#period solution

Period pain relief

Photo by Vanessa Ramirez on Pexels.com To find relief during your period, here are a few suggestions: Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help alleviate menstrual cramps. Applying a heating pad to your lower abdomen may also provide comfort. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help reduce bloating and promote overall well-being during your…

So not many of you may know about alternative sanitary products for periods, but the menstrual cup is one that I have found that tends to have a bit of stigma surrounding it.

First off, IT DOES NOT GET STUCK!!!!! And if it does, that is due to user error. Secondly, it is so much safer than pads and/or tampons. Tampons contain harsh chemicals (like Bleach and a fabric called Rayon which creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, that’s why there is a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome that comes with wearing tampons for too long). 

Personally, my experience with my menstrual cup (the Lilycup size A, pictured below) did not start off well. 

I attempted to shove it in using the punch down fold (also pictured below) on a dry run (a day when I was not on my period). 

That was my first mistake. I found out later that lubricant makes everything a lot easier so I went to the store later that afternoon and bought the store brand water-based (any other kind will damage the silicone  as well as other things inside you so please don’t use vaseline). 

So after about 10 hours, it was time to take it out. And I thought, “No problem, I just need to pull it out”

Turns out, that is not the case...

I spent the next half hour in my bathroom crying and attempting to get the damn thing out. What the company fails to emphasize about the removal process is that the seal needs to be broken by inserting a finger and basically pushing down like you did in the punch down fold. 

Buzzfeed published an accurate article on what it is like when you have it stuck inside you...

http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/things-that-happen-when-you-realize-your-mentrual-cup-is#.eh7QMR9BO

I basically panicked as described in the article. It was the most pain I had ever been in and I was all alone, with my mother (not responding to my pleas of agony) in the room next to me. She finally decided to come in and ask me if I was alright AFTER I had already gotten it out and was lying on the bathroom floor in a puddle of tears.

After I finally got it out, I didn’t try it again even when my period came because I was so afraid of that thing. I eventually bucked up my courage the next month and decided that I would give it one more go.

I did a lot of research about the insertion and removal process and then I attempted it myself. It went in fine and then 10 hours later, I was able to remove it painlessly.

So now, I use it every day on my period and I use pads at night (I’m still a little too afraid to try to sleep in it). And I haven’t had a painful experience with it since that first night.