Anyone who can't deal with periods, avert your eyes.
I know I may have tricked you with the title of the blog into thinking I'm going to be reviewing cups of tea, but I'm actually going to share my experience of menstrual cups as a 27 year old disabled woman and I warn you its not all pretty and rosy.
We all know that periods aren't enjoyable. They're an absolute pain in the ass, every month (and sometimes sooner) from the age of 11-16 for around 40 years, regardless of whether or not you want to reproduce. And thanks to taxes in the UK, they can also be pretty expensive, costing me a minimum of £3 for pads and tampons! Along with all that waste to landfill!
So what if there was something that could make periods that little bit more bearable? Well, there is!
I was first introduced to menstrual cups by a good friend of mine with the same disability as me when I mentioned that I'd bought period pants (which are fabulous, get some, especially if you have a light flow). So, after an impulse buy of the SkoonCup, my journey began.
To add a little context, my period lasts for 6 days, every 28 days exactly. The first 2 days are horrendously heavy, leaking without fail. The next 2 days i describe as normal flow, and the last 2 days are very, very light, and when my period pants come into play.
Before I go into the two specific menstrual cups I've tried, I'm going to list some general advantages and disadvantages of using cups:
Disadvantages
1. They take a little while to get used to. Saying that, I was fine after the first period. Just stick at it!
2. The mess of the first try can put you off.
3. Costly purchase to begin with
4. You tend to use more toilet roll
5. You need wet wipes or a bottle of water for public toilets
Advantages
1. They are completely reusable and you don't have to empty/clean it for 12 hours (even on my first two days!!)
2. Less waste than pads/tampons
3. They last years and years
4. No scent! That icky pad/tampon blood smell completely disappears!!
5. Not drying at all
6. You can wear any underwear you like (Or none at all)
Right, to the cups!
SkoonCup
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BRZWHE4?m=A707O3RUVN5N0&ref_=v_sp_widget_detail_page
As I said before, this cup was an impulse buy and I went for size 1, which is for those aged under 30 or pre childbirth, whichever comes first. It's pretty pricey at around £31, but please remember that should you find the right cup, it can last years and years, way longer than the 15 months that it will take you to spend that money on pads or tampons.
When it arrived, SkoonCup was way smaller and way more flexible than I'd imagined. My period wasn't for a couple of weeks, so it gave me time to stare it out and ultimately build up the courage to give it a go. I have it on good authority that this is a normal stage in the menstrual cup journey, so don't beat yourself up if you need a bit of time!
After a bit of research I was a little apprehensive to put it in... but it was actually really simple. I use the C fold technique which can be done 1 handed so is amazing for me, as I don't have the use of the majority of my left hand,, and I really don't think any other method is necessary. While I will always tell you to read the instructions, please do not try to put it where you perceive is below where you put a tampon. I did and a) it hurt and b) It was not comfortable when it was inserted and c) I did not trust it one bit!! Go with where it sits comfortably and naturally... not to mention that it'll just go there anyway and make you paranoid the whole time.
Advantages
1. It's really flexible
2. The material is really smooth with no writing or embossing on it, so would normally be really comfortable
3. The "stalk" is really flexible and not too long so you can't feel it
4. The material is coloured, so less blood stains
Disadvantages
1. So this isn't really a disadvantage of the cup, but it highlights that you have to find the right cup for you. It was too small. Don't get me wrong, the capacity was fine, but I couldn't reach it to get it out as I have a high cervix, and it was really tough to break the suction!! At one point I genuinely thought it was stuck, I was never going to get it out and that I was going to have to go to A&E. I did eventually get it out though.
So back to the drawing board!
This time, I did a lot more research online (blogs, reviews etc) and I completely recommend you get to know your body before a purchase. I know that sounds ick, but I promise it's worth it.
So after a lot of reconsideration, I decided on the DivaCup.
DivaCup
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diva-International-Cup-Menstrual-Single/dp/B000FAG6X0/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503142580&sr=8-1&keywords=diva+cup
At around £15, I can definitely say that more money spent does not mean that the menstrual cup will be right for you. DivaCup is amazing and it completely is the cup for me!! Again I went for size 1, which is aged before 30 and pre childbirth. It is quite a lot bigger than the SkoonCup, so takes a little more practice to insert, but once it's in it's comfortable and I feel so safe. If you don't trust the cup to begin with, use pantyliners or pads with it until you do. I have had no leaks even on my heavy days and it's big enough that I can reach it, break the suction and remove it easily. It has a little embossed logo on it which I was a bit apprehensive of, but you can't feel it! There's also a couple of embossed measuring lines in case they're needed, though again, I don't use them and they don't bother me. The "stalk" is a lot harder than the SkoonCup and that did bother me on the first day, but after that I got used to it, and it actually helps when getting the cup out. So all in all, £15 (which due to my heavy flow would last me 5 months) has been well spent for years of confidence.
So to conclude, menstrual cups are not an easy ride. They take time to get used to and need a lot of research before purchase, but if you give it a try you won't look back. For the first time in 14 years, my period does not bother me and I can handle it despite the lack of use of my left hand. I also have hip problems and chronic pain which are not affected or worsened by my menstrual cup.
If you want to give it a go, or are even just a little curious, do the research and go from there. Good luck, and I hope this blog is of help!
Steph xx
