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To cup or not to cup, that is the question. By the amazing Grace Farris.
P.S. Why I regularly talk about periods with my sons and 15 great reader comments on sex.
Menstrual Product Reviews
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Menstrual discs!! I used to use tampons, then switched to the MeLuna cup (so many different sizes and styles under one brand made it easy to find one that fit) for 8 years. Now I use the Nixit disc and it is a million times easier to insert, doesn’t
leak, holds more, lasts12 hrs, and sometimes empties itself without any intervention from me (Google: auto-dumping) when I’m going to the bathroom. I have a heavy period and a fairly high cervix. The Nixit is perfect for me; you may also want to try smaller discs brands if you are smaller. Took me 1-2 cycles to perfect the removal process: I relax, bear down, use my thumb to unhook it and then pull it out like a drawer while leaning back on the toilet. I think about my period a lot less and have no problem wearing the disc to work since I only empty it morning and night. Highly recommend!
I’m curious about cups and disks but don’t want to go through multiple versions trying to find the best fit. Is there consensus about best brands/options for different situations ie: heavy flow, given birth several times, titled cervix, etc?
Also, do I would love to know more about people’s experiences with period underwear. How do you wash them and deal with dirties until you are ready for a load? Do they smell at all while being worn? I cloth diapered my kiddos so I’m up for a laundry challenge but I would like to know what I’m in for. I’m thinking of trying just a couple of pairs for back up/overnight.
I am going through perimenopause, and the heavy absorption period undies do not hold anything for beans. I went with an Amazon-ish label, because I don’t spend $30+ on one pair of underwear, and they give me three for that price. I also am back on pads because of the perimenopause, and I cannot wait for the end of my periods (sorry to all the ladies who lament the loss periods because no more kids).
Random question: are people misspelling Judy Blume on purpose? This is the 2nd time I’ve seen it online spelled “Bloom” and I’m assuming it’s for some cool reason I’ve totally missed out on. Just curious!
This is SO TMI but I’ve been wanting to talk about this topic/issue yet I have no one I feel comfortable enough to discuss it with. My best friend introduced me to the cup, yet I’ve having a very hard time figuring it out- also it causes me so much anxiety. I have real issues with the ‘letting go’ bit once it’s in there. Like, what if it slides all the way up and I can’t reach it? What if I push it further up trying to get my fingers around it? (Blood makes things super slippery in there). I get so overwhelmed letting go for the tip of the cup once I have it inserted that I end up pulling it out and going back to tampons haha. My friend just thinks I have stress issues and keeps telling me to get over it which doesn’t help my anxiety. Someone please let me know/reassure me if the cup is actually really difficult to pull out. Thank you!
It can be scary right?! At first I got anxious, but the more you relax, the easier it is. There is really nowhere for it to go, it can’t get lost. I find it helpful to think of it as a suction seal, when you have a good seal, it’s harder to pull out – instead of just pulling, try breaking the seal first and then it will come out easily. To break the seal, you can kind of fold it. Hope that helps!
Ok so here’s some expert advice from a nurse midwife who has seen lots of vaginas. The vagina is only a few inches deep (5ish) and at the end of the tunnel is the cervix which is the entrance to the uterus. The opening of the cervix (unless you’re imminently giving birth, ha) is at most a centimeter wide. No way your cup could fit through there. There is literally no possible way of putting it in too far, bc if the vagina is 5” deep and the cup is 2-3” long, you only have to reach in a few inches at most to grab the tip. I’ve been using the cup for years and I love it. I admit I have fairly light periods though so heavy bleeders might not be so keen. My technique: fold the little guy up and stick it in, let it unfold while your finger is still in there so it is still exposed to outside air and doesn’t create a vacuum (does this make sense?), once it’s opened back up shove it all they way up with a twisting motion. Bearing down while doing so can help. Ideally it will encircle the cervix which should make a nice seal and prevent leaks!
Hello there! I’ve never gotten along with the ‚long-ish’ cups but I REALLY like the discs! No suction at all. You might want to look into those. (Occasionally, it‘s a bit of a mess when handling it – might help to get one with a ring/string for easy removal.) For me, discs were a game-changer.
Statistically speaking you’re probably fine, but if you’re really concerned about the logistics of removal, I’d recommend something like the Flex cup. It has a little loop (instead of the more common stem), which makes it very easy to grab and automatically breaks the suction when you pull it. I tried a stem version first, and it did indeed go deep enough that I spent a very contortionist hour or so trying to reach it. Like, I’m not especially prone to panic-induced poor decisions, but I was about 15 minutes away from going for the pliers. On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve seen others talk about a stem being too long for them and they had to trim it for comfort. There really is enough anatomical variation that the same basic parts aren’t always quite in alignment.
As another commenter mentioned, this is a deeply personal topic, and our individual experiences hold their own unique value. I’m 34 and have moderate-to-heavy periods. About five years ago, I made the switch from pads to menstrual pants, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier! They’re comfortable, reliable, and provide a sense of security, all while being a more sustainable choice for both myself and the environment. I can hardly remember what life was like before using them—it’s been such a positive change for me. I never quite got on with tampons, and while I love the concept of menstrual cups, they didn’t fit into my routine either. The pants, though, were an absolute game-changer!
period underwear *forever*
After a few years of fibroid-induced crime scenes, my doctor and I decided on a hysterectomy. I feel so much better and while I know I felt this good at some point in the past – I don’t remember when.
I used giant pads, period panties, and sometimes just staying longer on the toilet to manage the blood flood and then asked my doctor if blood floods were normal. She said no.
Monica, I am so curious about this. My current periods are just like you describe. How old were you when you had your hysterectomy? I am 35.
This was me too. I had my hysterectomy ~4 years ago (42 yo) but I would have gone for it earlier if I’d realized the ‘crime scene’ level flows were not “normal”. It was the quickest convo ever once I finally got an ob; had it scheduled after 1 visit! 10/10 recommend. I still have my ovaries so no early menopause.
I think the weirdest part of it was that it took about a year to be comfortable leaving the house without double checking I had emergency backups of everything period related. Hadn’t realized how much it was dominating my life til it was gone
Hysterectomy club here! I got mine last year at 36 after years and years of hellish, painful periods due to fibroids. The freedom I feel at not having to run my life around my cycle (and no more ER visits due to blood loss) is immense. It’s of course a big decision and a major surgery, but I have no doubt it was the right one for me.
Lol at the chart – love it!
I started using a Hello Disc about 2 years ago and haven’t used anything else since, except for emergencies. It’s amazing! I have an IUD so I cannot use cups. The disc is similar to a cup but it just sits above the cervix instead of suctioning into place, so it’s 100% safe with IUDs. You can also use it during sex! I’ve never been pregnant, so I am not sure of the efficiency for individuals who have given birth…
I use and love Natracare period products! Still disposable but much more eco friendly and no chemicals. http://www.natracare.com
If you like using tampons but want to reduce plastic waste (applicators), an option is ob tampons. They’re just the absorbant part and your finger is the applicator. You get used to it. I’ve gotten so used to them that I was confronted in a restaurant recently with the need to change my tampon and only ones available in the bathroom had those plastic thingies. I tried, but had to take the tampon out and put it in the ob way!
