Why You Should Starting Using a Menstrual Cup | #ACupaDay

Wednesday 20 December 2017

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I am now a massive advocate for the menstrual cup – I love mine and probably talk about it in public too much. So why am I a complete convert, and how do I get you to

1. You can save the environment


A menstrual cup is durable and multiple use, and therefore produce a lot less waste than tampons and pads. If you use disposable menstrual products, you will use over 11,000 products in their lifetime – that includes applicators (so if you just prefer tampons maybe switch to non-applicator) – leading to over 200,000 tonnes of waste.

Something I’d never thought about before was the chemicals used on cotton products as the cotton they are made of if grown (pesticides etc.). This has a larger damaging effect on the environment as these leak (non-intended pun but I like it now that I’ve used it) onto neighbouring plants. And seeing as it takes pads 500-800 years to decompose, that’s quite significant when you think of how much space that takes up, and how much damage that could do for both the environment and wildlife.

I found these stats on the Women’s Environmental Network and Down 2 Earth.

2. And you can save money


Menstrual cups may look pricey at first, but the overall cost is significantly lower than more disposable products like tampons or pads. Most cups are about £20, and that is a lot in comparison to a pack of tampons or pads, however, the average menstrual cup lasts for about 10 years, and when you think about the amount of money you’ve spent, that saves a lot and takes a weight off your monthly expenses.

3. You can have better vaginal health


Menstrual cups reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (which is extremely rare anyway), as bacteria can’t be absorbed by silicone. Do make sure you clean your cup properly – you should receive a set of instructions (including washing and how to insert and remove the cup) when you get your cup, but if not then there will be tutorials etc. online.

Because of the lack of absorption, using a cup means that vaginal dryness will decrease. Just to extra add on that you may not think of.

4. It’s the lazy person’s option       


This works so well for me. The maximum you should leave your cup in for is about 12 hours, that means that you only need to change twice a day. Obviously this increases depending on your flow and what stage you are in your period, but all in all it takes a lot less time, meaning less trips to the toilet. Because of the amount of time you can leave it in for, it means that, for me, I’ve been able to leave it in a bit longer, get out of the house on time to catch my bus and then empty it when I’m in college. Do make sure you know how heavy you’re roughly for each day – knowing how quickly you fill your cup will come over time so don’t worry too much.

5. It’s great if you’re on the move


If you’re travelling for a significant amount of time (or even just for a short trip), a menstrual cup in its small bag is a lot lighter and smaller than tampons and pads, especially if you’re carrying a whole pack.

If you’re more of a sporty person, then it’s perfect – you will hardly feel it (I think I’ve said before that I’ve done several pilates classes wearing mine) and its suction function means that you won’t have any leaks whilst swimming or surfing etc.

Has this convinced you? If there are any more benefits of using a menstrual cup let me know.


If you liked this post you might like: My First Thoughts on the Menstrual Cup

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London in 2017

Monday 18 December 2017

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London has become one of my favourite places this year. It has been up there for the past few years, but this year something’s been different. It’s been a sort of escape and a symbol of the future and hope for me. I feel like I’ve grown up there – despite that I’ve spent the significant minority of my time there. I see my ability to navigate the city comfortably on my own now, as a way of outlining my self –growth, and particularly my new found confidence as being in the world itself, I feel like I fit more and have a part to play – a part I can decide and form.

I want to change the world – as radically as possible, of course, but even if I only do something small that helps just one person, I will be happy. And for me, that will be realised and will happen in London.



London seems exciting to me – full of events, culture and people, as well as secrets and parts of myself ready to be discovered.



As I look back on this year, I think it has been the year of London, or at least, my true introduction to it. And along, with that, it has been the year of finding my purpose and imagining my future. I don’t want to spend all my time looking toward the future and not focusing in the now, but at the moment I just can’t help it. I am excited, and why shouldn’t I be? Things look a lot more exciting in the future and that provides me with motivation to get through my A Levels now to get where I want to be.




London has gone through a lot this year. Grenfell, terror attacks... but the resilience of its people provide some with hope. I am still angry that the Grenfell victims have not yet been rehoused. The government cannot ignore those who are suffering and need the support the government is there to provide – but it’s not. When is this going to happen when it should have happened immediately, or really before the disaster occurred?



