#softcup

[tolinfinity]

✨So... I tried the Softcup cause baby wanted to give me dick & it was an... interesting situation LMAO. This is a little different than what y’all are used to but it was fun & I’m happy to share some info with y’all. Periods are fun 😉

[ppzbrand]

Can't get enough blush lingerie? Bra: http://i.ppz.com/2gDS9e4 Garter: http://i.ppz.com/2yKs3MI

[shaliomar]

Softcup or DivaCup?

About five years ago I made the Great Switch and gave up tampons and pads forever. I purchased a DivaCup at my college’s feminist sustainable intersectional co-op coffeehouse (they sold it right there at the counter) and I’ve never looked back. Once I figured out how to use it, the DivaCup changed my life forever and I quickly started spreading the gospel.

After five years of using the DivaCup I am still 100% in love with it and that love has just been renewed after a recent week of finding myself without it. 

The DivaCup

A short summary of why I love the DivaCup:

Forget your period! The number one thing that I love the most is that it lets me forget I even have a period for the ENTIRE DAY. I change it when I wake up, I change it when I go to sleep, and that’s that. No rushing to the bathroom to see if my tampon has leaked through, no waiting until I can change soggy pads, no gross feeling of blood exiting my body.

Sustainable and economical! As long as I’m not losing my DivaCups (like I did when I traveled two months ago…) just one will last me years! Say goodbye to wasting money on a box of tampons or pads every few months.

Comfort! It feels better. It really does. I truly hated the feeling of dragging a cotton wad out of my body (especially if it was a light day and the tampon was kind of dry) and the DivaCup gets rid of that feeling. Even if it’s the very beginning or end of my period, I can still use it without discomfort. And of course, no pads, which always felt like diapers to me.

Carefree! You can leave it in for a super long time (in emergencies I’ve definitely left it in longer than the recommended 12 hours) and not have images of Toxic Shock Syndrome running through your head.

Travel friendly! I’ve traveled a fair amount in the last five years to different countries and regions with different products and ideas about menstruation. Having the DivaCup means I never again have to worry about if I’ll be able to find tampons in whatever place I’ll be. Plus, it comes in a cute floral pouch that makes it discreet for carrying.

Another reason I like the DivaCup is that it has made me more comfortable with my body and my menstruation. It makes it very clear how much blood/uterine lining/etc that you’re losing and during what part of your period that happens. It makes me more aware of what is normal for my body and more comfortable with my anatomy as well.

Here are some things to be aware of with the DivaCup:

Cut that stem. It comes with a stem but I had to just cut the whole thing off because it poked me and was uncomfortable. Once I did that, it was perfect and I couldn’t feel it at all.

Learning curve. There’s a learning curve, so use it with a backup as you’re getting used to figuring out the best way for you to insert it and remove it.

Public bathrooms. It’s annoying and difficult to change if you’re in a public or shared bathroom where the sink is in a common area. I’ve done it both covertly and proudly, but it’s still kind of annoying to dump it, rinse it, and then go back into a stall to reinsert it.

I figured I would be using the DivaCup forever and never need to worry about that kind of thing again. However, I recently went on a short trip and forgot to bring my DivaCup! I had some emergency tampons, but after a day of that I immediately remembered how much I didn’t like them in the first place. I didn’t want to go buy a new DivaCup, so I made some calls to the local CVS locations and decided to try out the Softcup.

The Softcup: General

Softcup! The first design for a period product that promises mess-free period sex! Apparently Flex just bought Softcup so now Softcup might be called Flex soon. Either way, it’s a collection cup tampon alternative that claims to give you the option of mess-free sex.

Like the DivaCup, the Softcup is another type of menstrual product that catches the blood inside of you. However, the design and placement on insertion differ. The DivaCup is designed like a mini rounded silicone shot glass. On the other hand, the Softcup has a semi-rigid rim with a soft shallow plastic-like pouch to catch the blood.

