All You Need To Know About Zero Waste Periods and Menstrual Cups

All You Need To Know About Zero Waste Periods and Menstrual Cups

For as long as I can remember I have struggled with a painful period- doubled over from cramping, uncomfortable sleeps, excruciating pain– just the worst. When I started my journey of living consciously, I wanted to understand why my body responded this way in such a natural process. Why was it that some people didn’t have painful periods and others did?
 
I started to research tampons and learned about some of the harmful chemicals (bleaching agents.. yikes!) that are sometimes found in them. I decided I wanted to move to a more natural option to see if that would help my cramps and discomfort. I knew I couldn’t go back to pads (so middle school!) and decided I would look into a menstrual cup.
Let me be the first to tell you that I never thought I would wear a menstrual cup! Ever! I thought it was so weird and disgusting, but now, I am such an advocate! They are so comfortable and you can wear them for up to 12 hours without changing them. There are so many on the market and not all are created equal, so it is important to do your research.
My favorite menstrual cup is the Lunette Cup. It is extremely comfortable and is made from medical grade silicone. The entire contents of its packaging are compostable making it truly a zero-waste product. I love that they are reusable and can last up to several years. It comes in two sizes: 1 and 2. The sizes are for blood flow NOT whether you have had a child or not (HATE THAT!).
Since switching to a menstrual cup, I find that my periods are shorter, lighter and less painful. Since I have become so much more intuitive with my body, I notice certain shifts in my body and mood that signal the coming of my cycle. Having a menstrual cup means you never run out of products and you are never caught off guard.
Taking the time to listen and know my body so intimately (and not just because I am inserting a cup into my you know what!) has brought on so much patience with myself. I now know when my cycle is pending and know when its time to take it slow and nurture my body with necessary nutrients (because of how depleting losing so much blood can be).
Living consciously is so much more than just meditating. It touches all aspects of your life, like knowing yourself and your body intimately and intuitively. Its important to understand how everything works in tandem and how simple decisions like choosing a zero waste period can contribute to a cleaner environment and a healthier body.

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