I’ll second this! I got used to OBs because that’s what they gave us in the Peace Corps. You get used to them quickly and SO MUCH LESS WASTE!
Big fan of period underwear! I used to leak through tampons and I have a fibroid so a cup was uncomfortable for me. Now I only use tampons when I am on vacation because the underwear can be a bit tough to manage away from home (eg rinsing, hanging to dry, etc).
I need to add my one cents. I am a pad gal with really heavy periods. Let me tell you that pad technology has really come a long way since our middle school days. Flex foam is where it’s at.
Period undies!!! Aisle brand – Clean ingredients and the boy shorts style can hold the equivalent of 8 pads. I’ve had zero leaks and can walk around on my heaviest days feeling totally dry. I forget I have a period. Has changed my life!
Love Aisle brand; I’ve been wearing them since the days they were called Lunapads. I’ve tried a couple others but I still prefer the Lunapad/Aisle ones I have (in rotation with a cup and the odd tampon).
In the past couple of years I saw a gynecologist on instagram said that most the gynecologists she knows don’t have periods. They opt out. And I thought damn. I should investigate. So now I take birth control continuously (I was already on it- I LOVE it bc I had extremely heavy periods as did my sister- so much so she was hospitalized and had transfusions). Anyway. I love being able to swim all summer without issue. 10/10 recommend.
Same. Haven’t got my period in decades except for the rare occasion when I have break through bleeding and I need a reset. I can’t imagine trying to be organized once a month to deal with any of this.
Yes! This is exactly what my gynecologist told me & why I no longer have periods.
I call it too modern to bleed: opted out last year at 42 after decades of heavy bleeding that left me anaemic and barely able to function on the worst days- plus my cycle was 23 days or less. My gynaecologist suggested I try a pill and I have never been happier. Iron levels are back up and I can even donate blood now.
Yup! I’m gay and I still take continuous pills to avoid getting a period. It’s fantastic.
But only works for people for whom the pill does not trigger crushing depression. The year I spent on the pill I also spent in bed, so depressed I could barely get up. No thank you. All to say, good for you, not for me!
My library’s copy of Judy Blume’s “Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret” was so old that it still had references to pads with belts. So confusing in the late 90’s, haha!
Ah yes…. pads with belts… remember that era well…. also remember trying to find a nickel to get pads out of machine at school. Which I understand kids in MN don’t have to do now ! :) yay !
Very timely – I’m 38 and realized two days ago that my period was a week late! I’ve taken two pregnancy tests since then and both were negative. So I think I’m probably dipping my toe into perimenopause. I’ve also felt some hot flashes and a few other symptoms. I also had similar symptoms a few months ago without the late period. Anyways, fun times! Any other late 30 something’s going through this? Or wisdom on perimenopause from people who’ve been through it?
But more on topic, I’ve used a cup plus liner since college, about 20 years! Lately it hasn’t fit as well though so might give the disks some people recommended here a try.
Get your thyroid levels checked to be sure that your period issues are not due to thyroid hormone balance.
LIZ YES! 39 here and just started as well. Hot Flashes, brain fog, missed period and I wake up at least once a night now. It’s been a wild ride. Have you had your hormones checked? I have no kids yet but we were trying and my blood test revealed my AMH was super low and LH and FSH were super high. Such a bummer but not much I can do. Ahh. I hope everything works out well for you and you not alone <3
Full menopausal at age 39 over here. Started with skipped periods and weight gain. That was my only symptom. I am on HRT (to hopefully mitigate heart, bone and neuro issues of premature menopause) My gyno said active women who are non-smokers seem to have easier menopause but who knows. I feel pretty good. No advice, it has not been fun (though no period is VERY nice). Weird to think I am just … completely shut down kind of. Barren. I feel old.
Thanks everyone! Have not had any hormone tests done but messaged by doctor about it last night. Glad to know I’m not the only one at least!
This whole discussion is so personal and all any of us have to offer is our own experience, but here’s mine: I have an extremely light period and I’ve been a devoted cup-user since I got my IUD out, something like 10 years ago. I don’t usually bleed enough to fill a tampon before it’s time to take it out again, and a half-dry tampon feels horrible. Also I forget I’m on my period pretty often and I would died of TSS a long time ago if tampons were my only choice. If I’m feeling lazy, I have some reusable pads and a pack of disposable pantyliners that I sometimes use.
The fact that this IS such a personal experience that is different for everyone is why I so appreciate everyone chiming in here. Conventional medicine so often tries to box these things into one experience for expediency and profit and we are here to show that that is simply not possible. Another reason why total body imperial autonomy is every human’s right, but particularly a woman’s right.
Maybe 15 years ago or so, I bought a reusable rubber cup that was called “The Keeper”. I used it at home during my heavy days(too much flow and I couldn’t empty it and rinse it at work) and on light days, I’d even wear it to work (which was amazing because I didn’t need to empty it during the work day so it was almost like not having my period.). I used that cup for a long time, probably a decade. Washed it well, it stayed in perfect condition for the entire time. It was an incredible savings financially, it was much much better for the environment. I don’t know if they still manufacture it, but if they do, I highly recommend it.
It’s Cora organic cotton pads for me.
Cotton pads are the best!! Gladrags are great and they make organic ones too.
Unless I’m swimming or doing water sports, I’m a pad girl. I’m 41, I’ve used all the things over the years, and I appreciate the simplicity. I have homemade cloth pads and use disposables. I treat myself to two showers a day for cleanliness. Sometimes if I’m just at home and lazing, I’ll use a cloth diaper insert. I wash on the sanitize cycle.
Here’s a vote for the Disc. Life changing! But yes, steep learning curve.
I am 73…so haven’t had a period for more than 20 years. Have to say I am SO happy that my period stopped before all of these options…cups, period pants, etc.. Why? The idea of cups or period underwear kind of fill me with dread…sorry. I always had heavy periods that were never regular, but was able to manage with tampons and pads for backup. Having to empty a cup in a bathroom at work sounds like a horror to me…and period underwear doesn’t sound better. One more reason to be grateful
I am past all that!
Most people just empty them twice a day in the shower. Obvi can also do the toilet. You don’t need to empty it during the day and definitely not in the sink.
Wow, I actually read all the comments and appreciate all the insight so much! So I used tampons for about 20 years, then found Diva Cup which was amazing. But, after I had a baby, when my period finally came back, I tried to use them again with limited success. It would descend to the opening of my vagina, and often leak – so I used a pad as back up. Eventually the annoying movement of the cup made me skip it altogether and I’ve been using pads ever since. (Tried tampons, and a disposable disk, both of which basically felt like they were falling out…) My doctor said I have a mild vaginal prolapse. Which is hard to find out about? Anyway… pads it is, sadly… I miss being able to swim on my period!
In case it’s helpful to hear this, you might consider doing pelvic floor physical therapy which can help with prolapse. If you are on Instagram, Caroline Packard is a physical therapist who provides a lot of education around prolapse and the rehabilitation of it.
Same here! Because of vaginal prolapse, I’m a non-enthusiastic pad user ever since giving birth five years ago.
I couldn’t use a Diva cup after having kids for the same reasons, so I did some internet research (lol) and found that the tulip shaped cups are supposed to work well for women with these issues. I use a Saalt cup now and it works for me! I don’t know if I have a prolapse but it does feel like my insides are arranged differently than they used to be.