The DivaCup sits just inside your vaginal canal, but the Softcup is inserted so that it sits right below the cervix and the rim is tucked behind the pubic bone. That means it is essentially out of the way of the vaginal canal. Please note that because it sits right under the cervix, the Softcup is not recommended for those who have an IUD. Because the cup part (more like an open pouch) is soft and it is tucked away behind the pubic bone, it leaves the vagina clear for penetrative activities (Softcup is NOT a contraceptive).

So I tried the Softcup for a few days and also happened to be visiting with my partner so I got to find out if this miracle product lived up to its claims.

First, general thoughts:

It’s pretty easy to insert once you realize that you’re supposed to angle it down rather than up like tampons and menstrual cups. Unlike menstrual cups where you have to figure out the right way to fold it, you just pinch the Softcup rim so that it is small enough to insert. I also found it easy to remove—you just hook your finger on the rim and it slides out.

You can’t feel it once it is inside of you, which is good.

It was about $12 at CVS (less with coupons and whatnot) for 14 12-hour disposable Softcups. Apparently they make a reusable kind, but honestly $12 for 7 full days of a menstrual product isn’t that enticing. My $30 DivaCup lasts me literally years so it’s already a better investment after a few cycles (depending on how many days your period lasts).

I noticed more leaking and had to consistently wear little panty liners throughout the whole time I wore the Softcup. Maybe I didn’t get the suction right when I inserted it? But it says that it should mold itself to my “unique internal shape”.

Disposal is weird. When I took it out I just don’t know what to do with it. It seems weird to just throw it into the trash as a cup full of blood but it doesn’t make sense to wash it out in the sink if I’m just going to throw it away? I tried wrapping it in toilet paper but it takes a lot of paper since it’s literally an open pouch of blood.

Honestly I wasn’t overly thrilled with it at this point. It seemed to work as well as a tampon with the comfort of the DivaCup but I was annoyed by the leakage. Of course, this was just the first time using it, so there’s that.

The Softcup: Sex?!

Now for The Test. My partner and I have a long distance relationship, so when we do get to see each other it is very annoying if I’m on my period. I figured this was the perfect time to try out the Softcup. 

It was… fine. I know, not a ringing endorsement, but really it was fine. The main thing: it seems to work! I did, indeed, have generally mess-free sex on my period. My partner and I concluded that it didn’t feel that much different, except a bit drier than usual and maybe not as deep.

Later, we tried it out again but I ended up taking the Softcup out. My partner enjoyed it more without it and I agreed, though it wasn’t a huge drastic change. It just felt a little deeper and more lubricated.

I do have to say one thing though: if you have penetrative sex with the Softcup, I would suggest taking it out and reinserting it before going on with your life (like sleeping). I suppose the motion from “rigorous activities” can dislodge it from its suction fit. When I did NOT adjust it after having sex with the Softcup I woke up the next day with bloody underwear 😞

Final Thoughts

So. Final thoughts: Right now I am back at home and wearing my amazing DivaCup and it feels great. As in I don’t feel it at all and I also don’t have any leakage to worry about. The Softcup was a cool experience and I think I prefer it to tampons even with the leaking. Also, the leaking could just be due to me figuring out how to use them for the first time. It is also cool to have the option of mess-free sex.

However, when put up against the DivaCup, I gotta say that the DivaCup wins. I found the Softcup to be less reliable and more messy. Additionally, the price point on a disposable product really is not an incentive. Personally, I would probably keep this on hand only for those times when my period comes at an inopportune time and I wanted some worry-free intimate time with my partner.

But til then, DivaCup still rules my menstrual world <3

[saaltwear]

Peeing With Your Period Cup

If you’ve ever dealt with unpredictable periods, postpartum recovery, or staying active while managing leaks, you’ve probably wondered: Can you pee with a menstrual cup in? The short answer—yes, absolutely.

A menstrual cup sits in the vaginal canal, collecting period flow. Pee comes from the urethra, a separate opening right above it. Two different “exits,” two different jobs. That means your Saalt Cup won’t block your pee or need to be removed every time you go to the bathroom. 

