#21

Use a menstrual cup

A menstrual cup is exactly what it sounds like – a small silicone cup that sits in the vagina, held in place by suction, that collects your blood. When it’s full or you want to empty it, you simply squeeze the base and remove it. You can pour your blood down the toilet, give it a quick rinse or a wipe, and back in it goes. It’s an environmentally friendly option because one cup can last for years and years. What’s also handy is that the measurements on the side of most cups will tell you the volume of your flow, and because you see it in its liquid state, it makes it easier to keep track of the colour and consistency in your cycle charting practice. It can be helpful to have two menstrual cups so you can alternate them between daily cleanings (see opposite).

After using a menstrual cup for the first time, my client Miranda told me:

‘It was a real moment of surprise the first time I used my cup. It was fascinating to observe the colour and consistency of my blood. I feel like my increasing levels of self-love are a result of me connecting with my blood and realizing that it’s not actually gross at all, that my body isn’t something to be ashamed of.’