NINA43, try a disc instead of a cup! My pelvic floor therapist recommended it since I have prolapse and it actually helps provide some support with the prolapse!
Just going to put my full support behind…menopause.
I was a firsthand witness to multiple crime scene aftermaths during perimenopause. Yikes.
But now I am the proud owner of multiple white pants!!!! Joy!
Reading all of the comments here and realizing that my two cents to offer all relate to my teenaged daughter. I think I’m fully menopausal and this reminds me/begs the question of when will I be certain enough to retire my divacup. Seems like ages since I’ve used it. Turning the page.
Was team cup for years but menstrual discs are amazing! A messy cleanup when it’s time to empty on my heavy days, but they last for so much longer and it’s so nice to have less messy period sex!
I’ve always felt a weird shame and embarrassment about using pads exclusively. That they are for juveniles. This post just serves to reinforce that. But I’ve never been able to use a tampon since I was a teen and a cup would present the same issue.
It’s okay to use the product you find most comfortable at the most uncomfortable time of the month.
I agree! I used to use tampons through my 20s and they worked great for me (and i hated pads), now I’m in my 30s and have had babies I have reverted back to pads and love them again…I’m not sure why, but I just no longer feel like faffing about with anything internal haha! It just feels easier now to use a pad. I might trial some period underwear next though!
Core traumatizing preteen memory:
My 13th birthday was at a pool. I had only been shown to use pads. I was too embarrassed to ask *how* to use a tampon. I knew I needed one though, so I nabbed one from the bathroom. Body talks were just not a thing in my home. In my haste, I just inserted it and LEFT THE PLASTIC APPLICATOR IN!!!! I was like, holy crap, if this is womanhood, I’m screwed. Anyway, I spent the whole time in the pool uncomfortably squirming and paranoid blood would start to come out around me. Unfortunately, it took me a few more tries before I was brave enough to review the directions on my own to figure out wtf was going on. My point is, teach your daughters about tampons early on even if they don’t plan to use them. They might find themselves at a pool party panicking 😅 Worst birthday ever.
I’m in my second month using a Cora cup and I WILL NEVER GO BACK. I want to shout it from the rooftops and tell all of friends. It’s very beginner friendly, and after a few times or practicing inserting and removing (not during my period) I got the hang of it.
I’m generally a very squeamish person and this SO BEATS messy pads and tampons. Now I’ve had some practice inserting, it’s way easier than a tampon and I haven’t had any leaking or issues. I change it twice a day at home – standing in the shower so no worries about spills.
For about ~$30, I expect it to end up being less expensive than pads/tampons after a few months — and it’s supposed to last FOR 10 YEARS! It also feels good to reduce waste.
Don’t be scared, give the cup a shot!
I mix and match depending on circumstances. Period while working from home/on a weekend? Reusable cloth pads from GladRags.
Busy workday with no breaks between meetings/active weekend or swimming? Tampons.
Insane cramps while at work? Eco friendly disposable pads.
Despite wanting to be more environmentally friendly, I personally cannot bring myself to use a cup, needing to deal with cleaning it in public and potential for mess, nope.
Rachel, I had similar fears, but it was all wrong… The cup changed my life and I am not overreacting. So far (5+ years) I had absolutely zero mess, I don’t even know what do you mean?
Cleaning it in public is highly avoidable. It can stay in for 12 hours! On those few occasions I had to use public toilet I simply took a water bottle with me. You can sleep with it. It helps reduce cramps. No TTS risk. It is so good…
Hear me out: reusable cloth pads. The concept is similar to period underwear but with less “potential for total catastrophe.” I was a longtime tampon user and didn’t like the messiness and diaper-like feeling of disposable pads, but once I started using the cloth ones I never looked back.
I started using them 12 years ago after cloth diapering and thinking “this makes sense,” and I’ve been using the literal same ones I bought then (from Party in My Pants) ever since. TBH it’s probably time for new ones but they’ve clearly held up great and definitely been worth the money many, MANY times over.
I’ve used a tampon here and there (mainly for swimming) but they meet my needs 98% of the time. If you haven’t tried them, they are worth giving a chance!
Just today, my Ob-GYN warned me to not use a menstrual cup with an IUD because you can easily accidentally pull out your IUD with the cup and not even know it! Yikes!
God I believe it. When I first started using a cup, I didn’t realize you had to break the seal. Damn near turned myself inside out.
This happened to me!! Pulled out my cup and there was my IUD! So disappointing because I otherwise really love both those products, but now I have to choose!
I’m *almost* twenty in years in to using/having both and have not had any issues. Always release the suction in the cup and check for the IUD string occasionally.
Here to say it has happened to me BUT:
1. I absolutely knew it– cramping while I was running, then went to empty my cup and there was a little plastic guy, pretty hard to miss
2. I went back to my NP worried that I couldn’t use cups again, and she just cut my strings shorter! Been using both for 4 1/2 years now and am planning on continuing indefinitely. Just takes a little practice to release the seal (and depending on anatomy/cervix height that might be more or less difficult for folks), and a medical pro who takes the time to learn and trust your judgement!
Thank you, Grace Farris! Sometimes when menstrual products come up on the Cup of Jo comments there is a lot of shaming of those that use disposable products. I find this super frustrating. There is a huge monetary barrier for women who may want to try a cup. They are expensive, as the comic says they carry a “steep learning curve”, and finding the right fit can take a few different products. I haven’t always had the funds to take the financial risk of trying a cup. In general, I try to use mostly reusable items, recycle and genuinely care about the environmental impact of my choices, but when it comes to women’s menstruation can we put an end to shaming?
I agree. I am not interested in using cups AT ALL; I don’t care about the environmental impact. The whole concept gives me the ick.
They’re also not friendly if you have to use a public restroom! Do you walk to the wink with bloody hands?? That was always the biggest barrier for me.
Thank you for saying this. I tried a cup and had a really terrible experience with it and then proceeded to feel guilty about the waste from tampons before finally deciding that actually, it’s fine. I do really care about the environment and there are lots of ways I show that. I wanted the cup to work out. I am lucky that I was able to throw it away after one use without major financial consequences. The cup didn’t work out. It’s ok. However you handle your period, it’s ok. I trust that everyone here cares about the environment and is doing their best.
Saying this from a place of kindness and not criticism, but most menstrual cups cost about $12-50 and last for years. Maybe they used to be more expensive (or harder to come by), and certainly less well known (I didn’t hear of them until my late 20s!), but I think they’re more and more accessible and there’s a lot of research you can do to find one that fits before shelling out to try.
I just googled the average # of tampons a women uses in a cycle and it’s 20 (I had heavy periods so I went through a lot more than that!). A box of 10 Tampax tampons from Walmart is $12.99 (again, just googling so I know the prices can vary based on source and location, and of course brand).
But assuming that is an accurate average just for the sake of math, $50 cup pays for itself in two menstrual cycles. Other brands, like June, which has a $12 option, are actually less than two 10 packs of Tampax.
Katie, I have used menstural cups for 7.5 years now. I have in total bought only 3 cups in the 7.5 years. So, in the long term, menstural cup decreases your expense. I bought them in India, where they cost less than $5 cup. Even here in the US, you can buy them online for an average $20. With regards to steep learning curve, even with pads/ tampons, we had a learning curve when we first started using them. In this day and age, where there are tons of videos and user reviews, if one wants to make a switch, it is not that difficult. I have travelled with my cup on long international flights/ trains and have had to discard in public toilets etc and I managed to do it. I feel, personally for me the switch has been the best decision.
