size would be good for us plus the deal worked out to be a pretty good one 👏🏽✨ the cup comes with a little pouch to store it in when you aren’t using it and instructions to help ya with putting it in and out of your hoohaa 🌸✨
so there’s a few different ways to fold it, the instructions weren’t super clear with how they should look so I looked up on YouTube how to do it and found that was way more helpful and showed even more different ways to fold it🎀✨ I found the cup a little bit stiff so when ya fold it you have to clench it pretty tight before and during you are putting it up there but that’s okay as long as it catches it all 😅 once you’ve got it up there the cup has to be open to catch it all up 🌸✨
I managed to get it right for two days but the other days I was not so lucky. On YouTube a few of them mentioned you usually can get it right after your fourth cycle but I reckon if you just keep wiggling it around and try to make it pop and make sure the base is smooth with no dents you should be sweet as 🌈✨ I found that two folds worked best with me, shown in the little video (cups clean btw💧) but i still had to wiggle and jiggle it around to make sure it was gonna do its job!✨
I brought some pads just as a back up for my first cycle and I would recommend if you aren’t confident you did it right 🙏🏼✨ taking it out I found kinda strange, literally keep pulling til it’s out👋🏼 I checked it more often on my first few days cause that’s when I am at my heaviest but towards the end I checked it not often at all, you can leave it up there for 8 hours but I don’t think you should haha. 🌜🌝🌛 my honest opinion is that I would recommend for your health, the environment and cost.
Decided on the Hello cup? Get it here!
Click here for the Lunette Cup, Lena Cup and Merula review.
]]>Here are 3 reviews of the Merula Cup by users in our Facebook community, replicated here for sharing purposes.
REVIEW MERULA XL AND MERULA : Hiii for reference cause I thought it would help, i have used the Merula and merula xl, I bought the xl because the merula capacity was still too small for me, I was still bleeding all over the place at night so I needed a pad which defeats the purpose.
The merula was far better than the cup I tried before it, I swear by the merula, as Long as its in there correctly it doesn’t leak unless it’s full, usually on my heaviest day I was still emptying it out about every 2-3 hours and of course at night was a bloody mess.
Soooo when the XL came out I was like woohoo. Be warned NOT THE SAME THING, the XL is really not as soft, not as comfortable, BUT IT GETS ME THROUGH THE NIGHT, I use it for 2-3 days and swap to my first love the normal merula for my other days.
The merula XL is really an extra large. Maybe because I’ve only had one run with it I’m too used to the normal size. But oh my god going out without the underlining panic that I might have filled my cup within 2 hrs is really nice, it can be up in there for minimum 5 hrs? (I’ll keep track next time) and even if I sleep through the night no problem 😭 that being said, it’s not very fun to put in and I can somewhat kinda feel it, unlike the smaller size which I feel nothing.
BUT I get through the night so merula for the win, merula XL is the answer for the heavy flow girls.
Finally managed to use the Merula XL on a heavy period day!
Capacity: It’s great! While I had to empty my Lunette small cup every 8hrs (it would start leaking), the Merula held up. After almost 24hrs it still hasn’t leaked. The cup was 3/4 full though, when I removed it during my shower just now.
Ease of insertion: Lol, not easy. I use the Punch down fold cos that’s what I’m used to. The cup is still pretty huge after folding. But I’m gonna stick with this fold cos it’s easier to get it to open up compared to any other fold for this cup. Still, the Merula doesn’t pop open easily cos of its shape.
Length of cup & stem: I have a high cervix even mid-cycle. Despite the length, the stem is buried all the way inside, for me. The rungs on the stem is useful tho! Much easier to tug on it slightly and to locate it during removal.
Suction: VERY Strong! If I tug at the stem, I can feel the strength of the suction! Which is quite worrying when I think about women who like to pull the stem to remove. Please don’t do that. It’s actually very bad for your pelvic floor muscles, according to my PF physio. Remember to break the seal the usual way, before walking the cup out slowly.
Ease of removal: If the large size makes it hard to insert, you can imagine how the removal process goes! I was trying not to spill the contents as I wanted to check the level of blood in it, so i didn’t wanna squeeze the cup too small during removal in case anything spilt out.
