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Instead Softcups
by wigglylittleworm
I have always been curious about menstrual cups but was nervous about taking the plunge, not least because of the initial expense. I spotted an advert for the softcup, a new disposable menstrual cup which is designed to be discarded after use. They are available in larger Boots stores for £4.99 for a pack of 6 cups, my local Boots did ... not stock them so I logged onto Ebay and bought a pack for a similar price.
When I took the softcup out of the packet, I was shocked at how big it is. The diameter of the cervix is 1.5 to 2cm and this thing is almost as big as my palm! The outer ring is made of a stiff yet flexible medical grade plastic while the inner part is made of a plastic which crinkles a bit like a crisp packet and forms a shallow bowl to collect menstrual fluid. Other menstrual cups come in differing sizes depending on whether or not you have given birth and your age but Softcup employ a one size fits most policy.
Insertion of the Softcup was not easy. It sits in a different position from tampons and other menstrual cups; while they sit inside the vaginal canal the Softcup goes over the cervix and hooks behind the pubic bone. Here are some instructions from the insertion leaflet: "The first time you insert Softcup, we recommend sitting on the toilet with your knees apart. When you are in this position, your vaginal canal is horizontal". Horizontal? What? Am I some kind of mutant that my vagina is not horizontal when I am sitting in this position? I know that when I insert a tampon I push upwards and not straight back or downwards. Inserting my first softcup (you squeeze the softcup flat by pushing the rim together for insertion) was a traumatic experience which took many attempts, so many that my cervix actually felt quite tender after being bashed by the rim of the Softcup a few times. The Softcup opens up once you have inserted it and covers the cervix catching all menstrual blood.
I am not sure if I had inserted the softcup properly or whether it is because my period is heavy for the first couple of days but my first couple of softcups leaked a bit. I then discovered a video tutorial which made inserting the cup easier. The video showed the insertion process in cartoon form and I realised I needed to aim the back of the cup at the back rim of the cervix and the front of the cup is hooked behind the pubic bone and then you can feel the cervix in the cup. Needless to say that anyone who is not comfortable getting up close and personal with her own body should not attempt to use the softcup. After watching the video and contorting myself into strange positions then I felt far more comfortable with the insertion process and was happy that the softcup was in the right place and there were far fewer leaks. Because of the level of contortion needed and the fact that insertion can be a messy process, it is something I would not be comfortable doing in a public toilet when out and about.
Once the softcup was properly in place I could not feel it at all. The manufacturer claims that the softcup can be worn for up to 12 hours but I found that to be a bit ambitious with some small leaks occurring overnight. It was fine during the day even when I was exercising and did not move or leak then. I did find it comfortable to use after it was inserted, unlike tampons it does not suck all the moisture from the vagina and leave me feeling uncomfortably dry. There is no risk of toxic shock syndrome with no reported cases in the 10 years since the product has been available in the USA.
The softcup can be worn during intercourse with reports that most couples cannot feel the cup, personally I did not try this so cannot comment on how well this works. Some couples use softcup as a conception aid by inserting the cup after sex to keep all of the sperm inside the uterus. It does not have official FDA backing in the USA for this use but there are numerous reports from couples saying that it has worked for them, at the very least it is not going to do any harm.
The softcup is thankfully easier to remove than it was to insert. You do need to insert your finger deep into the vagina to hook under the rim of the softcup and just gently pull it out making sure you don't spill any blood. Again, you need to be comfortable with your own body and bodily fluids to do this.
The softcup I used is marketed as a single use device, i.e. you throw it away and use a fresh one each time you change it but I read that the ones in the USA are marketed as being used for a whole period and there are many women who reuse. I did do this and used a single cup for 2 days by rinsing it out under the cold tap and re-inserting. It survived this process well and the cup seems sturdy enough for this use. To dispose of the cup, you need to put it in the bucket after wrapping it. It is obviously not as environmentally friendly as the likes of a mooncup which is worn for numerous cycles but if you re-use a softcup then it can potentially be less wasteful of resources than some pads or tampons on the market with their mountains of plastic wrapping.
Overall, I am glad that I have tried the softcup but after I have used my last couple of cups then I won't be buying any more. This is mainly due to how difficult it was to insert, a task which never became easy even with some practice. I am going to continue to experiment with menstrual cups and take the plunge and buy a mooncup or diva cup. I think I will prefer the easier insertion; I didn't really enjoy getting up close and personal with my cervix to put the softcup in and take it back out again. It is worth a try for women who are interested in menstrual cups as different products suit different people; it is just not for me.
