Our Confidence Cups are made from Medical Grade Silicone and are a quantum leap from tampons and pads offering many new advantages to traditional women’s sanitary accessories. These reusable menstrual cups are cheaper in the long run, sustainable, eco-friendly, discreet, transportable, hygienic and most of all convenient and easy to use. ^1,2 

However, like all new advances many have genuine questions and concerns around them. 

How do Menstrual Cups Work?

The inside of the vagina is lined with a specialized type of soft, pliable, epithelial tissue, designed to keep the area moist and slightly lubricated. The cells lining it also slough off easily and grow back rapidly. The Confidence Cup makes use of this function to use the vagina’s natural lubrication to seal the lip of the menstrual cup against the vaginal wall to prevent leakage, and the natural lubrication and epithelial cell sloughing makes application easier. ³

Pelvic floor muscles pressing against the vagina also help to keep the menstrual cup in place. ⁵

Sealed against the vaginal wall and held in place by its muscles, the menstrual cup prevents menstrual blood from escaping and gathers inside the cup, awaiting removal and emptying.

How Much Menstrual Blood Can It Contain?

Our Confidence Cup can hold up to 2 – 3 times more than a tampon depending on the size cup you use. The small size can hold up to 25 milliliters and the large size can hold up to 30 milliliters. The real question may not be how much menstrual blood can it contain, but how many times will it have to be emptied.

This of course depends of the person but given that it holds 2 – 3 times more than a tampon you won't have to worry about increased trips to the bathroom.

How Easy Is It To Insert The Cup And Remove The Cup?

With a little practice,Confidence Cups will soon become a breeze .

Wash your hands thoroughly to remove any possible unwanted pathogens (more on this later). It is recommended to practice inserting the menstrual cup prior to your period and for the unacquainted, start to understand the anatomy of your vagina. If you have inserted tampons before, it is somewhat similar. If you have not, then it is worth getting the feel for where the vagina leads internally. One of the common mistakes people make is trying to push the menstrual cup up, whereas the correct method is to push the menstrual cup almost downwards toward the tail one. This is because the vagina canal (see diagram) is actually slightly angled.

How Do I Fold A Reusable Cup?

With the Confidence Cup in your hand, make one of the three recommended folds (see diagram). Either squat, sit or stand – but make sure your legs are apart. Gently feel for the opening of the vagina and insert the rim of the Confidence Cup, gently pushing it up and letting it go. It will unfold into a full circle shape. As an extra precaution, you can always carefully slide a finger up beside it to check it has formed the round shape. The Confidence Cup will now remain in place until such time as you choose to remove it.  Once you have used the Confidence Cup a few times and are comfortable with it and have fitted the correct size, it will stay in place and you can even engage in sports activities if you so choose to.

Removing The Menstrual Cup.

One of the biggest fears around removing the menstrual cup is spillage or that it might be messy.

Given that the Confidence Cup contains menstrual blood and that it is sealed against the side of the vagina, correctly removing it should mean that there is no spillage. The fear of it being messy is can only exist because of inexperience using the menstrual cup.

If you are not at your house, get out the collapsible container ready that the Confidence Cup came in. Wash your hands thoroughly to reduce the chance of passing any pathogen into the vaginal environment. In a squatting or sitting position, gently feel for the stalk of the menstrual cup. DO NOT pull on the stalk. Instead, gently pinch the base of the menstrual cup to change the shape of the rim sealing it against the vaginal side. This will break the seal and allow it to slide out easier. You will feel the seal break as it will be easier to tug downwards. Now you can grasp the stalk, but do so close to the base of the menstrual cup and gently pull it out.

Once out, empty into the toilet, rinse and reinsert. If you are somewhere where a tap is not handy, use the collapsible container. Fill it with water, and after emptying the menstrual cup, place it in the collapsible container, and give it a shake to clean it.

Please, please follow these instructions to avoid the experience that Katie in her blog describes, where she yanked the menstrual cup out by the stalk and in her words “splattering blood all up my bathroom wall.” 

The menstrual cup only needs to be sterilised once a day and at the end of your menstrual cycle, and this is as simple as filling the collapsible case with water, placing the menstrual cup in it so it is covered in water, then popping it in the microwave and zapping it for 2 minutes. No pathogens will survive the boiling water and a dose of the microwave radiation.

