Yep, this post will be about that monthly occurrence amongst women that has been tormenting me since the start of my adolescence. If you are grossed out by this very natural process, you can go ahead and sit this one out and go to other posts you would prefer to read. I watched Turning Red, (Warning: Spoilers ahead) an animated movie that touches the topic of puberty, menstruation, and relationship between mother and daughter. There are lots of positive comments about it, commending the creators for laying out such a topic out in the open with so much wit and carefulness. There are some critics though that say it's not a topic that should be discussed with their young ones. If you're one of those, move along. This post is not for you.
Now that that's out of the way, let me now share to you how happy I am with this menstrual cup. In the movie Turning Red, there was a scene where the mother buys all those pads for her daughter when she assumed that her little one was going through her first period. There was no representation though for this magnificent cup. I'm not too disappointed about that. I myself have only known this recently and only decided to try it out 2 years ago.
But I am telling you, this is a life changer! I used to dread those red days because it usually comes with discomfort. A lot of discomfort. You feel hot, you feel the cramps, you feel dizzy, you feel like tossing your cookies. But you have to brave all those off because you still need to function like a normal human being. All while you feel the pads - even the thinnest ones - sitting in between your legs.
The menstrual cup eliminated the biggest discomfort I feel during these monthly visits. It turns out that that uncomfortable feeling I have when I have my period is that tiny voice in my head heavily grossed out by the thought that I am actually sitting on dirty blood during my periods. When I started using the menstrual cup instead of pads, even the heaviest days are fresh days!
There are actually a lot of reasons why I wanted to switch to menstrual cups. The only thing that stopped me before was the fears and worries of my overthinking mind. I was worried about the discomfort I might feel. I was worried I might not know how to use it. I was worried that if I buy it and decided not to use it if it doesn't work out on the first try, it's going to be a waste of money. But then the reasons to use menstrual cups outweighs all of the worries I had.
The first reason I wanted to switch to menstrual cup is the impact it has to the environment. In our household, we are trying very much to ensure that we produce lesser trash. We choose options in our daily lives that doesn't end up in a huge pile of garbage. We use reusable dish sponges, we buy things in bulk and then recycle the containers, we have our groceries packed in boxes instead of plastics - and use those boxes for making recycled papers for my daughter's are lessons.
But then when it's the time of the month, I have the most trash because of the pads. This made me feel defeated, thus produces that heavy feeling in my heart althroughout the week. I tried using cloth pads but the soap and water I use for washing them is still too much water pullution. All of those trash was eliminated when I used menstrual cups.
If you're a woman reading this, you'll know right away what I meant about this. During heavy days, we would need to change pads within 3-4 hours. We won't miss it because that wet and sticky feeling on the pads will never fail to remind us to. If it does, it would mean a slight (sometimes full on) show on the back of your pants.
Menstrual cups can hold heavy flows and you won't need to worry about it for 8-12 hours! Imagine not having to get up at night to get changed during our period? I don't imagine. That's my life now! There are extra heavy days though that I might have to pull it out sooner but that's just on the first days of my period.
One of the reasons I dreaded my period before was because it meant I couldn't do all the physical activities I do before like dancing, or swimming, or even running. Heck, I even avoid sitting down as much as I can when I have the monthly visitor.
I was scared on the first few days that I used it. Actually, before I actually used it, I had to chat with my friends who are also cup users just for reassurance. The shop I bought it from included a manual of specific instructions on how to use it. Even gave options on different ways how to use it.
If that's not yet enough, there's always the internet to help anyone in need of direction and guidance. Since I'm a little extra needy when I am scared, I contacted everyone I know that uses the cup and tried to see if I made the right choice.
I know it's not like I can't just go back to using pads, right? I just wanted to be reassured and that, they did. They also even gave me some tips on how to use it. And they were very patient in answering all of my silly silly questions.
This is an extra bonus. A sweet sweet extra bonus. I used to spend more than Php200 every month for my pads. Yeah, it's that heavy every month. I bought this cup at around Php800 more or less. In 4 months' time, the cost has already offset what I usually spend. And now, I am just enjoying an extra Php200 on my budget.
The rumors are true! Menstrual cups are a life changing cup! Now I can focus on more important tasks even on my monthly visits. The only thing that reminds me of my period is when I having cramps. I literally forget about it. Because of this cup, I am less grumpy on those red days. No more transforming into the red monster.