Every body is unique, so some people may notice a slightly slower urine stream or a little pressure at first. That’s usually just the cup sitting a bit low or angled differently. A small adjustment—re-inserting toward your tailbone or ensuring the cup is fully open—usually solves it. And remember: peeing is normal with your cup in, but if you’re having a bowel movement and it shifts, just reset it. Click here for some more pro-tips on how to insert a menstrual cup. And if your cup continues to slow your stream, you might consider a small and/or soft cup. 

For extra peace of mind, pairing your cup with Saalt period underwear gives you backup protection for heavy days, sneezes, laughs, or postpartum surprises. It’s confidence on every level—no towel-nights, sweater-wraps, or panic dashes needed.

Your body was designed for this. With practice and the right fit, peeing with your Saalt Cup in becomes second nature. Live leak-free, confidently, and sustainably—you’ve got this.Saalt is a sustainable period care brand working to support everyone who menstruates. They dedicate themselves to creating clean, high-performance products that are better for you and the planet. Their ethically made period cups and period underwear are for professional athletes, office workers, adventurers, and those new to their cycle. For a process that is natural and essential, Saalt offers something just as natural and straightforward.

Original Source

[shebydivine-blog]

When high fashion clothes meets high fashion lingerie🖤🖤🖤 . #shebydivine #sbd #highfashion #highfashionmodel #model #malaysia #kl #lingeriesexy #lingeriesexy #lingerieaddict #lingerieaddict #lace #lacebra #softcup #trianglebra #asia #details #goodnight #night #inspiration #designer #designs #handmade #tailormade #evening #robe #designerclothes #designermalaysia (at Kuala Lumpur)

[debutlingerie-blog]

Красивое новое нижнее белье 👙 даже лучше, чем мороженное 🍦 На дольше хватает радости! Поможем подобрать нужный комплект. Эмоции в подарок!))) . #debutlingerie #handmadelingerie #silklingerie #softcup #provance #lace #luxurylingerie #meshlingerie #kiev #бельеназаказ #бельекиев (Pecherskyi District)

[fazbear]

anyways it's 3am so this post is gonna be a little tmi but i bought a box of softcups today and i really liked it. i'll probably wear one as long as I can tomorrow bc i didn't want to sleep with it in until i knew how much of my flow it can hold application was different but easy and i can't feel it at all. i didn't need the pad i wore as back up and i was able to cam with it!! my client couldn't even see it on camera so he doesn't even know i'm on my period removal was a little messy, but not too difficult. i'm not squeamish with blood so i don't mind. besides, period blood is pretty clean since it's meant to nourish a growing baby so far, i'm liking the cup more than tampons and if i continue to like them then so might invest in the reusable one

[specsnsarcasm]

I Tried... the DivaCup!

I finally broke down and got a DivaCup! I’ve been wanting to get one for years (so that I can start womaning in the zombie apocalypse)!

(WARNING: This post discusses anatomy and physiology, namely menstrual periods. If this makes you squeamish, then go and have a cookie while the grown folks are talking. Language, at times, nsfw].  

Menstruating Michonne is sick of the Governor’s shit.

A DivaCup is a pretty big investment for something that you can’t try out beforehand, and that you’re not even sure you’ll be able to use! At $40 CAD, they’re usually freakin' expensive, but they were on sale at my local drugstore for $32 (so only just kind of freakin' expensive. lol). In the past, I wasn’t ready to commit to a DivaCup, so I tried the much cheaper “Softcups” ($5 for a pack of 5) to get a feel for the ease of use and comfort of a menstrual cup. The two are slightly different animals (more on that later). I should mention that I’m typically a pad girl. I’ve used tampons before, but I don’t find them comfortable. And with a heavy flow, I like the security and relative no fuss of pads.

Before I purchased the Diva, I read some testimonies. Many said it was difficult to get the hang of; however, I figured with my Softcup experience it wouldn’t be that bad, so I set to task.

The principle behind a Softcup and the DivaCup is the same: you fold it, insert it, it catches your menstrual fluid inside the body, and you empty it later. However, where they do this differs slightly. The opening of the DivaCup is much smaller than that of the Softcup because the DivaCup is meant to suction around the cervix (where menstrual fluid leaks from), whereas the Softcup is just meant to sit further down (in the vagina) and catch the fluid there. It’s like catching water from a dipping tap right at the tap itself vs in the sink. Also, Softcups are disposable, whereas DivaCup is reusable.