Is There Anyone Who Should Not Use A Menstrual Cup.

In short no. They are designed for all to use, however there are some conditions where you may want to exercise caution.

Vaginismus

This is a condition where the vaginal muscles go into painful spasm upon contact or penetration. Given the that menstrual cup is only inserted part way up, and is soft enough to work in with the contours of the vagina, it is still possible to use but may take some practice and more relaxation than normal. ⁴

Uterine Fibroids/Endometriosis

Often fibroids and endometriosis can create referred pain into the vaginal area, making it tender upon penetration. Menstrual cups are ideal for the heavy flow often experienced with fibroids. Using a small dab of natural lubricant will help ease the cup inside the vagina. Once fitted though, unless there is actual tissue inflammation of the side of the vagina wall, the menstrual cup should not be felt as it is soft and pliable enough to hug the contours of the vagina. ^5,6 

Prolapses Of The Bladder And/Or Uterus

If you have a severe prolapse where surgery is the only option to correct it, chances are menstrual cups may not work as the force of the prolapse may continually push down on the menstrual cup.

Mild prolapses where no actual tissues protrude into the vagina from your internal structures means you can use the menstrual cup as per its normal use. ⁷

Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles

It’s hard to quantify the strength of the pelvic floor muscles, but typically after multiple childbirths there is a chance these muscles are not as toned as they used to be. A classic sign of weak pelvic floor muscles is urinary incontinence, especially where it occurs with sneezing or coughing.

Where the incontinence is minor the pelvic floor muscles should be strong enough to retain the menstrual cup, remembering also that the menstrual cup creates a seal against the vaginal wall, which helps hold it in place. 

Didn’t The NZ Herald And Stuff Print An Article Saying;

'That Menstrual Cups Were Just As Likely To Give You Toxic Shock Syndrome tss?'

The article referenced the British Tabloid, the Daily Mail, which in turn referenced a French study that concluded inserting anything into the vagina and leaving it there for a long period of time may increase the chances of Toxic Shock Syndrome. It also pointed out the Toxic Shock Syndrome only affected about 1 in a million women. You have more chance of being hit by a car. ⁸

The Journal of Women’s Health concluded the following after doing research on menstrual cups: “… results demonstrate that a (menstrual cup) has no significant health risks and is acceptable to many women without the need for fitting or other medical services.” ⁹

The vagina has a slightly acidic pH and houses millions of friendly bacteria whose job it is to maintain the health and the internal environment of the vagina. It seems from this authors reading of the literature surrounding vaginal health and years of experience as a natural health practitioner, that for toxic shock syndrome to occur, there needs to be two factors involved. Firstly, the inserted object needs to be in place for an inordinate length of time, beyond that which is sensible, and, secondly, there needs to be an imbalance of the healthy bacteria of the vagina. ¹⁰

By sticking with the recommended usage instructions for menstrual cup, the vast majority of people need never worry about Toxic Shock Syndrome.

You have everything to gain from trying and using menstrual cup; saving money, time and having a worry-cycle. Please contact us with any individual questions or concerns. We would love to help you on your journey to easier monthly cycles.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_grade_silicone
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884743/?fbclid=IwAR0I-ksolZuhqRzAlrZcfUIjwqE8g0sUwhntj6wG6Xa8TEZrKY-rYqawylU
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_floor
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaginismus
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterine_fibroid
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometriosis
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterine_prolapse
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup?fbclid=IwAR1BYGhBAtfe0UcKXQKR5OEd6xydbU6ZvdY-y2rXHqbMUj07XEIwYygLvuQ#Toxic_shock_syndrome
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3036176/
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_microbiota_species_of_the_lower_reproductive_tract_of_women

• Try to wash as soon as possible after removing makeup. 

• We found Sunlight Soap Bars to work the best, they are available at most supermarkets and cost around $4 for a pack of 4 and you will find so many more uses for them around the house!

• I actually found washing the side without makeup (if there is one) worked better, as it pushed the makeup out of the cotton and not into it further.

• Wash cotton rounds with soap bar under warm water and rinse a few times.

• Leave a wet with little soap on them until you are ready to put them through the washing machine. 

• Best to not let dry in between rinsing and washing. 

