Tag Archives: economical menstrual care

Menstrual Cups: A Newbie’s Perspective

Cloth Diapers, Life in General 5 Comments

MenstrualCupsThis post contains graphic language in regards to menstruation and the female anatomy.  If honest, open discussion of these topics offends you, please stop reading.

Menstrual cups…I have to say I waited a while to try them compared to mama cloth.  There was a two-year gap in my discovery and use of mama cloth and my use of menstrual cups.  I wanted to do a post now as a brand new menstrual cup user to give a newbie’s perspective on them.  I plan to go back in a few months and to offer more advice on getting used to them and ease of use.

A little background…  Before I had children, I was a tampons and liners only type person.  I never wore disposable menstrual pads except for at night.  After having kids, tampons were extremely uncomfortable.  I tried different brands and just couldn’t comfortably wear them.  I discovered mama cloth during my second pregnancy and that’s what I continued to use until this cycle.  I’d say my cycles are pretty average, the second day is heavy, third a little less heavy, and then it’s pretty light to spotting for another couple of days.  I don’t really have any flow at night other than slight spotting occasionally.

I have a tilted cervix, but this has not made it difficult for me to use the cup.  I do not have an IUD.  If you do, you should discuss using a menstrual cup with your doctor.

I would say I am probably more comfortable with my female anatomy than most.  I say this because I learned a lot about my body and had to get comfortable doing things like checking my cervix while we spent several years trying to conceive and going through infertility.  You have to be comfortable in touching your vagina to use a menstrual cup because there is no applicator.  The applicator is your fingers.  I promise it’s not gross or scary.  Just wash your hands before you start and RELAX!!  Being tense will make it harder to insert a menstrual cup just like it would a tampon.

Menstrual Cup Q&A

  • What is a menstrual cup?
    A menstrual cup is a reusable cup used to catch menstrual flow.  It is typically made of medical grade silicone.  Instead of throwing it away after use, you wash the cup and reuse it.
  • Is inserting the cup difficult or painful?
    Yes, and no.  The hardest part for me so far is getting the cup to stay folded before I get it all the way in.  I’m getting better at it, but it does take practice.  So, for me, it’s only painful if the cup pops open before I get it all the way inside.
  • How do you insert it?
    My cup came with insertion instructions and details on insertion and different folds for insertion are also available on the manufacturer’s website.  I will also direct you to Dirty Diaper Laundry’s video because it is great and offers tips that really help you get it right.  The tip to bear down while inserting was key for me.  And remember that you aren’t aiming the cup ‘up’, it’s almost going in horizontal towards your lower back.
  • Can you feel it?
    I could tell the cup was in at first, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.  Once I’d inserted it a few times and gotten more comfortable with it, I really couldn’t tell it was in it all.  I purchased the Lunette size 2.  The Lunette cup has a small stem at the bottom to help you grip and guide it.  I had to trim most of the stem off because it was too long for my anatomy.  Once I did that, it was super comfortable and I really didn’t notice I was having my period at all.
  • Will I get it right the first time?
    Honestly, probably not.  I didn’t.  I got the cup too high the first time and it was giving me cramps.  I just adjusted it, pulled it down just a tad, and it was a night and day difference.  I feel like I’ve gotten better at getting it right each time I do it.  It is definitely a learning curve because you’re learning your body’s own anatomy and what placement is just right for you.  Once you get it though, it’s very comfortable.
  • How often do you empty the cup?
    You can wear the cup for up to 12 hours.  On a heavy day, I wore mine about six hours before I changed it.  It is safe to wear a cup at night, but I don’t because I really don’t have a flow at night.  Unlike tampons, TSS cases have not been reported with the cup.  One BIG reason to use them.
  • How do you clean it?
    The first several times you use your cup, I would recommend emptying it and reinserting it at home if possible.  Mainly because you don’t want to be tense when you remove it and it might be messy until you get the hang of it.  DDL’s video above will also give you tips to remove the cup.  Bear down, pinch the bottom of the cup to release the seal, and slowly pull it out.  I just empty the cup into the bowl, wash it with mild soap at the sink, and reinsert it.  Lunette makes a cleanser designed for use with the cup.  If you need to change while on the go, they also make cleansing cloths.
  • The cup is expensive.  I could buy several boxes of tampons for the cost of one cup.
    It is and you’re right.  But, the tampons are going to be thrown away.  The cup can be used for years if you care for it properly and that is going to save you lots of money.  On the low end, a box of tampons is going to cost about $4.  If you need one box every month, the Lunette has paid for itself in ten months….
  • Will I need a back-up?  
    Until you get comfortable using the cup, you may have some leakage.  Once you get the seal right, you likely won’t need a back-up liner or pad unless you have a heavy flow.  And again, I don’t wear the cup at night because I have practically no flow at night, but you can wear it overnight.
  • Can I wear the cup on light days?
    Yes!  You can wear the cup on light or heavy days and you don’t need a ‘light flow’ or ‘heavy flow’ cup.  One cup will do it all.
  • Is it true that the cup helps alleviate cramps?
    For me, yes.  Chemicals in disposable tampons and pads can greatly contribute to menstrual cramps and a heavier flow.  I have almost no cramping since switching to cloth pads and the cup.  The only time I had cramping with the cup was when I had it inserted too high.  Once I adjusted it, the cramps were instantly gone.
  • How do I find the right cup for me?
    There are a few different cups on the market and they typically come in two different sizes.  Lunette and Diva Cup being the two brands I hear about most.  Every woman’s anatomy is different so I would recommend checking out the manufacturer’s websites and comparing the different brands.  After my research, Lunette was my choice and it has been a good fit for me.

