Changes in my cycle since the switch...

 Since I made the switch from tampons to menstrual cups in June, I have noticed a significant change in my cycle. All my life I have suffered with extremely painful cramps throughout most of my cycle that I would always compare to labor pain, a severely heavy flow that would require me to change my tampon every 50-60 minutes on my worst two days, and a LONG period that would sometimes last 7 or 8 days. This is how it was for my mother, my grandmother who even had a hysterectomy, and my sister so I just dealt with it. 

I always dreaded my period because I knew I would be "out of commission" for almost a week of it. I would get migraines that would put me in bed. One day I would bleed so heavily that all I could do is sit. I was afraid to lift anything because I didn't want to gush blood. During my cycle, it was always less of a "flow" and more clotting and I assume that had something to do with the amount of pain I was in. Also, I had leaks DAILY. At least once a day I would have a gush that would overflow the tampon and cause me to bleed out. I couldn't dedicate my life to standing by the bathroom to make sure I didn't leak. In no exaggeration I contemplated asking my gynecologist if I could get a hysterectomy like my grandmother had but I doubted that "they" still did those unless it was for an extreme reason. 

For me, there was this obligation to just deal with the pain, discomfort, and inconvenience because EVERY woman deals with it. How can I be complaining? 

In an earlier entry I talked about when I started my period, what options were available to me, and how I discovered the menstrual cup... please refer back to those if you feel like I am missing "a middle" in this entry.

So, getting back to my point... I have noticed a significant change in my cycle.

Photo credit: Unknown. If you own this photo, please  email
me so I can give you credit.

The first cycle I used my cup for was so heavy. I had to empty my cup every 3 hours or so, even through the night. I'm not complaining because that was a huge improvement in my opinion! One or two nights while on my period I didn't get good sleep, but I never got good sleep while on my period and often had to shower in the middle of the night because of the inadequacies of tampons. I noticed clotting in my flow still and it was quite heavy. The one major difference I noticed right away during that first cycle with my cup that I had barely any cramps. I think I told my husband and friends that my cramps were diminished by 80% and that was enough of an improvement for me to continue to lose sleep because I wasn't in horrible pain. 

I have had four successful cycles using a menstrual cup and have had only one major leak and it was because I didn't assure that my seal was in place before leaving the bathroom. Again, reading my story, you will know that this is a freaking miracle!

My period has become more and more tolerable. I still have minimal cramps. This cycle, I had about 2 hours of cramping but it was minimal and it was the first night my period started. I don't have the big blood clots any longer. I have only seen one or two over the four months and they were smaller than a grape. My cycle has progressively gotten lighter! This cycle freaked me out because it was LIGHT. I haven't filled up my cup once. I am still paranoid and check my cup frequently to make sure it's not full but it was almost empty each time. I think I will gain more trust as the months go by...

One of the biggest differences I have noticed since using a menstrual cup is the knowledge and familiarity I have of my anatomy and my cycle. For the first time ever I have felt my cervix move throughout my cycle. I know how much I am bleeding and I know the consistency of my blood. I find that empowering. I have always felt like my period ran my life and now I feel in control. 

After several months without using tampons I have realized how much my body hated them. I would suggest that every woman at least try switching to reusable menstrual cups. I'm not saying that every woman will love using a cup, I realize it's not for everyone but I can say with 100% certainty that every woman will gain something by trying. Our bodies aren't meant to be stuffed with cotton and chemicals.

If you have had success using a menstrual cup, please comment on my blog. Include your favorite product, how long you've been using it, and what made you switch.

Thanks for reading!
xo -S

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Yuuki Menstrual Cup

So, to my surprise, I got my Yuuki Menstrual Cup in the mail today. All the way from Czech! My mailman even had to ring my doorbell and have me sign for it. I love that... Mostly because I never get mail. Ha!

I have to say a huge THANK YOU to the Yuuki company for sending me their cup to test out and review.

After doing some research on their website http://www.yuuki.cz I learned that they have a sanitary room where the cups are made. The room even has a separate entrance, anti-static floors, and even a separate air conditioner! I find that pretty impressive!

One thing I find interesting is that they have a list of disadvantages on their website. Talk about being transparent! I appreciate the information they offer on their website.

FIRST IMPRESSION

When I opened up the package, I was super surprised and excited that they sent me the Infuser as well as a Size 2 cup. I love the bright green infuser cup with the word Yuuki carved out of the lid for ventilation holes.

The infuser cup has simple instructions as well. They are photographic instructions on how to use the infuser cup. Very user friendly. The instructions are for microwave use.

The cup... the cup is the main event, right?
I have to say right off, I am super pleased with the cup. It is somewhat firm. Firmer than I'm used to but I like that. The cup is clear with measurement lines. One of the things I like most about the cup is that the holes are high up. The suction release holes are angled downwards to allow maximum capacity. The measurement lines go up to 15 ml. but the holes are far above that so I think this cup could hold at least 20 ml. That is decent capacity.

The cup is transparent. It has wonderful grip lines at the bottom, towards the stem. Speaking of the stem... I really like this stem! It is hollow and flexible. I have a feeling that I will have to trim the stem a little but not by much.

There is also an instruction pamphlet for the cup with detailed instructions in several languages including: Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Polish, and English. It has a diagram of how to do a "C Fold". There a not any diagrams to help with insertion , however, there are written instructions that will help with: what to do before insertion, cup insertion, cup removal, as well as cup cleaning.  Over all I'd say that the instructions are to the point and useful.

Taking it for a spin...

The first thing I did after opening my package was use the infuser cup to sterilize my cup. The infuser cup made it very simple to sterilize my cup. I have heard stories of people burning their cup while boiling it in a pot of boiling water. This product makes it next to impossible for anyone to ruin their cup by burning it. I really love the infuser cup!!

Now that it's sterile, I was ready to insert it. This cup is firmer than I'm used to but I have a feeling that it will help me by making it easier to pop open. The size is similar to what I'm used. I was able to insert it and get it to pop open, and seal with no problem at all. Instantly, I knew that I was going to love this cup. Even though the cup is firm I couldn't feel it inside of me at all. It is so comfortable!

One of the way I will test any cup I get will be to wear it to the gym. This is an important part of my life and I have always had to skip the gym, during my period, in the past. That was before I made the amazing switch to menstrual cups. I am happy to say that I was able to complete my vigorous circuit training routine while wearing my Yuuki Cup. I never felt it move, shift, or (my biggest fear) slip down.

Overall Impression

I have to say, I really really like this cup. Further, I really like this product as a whole. It's comfortable and practical and very user friendly. I also dare to say that as of right now, this is my top 2 favorite cup! Thank you, once again, Yuuki for making an amazing product. I would recommend this cup to other menstrual cup users. Maybe not a first time menstrual cup user, though. It is a lot of cup and it's quite rigid.

I would give this cup 7 out of 10 stars!

Thanks for reading!
xo S