Lot's of you have been asking how to clean our Reusable Cotton Makeup Remover Pads.... but the truth was I didn't know! 

So I have been on a  super busy on a mission to try and figure it out for you all!

After sooooo many hilarious experiments using everything we could possibly imagine, we discovered that with most things being oil based dish washing products worked best! 

Whilst I can't guarantee yours will come up the same, we tested these in full 80's style and came up with our top picks.  We are pretty happy when the best two options (seen in test 2 and 3) were actually soap bars meaning ZERO PLASTIC REQUIRED!!  Boom!

We did clean almost straight away, I'd say within 15 - 20 minutes of decorating them, so might be best to keep a soap bar in the bathroom.  These ones haven't gone through the washing machine, but it is best not to let them dry between rinsing with soap bar and putting through the washing machine. 

Check out our Cotton and Bamboo Make Remover Pads.

 

FYI: For a full run down on the best natural skincare solutions check out this awesome blog our naturopath! 

DEAD SKIN EQUALS GREAT SKIN

Guess what? Your skin’s smoothness and beauty, its radiant glow and stunning nature only exist because the living cells at the base of your skin, heroically commit a kind of poetic sacrifice. The basement layer of skin where your blood delivers nutrients and removes waste, slowly moves upward toward the outer visible layer and along the way is programmed to kill itself, turning its innards into a fatty/oily substance as well as exuding a glue-like material to create a waterproof barrier.

By the time the skin cell emerges at the top layer of your skin, all sign of life is gone. If it received all the correct nutrients while alive and the pores and glands in your skin have been kept clean and free of toxins, the dead skin cells create wonderful glowing complexions. 

What has this got to do with using makeup wipes?

A whole lot...

NUTRITION AND APPLICATION

Two things affect the health of your skin, the nutrition it receives, and what substances and chemicals you slap on the outside. Nutrition for the skin is a focus for another article, so let’s consider of the estimated 500 odd chemicals women can put on their body every day, what effect that can have on skin especially as a lot of commercial make up wipes are filled with chemicals.

The surface of the skin is dotted with pores, sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Each of these are an opening into which substances applied to the skin can be absorbed deeper. Some of the chemicals used in skincare may be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. The average skin can cope with a handful of low toxicity chemicals every now and then, but a constant drip over a long period of time may not be healthy. They can create irritations, redness, swelling and breakouts.

Here are some chemicals likely to be found in chemical makeup removers:

Diazolidinyl Urea, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Benzalkonium Chloride , Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylparaben.

The range from low toxicity to mild, are antimicrobial agents, fragrances, emollients, and cleansing agents. Chemical makeup removers are quick and convenient but over time can leave toxic residue which to a susceptible person may adversely affect their health and their skin.

And, a lot of wipes contain polyesters, polypropylene, wood pulp, rayon fibres and a bunch of plastics, making as equally as unhealthy as the chemical cocktail they contain and basically hard to break down once discarded.

Living skin cells (the ones found at the bottom of skin) like a pure environment where they can absorb plenty of vitamins and minerals from the bloodstream to complete their task of creating a waterproof, glowing outer layer. If, over time, an influx of chemicals leech down to their layer, the living skin cells will now have to work overtime to detoxify the foreign chemicals, which will affect their ability to create the supple, soft outer shell we call our skin.

As a general rule of thumb, if it is safe enough to put in your mouth, it’s okay to put on your skin.

SKIN AS THE THIRD KIDNEY

In Chinese medicine, the skin is considered a third kidney as it can also act as an excretory organ, releasing urea-containing sweat. Clogged pores, damaged skin and constant harsh cleansing with chemical wipes may affect the skin’s natural ability to self cleanse itself. When perspiring, toxins that have become lodged in the skin are removed and flushed away. Clogged or damaged pores reduce this function.

SKIN ACIDITY

The skin should be slightly acidic. This acidity helps keep bacteria on the skin under control and prevents them from infecting the skin and the body, though some of the bacteria are needed for healthy skin. The skin also secretes antimicrobial substances to help with this balance. And, guess what? Yes, non-natural chemicals can affect the acidity of the skin and adversely affect the production of its antimicrobial substances.