Verdict: Happy with it! Had a busy day teaching at the gym, and even trained squats and bench press today. Didn’t feel the cup at all. 🙂 9/10 would recommend to those with heavy period flow, but wouldn’t recommend to first time cup users due to its size.
just tried the merula cup (finally) after a few months of owning it. my period is just starting for this cycle so i thought i should finally give it a try.
used the punch down fold and tried to make the insertion part as small as possible and it was pretty easy! only thing is i don't really feel a pop like the lunette so i'm not 100% sure the cup opened fully (but i think it did)
due to the wider rim, my dangly and low cervix seems to be sitting completely inside the cup.
well i guess i'll know tomorrow if the cup fully opened 🙂
will also update again on the comfort level but right now i'm not sure if i'm feeling the cup like 5% or it could be due to the numerous tugging on the stem and adjustments i was making earlier 😂
UPDATE: No leaks! i guess it opened fully 😂 also comfortable as hell, was just being a bit paranoid last night lol
]]>For girls turning into young women, puberty creates myriad changes in both body and mind. Firstly, growing up means weight gain and height growth, so prepare your daughter for a few years of increases in her body measurements.
Girls will also mature sexually during adolescence. This includes the development of the breasts to the growth of pubic hair. What these changes anticipate is the beginning of the menstrual period, which typically begins an average of two years after the onset of puberty (which can itself strike anywhere between the age of 8 to 13).
Here's a rundown of ovulation you can use to explain menstruation to your daughter: ovulation refers to the process of an egg being released from the ovaries: and because the egg is unfertilized, the uterus' lining is shed - which is the process we call a period.
You'll also observe changes in the behaviour and intellectual capacities of your daughter. By the end of adolescence, your daughter will be able to think conceptually; she'll start to actively seek her independence; she'll stake more importance on the opinions of her peer group than ever before; and, perhaps most alarmingly of all, she'll become more interested in romantic relationships.
There's nothing worse than experiencing puberty without the proper supplies. Make sure your daughter is prepared by putting together a puberty survival kit early on. This is something both parent and child can do together: help her to choose different types (training, sports, normal) of bras and include period pads, cups, and/or tampons, cramp relief and medication such as paracetamol, and shaving razors if she wishes. It's a good idea to also include a diary and instructions about how to use the items in her kit. Use these resources as a means to discuss with your daughter about balancing education, relationships, extra-curricular activities, and all the other elements of being a teenager without losing herself to mood swings and stress.
Many girls fear the "awkward" stage that is adolescence, especially when it comes to physical changes which they may perceive as unattractive or undesirable. Very heightened levels of anxiety can become dangerous, especially regarding the body image issues and eating disorders that can result from such worries. Encourage your teen to love and look after her body, and gently but firmly talk with your daughter about the importance of keeping a healthy mindset even if they see other girls become preoccupied with their weight.
Help your daughter gain a habit of putting health before beauty. Regarding treatable aesthetic issues, such as acne resulting from a hormonal increase in sebum production, help your daughter to find right products and treatments to match her skin type which will help her to feel more comfortable in her skin.
Too often, girls feel alone or freakish as they go through adolescence. Every girl's rate of change will be vastly different, which may be why your daughter feels this way - but it's worth pointing out to her that nearly every woman on earth has experienced the same processes she's going through. At the same time, remind your teen that maturation isn't a competition. Girls are apt to compare their bodily changes to those of their female peers, so if you can nip this tendency in the bud, you'll have a much happier teen in the long term.
Harper Reid is a freelance writer from Auckland, New Zealand who has a passion for healthy living, beauty, and fitness. When she's not writing, you'll find her sweating it out in the gym, practicing yoga or checking out the latest beauty trends. You can find more of her work on her Tumblr.
If you are looking for reviews of the Merula menstrual cup, look no further! We have compiled a list of helpful online reviews from all over the world.
I know not all cups work for all women, but if you're a low cervix, heavy flow person or someone who's been let down by traditional shaped cups once too often, definitely give this a go. I'm so glad I went out on a limb for this one! Now, please excuse me whilst I go and buy this in every single colour :)
- lch173
The instructions tell you to use the punch-down fold, which I did. I also decided to insert it with the fold facing my back, so that when it popped open, the rim would be aimed slightly down and hopefully under my cervix.