London, see you next year.




If you liked this post you might like: #March4Women | International Women's Day

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November 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

Wednesday 29 November 2017

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November has on the whole been quite good, just stress filled with the joy that is A Levels.

Favourite part?

I’ve spent a lot of time with friends this month – going out for birthdays, etc. – and a highlight I would say was a night of vegan pizza, cocktails and sing-along a live singer in a restaurant.


I also had the chance to visit Parliament with my college. I had a lovely day and I got to view some of the debate around the effects the EU (Withdrawal) Bill would have on human rights in the UK.


November was the month that my university application was actually sent off by my college and received by my university choices. As of the time of writing, I have received 4 offers out of the five universities I’ve applied for and I’m waiting for a response from the fifth. I can officially say that I got an offer from my first choice uni and I couldn’t be happier. That would definitely have to be the highest point in November!

Best read?

I haven’t read that much this month, because, well A Levels. I read the Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx to back up my knowledge on socialism (we finished studying it at the beginning of this month) and I have to admit I was surprised by how short it was. Though, don’t get me wrong. It may be short, but it’s intense! There’s a lot of information crammed in there and I did have to read about 10 pages per day so that I could try to digest it all properly (still haven’t but hey ho, I’ll get there eventually). As well as that I’ve been reading The Russian Revolution by Alan Moorehead, A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin and GB84 (although, not really. I think I’m going to just Google key quotes to use in my EPQ and stop reading it. It’s annoying me).



Favourite tunes?

I’ve been listening to a lot of the ‘My Mix’ playlist on YouTube, aka, lots of Regina Spektor, Mika, dodie, Anastasia, Ed Sheeran and Melanie Baker. Would recommend that combination.

Favourite watch?

This month has been a major TV month. I watch the first season of The Crown so quickly, and I can’t wait for the second season to come out (8th December people, 8th December). I also re-watched the BBC’s most recent adaption of War & Peace, which is a favourite of mine. I love the characters a lot, they’re all so complex, and I need to get round to reading (more like listening, it’s so long!) the book.

My major obsession this month has been Jane the Virgin. I think I’ll do a post at some point on why this show is amazing because I could go on for a while. If you haven’t watched it, then please go. It’s one of the best things I’ve seen in a while.

Credit

I’m currently watching The Tudors and I’m at the beginning of the second series.

What did I learn?

I am way better at answering A Streetcar Named Desire A-Level questions than other texts. It’s my feminist oracle. I will defend Blanche 'til my dying day.

What’s happening next month?

Christmas! I think that’s the biggy. Ooh, and The Last Jedi is out (we all know I will cry when Carrie comes on screen).

What’s been on my mind?

UCAS and offers from universities. I was refreshing my emails almost constantly before I got my offer from my top choice. Now, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Favourite blogger/vlogger?

I’ve been loving Sarah Kirby’s blog at the moment – looking at all her vegan recipes and how to eat vegan in major restaurants etc., which I know I will find really useful both now and in the future.

Favourite post?

I have missed a lot of posts this month, again, due to A Levels. My blog has had to be sacrificed a bit so that I can stay on top of my workload a bit. In future, I’m going to do my best, as I have done the past few weeks, but I’ll let you know: monthly wrap-ups are always going to happen (even if they’re the only post in a month and this section becomes void) and if I miss a post, I’ll most likely write and publish it on a later occasion.

In regards to my favourite post this month, I’d have to say that that would be My First Thoughts on the Menstrual Cup. It would fun to write about what was for me, a very funny and memorable experience.

Biggest inspiration?

The fact that the future actually seems a bit more real now. Like, going to university seems like a tangible thing now. I’m so excited about everything. Also, now that I have the

Any other favourites?


I feel like this has become the podcast section now. Okay, so, Witch Please. Witch Please! I freaking love Witch Please. And not just because of the pun title. I love new perspective I’ve gained on the Harry Potter series, in so many ways, but I don’t feel like my love for it has diminished in any way, probably due to the way that the hosts (Marcelle and Hannah) talk about it with such care and love. This podcast has definitely helped me as a close reader and I would recommend it to anyone who studies English Literature or Film.



If you liked this post you might like: October 2017 | Monthly Wrap Up

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