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    Home » Hormones » Menstrual Cup Review and Q&A

    Menstrual Cup Review and Q&A

    Dec 19, 2019 • Hormones

    Saalt Menstrual Cup Review and Q&A. All about menstrual cups. How to Insert a Menstrual Cup and How to Take Out a Menstrual Cup. How to Store and Clean. #menstrualcups

    Eek! I’ve officially converted to a menstrual cup!

    I tried a couple of them years ago and they just never felt right… so I gave up. But when I was at Target a few weeks ago, I had the urge to try the Saalt menstrual cup. I knew I would have my period during my wedding week and since we would be in Mexico, I was worried about having to deal with tampons while on the beach in a teeny bikini. So I went for it!

    Now I truly believe that there is not one menstrual cup that is perfect for everyone. We are all different (yes, down there too) and some shapes and sizes will work better for you than others. At least this has been my experience. So if you’ve ever been put off by them or tried one and it was uncomfortable, I don’t believe you have found the one that works for you yet. Because honestly, you shouldn’t feel it at all (just like a tampon).

    What is a Menstrual Cup?

    It?s a soft, reusable silicone cup worn internally that collects your period rather than absorbing it.

    Does It Hurt?

    No, it shouldn’t! I think it can be uncomfortable if it’s not the right size (too big) but you shouldn’t feel it at all.

    Why I Like the Saalt Menstrual Cup:

    • reusable, lasts for 10 years
    • save money, no more buying tampons, pads or liners!
    • eco-friendly and not wasteful
    • can stay in for 12 hours (unlike pads or tampons that need to be changed more often)
    • safe and made of 100% medical-grade silicone
    • comfortably soft and flexible
    • comes in small size or regular size (I got the small because I haven’t had babies yet)
    • they give back – 2% of their revenue goes to stopping period poverty within in the U.S. and abroad

    One Saalt Cup lasts for up to 10 years. That’s more than 120 periods and replaces over 3,000 tampons and tons of waste. It’s also chemical free, naturally hypoallergenic, non-toxic and BPA and latex free. Unlike tampons it maintains your unique vaginal pH and won’t dry you out, leave fibrous residue or cause micro tearing. There is no risk of infection or TSS either.

    Saalt Menstrual Cup Review and Q&A. All about menstrual cups. How to Insert a Menstrual Cup and How to Take Out a Menstrual Cup. How to Store and Clean. #menstrualcups

    How To Insert A Menstrual Cup:

    1. Start with clean hands. And then, relax! If you are too tense, it will be harder to insert.
    2. I know it sounds weird, but I find it easiest to squat. Some women find sitting on the toilet more comfortable. It?s up to you! You can try both and see which you prefer. Some women prefer it in the shower.
    3. Fold the cup before inserting. There are a number of different folds. I personally like the c-fold but there are a couple ways.
      – C-Fold: Fold the cup into a C-shape by flattening the cup and bending it in the middle to bring the two ends together.
       – Punch-Down: Use your index finger to press down on the rim to collapse the cup. Pinch to hold in place.
    4. Insert, open and seal – once the cup is folded, insert it into the vaginal opening, angling towards your tailbone, while also holding the fold in place. Once it’s inside, you can let go of the fold and allow the cup to pop open. The cup needs to pop open FULLY when it?s inside the vaginal canal to create a suction seal (which prevents leakage and keeps it in place). To check it?s it?s fully open, run 1 finger around the top rim.

      Other Tips:
      – Use water or lubricant
      – Be patient! It takes some getting used to. It may not be smooth sailing on your first try. It gets easier though! Even if you only get it partially in on the first try, that?s a start. Keep trying.

    How To Take A Menstrual Cup Out:

    1. Start with clean hands. And then, relax! If you are too tense, it will be harder to take out.
    2. Squat or sit on the toilet – whichever you prefer.
    3. Sometimes it helps to bear down – meaning you push the cup down with your vaginal muscles – similar push to doing a number 2. Weird but true!
    4. Use 2 fingers to pinch the base of the cup in order to break the suction seal that has helped it stay in place all day. Pinch the bottom of the cup and wiggle it down – sometimes I pull on the stem a little- the Saalt cup has rings around the base that you can feel for. Start to wiggle the cup down and out of the vagina.
    5. Holding your cup firmly, empty it into a toilet or sink.

      Other Tips:
      – Don?t panic, it won’t get lost up there! And stressing/tensing may bring it further out of reach
      – Don?t be afraid to use 2 fingers to grab it

    Cleaning and Storing:

    • Rinse your menstrual cup out and then wash thoroughly using hot water and a mild soap. Avoid strong cleaners or anything that may irritate your skin.
    • Use a soft rag to wipe away any buildup.
    • Dry your cup thoroughly and store it in the bag provided (or another breathable container). Never use a plastic bag or airtight container for storage.