Bam. I got the easy, 5-second insertion that I get with traditional bell-shaped cups. It still doesn't open 100%, but it's not supposed to (reading the instructions for the win!). It did open much more though. It's also very comfortable. Strangely, despite how stiff it is, I still don't feel any pressure on my urethra.
...And it didn't leak at all.
I wore it for 12 straight hours on the first day of my period. I can count on one hand the number of times I've been able to do that with a cup in my entire life. Normally I can't go more than 5 (and with any other menstrual product, I've never been able to go more than 2 hours). Normally, that's just more than even larger cups can handle, especially since my extremely sneaky cervix seems to eventually find a way to get past them, or otherwise reduces their capacity by sitting directly inside them. At this point in my life, I have basically resigned myself to the possibility that leaks on the first day or two of my period might just be inevitable no matter what product I use.
- I have no problems with number 1 or 2. I feel no pressure on my bladder or experience the need to pee more often.
- The overall cup is quite firm (rim is firmer than the body). It completely squishes my small lunette. That said, I think the firmness and tendency to remain opened up is due to its spherical shape. When it is inside though, the walls of the lower body are actually soft and fold in easily. I feel like if your cervix was really low, to the point where the cup was pressed up against your pubic bone it would still be comfortable to use, since the cup bottom would just shape itself according to your body. On the other hand, if you have strong pelvic floor muscles I do think it would be pretty hard to squish this cup's rim.
- I like being able to hook my finger around the hoop and therefore prevent any risks of the cup falling in the toilet (it's happened before, unfortunately).
- Aside from some discomfort due to strong suction, I love how easily the cup can be cleaned because it doesn't have any air holes.
- Cup cannot be used without any hoops because the bottom is very slippery. However, with a single hoop on my cup that sits at the opening I feel absolutely no discomfort
- The high capacity (38ml) is very impressive for such a short cup. I was able to go the full 12 hours without changing it on my heaviest day, while with Lunette I tend to only go around 4-6 hours.
- I have had no leaking whatsoever! Not even residual leakage. I think the strong suction feature helps with this. I'm very happy about that since it means I can finally ditch liners completely!
Overall, if you have a low or dangly cervix I would recommend that you consider trying this cup out! I'm glad I decided to purchase it for my heavier days.
Decided on the Merula cup? Get it here!
Click here for the Lunette Cup, Super Jennie & Lena Cup review.
]]>Alright, let’s cut to the chase: Menstrual cups. Small, flexible silicone or plastic ‘cups’ (more like tiny bell-shaped things, but I digress) designed to be folded up and inserted into a woman’s vagina to collect period blood, in place of a tampon. A safe, lazy, eco-friendly person’s alternative to tampons and pads. Also a bit harder to find, but definitely worth the trouble, and this is coming from me, a 17 year old girl so phenomenally lazy that she’ll sleep until 2 pm given half a chance and take another four hour nap later.
The menstrual cup, being flexible and small, is folded up and you sorta just put it in like a tampon and make sure it unfolds inside you, a bit like how some tampons work. It’s about the same size as a tampon when it’s folded up, and if you’re familiar with tampons, you know the drill. Wash hands, fold, put in, wash hands, done and done in a couple of minutes. You can leave it in safely to collect blood for up to twelve hours before you take it out, empty it, and give it a rinse before putting it back in, which means you don’t have to spend as much time bothering with it as say, tampons or pads, which have to be changed every few hours or so.
There’s often a short stem or some other grip at the base, to allow you to get a good hold on it when you want to remove it. I prefer to give the grip a light tug to ensure that the suction is, in fact, there, even though I’ve never actually encountered a situation where the suction has failed to form, but this is just a little habit that makes me feel safer.
Let’s go back a little. I don’t remember where and when I heard about menstrual cups, in all honesty, but definitely before I was fourteen. Me being me, with far too much free time and Internet access on my hands, I must’ve spent weeks or months researching them, but I didn’t dare try them myself, under the (mistaken) impression that they had to be boiled to clean them properly. Being a fourteen-year-old Chinese girl in a conservative household – you can imagine how well that would go over with everyone else.
