women's health again; menstrual stuff...

[Annpan]

Doesn't work for me I tried, and then I thought I got it wrong so tried again.... but sadly my post childbirth scarring (I was promised reconstructive surgery... that might give you an idea) is just too much and my bits are neither the right size or shape

On the plus side, I had no pads in the house (was scaring myself into doing something else) and 30 mins later I had my own home made pad - I have now made 3 and I am very happy with them... I need to perfect the design and knock up a few more.... but at least I won't be buying so many bits of plastic

[starchild]

I'm a washable pads girl myself, but these jam sponges got me thinking about something. it's a bit embarrassing, so bear with me - but are these animals or plants?
I'm wondering what a stout vegan might think of using them? (assuming they are an animal)

Personally I want to cross my legs when I think of a sponge ; I can feel a sharp sand moment coming on

[Millymollymandy]

Those of you who use pads must have very light periods. I stopped using them as a teenager as soon as I was capable of getting a tampon in! I remember several years of complete misery and being terrified all the time in case blood was leaking down my legs and running to the loo to check and change in between every class at school. The physical feeling of all that blood gushing out of me every time I stood up was ghastly.

[starchild]

my first couple of days are heavy, so I use hemp pads as it's 4 times more absorbent as cotton. but i'm at home, so if I need to i can change it every couple of hours or so.

i appreciate this wouldn't be any good if i was in an office / public environment, so I'l lucky really.

[Annpan]

Those of you who use pads must have very light periods. I stopped using them as a teenager as soon as I was capable of getting a tampon in! I remember several years of complete misery and being terrified all the time in case blood was leaking down my legs and running to the loo to check and change in between every class at school. The physical feeling of all that blood gushing out of me every time I stood up was ghastly.

Yup... I had the same horrendous experience as a teenager - my periods have got lighter as my diet has improved though (specifically eating iron rich foods)

I just get used to changing the pad often - up until 6 months ago (or so) I would go through a full pack of disposable pads (sometimes more) and a few extra thick night time ones each period... my last few periods I have been noticeably lighter I only go through half a pack.... until now, if I am at home it is easy enough to change regularly... don't yet know what I'll do if I need to go out

[hamster]

If you're worried about them seeing it when sterilising, then sterilise it in milton instead.
I used to use milton to sterilise mine -that way you can put some hot water in a flas, add a few teaspoons of milton, drop your cup in the flask and take it to your room, pretending that its tea. Then, tip out the milton and cup after about half an hour et voila! Clean cup, unsuspecting male housemates.

...

That's more or less what I did when I shared a kitchen. I bought some of those baby sterilising tablet thingies and sterilised my Mooncup in my room so nobody was any the wiser.

[justbabyskincare]

A big thank you to the OP because you posted a link to my shop and that's how I have found this lovely forum!

I know the name Jam Sponge isnt for everyone and some people are a bit grossed out by the thought. However they are popular with teens as the sponges are so soft and easy to use (they don't just drop out you know lol). I think cups seem to suit post childbirth people more.

The really great thing is that there is now a choice about what you use. If you dont want a cup, there is a sponge or a cloth pad. We dont have to keep throwing pads or tampons away, horray. I just like to give a choice, even if you are a bit grossed out by it LOL. I'm a cup wearer myself (Femmecup) and wouldnt go back now!

[growingthings]

Now I meant to ask this question a while ago and then got sidetracked...easy done .

I use (okay I say use I have only had 4 periods in four years, as all the intervening time has been spent pregnant or breastfeeding) cloth pads, as in the not that dim and distant past of my teenage years, I had lots of problems with tampons interfering with my flow, and my body just 'stopping' whenever I was using a tampon. So I cannot remember if I ever discovered why my body did this, but I do (evidently) remember switching to pads, and then never having a problem..so my question is; would a cup have the same effect on me? I am wondering if anyone one out there has the answer...

I just think that a cup would be right up my street when we are away for long amounts of time in the camper, and cannot neccessarily get things washed and dried as quickly and easily as I might want to.

Lorna x

[justbabyskincare]

There would be no reason why a cup would interfere with your flow in any way as just collects it rather than absorbs it. I suspect that your body was reacting to the contents of the tampon, maybe the gel or chlorine. Although its worn internally, that is the only similarity between cup and tampon.

[the.fee.fairy]

Could also be a thing about the dryness of the tampon and how it makes your body feel. On the very very rare occaions since i've had my cup that i've used a tampon, i've had worse period pains, and find that the tampon comes out almost dry, even though its at a point that the cup would be overflowing.


I don't know whether its physical or psychological, but i feel a lot more comfortable with the cup than with tampons. The cup almost seems to encourage my body to make periods shorter and less painful.

[justbabyskincare]

Could also be a thing about the dryness of the tampon and how it makes your body feel. On the very very rare occaions since i've had my cup that i've used a tampon, i've had worse period pains, and find that the tampon comes out almost dry, even though its at a point that the cup would be overflowing.


I don't know whether its physical or psychological, but i feel a lot more comfortable with the cup than with tampons. The cup almost seems to encourage my body to make periods shorter and less painful.

Totally agree. My periods are shorter and less painful too now. I was wondering if the gel in tampons was making me have longer periods too.

[bryony]

well, I was going to try the milton but never got round to buying any before it was time to try out the cup... so I just went for it and sterilised it in the kitchen and.... no-one even noticed!!! men really can be unobservant! to be honest, I think i'll just tell them exactly what i'm doing if they ask, as there really is nothing to hide is there?

well, they've actually really proved they're not at all squeamish today, after a glass panel in our house shattered and cut my face quite badly- they not only got me to the hospital, but had the blood cleaned up before I was home! and all done very calmly! after that I'm sure a mooncup is nothing. (it was the first time I used it successfully today- have to say i'm very impressed! a little trouble removing it, but i'm sure it'll get easier over time. thanks very much for introducing me to it!)

hooray for cups!!!

[Annpan]

Oh Bryony, I do hope you are OK... thank goodness those lovely boys looked after you

[Loobyloo]

I'm using my new mooncup for the first time at the moment and so far so good!

was a little concerned about possible leakages whilst I was on the bus to work but its just my paranoia as everything is fine! yay!

I remember first hearing about mooncups from a friend of mine years ago and both of us in hysterics about how gross it was! But once I'd read some of the posts on here I got more and more interested. Then when Me and OH decided to go wwoofing for a year it made total sense not be carrying round tampons and disposing of things like that on other peoples lovely eco, organic farms and smallholdings!!

So thanks again lady ishers for another life changing decision!

[bryony]

Oh Bryony, I do hope you are OK... thank goodness those lovely boys looked after you

thankyou! i'm alright, just a bit down about the likely scarring. but yes, thank goodness for the boys! they were absolute stars. I feel awful now, having moaned about them... it just goes to show how much people can surprise you