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.

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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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The Bella Cup

This evening, I received my Bella cup. I was so excited because I had heard so many great things about this particular cup. THANK YOU Bella for sending me your cup to try out and review. 

If you go to the Bella website: http://www.bellacup.co.kr/ you will find a beautiful color scheme and a simple and easy to follow layout. You will also see the benefits of using a Bella cup over disposable tampons and pads. Overall, I think their website is useful and user friendly.

This cup hails all the way from Korea. It traveled a long way to my California home, including a stop at Customs. :) I think their packaging is really pretty. It follows the same color scheme as you find on the website. The small green and peach box includes the brand name, Bella in several colors on the side of the box. They put a seal sticker with the size name on the opening of the box to be sure that the box hasn't been opened after it was boxed. Also, the box is recyclable! That is a bonus since one of the many benefits to women using menstrual cups is lessening the impact we have on the environment. 

When I ordered my Bella cup, I was given the option between small or large & gray pouch or green pouch. Obviously, I chose a large cup and a gray pouch. If you've read my blog, you'll know that the pouch is one of the things I look forward. I'm a girl, what do you expect? I think it's an important accessory to the cup because it is what is going to keep it clean in my purse. Okay, back on track. I ordered the gray pouch, it's light gray. What's interesting about this pouch is it's unconventional material. This pouch is made of a thick, suede material with the word Bella embossed on one side. 

At first glance, I really like the clean, simple presentation of the Bella brand. Even the cup has the same simple, streamlined design. I love that. I think the best word to describe it would be, understated. 

The cup... lets talk about the cup. My favorite thing about the Bella cup is the fact that the inside of it doesn't have any raised writing in it. This is something I particularly love because it makes it easier to keep the cup clean. There is writing (the word bella) inside of the cup but it is embossed, not raised. There are no measurement lines inside but the website states that the large Bella can hold 30 ml of menstrual fluid. That translates to 1 fluid ounce. I would call that a high capacity cup. Which is great for me! 

This is a very soft cup. I love the feel of it it's so squishy and to me, that means it's going to be super comfortable. The only issue is that I have a hard time getting really soft cups to pop open once inserted. Quite honestly, this is one of the hardest cups for me to get to create a seal inside of me. 

It took quite a bit of negotiating and maneuvering before I was able to create a good seal that I was confident about.  Once the cup is in, it is very comfortable! What I've learned about my anatomy is that I can wear any cup. My body isn't super finicky  in that way. So, the determining factor in me choosing a cup, or my favorite cup for that matter is going to be ease of insertion. The only thing that would keep this cup from being my favorite would be how difficult it was for me to get it to pop open. I know several people who prefer a softer cup and I'm sure this would be a non-issue for them. 

The cup has four holes towards to top of the cup, two one either side of the cup. This allows for maximum capacity. The holes are small so the way I get them clean is to fill the cup with hot water, hold my hand covering the top and squeeze so the water squirts out through the holes. I do this until the holes are clear and clean.

At the bottom of the cup, there are no grip lines. There are only embossed lines with a little bit of texture. This might make removal challenging for someone who cuts the stem completely off but it will not make it impossible. 

The Bella's stem is unlike any other stem I've seen. It has the same embossed  texture as you'll see throughout the cup but it is also bubbly (the best word I can think of). The stem itself looks like a bunch of bubbles stacked on top of each other. IF you kept the stem on, it is quite helpful for removal. The stem also has some stretch to it.  Since the stem is so pliable, even if the stem sticks out a bit it will still be comfortable.

During my trial, I slept all night with the Bella. I was able to sleep 6 hours without getting up to empty. Due to my heavy flow, I normally get up 3 to 4 times a night to empty, rinse, and reinsert. This is a major bonus for the Bella brand. Me being able to sleep for 6 hours made me an automatic fan of the Bella cup even if I know this isn't my soul mate cup. 

I would recommend this cup to anyone who prefers a soft cup with a high capacity. I would not recommend this as someone's first cup, simply because it was a challenge for me to get it to pop open and seal properly and I am more experienced than someone trying a cup for the first time. 

After using the Bella cup, I've learned that for my anatomy and cycle, I really need a firmer cup. That does NOT mean that this isn't a great cup, it just isn't my ideal cup. With that said, I see a LOT of positive things about this cup that would make is a wonderful, comfortable cup for someone. 

Overall, I would give the Bella cup 7 out of 10 stars. My top 3 favorite things about this cup are: the capacity, the stem, and the fact that the writing on the inside of the cup is embossed which makes for easy rinsing and cleaning. 

If you have any questions regarding the Bella cup, please email me at periodbloggy@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading!

xo -S

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I am not sponsored by any of the menstrual cup companies that I write about.