Not only that, but my mum, while willing to allow me to experiment (after I had presented a full thesis to explain that it was scientifically proven to be safe, as well as environmentally and economically friendly), was not willing to help me buy one online via using her credit card. With this being before the online retail boom, if you didn’t have a credit card, you were stuck, simple as that. Conveniently, though, my family had a trip to New York planned that year.
You’re probably wondering just why I was so absurdly determined to get my hands on a menstrual cup. Part of it, I admit, was just my own natural stubbornness. The other part was the obvious benefits menstrual cups offered me:
My first impression? Great, albeit a little oversold. Menstrual cups do not, in fact, have to be boiled, and the capacity, while easily double of a Super tampon, is not quite overflow-proof.
However, the cup was still extremely comfortable – I couldn’t even feel it – and thoroughly leak-proof, due to the mild suction it forms with the vaginal walls when inserted. I could run, crouch, kick, anything I liked, though it did help that I was using a notably ‘firm’ (i.e. less squishy) cup at the time.
It took me a couple of cycles before I finally mastered the cup, and in hindsight, there is a lot of information that I wish I’d had at the time.
Most cup manufacturers will recommend the C-fold to you, where the cup is folded twice along its length. And for good reason – for a beginner, this is a fold virtually guaranteed to get the cup to open, which is a legitimate concern with softer cups. However, it isn’t the most comfortable fold, so once you’ve become reasonably competent with the cup, you might want to look into other methods of folding it.
If / when you trim the stem, it may be wise to find a way to smooth down the edge of the stem, for comfort, since often the stem will protrude a little. Not enough to be seen, but enough to be felt.
While you don’t have to boil it or really do anything other than wash it to keep it clean, get a separate bar of non-scented soap (eg those tiny little hotel soaps) for it and make damn sure everyone knows not to use it. Claim it’s for washing your knickers, no one’s too embarrassed by that.
In conclusion, menstrual cups are cheaper, eco-friendly, more convenient, healthier, and more comfortable than tampons or pads, and honestly, I probably would’ve cut past a lot of hassle and angst if I’d started using these things a lot earlier than I did. No worrying about pads moving around, or people seeing the outline of it through your clothes, or it being too hot. No worrying about infections from leaving a tampon in too long, or having to bother about differing absorbencies, or dealing with the string. You just put it in, forget about it for twelve hours and get on with life, then you take it out, empty and wash it, and put it back in. Ideally I’d rather not deal with my period at all, but short of that, this is good as well.
I can’t really think of much more to say than that, but if anyone has any further questions, the people at The Period Co. should be happy to answer your questions!
Ready to switch to a menstrual cup? Click here to shop our collection of menstrual cups.
]]>
It is important for women to be physically active throughout their menstrual cycle.
Stretching and staying active keeps our muscles stretched and constantly circulates blood. Muscle cramps are caused due to the lack of oxygen; therefore, blood brings oxygen to our muscles reducing the chances of it cramping.
Some popular activities that help to reduce menstrual cramps include - swimming, yoga, cycling and low-intensity cardio work out. You should actually design the type of exercise you do during your menstrual cycle, and make it a regular habit - find out more here.
Coffee has been proven to aggravate menstrual cramps, as caffeine’s property constricts your blood vessels - increasing tension level and eventually increasing the intensity of pain.
Therefore, we should constrict our temptation for just 4 days and stick to either decaf coffee or teas. Teas are usually great alternatives to coffee - teas such as chamomile, peppermint, etc. have properties that can actually help with reducing menstrual cramps. The warmth that tea brings inside your body helps bring relief both physically and psychologically. Find the popular list of teas you can drink here.
Due to PMS (Premenstrual syndrome) we tend to crave a lot of junk food. It is typical and absolutely normal. However, binge eating junk food is not recommended, especially those sugary junk food!
You can always substitute sugar with healthier alternatives like: Dates, Fig and Jaggery.
It is also important to consumer fibrous food- cereals, oats, grains and even salad (all the greens) as they maintain your hormone levels and reduces symptoms like- bloating, headaches and irregular periods!