Where To Buy

If you want more information on cloth pads, please stop by our article on Mama Cloth.

I hope this has provided you with some useful information on menstrual cups.  I have to say that I am very glad I finally decided to try one.  I love mama cloth, but the cup is a whole new freedom.  Only having to empty it once or twice a day is fantastic and lets me forget that I have my period.

If you have other questions, feel free to email me or comment below.

*This post contains some affiliate links.  

Cloth Pad Tutorial: Adjustable Absorbency and Liners

Cloth Diapers, Sewing 8 Comments

AdjustablePadTutHi again!  In addition to our ‘pads three ways’ tutorials, I’m adding this adjustable absorbency pad and panty liner pattern.  Like the other patterns, this pattern will be free.

I’ll show you how to create an absorbent shell that can be used for light days or as a liner.  We’ll also be creating wingless liners to add to the shell to boost absorbency or wear on their own.

What You’ll Need

  •  The pdf containing the patterns and tutorial:  AdjustableAbsorbency&Liner.  Please print the patterns actual size and DO NOT scale them down or ‘fit to page’.
  • Fabric for the pad body top (shell):  flannel, jersey, or any other cotton or absorbent material.
  • Fabric for the pad body bottom (shell):  anti-pill or blizzard fleece.  These thicker fleece types naturally repel liquids and make a good water-resistant bottom while providing a non-slip surface against your underwear.
  • Fabric for the pad core and liners.  You want absorbent fabrics for your core.  These could include cotton flannel, cotton birdseye, cotton terry cloth, bamboo, hemp, etc.  Basically any thirsty fabric will work. Just remember that if you use microfiber or zorb, be sure to sandwich them between fabrics that are safe to be against the skin.
    You may also want to add anti-pill or blizzard fleece as a bottom layer to some of the liners as this will help them to stay put in your underwear if you choose to wear them without the shell.

    Bamboo and hemp are good choices if you want a thinner pad as they are thin, but absorbent. 2-3 layers of bamboo or hemp will give you medium flow absorbency; use more for heavy, postpartum, or overnight.

    If you use flannel, 6 layers would be a good medium flow.  You would want to add more for heavier absorbencies.  For the shells pictured, I have sewn a three layer flannel core into the shell.  Each of the liners pictured have three layers of flannel as well for buildable absorbency.

  • Sewing machine and notions (thread, needles, scissors, presser feet, etc)
  • Snaps – metal or plastic. Plastic will be more durable, but metal may be easier to get. I have used KAM snaps here. They are really fantastic quality and the pliers are easy to use.  I use a size 20 socket and stud, with size 16 snap caps.
    Plastic snap pliers can all be found at JoAnn Fabric.  I have seen metal snap pliers at Wal-Mart.
    If you can’t find snaps, dry cleaners or alteration shops can often apply them. Or you can use Velcro or a diaper pin if you have to.

If you have a serger, obviously you can do all this on the serger as well.  Learn more about cloth pads here.  Happy sewing!

Mama Cloth – What Is It?

Cloth Diapers, Life in General, Sewing 20 Comments

MamaClothMama cloth…  Menstrual cups…  I had been menstruating 13 years before I heard about reusable menstrual products.  When you get ‘the talk’ you’re told about pads and tampons. That’s it.  No one mentions an entire line of reusable products that are more comfortable, eco-friendly, and economical.

The first time someone told me about mama cloth, they didn’t do it in a very positive way.  And I was instantly turned off.  No way was I going to reuse a pad, even if you did wash it.  Actually, no way did I want to wash something with blood all over it.  That was gross right?   WRONG!

