Zero Waste Period Routine
This post is for anyone who menstruates, or who might be interested in reading about it. For me, the whole adventure of reusable menstrual products started in 2016. So about 6 years ago. I was actually convinced that it started with washable sanitary pads but I checked and apparently my cup was there 2 years earlier. Funny how your memory distorts things... We're going to go into quite a bit of depth in this post, so if you're not into bloody, and rather personal details, feel free to click away.
WHY ZERO WASTE? | disposable vs reusable
I have been interested in zero waste for a long time. And that interest started long before I lived on my own. So for me it was all about looking at how I could reduce my waste myself without directly bothering the rest of our household.
So one of the first swaps I made was my menstrual cup. I had been using tampons and sanitary pads as a backup for several years. I actually changed tampons every time I went to the toilet and my pads a few times a day. The bottom line is that during 1 cycle I quickly went through a box of tampons and a pack of sanitary pads. I believe there are now biodegradable and healthier alternatives, but when I was still using them, neither were biodegradable. That's quite a mountain of waste spread out over a lifetime.
MENSTRUALCUP | where is began
In 2016 I think I found out about menstrual cups via YouTube. I then completely lost myself in all the information that could be found about it, after which I opted for a Lunette cup.
Lunette originates from Finland. When I dived into the cups world, I found out that at the time (no idea how it is now) Lunette met the highest standards of what I could find. They used 100% medical grade silicone for their cups and met EU standards. That was important to me.
MODELS | what works for you?
In terms of models, there are more and more options available every day. This also applies to the sizes of the cups and how sturdy they are. I recommend diving into it yourself if you're considering a menstrual cup, but I can personally recommend Lunette wholeheartedly. Lunette has two models.
Model 1 is a somewhat smaller model that is made of a softer silicone. This is the model I own. In general, model 1 is recommended for women who have not given birth to children and who do not exercise at a professional level (If you exercise vigorously, your pelvic floor muscles are often stronger, if your cup is too soft, there is a greater chance of leaks).
Model 2 is a slightly larger cup that is made of a somewhat firmer silicone. It is generally recommended for women who have given birth to children or who exercise intensively. On their website Lunette has a tool that can help you choose the best model for you.
Tot en met 31 december 2022 krijg je met de codeUntill December 31st 2022 you can get 20% off at Lunette with the code "EVA20". So if you are in the market for a menstrual cup, this would be a good opportunity.
CUP IN USE | let it flow
Let's start with the basics. Before you even think about inserting your cup, you want it to be thoroughly clean. That is why you should clean and disinfect your cup well at the start of your period. You do this by washing your cup (you have special cup cleansers) and then boiling it for 5 to 10 minutes. This can be done in a pan on the stove or in the microwave. In any case, make sure that the cup has enough water to float freely so that it does not burn.
INSERTING
If your cup is clean, you can insert it. Make sure you've washed your hands so you don't get your clean cup dirty again. Both your cup and your hands should be clean. If you have just boiled your cup, I recommend rinsing it under some cold water first. Believe me, inserting a hot cup won't make you very happy...
Okay, so your hands and cup are clean, time to insert. When you have your cup in your hands you will notice that it is quite flexible. Fortunately, otherwise insertion would not be all that easy. You can fold your cup in different ways so that you can insert it.
I always use the C-fold myself. Here you actually just fold your cup in half along the length. The advantage is that it is now narrow in its entirety. I personally find this the easiest way. It is easy to hold and unfolds easily once inserted.
Then there is the punch down fold. Here you take one of the edges and push it inside the cup. Now you have a kind of triangle that you can insert. The advantage is that the tip is now very narrow, which can make insertion easier. But in the middle it is still the full width. Once you have inserted it, you do want to double check that the edge is fully unfolded again. You do this by feeling the edge of your cup with your finger. If it is not unfolded properly, the cup might leak. You can simply squeeze the bottom of your cup, it usually folds out that way.
Finally, you have the triangle fold. Here you squeeze your cup closed and fold one end of the rim down. This creates a triangle. I personally find it difficult to hold it well as you insert it. It folds out very easily. Which is another advantage once it's in.
