The Menstruation Sensation

First, let's get one thing very clear, bodies are awkward. They have bumps, weird marks, they make noises, they smell, they put out different types of liquids. So let's be okay with talking about them! If you have a uterus, you likely have a period or menstrual cycle.

Period Cups

Until 2020 I was a 100% tampon user because I like being active. Cue the run on all things hygiene including tampons, so I bought a Diva Cup. I didn't experience any of the horror stories of it getting stuck or leaking. I did experience it starting to slide out though on a few occasions even though it wasn't full, or even close to it. I'll describe more on cup-cleaning below, but for here, the hard-water here in Arizona probably added to the semi-opaque silicone of the Diva Cup becoming discolored after a few months. Not a huge deal, but I felt like I was putting something dirty inside me, and with the sensation of it falling out, I said no thanks to the Diva Cup. Skip ahead a year plus, when my period decided to make an appearance on my honeymoon (IUD means inconsistent timing) and I was sans tampons. Even if I had my Thinx, how was I supposed to enjoy the pool and beach? So, time to give a cup another try. This time, I did some reading on cervix depth, and if there are better cups to prevent the slipping. I thought the Lilly Cup sounded like a good option. I also liked that the silicone was a solid color, no potential for the discoloration. After using, I am sad to say, that while it was a lot easier to insert, I still experienced the same "falling-out" sensation.

Frustrated, I asked my doctor during my women's health checkup if I had a weird shaped cervix and about menstrual cups. She recommended I try out a menstrual disc. Discs don't use suction to stay "up there," but rather it fits back in the vaginal fornix. Because they're a little more "up," I opted for the Pixie Disc (Amazon link here) because it has a tail. This tail helped a lot. Until it snapped while pulling on it. Not pleasant, but was likely user error because you're not supposed to rely on the tail for full removal. Whoops.

I considered buying the same Pixie Disc again, but I know myself well enough that I knew I probably wouldn't use the tail correctly again. So, I got the Cora disc (Amazon link here, but is also available at Target). This disc has a good sized notch in it to hook your finger into for removal. It's not as easy as the tail, but it also won't snap like a rubber band on sensitive parts. Overall very happy with the disc, and I highly recommend it (as well as recommend having open conversations with your doctor!).

Cup Cleaning

All cups need to be sanitized before and after your cycle. This sanitization can now, thankfully, be done with a cup-steamer like from Pixi Cup. Not sure if I missed them, or if they weren't out yet, but my Diva cup-sanitization happened in a cooking pot on the stove while my husband was out so I didn't scar him (yes I'm all for openly talking about bodies, but seeing your significant other's Menzies-cup boiling in the pot you used to make pasta the night before is a different level). Cup-steamers on the other hand look like small oil-diffusers in my opinion, and take around 3-5 minutes.

Menstrual Underwear

While I was figuring out the menstrual cup situation I really relied on my Thinx. They look like normal underwear, and fit like normal underwear with a little more padding. I was concerned they would be bulky, make that "swishing" sound pads can, and be like a diaper. None of the above was my experience, though I would steer away from form-fitting clothes (but why you'd want to with bloat is beyond me). As of now I rely almost entirely on my disc for my period, but if I'm having some spotting, or my period is expected to start I will pull a pair on. Do not use fabric softener on these! My husband, trying to be helpful, did laundry and used fabric softener. Since then they seem to hold onto...less pleasant odors, which also factors into only wearing them on the pre or post period days. While I haven't tried them Proof, Saalt, or Knix offer menstrual underwear. Saalt also offers cups, and Knix offers leakproof swimsuits.