Sorry you feel shamed. One does what they can.
Chiming in to agree with Katie that this is a very valid point – and goes for pretty much all reusables (cup, pads, diapers etc.). It doesn’t matter if the ‘cost per wear’ works out cheaper, if you can’t afford the initial outlay. Poorer people don’t have access to economies of scale. Any of us who have tried cups know it’s not a one size fits all thing. There may be a cup available for $12 but that’s still a choice between spending $12 on something that may not work vs $12 on a box of tampax that will definitely work. When you don’t have much money, you can’t afford to risk wasting it. That’s without considering access to hygienic storage/washing facilities. I say this as someone who uses reusable products because I can now afford that initial outlay and have a work-life schedule that allows me to factor in laundry etc. but I don’t ever take that privilege for granted. Even the time/facility to research and purchase reusable products (vs pick up a box of tampax from any store) is a luxury not everyone has.
Honestly I totally disagree with “steep learning curve” of cups- I think it’s just as bizarre and counter intuitive as tampons. Tampons leak constantly and are so unreliable. . And my god pads suck too because sometimes you bleed on the one goddamn spot on your undies where the pad ends, the worst!!!
I really think cups are worth the investment. I have a diva cup, one of the og brands. Mine was 30 bucks and I bought it 6 years ago and it’s still goin strong. I remember having to buy pads/tampons and sometimes having to free bleed or stretch uses because it was costly per box and I’d have to rebuy every single period!! I worked minimum wage and my food budget was 40 a month and pads/tampons per period was 25. I had/have an intense flow and would need 3-4 super x tampons a day.
And I’m sorry you feel shamed, gently, that seems like a you problem. We are all trying to be environmental, some people are more able than others but isn’t it worth a try? And I only bought 1 cup, so you might not have to buy a series of products, you might really like 1!
Honestly it blows my mind I no longer have to buy any period product!!! Even all these years later it is thrilling. And I am truly proud that I am no longer creating waste. And my cup is awesome I leave it in all day and only empty when I am in a private restroom- like my own, or a single room.
I wish it was socially acceptable to give them out as birthday presents. Haha. With a couple close friends I have.
Thanks Emma O, that was a very clear explanation of why the cost-per-wear argument doesn’t always apply to someone with limited funds that need to be very carefully managed. I’m on my third cup in about 10 years (first one didn’t fit and I accidentally flushed the second cup that did fit), and half the time I can’t wear it due to my cervix sitting too low. I like that cups are an option, but no solution is going to work for everyone.
Team pads over here! I tried inserting a tampon once when I was 16 and couldn’t get it in and it felt weird so I never tried again. I’m so intrigued by cups though!!
Team pads here too. according to my gyn, I have some kind of tilt situation happening in my southern hemisphere which makes both tampons and cups (and sometimes sex if not careful) extremely uncomfortable. I hate that folks who use pads get shamed (and was a little annoyed that pads got named above for going in the landfill but where do you think tampons are ending up?!) Let’s just support one another’s choices and recognize that what works for one of us may not work for others for very good reasons!
Exactly what happened to me! It felt so strange, but I didn’t know what it was supposed to feel like…….anyway, pads after that
@Erin Geiger Smith – YES! So strange – Like, tampons go to heaven, pads go to hell?
(Pad user here for 26 years but cannot wait to be done with all of this nonsense eventually!)
(whoops – definitely didn’t mean to tag a specific erin!)
I loathe tampons: the waste, the disposal, the random wicking of liquid… ugh. I tried the Saalt cup a couple of years ago when I was having heavy, unexplained bleeding, and it changed everything.
My top tip: take showers morning and evening and empty it then. So much easier! Everything’s wet, soap’s right there and so’s the drain! The rest of the timeI basically forget that I’m having my period, which is pretty much what I want from a period: to not remember that it’s happening.
And a note about the unexplained bleeding: my original OB/gyn did nothing for me. Lots of tests and basically a shrug at the end. I got a new one who sat with me for like 30 min discussing options and possibilities. She noticed that some of uterine cells were growing into my cervix (can’t remember the term for it), cauterized them with silver nitrate (painless, nearly trivial treatment) and that seems to have fixed the whole issue. I was miserable for like a year before that–random heavy bleeding, esp during/after sex. And it would go on for days. This is more info than I’d normally share, but I would’ve loved to read a comment like this when it was happening, so maybe this’ll help someone else!
that’s so kind of you to share! nice to hear you’re well now :)
Ectropion cervix :)
“Cervical ectropion” fyi
Thank you for sharing. I would love a post here sometime about what we wish we knew about anatomy and variations and things that can happen to us- like what happened to you. A post that makes people say “oh that’s a thing? I thought it was just me!”
I switched to a Flex disc a couple of years ago and love!!!! No more leaking like with tampons, I use a reusable one and sometimes the disposables. Easy to use and can have sex with it. Just amazing.
I used and loved a menstrual cup in college. Now I have a copper IUD – my periods are so heavy and I’d love to return to a menstrual cup or disc, but I’ve heard mixed messages about if those are safe with an IUD. Anyone with experience/knowledge on that combo??
I also have a copper IUD and have no issues with a cup!
(also i specifically asked my doctor if it was safe to use a cup with the IUD and she said it was not a problem!)
I know two girls whose IUDs came out from the suction when removing their menstrual cups, so I’d say use with caution!!!
Have had a copper IUD for a decade and used a menstrual cup for a decade. No issues with that combo! Also have tried the flex disc and liked it
Been using a cup for 5+ years (dot cup, dark colour so no weird discolouration over time and they work with world vision to donate one with every purchase) and had an IUD that whole time, including being replaced. My Gyn never asked about my period products specifically. But, I always am sure to break the seal of the cup internally rather than just pulling it out. I also trimmed the stem completely off so I can’t grab the cup without pinching it.
As another commenter mentioned, this combo makes me forget I have a period which is most excellent.
Hi Annie, I have a copper IUD and have used both a cup and a disc. I (thankfully) had no issues with the cup but know that some people do because it relies on suction to get a seal. The disc is completely different however! It relies on positioning rather than suction, so there’s no need to get a tight seal that might compromise an IUD for some. I’ve found that I never even feel the disc, whereas the suction of the cup was sometimes detectable.
Long story short– if it’s something you may be concerned about, skip the cup, try the disc!
I have two friends whose cups pulled out their IUDs. Cups generally use suction so while it’s probably not likely it is possible, but the Discs just rest on top of your pubic bone and are SO easy to use! Similar concept, but I choose Discs over Cups any day.
I have an IUD and use the disc instead of a cup. I read it’s safer/won’t pull out the IUD and it was actually easier for me to use effectively.
I’ve also been using a cup with a copper IUD for 3+ years. Never thought to ask if it was safe- but this comment made me curious to look it up. I understand the risks but I’ll continue to use my cup. I already regularly check for IUD stings (paranoid haha) and take a lot of care when removing the cup (it’s sensitive! Haha)
I have a copper iud and use a menstrual cup! No problems for me! I’m about 8 years in with this combo.