Indulge in your favourite brand of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is still considered “junk”; therefore limit yourself to a cube instead of binge eating the whole bar. Cocoa tends to release endorphins, which is also known as “happy hormones”- this helps release your stress and depression PMS symptom!
Heat helps with blood circulation and helps to relax your abdominal muscle, which in turn reduces the cramps. It is also a natural method, which is clinically proven and has no side effects! Heat also sends in “comforting & happy feelings” to your brain, reducing your menstrual pain!
You can use hot water bags, hot towels or heating patches like MenstruHeat!
Find out more about how heat patches work here.
Head over to Menstruheat's website to find out more about these much-raved-about heat packs.
]]>Wash your hands with water and a mild soap before you handle your menstrual cup. Your hands may have touched many bacteria-laden things before you handle your cup, such as door handles, computer keyboards, elevator buttons, etc. Anytime you're going to touch your cup (or yourself), remember to wash your hands. This will reduce the risk of infections, and keep the vagina and surrounding area clean.
Before using the cup for the first time, check that the air holes at the top are open. Wash your hands and clean the cup by washing with water and a mild soap. In a large pot, submerge the cup in water and boil for 10 to 20 minutes before first use. You may place the cup in a wire whisk to prevent contact with the bottom of the pan during boiling, which may damage it.
Cup in a wire whisk to prevent contact with the bottom of the pot.
Source: Menstrual Cups Asia - LiveLoveLuna, Facebook
During your period, it is best to wash your cup with mild soap and water every time you empty it. We recommend using the Lunette FeelBetter Cleanser, a mild cleanser that's specially formulated for washing a silicone menstrual cup. If not, you can also use other liquid soaps that are oil-free and fragrance-free.
If you are using a public restroom, camping, travelling or just do not have access to running water you can either rinse your cup with bottled water or wipe it with a piece of Lunette Cupwipe, which disinfects the cup. You can also just use clean tissue or toilet paper in a pinch – once convenient, wash your cup thoroughly.
Fill your cup with water, place your palm on it, turn upside down and squeeze. When the water squirts out through the airholes, they are instantly cleaned! You can also use a blunt toothpick, or an old toothbrush that's dedicated for this purpose. Do not use sharp items like needles, as you may accidentally damage your cup.
At the end of your period, it is best to sterilize it before storing for the next use. You can rinse your cup, submerge in water and boil for a few minutes. You can also put your cup into a mug filled with boiling hot water (from the kettle) and let it sit covered for a few minutes.
You can also use the Lunette FeelBetter Cleanser to thoroughly wash your cup before letting it dry and storing it. Other suggestions include using a steam sterilizer for baby bottles, or sterilizing tablets.
If your cup has an odour even after washing it, you can set it in a place with direct sunlight (e.g. near a sunny window) for a day. This should get rid of any lingering odour on the cup.
Never store your cup in a plastic bag or an airtight container. It's best to store it in a breathable cotton bag. Most cups come with their own little bag included. You can also just leave it out in the open, in your bathroom or somewhere with good air flow.
Cups left on a plate in an open area with good airflow.
Source: Menstrual Cups Asia - LiveLoveLuna, Facebook
Good hygiene and cleaning practices will make sure your vagina stays healthy, and your cup remains in good condition. If your menstrual cup starts to deteriorate and show wear and tear, such as a sticky or powdery film, splitting of the cup, or severe discolouration and odour, it's time to replace your cup.
]]>It's completely normal to have vaginal discharge; every person with a vagina produces it. Changes in vaginal discharge can even help you identify if something is wrong down there.
Vaginal discharge is a substance produced by the female reproductive system that comprises mostly water, micro-organisms and vaginal cells. The glands in the cervix and walls of the vagina are "activated" by the hormone estrogen to shed old cells and flush them out in the form of a sticky mucus.
Vaginal discharge can vary from person to person, and also depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle. Most women experience vaginal discharge at some point, but some women have it more often or in larger amounts than others.
In terms of cleanliness, your vagina is pretty low-maintenance. It has self-cleaning abilities, producing fluids that cleans up old cells and unwanted bacteria, and flushing them out of the body as - you guessed it - discharge. This helps to prevent infections and keeps your vagina clean.
