- Safe, reusable and hygienic, silicone menstrual cups are less environmentally damaging and cheaper than pads or tampons in the long run
- Once the mechanics are mastered, the cups take a lot of the hassle out of periods
When I received an email from Joyce Beauty informing me they were selling the OrganiCup, a 100 per cent medical-grade silicone menstrual cup, I was super excited.
Menstrual cups are available in Hong Kong, but not easy to track down. They're available at some organic stores on Hong Kong Island, and apparently at Park'n'Shop, but I've yet to find them at the supermarket.
So the fact they're now available at a high-end beauty chain all across Hong Kong is big news.
I started using a menstrual cup in August 2016 and haven't used anything else since.
I very much doubt any woman actually enjoys getting her period, but pads make them extra horrible. No matter how thin or absorbent they are, it never actually feels like nothing's there. And (TMI warning!) it doesn't help that Hong Kong is such a hot and humid climate. I've hated pads since I started my period at 12 years old. Also, has anyone actually mastered zero leaks overnight?
I started noticing the Diva Cup becoming more and more popular on social media around 2015, and was immediately intrigued. I'd been using tampons for about seven years by then, and while they were preferable to pads, there were still some downsides. One major disadvantage being how wasteful it is.
The idea of a product I can safely reuse, that's easily sanitised between each use, and can make days I'm on my period less unpleasant is very appealing.
I did some research online and watched some review videos on YouTube, and it seemed that used right, the Diva Cup was something I can use for 12 hours at a time without emptying. At the time, it didn't seem even organic stores stocked menstrual cups, so I ordered my Model 1 Diva Cup on iHerb.
There is definitely a learning curve to inserting a menstrual cup. It takes a little while to figure out the fold you like. (I prefer the "push down", where you push one side of the rim down and in towards the middle of the cup, creating a "point", over the "U fold".) It also took me a while to figure out the best way for me to empty and reinsert it; it takes a little extra wiping down before reinserting to avoid leaks and smears. But I've got it down pat now, and it makes being on my period so much less of a hassle.
You can't feel it, once you get the hang of it there are no leaks, it's not wasteful, and you can do basically anything with it in. I've worked out, gone swimming on junk trips, and hiked through Australian rainforests in the heat whilst using my menstrual cup, and it's nice that's one thing I do not have to worry about. (I can fully focus on not dying mid-burpee or walking face-first into a spider web.)
You also learn to get a feel for it. For some women it feels like it's letting little bubbles through, for others they feel it sliding down " that's when you know to empty it.
Typically, because it's good for 12 hours, I empty and reinsert twice a day: in the morning as I'm getting ready, and once at night before I shower. On my heavier days, I might need to empty while I'm out and about or in the office. In which case, you just need to find a bathroom stall with a sink. You can't help but feel a little guilty about it, but a disabled bathroom is usually the best option. Just be quick about it. I've done this at Hong Kong Disneyland and at malls. Honestly, it's unlikely anyone's taking any notice, and if they are, who cares? (You're doing something good for the environment!)
Is the menstrual cup the best option for every woman? Maybe not those who deal with ultra sensitivity. But I find the menstrual cup best suits my busy lifestyle, it means I'm much less wasteful, and it's comfortable to use. If your only reason for not trying it is because you're squeamish about getting familiar with your own body, I'm sorry, but get over it. It's your body, and when used correctly, a menstrual cup's benefits far outweigh, "ewww, but it's gross!"
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