REUSABLE COTTON MAKEUP REMOVER PADS

When it comes to removing eyeshadow and makeup, reusable cotton pads offer many benefits over their chemical cousins and, in the opinion of this writer, are even superior to the chemical free, throwaway towelettes.

Cotton Makeup remover pads are:

• Reusable
• Soft
• Non-irritant & gentle on skin
• Fragrance free
• Chemical free
• Washable
• A natural fibre
• Breathable
• Hypo-allergenic
• Do not soak up all of your make up remover.
• Do not leave a chemical residue
• Leave pores and glands unclogged.

See more on how to clean makeup off the cotton remover pads here.

BIODEGRADABLE VERSUS THROWAWAY

Yes, throwaway cotton pads can be biodegradable, but why make them as single use when an altogether simpler, more elegant product exists that can save you money in the long. Reusable cotton pads can do everything throwaways ones and chemical ones can do, and you save money because they last a long time. According to makeuperaser.com and eco-age.com, 1.3 billion wipes end up in the landfill every year, kill marine wildlife and pollute water ways, and clog up hundreds of drains. Why would anyone want to be a part of that when cotton pads can be purchased and reused over and over and over again and again? It’s like using a towel to dry yourself once and then throwing it away – does not make sense.

Your skin, as has been shown needs a clear pathway, free of chemicals to turn living cells into the amazing, glowing barrier that can be your skin.

If you value natural skincare, want your skin to stay fresh, keep its natural acidity, act as an efficient detoxifying third kidney, don’t want chemicals affecting how your outer skin develops, want to keep your pores and glands unclogged, want a natural solution to eye shadow removal and makeup removal then look no further then reusable cotton pads.

They may just save your skin and be another step toward saving our planet.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/skin-anatomy-1068880

https://www.thelist.com/25291/happens-face-stop-wearing-makeup/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/makeup-remover-wipes_n_4239214

Wondering if a reusable bathroom is realistic? 

 If you find that the little trash can in your bathroom tends to fill up quickly, you’re not alone. The average person tosses out lots of disposable bathroom products on a weekly basis. Perhaps you floss every morning and night, or maybe you switch to a new disposable razor each week. Cosmetics packaging, makeup wipes, old toothbrushes—inevitably, they all end up in the trash. Yes, even when Aunt Flo is in town, the bin fills up with make up wipes, applicators, wrappers and more. 

When it comes to bathroom waste, many of us feel like we have no choice but to send disposable products straight to the landfill when we’re done with them. After all, trying to find reusable alternatives to these products might seem unhygienic, and it’s hard to overlook the convenience factor. But as more people aim to live more sustainable lifestyles, they’re not just looking for “greener” purchases. They want products that will last for a lifetime—or at the very least, a few years.

Relying on reusable bathroom products may seem unrealistic, but the reality is that our heavy on disposable products is actually a relatively new development. Why did disposable bathroom products become so popular in the first place? And how can we shift away from them to more eco-friendly options? Let’s look at the history of disposable products, why our current “throwaway culture” developed, and how we can make our bathroom routines sustainable again!

The History of Disposables

For generations, the idea of using something once and then simply tossing it away was unthinkable. We grew our  own food, many sewed their own clothes, items brought could last a lifetime and if something did break it was repaired not dumped.  This wasn’t about Being frugal or thrifty, and being sustainable wasn’t just a trend, living in synchronicity was the lifestyle of  choice, it was the  general way to get by.

With the invention of the first synthetic plastic in 1907, things began to change. Within decades, consumers could buy plastic razors, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and more. Companies began selling cosmetics and other personal care products in cheap, plastic packaging.

There were also new menstrual hygiene products entering the market. Women used to use cloth rags during their periods. The first disposable pads hit the market in the late 1800s, and although they weren’t widely used right away, they started becoming more popular in the 1920s. A few decades later, tampons became the more convenient and preferable choice for many women.

Disposable bathroom products seemed more hygienic and more convenient. Over time, the price of these disposable products we were buying was lowered and it became clear that for the most part, disposables were all the rage.  Sadly we didn't realise the quality of the products was dropping just as quickly as the prices, leaving durable, long-lasting products growing less and less appealing to corporations and consumers alike. 