Most women have vaginal discharge, but the amount of discharge produced is different for each woman. Some have a little discharge now and then; some have discharge every day. What's "normal" for you can change several times throughout your life, due to factors like pregnancy and menopause. It can also vary throughout the different stages of your menstrual cycle.
Other than the amount of discharge produced, the odour and colour may differ as well. Normal discharge should be a clear to milky-white colour, and have a familiar musky scent. In between periods, you may experience clear, slippery and odourless discharge that suggests ovulation.
A cheesy odour is not normal.
The following changes in your discharge can indicate a problem:
Here are some types of abnormal discharge and their causes.
Type of Discharge | Possible Causes | Other Symptoms |
Thick, white, like cottage cheese | Yeast Infection | Swelling and pain around the vulva, itching, painful sexual intercourse |
Green, yellow or grey in colour, frothy, has a bad smell | Trichomoniasis | Pain and itching while urinating |
White, yellow or grey in colour, with a fishy odour | Bacterial vaginosis | Itching or burning, redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva |
Cloudy or yellow | Gonorrhea | Bleeding between periods,urinary incontinence, pelvic pain |
Bloody or brown | Irregular menstrual cycles, or less often, cervical or endometrial cancer | Abnormal vaginal bleeding,pelvic pain |
If you have abnormal discharge with other symptoms, please see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will most likely ask you several questions about your medical history, your symptoms, menstrual cycle and sexual activity. Your doctor will also give you a full-body physical exam, and examine your pelvic area.
Avoid scented soaps in the vulva area.
Practicing good hygiene is the best way to prevent infections that lead to abnormal discharge. Here are some tips:
Don't be grossed out by your vaginal discharge. It's normal to have discharge, which helps to keep your vagina clean, and acts as an indicator when something might be off down there.
If you use pantyliners daily to catch discharge, why not get cloth pantyliners? Our Eco Femme Pantyliners come in a 3-pack and are perfect for everyday use. They're more comfortable than disposable liners that tend to bunch up in the middle. You're also reducing waste and saving the Earth at the same time!
]]>With so many brands of menstrual cups out in the market today, you may be lost in the sea of choices and wonder which one you should purchase as your first menstrual cup. Before you rush out to get the most popular brand or whatever's most easily available, here are some factors you should take into consideration, to make sure your first cup is suitable for your body!
Your cervix height is probably one of the most important factors you should consider when choosing a menstrual cup. Check your cervix near or during your period, where it will be the lowest in the body.
Stand up and take the position often recommended when inserting a tampon, propping one of your legs up on a chair or the bathroom counter. Stick your finger into your vagina and see how far up you have to reach before you can feel your cervix. Some of the descriptions we've heard to describe the cervix include a "round marble with a dent in the centre", "the tip of your nose", and even "a slimy donut"! If you have a dangly cervix, it may even feel like a tiny penis. It should feel quite different from the rest of your vaginal canal.
Source: intimina.com
High - If your finger is in all the way and you can't feel your cervix, you have a high cervix.
Medium - If your finger's inserted up to the second knuckle and you can feel your cervix.
Low - If you can just touch it within your first knuckle.
If you have a higher cervix, a longer cup is more suitable for you. If you use a short menstrual cup, it can ride up during the course of the day, and you may find it difficult to remove since it is deeper in your vaginal canal. The Lily Cup is one of the longer cups available, and is great if you have a high cervix!
If you have a lower cervix, a shorter cup is great for you! If you use a cup that's too long, the base of the cup may stick out of your vagina, which is really uncomfortable. Some of our shorter cups include the Lunette, Saalt and LENA cup. (Do note that the larger sizes will be slightly longer than the smaller sizes.)
The Lunette is a great beginner cup and suits a low to medium cervix.
If you're currently using disposables, how often do you have to change your pad or tampon? Usually, tampon boxes have an absorbency rating with an estimate of different sizes' capacities. You can compare the capacity of the usual tampons you use, with the capacity of the menstrual cup. For example, if you use one super tampon with 12ml capacity for 3 hours, you can use a menstrual cup with 25ml capacity for an estimated 6 hours!