The DivaCup is made of soft silicone that is roughly the consistency of the hardest part of your ear cartilage. It's more structured than the Softcup, which is essentially just a plastic baggie attached to a Livestrong bracelet. lol. Because the Softcup is more flexible, I found it easier to insert. You kind of have to hook your fingers on the underside of the baggie (”cup”) and pull the lip of the ring forward so that it catches and rests inside, at the edge of your pubic bone. If it’s tilted or not level, including when you sit/lie down/move, it’s more prone to leaks, but since it is a cheaper product, I figured it was a bit of a compromise anyway.  

There is no “hooking” and “catching” with the DivaCup. You fold it, insert, push it back, let go, and the suction holds it in place. You can squeeze it again to re-position/re-suction it, until it’s sealed around your cervix. There are four small air holes under the rim of the cup to make sure the suction can be released (so you don’t have to worry about it getting stuck!).    

The first time I tried it (Day 1 of my period), I was elated that I seemed to “get it” on the first try! Don’t get me wrong - it wasn’t easy or instantly comfortable. I kept checking incessantly throughout the day, to see how full the cup was getting, and/or if I was leaking (I really had no idea about volume or rate of menstrual fluid I was producing because I was used to it all just disappearing into a pad). Each time I tried to reinsert, it seemed to get less and less comfortable, and into a worse position. The stem that you use to pull it out (picture a long stem of a funnel) kept rubbing uncomfortably against my opening. It wasn’t until later, when I read the instructions better, that I saw you could actually cut it shorter to reduce irritation (tip: DO THIS!!!).

One of the major selling points of the DivaCup is that you can wear it for up to 12 hours without the fear of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) that is often associated with long wear and super-absorbent tampons (Note: beware of abrasions during insertion/removal, however, as the staph bacteria that causes TSS can enter the bloodstream this way). It seemed easiest to re-position in the shower, and I wore it to bed that night. The next day when I woke up, I was looking forward to not having to do the morning mad-dash to the loo. (You know the one: dashing to the bathroom for fear of the mega tsunami that will occur as a result of suddenly standing up). There wasn’t the usual monsoon, but there was some leakage, which was somewhat disappointing (thank goodness for the back-up pad!). I initially thought that with the DivaCup, I’d only *maybe* need a pantyliner. NOPE! Especially not when you’re first figuring things out. As with the “Softies”, I was never really sure it was in the right place. Sometimes it *felt* like it was, but I’d leak! Other times, it felt uncomfortable and I was sure it wasn’t in the right place, but it was! It took me a few days to realize that additional manoeuvring and using a finger to feel 360* all the way around (to make sure it was sealed) was almost ALWAYS needed. Just hoping that it will “pop” into the right place (like the instructions say) won’t cut it, no matter how comfortable it feels. Sometimes it stays folded in a kidney-bean shape inside you, without unfolding (e.g. when its not in the right place, and is not around the cervix, but rather in front or behind it). But it NEEDS to open up all the way into “O” shape so that it can fit flush around/against the cervix, and the fluid doesn’t spill over the caved side.

PROS: 

F*cking Freedom!!! Today is Day 3 of my period (a heavy day). I sat through a 3 hour lecture, two 2 hour bus rides, lunch with a friend, and DID NOT LEAK for 9 hours!!! Eventually, I leaked after that. I should have emptied WELL before the 9 hours, but my guy friend was waiting for me outside the loo at the restaurant, and I didn’t want to take it out in a public restroom, and risk either dropping it the toilet OR not being able to put it back in correctly (time & ease of use are definite CONS for a beginner).      

No un-suctioning. With the Softcup, the opening of the ring had a tendency to shift when I sat down. Although I was worried that this would happen with the DivaCup, if it was properly positioned, it didn’t shift.   

No smell. Unlike pads, which can smell like the decaying carcass of some animal (sorry! lol), there is NO smell whatsoever! Seriously! I got all up in that business to check! (Hey! I’m doing this for you, people! lol).