I’m a paragard user and 100% use a cup! Seems fine!
Thank you all for your responses!!!!
Please be careful with IUDs and cups. I got pregnant with my copper IUD in but dr said it was lower or out of place somehow, long before it was due to come out. I always wonder if using a cup pulled it slightly down.
I love pads. I am super heavy. I don’t like changing a tampon every 40 min. The cup put pressure on my urethra and made it harder to pee and gave me a uti. Period undies are 100% a no way. Filled with cancer causing materials and there’s no way they’d hold back my super heavy flow.
Honest question, if a tampon only lasts 40 min, I imagine a pad lasts for a much shorter period of time? In my personal experience I was changing pads constantly whereas a tampon could last hours.
Hi Emily, I am typically wearing like overnight hospital type pads. I still have to change them frequently. But no a tampon can’t even touch my period. It just could never keep up with the flow and the clots. Sorry lol TMI. Even if I put a tampon in, I still wear a hospital pad.
Cup + period underwear is my holy grail combo!
Made me laugh to see this because I said almost exactly the same thing at the same time – think we could be friends! :)
“This! Diva cup plus period panties as a backup are the holy grail!”
Who can recommend PFA-free period underwear that are genuinely comfortable? I’ve tried Saalt and another brand I cannot remember, and they squeeeeeeze my tummy. Like, no. Even sizing up doesn’t help.
Knix is pricey, but their Leakproof Dream Shorts are the most comfy underwear I own, period. (Ha!) I regularly check to see if they’ve made that style in a non-absorbent version, but alas.
ModiBodi are PFA free as far as I know. They also have super heavy flow pants which are awesome. A super tampon lasts 20 minutes max on my heavy days but I can reply on the pants.
I’ve heard modibodi is good– but haven’t used them myself, so can’t recommend from personal experience
PFA free and they’re good price points!
Big fan of Modibodi too, and they do not contain PFAS.
The Sensual Hi-Waist Bikini is my favorite – no squeezing of the tummy because of the wide lace waistband. They run small so keep that in mind.
Knix is great, used them for years!
Which type of Saalt did you try? If it was the lace or mesh kind, reach out to Saalt and let them know they didn’t work for you – they have a great refund/replacement policy and they would likely allow you to try a different style instead. You’d probably love the Seamless version.
Brings a whole new meaning to “Cup of Jo”!
:D
i lol’d.
😂 haha!
Ooh I’d love advice from the COJ hive! My daughter is probably going to get her first period soon, and I have no idea anymore- what are the gateway products for tweens?
I started my daughter on pads w wings because I thought it was the easiest way to begin. But female teens today are so good about discussing menstruation openly (thank god for progression) that not long after she asked for tampons. She wouldn’t even let me explain how to use them. “I know mom (roll eyes)!” Haha. She found athletic tampons the most comfortable because they are narrower. And I got her a few pairs of period undies for leaks. Hope that helps a bit
My daughter started with reusable cloth pads. She was very eco-conscious at the time. After a while, she got tired of having to wash them out and switched to regular pads. I’d recommend looking for ones branded for teens because they tend to be smaller and not so cumbersome for young bodies.
Both of my (very different) tween/teenage daughters use pads with lined underwear. The lined underwear covers for a multitude of learner mistakes. I desperately wish they had been available when I was that age. In fact, I bought a set for myself. (so far, I’ve only found these at amazon. Here’s one link, although we have several that all work well https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VC8599D/)
They both found tampons unappealing and overwhelming. With each, I walked her through insertion and removal using an example one and my fist, then she did it for real on her own using substantial bravery. The plastic applicators are definitely the easiest for them to get positioned correctly, etc. The older has never touched the box again, which is fine. The younger does swim team, so she just had to do it and – as you know – it became a non-issue.
I admit I didn’t bring up period underwear, mainly due to cost but also because they gross me out, lol. I haven’t yet brought up cups given how difficult tampons were for them, but I’ve shown them mine and talked about it so they know it’s an option when they are interested.
Not your question, but a random unsolicited tip:
Without using “cringy” terms like “special” or “womanhood,” I told my daughter that when she got her period, we’d go for a special dinner (sushi, her favorite) so she’d have something to look forward to. She was eager to take me up on it, and it gave us the opportunity to talk about it. I made sure to ask what questions she had (about that, about being a teenager, about anything), and kept saying, “What else do you have questions about?” (not “do you have any questions?”) until she ran out. We’ve had lots and lots of talks over the years, but it was good to talk when these big changes were fresh on her mind. (What if I start my period at school? How often do I change my pad? Etc.)
On the drive home (all eyes on the road), I also reminded her that she would probably want to get on birth control at some point (even if she wasn’t planning on having sex) and that she or any of her friends thought of any more questions to let me know. The last thing she said when she got out of the car was, “Yeah, I’ll tell them I can ask my mom because she’s cool.”
So, not trying to be a “cool mom” (lol) but it was a huge success in my book and I strongly recommend.
Period undies for the win! (14 yo daughter)
Two things —
1. I’m a woman who began using pads in her 30s and holy cow– why did it take me so long?? (as opposed to stuffing underwear to catch any extra spillage)
2. There is a special place in hell for women who don’t warn other women about the potential “splash back” with the usage of menstrual cups. I.E. when you’re folding the cup and it pops back open for various reasons (hand slipping, etc). A friend had warned me about it and still it was a jarring experience the first time it happened to me. Ladies– consider this your warning! Still love mine. But yes, steep learning curve.
Can I share how much I absolutely detest this “…special place in hell” phrase? It’s just so awful. Yes, I know where / who it comes from. Still…
Hi! I’m genuinely confused about “splash back” since I’ve been using a cup for 10 years and never encountered it. What exactly is splashing as you insert an empty cup? I promise I have not knowingly withheld vital information from any friends – I truly don’t know what you’re referring to and would love to learn. Thanks!
Julie- this might be a bit graphic but here’s what happened to me:
Using the public bathroom at work- cup wad full so had to empty it. Didn’t want to walk to sink with it so I wiped it down with toilet paper as best I could (at home I give it a full rinse or wash.)
Inserted it a little bit but the fit wasn’t right and so I took it back out, folded it up- and I must have lost my grip and the cup bounced open (I have diva cup which I think have thicker silicone than some other versions- so it’s got some bounce when it opens).
The cup had gotten a bit of blood on it because I had inserted it so that flew off onto my face when it bounced open.
Happened another time but it was at home so not as “oh shit!”.
Julie, it’s two of us, I’ve never had “splash back” either. Maybe when you are pulling it out? But you don’t fold it then, you barely press the rim, so the vacuum breaks…
I am genuinely interested and wish to help, cups changed everything for me. So much so, that after I got it, there wasn’t a woman in my life that I hadn’t ask if she has heard about it and please-go-get-it.
julie I assume she means when removing a full cup (not inserting an empty cup), and you break the seal, and then your hand slips so the side you bent in to break the seal pops back and it splashes everywhere
Haha this is so accurate!!!
I want to add my voice to those singing praises of mental disks! I’ve been using one (the same one) for five years now, and honestly it’s like I’m not even having a period.