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Superdrug Non Applicator Tampons Super
by cornishchic
When it comes to THAT time of the month, I definitely prefer using tampons opposed to sanitary towels. I usually go for Tampax or Asda but when Superdrug had free delivery and two boxes of tampons for £3, I used the remaining Paypal money I had to purchase some to keep me going for a while.
I usually buy applicator tampons, ... but it worked out better value for money buying Superdrugs non applicator tampons, so I bought a couple of boxes of both. I can use the non applicator ones at home without a problem and save the applicator ones for when I'm out and about. Both the applicator and non applicator tampons come in different sizes, regular, super and super plus, I purchased the super sized tampons.
The 32 non applicator tampons come inside a dark blue cardboard box, the box features all of the normal information. Inside the box is an information leaflet containing details on how to insert and other information about the tampons, it also features information about TSS (toxic shock syndrome).
The tampons themselves come individually wrapped in a see through plastic. This plastic is easy to open by just twisting the top and bottom as it has a perforated edge half was down each tampon, this means each one is clean and ready to be used as and when you need to use one. After taking it out of the packaging the string simply falls down from the tampon so it is ready to be used. To insert it into place, you simply use one finger to push it up into the vagina until it is fully inserted. This is where I'm put off by using non applicator tampons, the idea of putting my finger in during this time of the month isn't very pleasant, but it's not too bad and after a wash of my hands afterwards it's like nothing ever happened. Once the tampon is in place you don't really notice that it's there when you get on with the rest of your day.
The super tampons seem to be the perfect size for my flow during the middle of my period, I use the regular size at the start and finish. They are recommended to stay inside for 4-8 hours and I find after around 4 hours during the heaviest days of my flow that they need to be changed. The removal of these tampons is easy, simply pull on the string until the tampon comes out. I haven't experienced any problems with the string pulling itself out of the tampon or anything like that. One thing I have noticed though is that the tampon is quite wide when it comes out so it expands quite a lot after you've put it into place.
Buying these on a two for £3 deal, I think these tampons are a bargain. I'm not really a fan of non applicator tampons but at £1.50 for 32 of them, I can deal with using them at home. They do the job well, the inserting process is the bit I don't particularly like but that's not the tampons fault.
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FemFresh Natural Balance Cleansing Wipes
by thriftygiftyisme
=FemFresh Natural Balance Cleansing Wipes=
This is a Ladies product, so if easily offended now is the time to run!
=Thrush etc=
At one point in most of our lives as ladies, we are more prone to products that may trigger thrush, or discomfort, and certain toiletries may not agree with the lady garden are, so ... FemFresh has come to the rescue with their range of products.
The Femfresh range includes, sprays, powders and wipes. It is the wipes that I am reviewing.
=Femfresh Wipes=
These wipes come in a packet of 10 wipes which are great for keeping in your handbag for out and about toilet visits, as well as packs of 25, which I tend to leave at home.
The product claims to the PH balances, flushable (although I don't flush mine I dispose of neatly) and dermatological tested.
=How are they packaged?=
They wipes are packed in the 10 or 25 packs, they are not indivually sealed like a Sanitary towel, there more like a packet of wet wipes that you would grab out of your bag and give to the kids to wipe their hands. The packs have a reseal able plastic cover, this does close well and keep the remaining wipes fresh,
=Fragrance=
The wipes have a mild perfume smell, but it not strong or intrusive.
=My Use=
I don't use these wipes on a daily basis, but I find them very helpful when it is time of the month .
I feel that with the time of the month, that I feel fresher when I have used these wipes, it is like having a mini wash on the go, and gives a mini clean.
=Would I recommend=
I would highly recommend these wipes, if you do have an imbalance, or if you wear tights, jeans, thongs etc then this are brilliant, as they can help neutralise the bacteria.
=Summer=
If I am out for the day, even if it not time of the month, I take some wipes with me as they keep me feeling fresher
=Price and Availability=
(left to last for a reason!!)
While they are available in many retailers, a pack of 10 costs £1.50 - which to me is too expensive.
=My Thoughts=
While I would give the product 5/5 as I think they are brilliant, but I really begrudge paying £1.50 for 10 wipes, - 15p a wipe. So sorry a star is lost for the price
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