    What About Using It in Public?

    Because you can wear it for 12 hours, I would try to avoid changing it in public but sometimes that isn’t an option. I would empty out the cup in the toilet and bring a wipe in my purse to clean it and then re-insert it. Then when I get home I would clean it properly!


    Saalt Menstrual Cup Review and Q&A. All about menstrual cups. How to Insert a Menstrual Cup and How to Take Out a Menstrual Cup. How to Store and Clean. #menstrualcups

    I hope this helps you guys! When I asked on instagram if you had concerns or worries, I got a few messages saying you were nervous to try it but I think that is with anything new. It took me 4 years to learn to like the cup and now, there’s no going back! Maybe it’s not your time yet, or maybe it is 🙂


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    Comments

    1. Patty

      February 13, 2020 at 10:40 am

      I really like my Saalt cup. I’ve been using it for about a year. There’s definitely a learning curve to getting it in there correctly and you really can’t be shy about being all up in yourself but I’ll never go back. Saving on the waste alone is worth it. It’s so nice to set it in the morning and forget about it. I can’t recommend it more.

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Shannon, a Certified Hormone Specialist and plant based blogger living in Chicago. I help women heal their bodies bodies from the inside out and balance their hormones naturally through a plant based diet and lifestyle. Let me guide you through it, so you can glow from within and feel the best you've ever felt!

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my latest crunchy craving! it comes together in 5 minutes and is sugar free. I know it’s super simple but I still think it deserves to live on the blog! I love snacking on it, serving it on crackers or using as a side/appetizer. so much refreshing crunch and salty, vinegar-y taste 🥒🥒🥒 new on the blog >> theglowingfridge.com // link in bio // #plantpowered
    now that I’m studying to become a integrative he now that I’m studying to become a integrative health practitioner, I’ve realized to a greater extent how one way of eating may not be perfect for everyone. how being strictly #plantbased isn’t a top priority for everyone. how different we really are. I’ve recently come to accept this, even though I will promote plant based until the day I die. my feelings have evolved over time. I used to be more pushy and believe my way of eating was the only way! but the reality is, there is no one diet and it’s infuriating when doctors push one diet only! its what works for YOUR body and it can change over time (depending on many factors). while this may upset some people, this will be apart of my job. as a practitioner I will have to meet people where they are at and guide them with an open mind. I can’t assume or expect that everyone will want to be plant based tomorrow! while I can always promote “the more plant foods the better” type of mentality (and I promise you, I will!) there is something called bio-individuality, meaning “there is not a one-size-fits-all diet, each person is a unique individual with highly individualized nutritional requirements”. what I will also promote is intuitive eating and really tuning into what your body wants and needs, and allowing that intuition to sharpen and grow (and hopefully it leads to more plants 🌱😬). doing this takes so much practice… to trust what your body is telling you is hard and confusing in the beginning. I think the change for me was allowing what I wanted to eat at first and it slowly evolved to wanting to choose healthier options because I felt better that way, but also knowing when I need vegan mac and cheese or french fries or ice cream and not making a big deal out of it. and not labeling any food as “bad” but rather just “food”. this didn’t happen overnight though! tell me below - how have you become more intuitive with eating habits? how do you tune in? photo by @sarahiltonphotography & I put a little filter on it 💗 #intuitiveeating
    DETOX: in order to detox and not feel like total c DETOX: in order to detox and not feel like total crap, it’s essential to open up your drainage pathways first. although not glamorous to talk about, this is the most important step for any health protocol. setting the foundation… just like building a house. there are no quick fixes in detoxing! for example: you don’t want to jump into a parasite cleanse but have your detox pathways blocked… this includes making sure you are peeing, pooping, sweating and moving your lymph every single day. and when I say pooping, I mean 1-3 times per day. ideally 2-3 or after large meals. if you are constipated while killing off parasites, you are not going to feel good at all because they need to be eliminated quickly and if not, the pathogens/toxins they release can get re-circulated in the body. take it from me because I didn’t know about any of this while doing a parasite cleanse… I was bed ridden, had fevers, my face broke out, I was puffy and bloated. this was not fun at all! ⁣⠀
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⠀
I hope you find this helpful! Let me know if you have questions below! #detoxprotocol #drainagepathways
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    Shannon is a health enthusiast and plant based nutrition advocate, living in Chicago. She studied Health and Fitness at Purdue University and loves everything about the plant based vegan lifestyle, especially creating colorful, nourishing, happy hormone recipes in her kitchen. Read More…

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