Throwaway Culture

As more and more companies began manufacturing disposable products, we shifted from an agrarian economy to an industrial economy. Rather than making their own goods, people were purchasing products made in factories. The average working class person could afford a higher standard of living than in decades past, and relying on these disposable conveniences became a kind of status symbol.

This was more profitable for businesses. After all, what would bring in more products: a consumer buying a product once, or replacing it several times over the course of the year? Furthermore, women entering the workplace meant that they had more money to spend. Brands emphasized the ease of using disposable products once and then tossing them, rather than cleaning and maintaining them, which was appealing as households were getting busier and busier.

It’s easy to see why people preferred disposables to reusables, and why many of us still create so much trash today. Unfortunately, our turn towards disposables had far-reaching, negative consequences for the planet.

Trashing the Planet

How did the advent of throwaway culture affect the environment? Landfills piled up with trash, bodies of water became polluted, and areas that were once pristine accumulated litter. Campaigns to encourage people to recycle and properly dispose of their trash helped, but didn’t completely solve the problem.

Bathroom disposables continue to be major contributors to our waste problem, and the statistics are shocking. Billions of disposable plastic razors, shampoo bottles, and toothbrushes are thrown away every year, and many of these products are impossible to recycle. The average woman uses 11,000 disposable menstrual products in her lifetime, and 10 billion plastic tampon applicators end up in landfills each month.

And while disposable products were seen as more hygienic, they also pose health risks. Plastics leach toxins into the products we use, which find their way into our bodies. The most common are phthalates, Bisphenol-A, and polyvinyl chloride, which are linked to hormone disruption, cancer, and infertility. And some disposables can be harmful in the short-term, too: for example, tampons can leave cotton behind and carry a risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), which can be fatal.

Changing Attitudes

Although environmental activists and concerned citizens alike have been raising awareness of plastic pollution and encouraging reduced consumption for decades, the general public is now starting to push for change, too.

Initiatives like Plastic Free July, Zero Waste Week, and “No Spend” challenges help people curb their consumption. The zero waste movement is small, but growing, and activists like Lauren Singer and Bea Johnson educate people on easy ways to reduce their waste. In time, perhaps we’ll learn to live a little more like our grandparents did and slowly move away from throwaway culture.

Be the Change

Wondering how you can begin to reduce your own bathroom waste? Don’t stress - it’s much easier than you might think. Now that brands are responding to the increased demand for reusable products, there are plenty of alternatives on the market.

There are a few areas where most of us could cut back on our bathroom waste. If you’re taking your first steps down the path of eco-friendly living, you might want to begin by swapping out some of these common bathroom disposables for reusable options!

• Dental Waste: Between floss, plastic toothpaste tubes and brushes, and mouthwash bottles, sticking with a good dental hygiene routine can result in substantial waste. Consider trying a bamboo toothbrush or making some DIY mouthwash with baking soda, coconut oil or warm water and some peppermint drops. Floss picks may look a little scary as a substitute for regular floss, but they get the job done!

• Period Products: Today, women don’t just have to choose between disposable pads or tampons. There are comfortable, washable pads, special period underwear, several varieties of menstrual cups, and even sea sponges to handle your flow. Depending on your budget and lifestyle, there are bound to be reusable menstrual products that work for you.

• Shaving: Tired of trashing your plastic razors? Switching to a safety razor can take a little getting used to, but it is worth it with blades from as little as $1 each, they work just as well—and like most sustainable options they  are much better for your wallet and for the planet. Safety razors are made to last so that little bit of investment  up front, will save you money for years to come.

• Skin and Haircare: Shampoo and conditioner bars in recyclable packaging can help you avoid throwing out more plastic bottles. DIY solutions can work, too: for example, an apple cider vinegar rinse can replace conditioner. Ditch disposable makeup wipes and try washable makeup remover pads instead.

• Travel-Sized Products: There’s no need to buy new mini-shampoos every time you hit the road. Pick up a few empty containers, fill them with your products before you go, and reuse them the next time you pack your bags.

Sources:

The History and Future of Plastics

A short history of modern menstrual products

‘Throwaway Living’: When Tossing Out Everything Was All the Rage

2 Billion Tossed Per Year: What’s the Most Wasteful Bathroom Product?

How your toothbrush became a part of the plastic crisis

How the 1970s Created Recycling as We Know It

How to Avoid Toxic Chemicals in Plastics