Hi everyone!
So today’s post is a little bit different. It’s geared toward the ladies who follow my blog, but fellas if you want to learn more about menstrual cups or the female cycle- read on!
A few months ago in my zero waste post I mentioned how I wanted to eventually switch to using a menstrual cup. ( If you’re unfamiliar with what a menstrual cup is check out this video! )
My main motivation for switching to a menstrual cup was because it’s so much better for the environment! Pads and tampons create so much waste and I really wanted to cut that part of my waste out completely. Some other benefits are saving money, saving time, and I recently learned how tampons can be extremely cancerous so avoiding them became even more important to me!
I will say, however, that I was extremely skeptical of menstrual cups for a long long time. I thought they were gross and weird and different. I didn’t like the idea of putting a cup into my body or emptying it out at the end of the day- I now refer to this time as my “weirded out” stage.
For those of you still in this “weirded out” stage I totally get it. I had been there since 2012. So what has changed? My relationship with my body and with my menstrual cycle has changed.
Through lots of research, reading, and YouTube video watching my relationship with my period has completely shifted. The language and conversation around periods throughout history has been largely negative. Women are told that our period is gross, dirty, uncomfortable and something that we should never talk about. In reality? Our periods are beautiful, purposeful, special and a sign that our body is healthy!
If you’re interested in learning more about how amazing your body and your cycle are I recommend reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. This book is for all women of any age and any walk of life. It’s great for women trying to become pregnant and for those trying to prevent it.
If you want to understand your body and cycle better, while loving your body and the amazing things it does, please read this book. I’ll insert a picture so you know what it looks like.
I talk about my period and my cycle so openly now because I realize that it’s not something to be ashamed of- it’s something to be celebrated! As women we are constantly shushed and quieted. We are taught not to talk about something natural that happens to all of us each month- that makes me so sad. Our natural cycles are not meant to be shushed and hidden, they are meant to be appreciated and celebrated.
So I say, let’s start talking about it. Let’s start normalizing our periods and the amazing work out bodies do to take care of us!
Now, back to the menstrual cup.
I personally use a Ruby Cup. I chose it because with each Ruby Cup purchase one cup is donated to a young woman in need. Can you imagine having your period and having no resources to care for the bleeding? Many women do not have the funds or resources to purchase feminine care products and Ruby Cup is attempting to eliminate this reality. Read more about this on their website.
There are so many cup options so do some research and find the one that’s right for you.
My Ruby Cup took a few weeks to arrive and I’ve used it for my past three cycles. The cost is very reasonable considering they can last up to ten years and I no longer need to buy pads or tampons! The cleaning process is very straight forward as well (you just boil it for five minutes at the end of your cycle and rinse after each use). Easy breezy!
Ruby Cup
Ruby Cup
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