My curiosity about cloth pads got the better of me and I decided to do more research.  Turns out there were a lot of options out there.  Users of mama cloth swore that they were comfortable.  Users of reusable cups said they barely noticed their periods at all.  I was intrigued.

My foray into mama cloth happened while I was pregnant with my second child.  Pregnant women know the insane amount of liners you can go through.  I sewed up a few pads with adjustable absorbency and I loved them!  They were far more comfortable than their plastic backed disposable counterparts.  And they were much more breathable.  I have continued to use mama cloth since, almost two years ago.

The Basics

  • Cloth pads come in a variety of shapes/lengths/widths just like disposable pads.  If you sew your own, or find a WAHM willing to do a completely custom pad, your options are truly endless.
  • Cloth pads come in a variety of absorbencies just like disposable pads.  Liners, light flow, medium flow, heavy flow, postpartum, overnight, etc.  It’s all out there ready to purchase.  There are also pads with adjustable absorbency which is something you won’t get with disposable products.  These pads have a body (or shell) that you slip your absorbent core into.  So you can add more layers as needed.
  • If you are prone to rashes or chaffing with disposable pads, that will likely go away with cloth pads.  Cloth pads don’t contain chemicals like their disposable counterparts and they are breathable.  Pads backed with fleece or wool and containing no PUL are especially breathable.  Any type of heat rash and chafing I had with disposable pads completely disappeared with cloth.  I don’t get that sore feeling after wearing them that I did with disposable pads.
  • Since cloth pads have no chemicals, they can also reduce your flow and cramping.  I’m no doctor, but I have talked to many women who use cloth pads and/or menstrual cups.  And most of them say that they’re flow, cramps, or both decreased after switching to reusable menstrual products.  The simple explanation is that there are no chemicals in the reusable products while there are in the disposable counterparts.  The chemicals can be an irritant to many women and your body needs to flush these chemicals out of your body – thus a heavier flow and more cramping.
  • When you’re out, you can store dirty pads in a waterproof makeup bag.  Most cloth pad retailers also sell small wet/dry bags designed to hold dirty pads and clean pads in separate pockets.
  • Cloth pads are pretty easy to care for.  And if you do it properly, they will last YEARS, saving you a lot of money.
  • So how do you care for them?  If you cloth diaper, you can rinse your pads in cold water and throw them in your dirty diaper pail.  Rinsing them actually isn’t even necessary, but it does help prevent staining.  If you don’t have cloth diapers to wash, you can get a small wet bag, or one of those tiny trash cans that you often see at ice cream parlors for sample spoons.  These trash cans are sold at the Dollar Tree and many other retailers.  Again, rinse in cold water to help prevent staining, and throw them in the pail.  Store your dirty pads here until the end of your cycle or whenever you are ready to wash.  I wash mama cloth every other day with my dirty diapers.  Before you wash, rinse them again in cold water (Some prefer an overnight soak with a bit of vinegar and cold water.  Just note that vinegar CAN break down PUL if you use a pad backed with PUL).  Throw them in the washer on their own OR with regular laundry.  Just don’t use fabric softener when washing mama cloth as it can cause repelling and greatly diminish the pad’s absorbency.  Hang dry, or throw them in the dryer.
  • What about staining?  Some materials are more prone to staining than others.  Pads topped with microfleece, suedecloth, and minky are actually rather hard to stain.  Natural fibers like cotton, hemp, and bamboo stain more easily.  Rinsing with cold water before placing in your pail or wet bag helps reduce staining.  If your pads do stain, soaking in oxi-clean or sunning them with lemon juice can help remove the stains.  And remember, a stain DOES NOT mean that something is dirty.
  • An added bonus?  Cloth pads come in lots of pretty colors and prints.

MamaCloth2So, are you curious?  Below you’ll find a list of places to purchase reusable menstrual products.  I have also created free patterns to make your own menstrual pads and liners which are linked at the bottom of the post.  Try your hand at sewing your own cloth pads!  It’s a fairly easy project and you might just like the results 😉

Cloth Menstrual Care Retailers
(This is just a small list.  You can do a google search for reviews and retailers to suit your own menstrual care needs.  Not all bodies are shaped the same, not all cycles are the same.  But there is something out there for everyone.  Check your local area for retailers as well. Cloth diaper stores and natural health care stores are great places to look.)

Pads

Cups

Wet Bags

Cloth Pad Patterns

Wet Bag Patterns

*Disclosure:  Please note that some of the links provided are affiliate links.