Example of a tampon absorbency chart.
It's more difficult to estimate your flow with pads, since they don't usually come with absorbency ratings. Go with your instinct and make an educated guess based on how often you have to change your pad.
If you have bladder issues, such as a sensitive bladder, you don't want a really firm cup. A firm cup can put pressure on your bladder and give you the feeling of constantly needing to pee. Cups with extremely prominent rims are also not advised, since the rim tends to press against the bladder quite firmly. A softer cup is recommended since it will not press against the bladder uncomfortably. The Saalt Soft is a great soft cup designed for bladder sensitivities.
If you lead an active lifestyle and have strong pelvic floor and vaginal muscles, a firmer cup is more suitable. A cup that is too soft may get crushed by your muscles, which breaks the seal and cause leaks. A firmer cup that can hold its shape while inside your body is the best bet. The Lunette Model 2 is the firmest cup we have.
The larger Lunette (Model 2) is a firm cup that's good for active lifestyles!
There are lots of knock-off brands of menstrual cups on Amazon and other sites. We don't recommend going on Amazon to buy menstrual cups unless you know which brands are legitimate. Knock-off cups made of inferior materials also tend to break apart after a few months. Menstrual cups are considered medical devices since they are inserted into your body, and we're sure you don't want to insert some dubious materials into your vagina!
Furthermore, knock-off cups usually impinge on other companies' patents, using their designs without making any changes. We feel that it's not fair to the companies that use safe silicone and have gone through FDA regulations.
We hope this guide helps you to choose the right menstrual cup! Often, there is some trial and error involved. However, we definitely hope you can get your Goldilocks cup (one that's just right) on your first try! :)
We've compiled all the above information into a handy little quiz that can help you choose the most suitable menstrual cup:
Pads create a stifling, moist environment which is ground zero for yeast infections, bacteria and odour.
Tampons aren't great either; other than absorbing your menstrual fluid, they also absorb the natural moisture produced by your vagina. On the other hand, a menstrual cup collects rather than absorbs the menstrual fluid, so you don't feel uncomfortable and dry.
Inserted correctly, a menstrual cup is so comfortable that you won't even notice it’s there! It may take a little practice at first, but once you get the hang of inserting the menstrual cup, you will be amazed at how easy it is to use.
Menstrual cups have a greater capacity than even the most absorbent tampon, so you can go longer between emptying your cup. Menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow.
You no longer have to worry about finding a toilet to change your pad/tampon every few hours, especially when you're out and about.
Unlike single-use disposable pads and tampons, menstrual cups are reusable and can last for several years with proper care.
Since you can reuse your menstrual cup every period, there is less waste created to clog up our landfills or improperly disposed of in toilets to block up our sewage systems. Menstrual cups are not just good for your body; it's also good for our planet!
Menstrual cups can be used no matter what physical activities you've planned for the day: doing sports, yoga, dancing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, biking, hiking, camping, travelling, and many more!
Read a review of the Lunette menstrual cup by a sportswoman.
How many of you have extra pads or tampons in every bag? With a menstrual cup, you no longer have to carry around supplies in your bag. All you need is your trusty cup. If you're having your period, you're already 'carrying' your cup inside you! There's no need to bring anything extra.
Menstrual cups are great for people who work long hours or have few chances for toilet breaks, such as nurses or retail staff.
The cost of purchasing a menstrual cup is a one-time cost upfront, which provides you with years of use if you properly take care of it.
You no longer have to worry about running out of pads or tampons when your period is nearing every month.
If you always wet your tampon string while peeing and have to change one, you'll be happy to know that you won't take to take out your menstrual cup whenever you pee! Most or all of the cup will be safely inside your vagina, and if any part of the stem is sticking out, its silicone material won't absorb any pee and a wipe should suffice. You won't have to take it out when you poop either!
A menstrual cup will change your life, so it's time to ditch the disposables!
Convinced? Shop our range of menstrual cups now!
]]>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or USFDA) is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, that is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, cosmetics, animal feed and veterinary products. Although only products sold in the USA need to be regulated by the FDA, their high standards act as an excellent reference for the rest of the world of the products that are safe for us.