I was committed to finding a good, reusable tampon alternative, and tried several different cups (which were very uncomfortable for me) before finding the silicone disks. I’ve found the disks to be much easier to insert, MUCH more comfortable, and much more reliable. If you, like me, are on that journey… your perfect alternative is out there! It’s all about the shape of your body, and finding something that will work for you.
Happy hunting!
strong agree! I hate being like “the hello disc changed my life…” but the hello disc changed my life.
I use tampons, they’re the most efficient and comfortable for me. I tried a cup once and hated it so much. Now that I’m almost 45 and perimenopausal my periods have become more erratic, which is so annoying.
I use reusable pads from Etsy. You use, wash, and it’s kind of gross but you never have to spend more money and you get to feel righteous for helping the environment! If you are out and about they snap up and go in a little zipper bag.
I freaking love reusable pads. i had several different sizes, little inserts, little bag. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I have a Mirena IUD now so don’t need them but for the last few years I did have a period? amazing.
I choose to go toxin-free with Tampon Tribe: https://tampontribe.com/
I prefer their organic cotton tampons but they also have a line of period undies and cups.
Just in case folks don’t know already, menstrual products are HSA- and FSA-eligible! If your health insurance plan comes with an HSA or FSA, you can use that money to pay for tampons, pads, and menstrual cups, and period underwear.
Thanks!! I didn’t know that.
I am a die-hard Saalt cup fan!
I have both sizes for different points in my cycle and they are great. Highly recommend!
A tip for other commenters struggling with cups: the cup should be slightly damp when inserting- I always run mine under water briefly, fold into a C shape, and voila! The water really helps insertion go smoothly.
I don’t think that I have particularly heavy cycle, but I have to change out period underwear 3-4 times a day during the first 3-4 days of my cycle, which is a bother with a toddler and a busy schedule full of part-time jobs and toddler activities. I do like the period underwear for the last 3-4 days of my period. But, I still use organic pads for the first few days. I’ve thought about trying a reusable pad on top of the period underwear and then take it off when it is full– that way I don’t have to take underwear all the way off in a public restroom. But, that seems like a lot of bulk. I don’t think I’d be able to comfortably anything other than sweatpants or loose-fit joggers.
Have you tried the Aisle boy shorts with extra insert? I have a super heavy cycle and can go 24hr with these!
I agree with Leah that preferences could be an entire post of their own!
I’m in my mid-40s. I started using a cup about 15 years ago and LOVE it. I started with the Diva cup, but it became very painful after my second or third kid. I found MeLuna cups (thanks to Wirecutter! https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-menstrual-cup/) which solved that issue. Seriously, check these out! Better design overall, plus more sizing options.
The downside is my properly fitting cup is a small cup, so my heavy days (now very heavy after having kids) would require a lot of changing. So now I often wear a pad for the first day or two. Always Infinity hold so much and stay so dry that I use fewer of them, which makes me feel little better about the waste.
Then, when my oldest daughter got her period, I discovered lined underwear. They aren’t absorbent, they just prevent bleed-through. LIFE CHANGER. Now my girls and I all have them, and the peace of mind – with whatever absorbent items we prefer – is amazing. I usually just wear those instead of liners as back-up for my cup now.
This! Diva cup plus period panties as a backup are the holy grail.
Always pads give me the worst rash..every.single.time. Now I avoid them like the plague, as no other pads do that to me.
Since switching to period underwear I’ll never go back! I use the Period Company (https://period.co/) because they contain no PFAs unlike many other brands and they’re still super affordable. Also they work so well!
Yes!! I feel this way about the boy shorts from Aisle, another clean brand. Life changing!!! Even with a very heavy flow!
Does anyone else absolutely panic when using tampons or menstrual cups? Like, the thought of sticking something in my vagina and leaving it there really stresses me out. I’ll use tampons when I have to, but they always give me a headache, and the one time I tried a menstrual cup I had an actual panic attack and hyperventilated and almost passed out. I wish I could get over this hangup, but in 25 years of having periods, I’ve never been able to. I guess it’s period underwear and pads for me.
Yes – same. Thanks for posting and making me feel less alone.
*raises hand* i only like fun things going up there…
I don’t experience this but honestly, I appreciate you sharing your experience! I would imagine you are certainly not alone and I’m glad to be aware of this so I can potentially offer support to the people in my life who might experience it!
With cups, I don’t panic, but they make me feel intensely uncomfortable. Like it’s a violation of my body. However, tampons are absolutely fine.
Yes – I will wear tampons if I must to swim, but I’m a pads gal all the way.
So do I. And as Ollie said, thanks for being open about this. I’ve always struggled with this and it helps to know it’s not just me. I tend to give it a try every few years thinking I must have gotten over it but I always end up lightheaded and have to walk away.
Mel: I’m lying in bed with covid and your comment made me burst out laughing!
But yes I’m a pad fan too!
I had an intense aversion to tampons after having kids, despite wearing tampons for idk, 20 years prior. I didn’t even have vaginal births, but I think my body felt so traumatized by the poking and prodding of IVF, the monitoring of my body during pregnancy, and the birth of my kids, that I just felt super sensitive about strange things touching me, for several years. It feels different than the “touched out” mom feeling I have read about. I would be curious to know if anyone else has felt like this? On a positive note, I discovered period underwear post-partum, and man, I wish this stuff had been around when I was younger – so much more comfortable (for me) than pads and tampons.
My first tampon try as a young teen, right after I got it in (in a public bathroom) I started blacking out and almost fainted, took it out, and took a few years to try again (now I’m a regular tampon wearer). I felt pretty panicky when I tried a cup several years ago, and got lightheaded when I tried to take it out (which was difficult and painful to do), and haven’t had the nerve to try that again.
Yes. I think I tried a tampon once, then never again. So the hyperventilating came with yeast infection treatments, which were seriously painful. Ladies, turns out it was a pelvic floor issue. It took three babies and almost 10 years of painful sex to find that out. Post PT, no more pain. Consider this a PSA! But I am still sticking with pads!
Stacey this is so interesting! I’m a big fan of tampons and was a happy cup user for years. Recently tried a menstrual disc after a friend urged me to and I had your experience! I think the lack of a string to easily yank it out made me irrationally afraid? I had to leave a work meeting early when wearing it for the first time because I was getting faint and breathless. I think this comment just empowered me to toss the thing. It just taunts me from the cabinet every month.
2 years post second child, but ever since having my first (4 years ago) i.cannot.deal.with.my.period. like, what the heck? for a long time tampons fell out, cups of any size are forever leaking. I now do both tampon/cup AND a light pad. everyone seems to say post-baby periods are easier but that is not the case at all! I never even noticed my menstrual cycle pre-kids but now i’m cramping twice a month (period and ovulation) and the whole thing is just a mess. Anyone else experience this change-for-the-worst?
I also now get ovulation cramps post baby, which is a painful and unwelcome development!
I always had intense periods and felt ovulation, but after pregnancy it got worse for me, too. And I was so hopeful it would change for the better, my mom always said it got better for her after the first kid.
But I have been using agnus castus for a while and it really helps me. Maybe ask a doctor or pharmacist about that?
After my first child my period got so much heavier. I started getting ovulation pain after my third. Now after 4 & being 39 my PMS is worse, the ovulation pain is worse…..everything seems to be getting more intense surrounding my menstrual cycle.