Cleaner feel*. You feel cleaner both because of the lack of smell, and because you don’t have to feel wet fluids against your skin, like a diaper. *However, it is messier on your hands (see: below). 

Saving money. Reusing it will hopefully save me $$$, long term.

Environmentally friendly. I generally like to think of myself as an environmentally conscious person. I recycle, take public transport, reduce water consumption, etc. However, when it comes to my period, I’m NOT f^cking around!! lol. Before, I didn’t really think about how much waste my (plastic) pads were generating because periods were an unavoidable evil and they were a necessity, not a luxury. Besides, you mean to tell me that I’m required to bleed and feel generally shitty for almost a quarter of every damn month until I’m 50, and now you want me to wear some rough, natural hemp, Cherokee hair tampon (South Park reference) bullsh- that costs twice as much, and protects HALF as well??! F^ck you! Luckily, a menstrual cup is a positive solution to cutting waste without having to compromise on protection or comfort.

Fewer Cramps! I know. Before you call “bullsh*t”, hear me out. It seems highly unlikely that the method in which you catch your menstrual blood has anything to do with what’s going on in your uterus. But for some reason my cramps weren’t as bad with the cup! Especially in the first three days (usually the worst). They’re certainly not gone altogether, but there were fewer, and less severe. Maybe it has something to do with the suction against your cervix? Or maybe its the cup forcing the vagina to retain its shape? Not allowing your bowels to kick you from inside? idk. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. 

The Gross factor. This might be a “con” for some people, and maybe I’m just a gross weirdo,  but I find it so incredibly satisfying to see your cup fill up. I don’t know why! Maybe it’s because it has always been kind of a mystery to me before - always disappearing into pads or tampons, but it’s fascinating to see how much your body produces, and see the “blood” so neatly collected in its unadulterated state. When I take out a full cup, I feel like a Druid priestess ready to spill a chalice of blood into the dirt in some primeval ritual (See? I am a weirdo! lol). Joking aside, it did make me more familiar with my period, if that makes sense. It’s no longer disappearing, out of sight, out of mind. You’re forced to confront it.

Easy to clean. I rinsed it whenever I emptied it, if a sink or dedicated water bottle was available, washed it once a day (usually in the shower), with a little mild soap. There is a special DivaWash that you can buy, but I find there’s no need. At the end of my cycle, I got a small pot that I never used for anything else, boiled my cup to sanitize it, dried it, and stored it away until next month in the cute little pouch that came with it!      

CONS:

Time & Ease of use. As a beginner, it's pretty cumbersome to put in at first. On the first day, I spent so much time in the loo adjusting and re-adjusting that both my mother AND my cousin independently remarked how much time I was spending in the bathroom (which is pretty embarrassing). I mean - they’re women too, so they understand, but in general, when people wonder why you’re spending so much time in the bathroom, it’s a THING! haha.

The Confidence Factor. The DivaCup is a bit tricky to get the hang of at first, and until you do, you never feel entirely secure. Expect to use back-up pads. With pads, you can feel whether or not you’re catching fluid (or leaking), but here, you’re letting gravity work, and kind of just hoping (and praying) that the cup in the right place doing its job. To add, sometimes you might think you’re leaking because there’s blood when you wipe or in your underwear. But it could just be the left over blood that has dripped down into the vagina while the cup was removed. It’s NOT free-falling blood. (This frustrated me for a while and I kept reinserting, thinking I was doing something wrong until I figured this out). Two things will happen at first: 1) Either you’ll constantly check to reassure yourself that it’s working, OR 2) You’ll think you’re secure when you’re NOT and will find out the hard way that it’s not in the right place. 

(R’uh r’oh). 

Initial cost. I’m hoping that this will pay for itself in a few months; especially when I get the hang of it and no longer need to wear back-up pads. It’s an investment, and as such, it can be a bit painful (financially) on the front end. However, in the mean time I am currently using two menstrual products (though I don’t have to replace the pads as often). 

