This is a requested followup post to Switching to Reusable Menstrual Products and Followup on RUMPs.
I go into a fair bit of detail in this article. So if periods are TMI for you, you might want to skip this piece.
Read moreTag: RUMPs
A few months ago, I decided to switch to reusable menstrual products (RUMPs). How is it going?
Well, like the majority who switch, I’ve decided I don’t want to go back! I have so far tried two different cups, the Lunette cup size 2 (large), and the Ruby Cup small. The Lunette cup is proving great on my heavy days and overnights, while the Ruby Cup is good on my light days. I used to find bloody patches on my bed in the mornings, but now that only happens rarely, if the air holes happen to be blocked (and I sleep in).
I have tried a few different cloth pads, but cups are definitely the winner. I tried an “overnight” cloth pad, but woke up in a wet puddle. đ
What I like the most is that cups are easier to wash than pads – a lot easier. Also, you can put them in and forget they are there, and not feel bad about sitting on wet gunk.
It took me a few tries to get used to placing the cup correctly. If you do it wrong, the discharge will simply run down the side and not into the cup – fortunately that only happened once, and I had a heavy pad on as backup.
Additionally, I have been using cloth panty liners from my favourite Etsy seller, Gypsy Heart, as backup. It just happened that her star liners are the right design for me, and that her fabric choices are super cute. She almost always includes a sample of amazing tea with her parcels. đ Above is a picture of Pukka star anise & cinnamon tea.
In conclusion, RUMPs are awesome and you should try them! đ Please don’t be put off by the expensive price of menstrual cups – save up and buy yourself a good quality one! I think AUD$50-60 is a fine investment towards something you can re-use for years!
Reusable menstrual products (or RUMPs) are something I’ve been wanting to try for a long time, but have been putting it off because I live with my parents, and my mum thinks it’s gross. But the guilt of throwing all these synthetic objects into landfill, and the dryness in the lady parts, have been getting to me.
I initially wanted to only try cloth pads, but I figured cups would be easier because there’s less work involved cleaning them, and I think I can be more discreet with using them. Precious Stars (Bree Farmer’s YouTube channel) helped a lot in deciding which cup brands to try.
Since I have no idea which size is suitable for me (according to Bree and Lunette’s guidelines, either could work for me) I’ve decided to get one of each size. I have a Lunette in size 2, which I bought online from their Australian dealer (and was on sale), and I’m currently waiting for a Ruby Cup size 1, which I ordered from Bree’s shop in the UK. I was also considering Juju cup (which is designed and made in Australia) however, I couldn’t go past the Lunette sale, and Juju’s shop didn’t carry cleaning products and other little bits I wanted. Also, Ruby Cup donate menstrual cups to girls in need – I think that’s cool!
I also have some pantyliners from Moon Pads, and some pads (which I think are from Boowiggie – I haven’t unsealed them), which I’ve yet to try. But as I said about mum’s ick factor, I’ll probably just try the cups and pantyliners, since I probably won’t have to soak them in a bucket. (Besides, I have literally nowhere to keep a bucket.)
High quality silicone cups cost around AUD$40-60, and pads average around $15-20. Which seems like a lot, but these items are hand made with lots of care, and/or are meant to last several years. The stash I have now is worth about as much as what I pay in disposables in one year – so I consider this a saving.
If you want to know more, then Bree’s website and YouTube channel are a good place to start.
I’ll be visiting this topic again once I’ve actually tried using these products on a period or two.
Also, random fact. I’ve never actually inserted a tampon before – but have no qualms about inserting a cup.