Have I not put in enough hours already?! I had a good routine going! Why are we switching it up this late in the game? All my friends say they’re experiencing similar things, so at least I’m not alone….
My cup stopped fitting comfortably after I had a baby (leaks plus discomfort). I tried multiple brands and sizes and finally landed on a disc (I use Nixit.) I think somehow the shape just fits better now with my new anatomy. And it doesn’t leak. Maybe give it a try?
On a separate note, in the first year following having a kid, I started getting really intense vaginismus around my period, completely at random! Excruciating pain and inability to insert or remove a tampon/cup/whatever. My vagina just would completely seize up! I had it a handful of times. Thankfully it seems to have gone away but WTH?!?! Not sure if that’s happened to anyone other than me but it was horrifying?
Yes, each child resulted in worse everything. Since my third (who is 3.5) my periods and ovulation pain are terrible. Literally feels like someone is stabbing me in my stomach and bottom. My doctor told me that is just how it is; it all gets worse as you get older (I am 34). I can only wear pads for the first 2-3 days of my period, because it is too painful to put something in my vagina.
Hey, Madeleine! Just wanted to say me too. Yes to tampons falling out – and my cevix was so low it actually got all of the way suctioned into a menstrual cup. I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital to get it out. :(After a while, I realized that my pregnancies had taken quite a toll on my pelvic floor and was able to begin some Physical Therapy that helped tremendously. I still won’t wear a cup (yikes!) but I can keep in a tampon now and do a jumping jack without peeing my pants.
And there are reusable Cotton tampons!
Mine are from here : https://www.instagram.com/imseofficial/
I would say they work for a médium flow.
I use it mostly when I’m home, as managing it once used is a bit tricky. I put it in a bowl to sit until I can wash it.
And for the ones wondering about the hygiene of it, it happened that we were wondering about it when we crossed the path of the midwife of my friend, and she told us with a gigantic smile “darlings, you can put whatever you want in your vagina!”. It still makes me laugh thinking about it!
I have a funny story about the DivaCup. In 2013, I excitedly tried it out for the first time. When I went to remove it, however, the cup wouldn’t budge! I spent two entire days tugging at it and having my husband try to pry it out with a sterilized spoon. Eventually, I went to the ER in a panic about infection, where they determined the cup had been suctioned to my cervix. Four ER docs gathered ’round and ripped the silicone to shreds, listing the reason for my shameful visit as “foreign object in vagina”. Sigh. Come to learn, I have a low-set tilted cervix. It sounds like there are discs now, but I’m still a bit traumatized!
Thinx came out at exactly the same time, and they’ve been my go-to ever since! The early design leaked occasionally overnight, but I haven’t had an issue in 7 or 8 years.
You’re a super star if you think this is a funny story — you must have nerves of steel. I would have passed out or worse! Good to know you’re doing better.
I tried the DivaCup for many months, but it always felt uncomfortable and I had a heck of a hard time getting it out. I only found out years later, when I was getting an abortion, that I too have a tilted uterus. Apparently it’s fairly common, affecting about 1 in 5 people with a uterus. I wish more people talked about this when recommending period products. The cup is not a universal period solution.
These sites are very helpful in learning about cups/discs and choosing the right one for you.
Hi! Your friend with vaginismus reporting to you live to remind you: it is okay if you can’t use a reusable cup or disc for your period. The period product that works best for you and your body is the right period product for you. You are not meaningfully contributing to climate collapse by using the product that brings you the most comfort and ease. XOXOXOXOXO
This. My daughter uses pads and period underwear at the same time. I’m thankful for my hysterectomy at 42..
Thank you for saying this! I had a pretty severe case of vulvodynia a few years ago and the DivaCup really exacerbated it, so I’ve been using tampons since. I was reading these comments feeling guilty that I’m not being eco-conscious enough until I saw your comment. Thanks for normalizing!
Yes I think it’s embarrassing how this cartoon basically shames pads as for children and contributing to landfills. That’s mostly all I can use.
Yes! Thank you! I stopped being able to tolerate cups due to getting infections despite really really cleaning them and even getting a new one.
I often use tampons and can forget about them, but on some days it’s comforting to use a pad and not mess around with shoving anything inside.
Yes! I used menstrual cups exclusively for four years and tried three different ones in that time. Something about my anatomy makes it so that I cannot pee with a cup in and ultimately I decided the environmental benefits were not worth the huge inconvenience and discomfort. Happy to be back to tampons.
@Erin Geiger Smith, if you’re up for sharing, I’m so curious what your vulvodynia story is/was and if anything helped you get better! I’ve had it since 2016 and have incorporated a few things like a low oxalate diet and better stress management which have both helped, but not gotten rid of it entirely. I’m always curious to hear about others’ experiences with it.
Sorry, that comment was meant for the Erin who replied to Roxanne’s comment, not Erin Geiger Smith! Not sure why that came up.
Hear, hear. I’m disappointed to see the cartoonist frame pads as a wasteful product for children when people of all ages use pads and tampons are just as wasteful. Bottom line: use what works best for your body. Periods are uncomfortable enough without adding shame to the mix.
@Tabitha Pelvic floor PT was a LIFESAVER. We (my PT and I) figured out I had a trigger point in my obdurator internus muscle that was pressing on a nerve and causing the pain. Manual massage of the trigger point (which is… a little invasive to say the least!) plus lots of yoga plus cutting back on dairy has basically cured me! And on the rare occasions I get a flare up now I know how to handle it.
Sympathies for what you’re going through! I was misdiagnosed and bounced around between specialists for almost a year before someone finally recommended pelvic floor PT. I will keep my fingers crossed that relief is in sight for you, Tabitha!!!
Yes to this!
Switched to the cup in 2006 and never looked back!! Now there are SO many options for fit, plus menstrual discs. My period got so much less crampy. I rarely leak, whereas I often did with tampons. It’s just so much better!
Discs all the way! I used a cup for a few years and it was fine–I liked it’s reusability but it never worked as seamlessly as I wanted. So I tried the disc from Saalt and I’ll never go back. It doesn’t feel like anything, dead easy to insert, only has to be removed and cleaned once in the morning and once at night, and self-empties when I pee. Besides having no period at all, the disc is as good as it gets.
Agree Charlotte! I used cups for a while with ok results, switched to a disc, and will NEVER use anything else. They’re amazing.
I’m going to try the Saalt disc! I currently use a cup and a pad (VERY heavy periods at 51). I’m doubtful I’d only have the change the disc twice a day though, as I currently have to change my (full) cup every hour the first day.
what do you mean by “self-empties when I pee”?
Because of how the disc is positioned in the body it tilts naturally as your internal muscles bear down when you use the restroom. The tilt empties the disc. It naturally moves back into position after your muscles relax. Apparently it doesn’t happen for everyone because all of our bodies are different but for a significant number of users it does.
This is a pretty good explanation: https://www.periodnirvana.com/menstrual-disc-auto-dumping-explained-3/
And don’t worry, it doesn’t mean the disc leaks when you’re doing other strenuous exercise, it’s different muscles/position that results in the tilt.
100% period pants over here!
Cloth (washable, reusable) pads exist too!
Seconding reusable pads! I’ve been using the Aisle brand for years now, and they’ve held up beautifully and are way less effort to wash and maintain than I would’ve thought before purchasing.
