Ideas about finding an alternative way to handle my period started to haunt me at the time when rumours about the unhealthy amount of chemicals that go into tampons and menstrual pads entered the same hemisphere. So, as every modern young woman seeking answers to life’s unexpected conundrums, I turned to Google. If you’re curious - do it! But I’m giving an early warning, it won’t be exactly a walk in the park with peonies and daffodils in hand. And there will also be no turning back, just a close-end. Personally, I felt like I’ve been giving my insides to monthly dry-cleaning since 2001! Thus, it's embarrassiiiingggg to even think of the amount of trash produced during the years (insert eye-roll emoji).
Words: Evelin Kangur
Image: Author's own
So what are the greener options? One can always adopt the laissez-faire attitude of Isabelle from The Dreamers - remember the bath scene? If it’s too much of au naturel than you’re ready to embrace, the market offers a myriad of green intimate merchandise, but I had repeatedly failed to find my go-to product. Until...
Stumbling upon OrganiCup was a blessing in a disguise, really. Motivated to tackle the change towards a greener period, I excitedly tore open the package and started to apply the cup. Only to stop there - wait a minute - why do I find that it is so difficult?! How to turn hands and fingers and at the same time fold the cup, and then release it in hope that it opens up and stays in the right position. I felt my temperature rising (and it wasn’t PMS). But about 86 snafu moments and weird poses (thanks yoga!) later, I found myself walking around with OrganiCup successfully in place! Proud as I was, I felt quite some discomfort (probably) from all the trial and errors. Yet some 8 hours later, I found myself completely oblivious of the fact that I’m on my period - no change of tampons or anything, just go about your day as you normally would. Now, how’s that even possible?!
Image: Author's own
Just out of curiosity and caution, I kept checking and flushing the cup a couple of times a day, and realised that the amount of blood extracted was actually very little. It seemed a lot more with pads! Four days in, and I had fully embraced the inclusion of this lovely accessory into my life, and also more confidently flushed the cup only in the morning and evening. In the very beginning, I developed a fear of public restrooms though - what if I have to flush and there’s no sink in the small booth?
At first, I strategically planned ahead, so that I wouldn’t have to do it, or at least had a mental map of safe toilets in mind, but now I just keep some Organiwipes in my purse for the occasion. But this time, I hardly ever felt the need to use them. Because, that said, flush it in the morning and evening, and all is merry. I promise.
Image: Author's own
This has probably been the most radical experiment including my body recently, but also the kind where I felt I was learning more than I initially realised. There’s still a lot of shame, awkwardness and misconception around menstruation, that shouldn’t be there at all! Embrace it and probably your PMS will calm down, too.
Love,
Evelin