Menstrual Cup FAQs | #ACupaDay

Monday, 18 February 2019

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If you hadn’t noticed, I talk a lot about my menstrual cup. I would gladly talk about it with a random stranger if they didn’t run away first. Naturally, this leads to questions from people who haven’t used them, as on the whole, people are naturally inquisitive. I thought that it might be useful if I compile some of them here, fro all the people I won’t be able to talk to in person. 

Are they expensive?


Menstrual cups tend to cost about £25, which can seem daunting for one item (I know it did for me). However, overall you’ll save money as each cup lasts for up to 10 years, so you shouldn’t have to spend any more money on your period other than on pain relief (and chocolate-related food). 

Are they difficult to use?


It took me a little while to get used to it (you can read about my first experience with my menstrual cup here), so don’t worry if you don’t get it right straight away and I know lots of other people have had similar experiences. Just take your time, look at the instructions before you use (another one from personal experience) and relax. I got the hang of it pretty quickly and I’m sure that within no time you’ll be using it in a flash. 

Can you feel it?


If you’ve inserted it properly then you shouldn’t feel anything. I’ve done yoga and not felt it. I tend to feel it a little just once I've put it in, and then it just kind of sinks away as it opens up. During the later days of my period, when I’m a bit lighter and have no/less crams then I can even forget that I’m on my period. 

What about toxic shock?


Menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone. This means that, unlike tampons, they don’t absorb anything (i.e. bacteria which causes toxic shock). As long as you clean your cup correctly (rinse and dry when you empty, and boil at the end of your period for about 3 minutes, although each brand will vary), then you should have a healthy vagina!

How do I know when to empty it?


To be honest, you don’t. You just have to figure out what’s best for you. It will last longer than a tampon, so it’s not too often. It is recommended to empty it every 12 hours, but for me, I tend to empty it morning and evening during the first few days then once a day as it gets lighter. It’s probably not the best but I have 

Will it leak?


Again, if you’ve inserted it right, then no, it shouldn’t. The vacuum suction created by the cup when it opens out means that nothing should get over the sides. If you do find you experience some leakage, then check to see whether or not it has unfolded, and if it hasn’t then try and rejig it so that it does, or remove and reinsert.

How long does it last?


It is said that your cup should last up to 10 years. Having been a cup-user for under a year and a half, I am not able to confirm this. Get back to me in 10 years and I can let you know. They do last a bloody long time though, as long as you don’t lose them. Definitely worth the investment. 

I tried a menstrual cup and it doesn’t work for me, can I still have a sustainable period?


Yes, don’t worry about it! I did a whole blog post on sustainable alternatives to menstrual cups, so hopefully you’ll find one there that will suit you.

If you have any other questions, then feel free to ask! Also check out any information which may be provided by the individual brands themselves.



If you liked this post you might like: Sustainable Alternatives to the Menstrual Cup


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5 Ethical Influencers Pt. 1

Friday, 8 February 2019

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In my opinion, the increased spread of veganism can largely be due to the Internet. I’ve learned so much from so many amazing people online, discusses topics and providing nuggets of information where I can go off and do a little bit more digging. As there are lots of creators who talk about ethical consumerism and sustainability, I’ve decided to make this a little mini-series, made up of three parts, so keep an eye out for the posts to follow.

1.  Sustainably Vegan


I’ve been watching Immy for a while. One thing I love about her is that while she is the queen of sustainability, she isn’t afraid of admitting her flaws the limitations of both veganism and the zero waste movement. This led to her founding the Low Impact Movement, which focusses more on having a low impact on the environment, but a high impact on improving social justice. I love how this acknowledges how being ‘zero waste’ is a impossible target. She talks about everything from books, plastic reduction, mental health, productivity, fashion, food and travel, all from the perspective of veganism. 

2. Rachel Ama


In all honesty, Rachel is probably my favourite food vlogger. Her videos always lift my mood and are sometimes just good to put on to give me a bit of a pick me up. She posts vegan recipes, often inspired by Caribbean classics or other well-loved staples, and we often see her dancing and singing while she cooks, which is very relatable to me at least. I also love the videos where she introduces her non-vegan friends to vegan food either than she has made or got from places in her local area (such as Temple of Seitan) and shown their reactions. Last week, Rachel announced the release of her first recipe book, and I for one certainly cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!

3. Venetia Falconer 


Venetia, in my opinion, is the ethical influencer who is closest to the mainstream media, and is consequently incredibly important. She worked in TV before she became vegan and through that has lots of contacts within the media. Her videos for one thing, are always well put together and really help me when I’m feeling a little bit shit about my overall sustainability. She talks a lot about fast fashion and taking a different approach towards clothing as well as to food, which is seriously needed in a culture where fast-fashion dominates the fashion blogging world. I would also highly recommend her podcast, Talking Tastebuds, where she talks to a huge range of people, who are not necessarily all vegan, about their love of food.

4. Madeleine Olivia


Maddie is another food vlogger. Her recipes always look lush, and she often puts the prices next to them, which is something I find incredibly useful. She has a wide range of recipes, and writes up all the recipes on her blog so they are easier to follow. As well as recipes, she also discusses minimalism, productivity and provides several videos with tips for new vegans, and was very helpful to me when I was starting out. 

5. Lex Croucher 


Lex’s videos tend to be light-hearted and satirical, although the subject matter is usually quite serious. She talks about all sorts of thing, from Lush’s police display, her favourite vegan junk food, books, periods, mental health and, of course, her cat. We stan her cat. Or just any cat really. 

Have you got any ethical influencers to recommend? I’m always on the lookout for more people to follow. The next instalment of this series should be up within the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled folks!



If you liked this post you might like: 5 Supermarket Vegan Products

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