I’m a non-7th grader who has been using pads for my entire menstrual life. I experience provoked vestibulodynia and find tampons/cups extremely uncomfortable – so it always annoys me a bit when tampons use is associated with kids. After I was diagnosed, it suddenly made sense why insertion-type menstrual products (and sex) have always caused me pain.
Yeah I’m also very annoyed when pads are associated with kids. My preferred methods for managing my period are organic cotton pads and menstrual cups. I’ve worn plenty of tampons in my life but I absolutely hate them. I find them really uncomfortable and not that reliable. Cups on the other hand have worked much better for me, but I continue to use pads as well.
And period swimsuits – what is up with that?! I use period underwear but I just don’t get how a period swimsuit could work. Am I going to have a soggy crotch? And then leak on my towel?
I’ve had two kids and have done period underwear for about 2 years now (period brand).
* I like the overnight shorts since wearing a tampon all night felt unhealthy, but I find it’s not pleasant to pee middle of the night/pull ’em down and have that dampness moved about. So I’m more deliberate about hydration and avoiding that scenario.
* I haven’t had a huge disaster with the regular style during the day but I am still skeptical about what they can hold. My flow is all over the place and if it’s a heavy day I switch midday (WFH). But I’m never in light-colored bottoms.
* I am a fan for using ’em light days versus a liner for enviro reasons (I tried reusable liners and that was not comfy).
* The gusset is black, and I do miss the contrast of a white backdrop to better understand what flowed out that day. Dancing around perimenopause and with added spotting I’m trying to track if bright red, dark, etc.
* rinsing ’em is satisfactory but I have some guilt about the water. Rinsing during a shower isn’t always an option.
I have a cup to try but haven’t yet – I feel like I need a day free of other events to just be at home and try it out, and I don’t get much of that.
Period swimsuit a huge win for my 14yo who is not ready to try a tampon.
Maybe this is gross or weird, but I’ve always just worn a pad (can’t do tampons) inside my swimsuit to the pool, taken it out in the restroom, then hurried to the pool. Then hurried to the bathroom after swimming to change. At least for me, the period seems to stop in the water? Unless it’s really heavy/day 1 or 2, I can get away with getting between the pool and bathroom with no problem. FYI, in case it is helpful to someone else.
I would just like to go on record that the steep learning curve for cups is very worth it. I switched to a Diva cup over a decade ago and my period is free of cost and environmental waste. (I know that not everyone can use them, but if it’s just intimidation holding you back, I strongly recommend going for it.)
I wanted the cup to work so badly but had the most traumatic experience the first time using it. I could not get it out, had to email the company who gave me breathing/positioning techniques which reminded me SO MUCH OF BIRTHING. I was on the toilet, legs up, deep breathing, telling my husband he might have to get in there and get it for me! Ultimately I was able to remove it but I am too scarred to try again. And felt like I spent way too much time with my fingers inside myself. If anyone has any tips for success please pass them on!
STRONG second to this. I’ve been using the Diva for over a decade now and it is so worth it. Always on hand, zero waste, always secure and leak-free, swimmable, comfortable, AND it doesn’t matter how light/heavy your flow is- I can pop mine in once I know my period is about to start and leave it until it’s completely over (rinsing out a few times a day, of course).
There are also so many kinds and shapes now. If you’re on the fence, it’s worth the investment to try a few and see if they work!
I third the love for cups! Also amazing for travel and packing light.
@rachel ball In over a decade of using them, it took me probably 3-4 cycles before I truly got the hang of it. Some tips: it may be helpful to start practicing it on the lighter, later days of your period so you’re not as concerned about leakage. Generally, I try to squat on the floor to both insert and remove since I find it easier to get the right angle. And folding it in a u shape on insert.
Strong third!! I have used nothin’ but cup (and undies) for two decades now and it’s the best. Never have to run out and buy stuff. Never have to landfill anything. If you’re on the fence get off the fence already!!
Hi Rachel! My first cup experience was VERY traumatizing, I thought I would never get it out. And then I heard about the Flex Cup which has a PULL TAB! It’s sooooo easy and I love love love it. I empty once in the morning and once in the evening. Good luck!
It’s all about the S-fold for me! https://meluna-usa.com/pages/how-to-insert-a-menstrual-cup
My recommendation for new users is to first try it on your lighter days. It’s genuinely easier to insert on those days and the “risks” are lower (although do use a back-up pad/undies until you get the hang of it).
I just did the math and realized I’ve been using the Diva Cup for two decades now! I agree that the learning curve (if that’s the only barrier) is worth it. I barely think about my periods as I’m having them now–no wetness, no smell, no anxiety about leaks (especially if paired with period underwear no the first day), and also SO much more economical in the long run! And it might also be weird to say, but it’s made me feel more … loving toward menstruation? Like I’m more familiar with my nooks and crannies–and that the little cup of blood at the end of the day is kind of … beautiful??
i’ve almost exclusively used pads my entire life (does some math….25 years of periods, woah). I use tampons once in a blue moon but hate them. I just like a nice clean organic cotton no frills pad (love Rael). I’m always shocked when I go to steal a pad from my sister or a friend and they only have tampons. Also, thank goodness there are organic options now. I had debilitating cramps in my youth and as an adult, nothing. I take extra magnesium use organic, and almost no pain. Every teen babysitter we hire who complains about cramps I advise organic pads/tampons and some magnesium and rasberry leaf tea. They always write me later that it worked like a charm.
What kind of magnesium do you recommend?
What type of magnesium do you use?
This is a good place to share my discovery that both caffeine and protein, which personally I craved just before and during, massively increased cramps and flow, respectively. That is:
No caffeine = no cramps
No protein = dramatically lighter flow
I just gave myself permission to sleep more and take it easier on caffeine-free days and made sure to eat plenty of protein between cycles.
Try it!
This comment box does not allow me to scroll back up but I’m done with periods now and this is what worked for me.
Personally I loved the cup and switching from tampons felt so much healthier for me and the planet. It feels responsible. It’s a queasy level of intimacy at first but you quickly get used to it since it works so well!
Switching to a cup and now disc all but eliminated my cramps.
Good to have options. Pads were horrid for my sensory issues.
Dying to know about the magnesium – my twin daughters newly have their periods and the cramps suck. If anyone else successfully uses magnesium who can weigh in, please do!
jumping on the magnesium inquiry here… I tried one that influencers recommended and was labled as “tummy friendly/not the poop one” and friends, I took half a pill (which is like, 1/4 of a dose) and spent the whole day on the toilet.
I really want to try the cup or disc but am afraid to sink money into something that won’t work for my body.
If it helps offset the cost at all, and you’re based in the US, you can purchase it with an FSA or HSA, which will provide some slight savings since it’s coming out of a pre-taxed account.
Totally a reasonable concern! There are disposible discs like flex or softdisc if you want to try them out and see if they are for you (still some money spent, but $15 vs $50 or so). It took me a few different cups to figure out what worked for me, but it’s been such an improvement to my period, that I thought it was well worth it. Though I understand that ymmv.
Try it Lexie! Saalt offers a money back guarantee for 1 year after purchase. They also offer a lot of advice on fit to help make sure you’re getting the best product for you.
Dr. Jen Gunter has written on metals in tampons : https://vajenda.substack.com/p/dont-panic-about-lead-in-tampons
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