health
Did You Know more than 400 million pounds of sanitary pads , tampons , and tampon applicators end up in landfills .
Where to buy in Hong Kong There is a range of alternative sanitary products available in Hong Kong , from Diva International , The Lily , Luuna Naturals and the Lunette . Check out the following to help get you started .
1 st Period Kits for Young Teens Why not be ahead of the game and create a 1st period kit for you child .
Educating the next generation on what products are on offer could go a long way to reducing waste , being more environmentally friendly , and ensuring our girls are not using harmfu materials .
Some ideas for the kit :
• Period underwear
• Spare underwear
• Period swimwear
• Menstrual Cup
• Organic pads / tampons
• Reusable pads
• Hot water bottle
• Chocolates
• Discreet pouch to carry items
• Guide and information on periods
• Mild pain relief ( age appropriate )
So what it is like using a cup ? Kate Cunich answers some FAQ
How do I remove the cup if there is no string to pull like with a tampon ? Taking your cup out is much like having a baby … or a poo ! You squeeze it down until you can reach the tip and then you pull , easy peasy !
Will my cup get lost ? No . The vaginal canal is an elastic , muscular tube only about four to five inches long which means that the vagina does not connect to other parts of the body , meaning that your cup literally has nowhere else to go !
Can anyone use a cup ? Yes . Luckily there are all sizes , shapes , brands and styles of cups . Everyone can succeed with a cup as long as they find the right one .
Is using a cup messy ? Not at all ! Even when removing the cup it is a very neat and tidy process , over the toilet or in the shower .
Should I wear a backup liner or pad ? Most users wear no back up at all ( that ’ s part of what makes these cups so convenient ) however , when you first start wearing a cup for peace of mind and extra protection you can use a liner .
Can I have sex with the cup in ? The short answer to this is no , but obviously people have tried . Penetrative sex is not recommended while wearing a cup as it does take up most of the space .
Can I go to the bathroom with my cup in ? Of course . Cups do not stop you from performing any normal functions ( with exception to sex as seen above ). If you find that your cup moves down , it can be nudged back up into place . Cups with a firmer base are great for this .
Can I use a cup with a tilted cervix / uterus ? Yes . So long as the cup can sit below the cervical opening to catch the flow , you are good to go .
Can I use a cup if I have an IUD ? Yes , but it is very important that you are aware of your strings and pinch the base of the cup when removing to break the suction . This should be done when removing a cup in general but is especially important for those with an IUD .
Can I use a cup if I have a latex allergy ? Yes . Silicone is not a form of rubber or latex and is safe to use for those with a latex allergy . Avoid rubber and latex cups .
How do I change my cup in public ? If you find yourself in a public stall without access to your own personal sink , you can remove your cup , dispose of the contents , and wipe the cup with toilet paper and then wash as usual when you get home . There are also single use cup wipes available . If you have access to a sink in the public bathroom use only water and not the public soap .
Are there any other alternatives ? If you ’ re not quite ready to make the move to using menstrual cups , there are other environmentally friendly options to try .
For example , why not switch to using reusable sanitary pads ? Or try organic sanitary pads and tampons . Traditional pads and tampons often contain harmful materials , like bleached rayon and dioxin and / or are made from synthetic fibers . Organic options are typically made from organic cotton , so they do contain pesticides or harmful chemicals . Reusable pads are also zero waste and can be used many times , washing after each use .
Spring 2021 51