Product Recommendations
Ready to try one or more of these products yourself? It's going to be such a good thing for you! Check out some of the things I use myself or have been recommended by the ladies who so graciously shared their experiences in the testimony section.
First up is the one that got me started: the Duchess Cup! I got a set of two on Amazon my during the fall of my freshman year of college. I highly recommend this cup to anyone starting out because it is not too big or wide, which makes it easier to learn to fold and insert and remove. The tail is not too long so you likely won't have to trim it, but even if you do, it is one of my favorites so far.
Next I have the Garnuu cup. I found out about this at a conference and besides loving the actual product, I am in love with their morals. Garnuu is a company that works to liberate women in Nepal from having to go into the sex trade and keeps vulnerable women safe from trafficking. So while you experience the benefits of their cup, you are supporting a company dedicated to the empowerment of women across the globe. And if you can't seem to make their cup work for you, don't worry! Their tampons are organic cotton without bleach or fragrances, the wrappers are recyclable, and the applicator is reusable! You're sure to find something on their site, and also contribute to real empowering of women.
The last one I have for you to consider is the Dot Cup. I have not used this product, but I have heard wonderful things about it from those women who have. Remember Captain Charles Moore, the man who wrote Plastic Ocean? Well I visited his lab and store in Long Beach California, BYO Long Beach a couple summers ago. They sell the Dot Cups and also reusable pads and period panties. Their online store has an excellent selection of things even outside of sustainable feminine hygiene, so take a look around their whole site and see what other changes you may be able to make! This store started my plastic free journey three summers ago.
The Dot cup is a great investment because for every cup purchased domestically, one is donated to a woman in need to give her the ability to work or pursue her education! If you are interested in helping other women access menstrual care, consider shopping the Dot Cup. And if plastic pollution is an issue near to your heart like it is mine, shop the rest of the BYO Long Beach online store too.
Products used by other women
Be sure to take a look at the things other women are using too! Each of the testimonies has a link to the items the women there wear, and they can also be found below.
Seren uses the Diva Cup to go on all her outdoor adventures! This is one of the more well known products available right now, so you may have been familiar with it before you came to this site looking for advice and recommendations.
Lindsey uses the OrganiCup and like Seren, this has given her the freedom and peace of mind to go outside for days at a time no matter what time of the month.
M uses the SAALT cup, and this is one she recommends to beginners to use! SAALT is dedicated to updating menstrual care to fit the times, and it's always a good time to try something safe and effective that has such good longterm benefits.
Kaela uses BamBody period panties, and she feels extremely secure and comfortable in them. She says that they hold as much as a pad and would use them for a light flow or spotting. If you are unsure about the cup and want to try something less invasive but still sustainable, give the period panties a try! A blend of cotton, spandex and bamboo optimizes comfort and absorption for the best protection.