There is definitely a learning curve to inserting your menstrual cup. I recommend that you try out the different folding methods and see what works best for you. Always check whether your cup is fully unfolded. If this is not the case, there will be no vacuum and your cup may leak.
CHANGING
You can let your cup sit undisturbed for about 12 hours before emptying and cleaning it. That's what I find is so ideal about it. You don't have to think about it for the rest of the day.
To remove your cup, stand in a squat position over the toilet, or shower. The deeper you sit, the easier it is to remove your cup because it reduces the depth of your vagina. Your cup will therefore come down further. If you're still having trouble finding it, you can "push" a little. It's like going to the bathroom, it just feels a little different. You press the cup down with your pelvic floor muscles, as it were. You can practice pushing down and retracting your cup.
If you can't reach the base of your cup yet, you can gently pull on the stem. Move the cup back and forth a bit to "walk" it down. If you can reach the base of your cup, squeeze it to break the vacuum. Now you can carefully pull out the menstrual cup and empty it into the toilet. You can of course also do this in the shower.
When your cup is emptied, clean it. You do this every time you empty it. First rinse your cup with cold water. Warm water can cause the blood to discolor your cup. When it has been rinsed well, you can wash your cup with warm water and a cup cleanser. Rinse well and it's ready to use again.
ENDCLEANING
At the end of your period, it is time to properly disinfect your cup again before putting it away. First clean the cup normally as you have just read. Then you boil it again, just like at the beginning of your period. Dry the cup thoroughly and store it in the fabric bag it comes in. Make sure you never store it in an airtight container, otherwise bacteria may get a chance in your cup and you don't want that. A fabric bag is therefore perfect. This way you can keep it dry while still allowing air to pass through.
REUSABLE PADS | never out
Since 2018 I also use reusable pads. What a relief that was! Personally, I find it so much more comfortable than the disposable version. You just fold them around your own panties and fasten them at the bottom with a snap. Super easy and no more hassle with those adhesive strips. Which is also great, never rushing to the store to get new ones. You always have your stock at home. I myself have them from the brand Imsevimse and I like them. You can buy them at Cute Cotton or Leven Zonder Afval.
Just like with disposable pads, you have all kinds of sizes, thicknesses and models. Here you choose based on how heavily you bleed, and what you find comfortable. I have a number of sizes at home, for both night and day. I use them as a backup next to my cup so in my case I can go for a thinner version that absorbs a little less. But also check here what works for you! If you're only using the pads, you may want something that can hold more. Often there are also sets for sale in which you get different sizes, which are ideal if you buy it for the first time so that you can see what works for you. Then you can see how much extra you need to make your period comfortable.
You change your washable sanitary pad just as often as the disposable version. How often that is is very personal. You can easily fold it into a small square and put it in a leakproof bag until you can wash it. So no problem on the road.
When you're ready to wash your pad, just like your cup, rinse it well with cold water. You do this until the water you rinse out is clear. Then you can simply wash it by hand or in the washing machine. Actually very easy. I do recommend washing it as soon as possible, the sooner you wash it, the easier it is to keep it stain free. Yes, that's possible! Keep your washable pads stain-free. I myself have had white with black dots, it took a few years before they started to discolour.
I prefer to just dry them on the clothesline in the sun, because the sun has an antibacterial effect. When it is completely dry, you can simply store it and it is ready for use again.
MENSTRUAL UNDERWEAR| no comfort compromise
My latest discovery are menstrual briefs. I've been using them for several years now by the brand Modibodi. And with great joy. Where the reusable pads were already a relief, this was even more so. You almost don't feel like you're wearing anything different.
There are a lot of models to get and here again it comes down to personal preference, just like with regular briefs. Whether you want a classic brief, short, thong or high waisted panties, it's all there. Just like with washable sanitary pads, there are differences in the absorption of the briefs.
Washing is exactly the same as with the washable pads. You first rinse it well with cold water, until the rinse water is clear. Then you wash them in the washing machine or by hand and let them dry.
That was it for today. Do you already use reusable menstrual products? And how do they work for you? Do let me know in the comments. For now, goodluck with the next steps on your bridge and I wish you all the happiness and an amazing rest of your day.
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