The menstrual cup is considered a medical device. The FDA recognizes three classes of medical devices, based on the level of control necessary to assure that people can use them safely and effectively. Menstrual cups fall under Class II, meaning that general controls alone cannot assure safety and effectiveness, and existing methods are available that provide such assurance. Only Class III devices need to be “approved” by the FDA, as there is not enough existing information available to assure safety and effectiveness.
When brands state that their menstrual cups are “FDA approved”, they usually mean that the cups are cleared for sale in the US by the FDA. Technically, the word “approved” implies that the cup has been tested and approved by the FDA, which is not the case. The FDA considers that "Any representation that creates an impression of official approval of a device because of complying with the premarket notification regulations is misleading and constitutes misbranding." This means that cup brands cannot use "FDA Approved" as a fact to promote their products.
For a menstrual cup to be “cleared” by the FDA for sale, they need to submit a “510(k) premarket notification”. This means that the new cup is the same in function and design as existing cups already cleared for sale, and does not need to go through a more extensive process called “premarket approval”, which requires clinical trials and testing. A menstrual cup is only cleared for sale after the 510(k) premarket notification process is complete.
Out of all the menstrual cups that we carry, the Lunette has 510(k) clearance (click to see FDA page).
(Click to see our range of Lunette menstrual cups)
You can also click here to see a list of all the menstrual cups that have 510(k) clearance.
As of December 2014, it seems that menstrual cups no longer need to go through this process. However, you can consider a 510(k) clearance as further assurance that a cup brand is good quality, as it has undergone some testing and regulation processes.
How, then, do we determine which menstrual cups are high quality and safe for use?
Now, menstrual cups that are produced or distributed in the US need to be registered with the FDA. Even companies that import cups from China or other countries to sell within the US need to register their device with the FDA. Both the device (menstrual cup) and the establishment (company that makes/sells the cup) need to be registered.
Menstrual cup brands we carry that are registered with the FDA:
Lunette Menstrual Cup FDA Registration Page
Lily Cup & Ziggy Disc (distributed by LELO) FDA Registration Page
Merula Cup FDA Registration Page
Nixit Menstrual Disc FDA Registration Page
Saalt Cup/Disc FDA Registration Page
Super Jennie FDA Registration Page
You can also click here to find a list of all the menstrual cups that have been registered with the FDA.
Many menstrual cup brands claim that they are using silicone that has been approved by the FDA. However, the FDA only regulates the end product, not the materials it is made from. Any claims that a cup is made from FDA-approved silicone is therefore false.
In conclusion, we would recommend exercising your due diligence when researching on the menstrual cup you would like to purchase, and make sure they are made of materials you are comfortable to put in your body. Here at The Period Co., we only bring in quality products for your peace of mind.
Sources:
https://menstrualcups.wordpress.com/2015/03/12/fda/
http://www.fda.gov/
Learn how you can manage your periods more consciously by taking notice of the waste created every month and what you are putting in your body. See how reusable menstrual products can help you get more in touch with your own body, while reducing waste at the same time.
We will also be accepting donations of unused disposable supplies, that we'll be donating to HOME Singapore's shelter for migrant workers. The shelter, which houses migrants that have experienced abuse, exploitation or have suffered injuries in the workplace in Singapore, need supplies for both new and current female residents, who are staying to assist with ongoing investigations or to stand as prosecution witnesses.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated every year on 28 May. This year's theme is "Menstruation matters to everyone, everywhere".
On Menstrual Hygiene Day, we break the silence and build awareness about the fundamental role that good menstrual hygiene management plays in enabling women and girls to reach their full potential. Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global platform for everyone, everywhere to engage in action and advocacy to break taboos and negative attitudes around menstruation.
In an ideal world, everyone who menstruates should be knowledgeable about their menstrual cycle and have access to proper sanitary products and facilities to manage their menstruation, without being shamed or outcast for it.
However, the harsh reality is that many women and girls around the world, especially in developing countries, do not have access to clean private toilets, information on menstrual hygiene, and sanitary products. If you think that managing our periods is a hassle, it's definitely worse for them. :(
How can you help? Break the silence; talk about it! Menstruation should not be a taboo, #MenstruationMatters to everyone.
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