Discomfort #1. The first discomfort comes when you insert the Cup. Even when I roll it/squeeze it/fold it into the tiniest folded kidney-bean shape it can go, the Diva is painful. It’s kind of too big for my opening (I know! my *vagine* is a dainty, delicate little treasure that’s only big enough to fit secrets and unicorn smiles. Haha). So I kind of have to force it a little, which hurts. If I tilt it so that I ease it in at an angle, the cup doesn’t pop into the place, so I kind of have to choose between a good fit OR no initial pain (which is no f*cking choice at all!). Before you ask: yes, I’m relaxed when I insert; no, I’m not clenching. Wetting the rim of the cup with water before insertion helps, and you can always re-position it inside later. 

Discomfort #2. The second discomfort, I’ve mentioned, comes from the stem rubbing against the vaginal opening. This is a BIG discomfort! Ideally, the stem is not supposed to touch anything. This is true when you’re standing, and it’s flexible, so it bends when you sit. However, it’s quite long (to allow you to hold it for removal), and it’s ribbed for better grip. Fine. However, this causes it to rub against the lower vaginal opening (aka the fourchette, or frenulum of labia minora). It’s quite irritating & distracting (though less-so, the higher it sits). If you cut the stem, it’s much better, imo.

Discomfort #3. When the cup is TOO full (i.e. brimming), it kind of feels like an ache inside you, like a cramp. I suspect this is from the weight of the full cup pulling down on your cervix. It’s a minor difference your body picks up on. You’ll definitely become more aware of it the more used to it you get, then you'll probably want to hightail-it to the loo, because spillage is imminent! Just don’t let it get too full (if you can help it).

Mess. This is a BIG one too, and it goes hand in hand with the #1 CON on my list: “time/ease of use”. Emptying the cup is a bloody mess! (yes, pun intended. Haha). When I’m at home in my bathroom, or somewhere where there’s a personal sink or water bottle beside me, it’s less of a problem. However, in a public bathroom, it’s a bit of a balancing act. Removing the cup can be messy depending on how full it is when you release the suction, you have to empty the cup into the toilet without spilling, your hands WILL get messy. (No matter how skilled you are, a DivaCup will come for your manicure! There will be blood. Heads up. Wash your hands), you have to try not to drop the cup in the toilet, you have to clean yourself up, and wipe the cup down so that you can reinsert it. It’s less messy if you are able to rinse before re-insertion, otherwise you’re kind of coming at this bloody from both sides, to paint a not so delicate picture. 

Difficulty peeing. After working so hard to get my cup in the right position, I’m not too eager to go through the entire process all over again every time have to pee. Yes, you can pee with the cup in (nbd); however, I found that it takes longer to empty my bladder. My stream is weaker even if I really have to go! It might be because there’s a rigid object physically taking up real-estate where there wasn’t before, pressing against things and thus constricting the flow. But you can always take the cup out to pee too, if you prefer. It’s not a big deal, just worth noting. 

Anatomy. This is not really a CON for me, but I realize it might be for some people, especially those who haven’t really explored their bodies yet. I think everyone should know their bodies, at least from an anatomical perspective. Know the location and function of: your cervix, vagina, vulva, labia (majora and minora), clitoris, urethra, etc. There’s nothing shameful about knowing about your nose or eye! These are parts of your anatomy and physiology too! And a matter of your health! You’d be surprised how many people still don’t know their own equipment. No judgement. BUT if you are the product of a failed sex-ed system, or parents who were too embarrassed to teach you, try to take it upon yourself to get informed. Know what you’re talking about so that people who DON’T own your equipment can’t try to tell you what to do with it (another topic for another day)! I know that not everybody is comfortable with it. I wasn’t when I was younger! For the longest time, nothing went UP, which is why tampons weren’t my favourite! Anyway, with the DivaCup, you definitely have to become comfortable with putting a finger inside your vagina and feeling to make sure things are secure.

 Final Thoughts: 

I had high hopes for the DivaCup. Initially, I (rather naively) believed that it would put an end to ALL of my period woes in the same way that I erroneously thought that “going natural” would free me from bad hair for the rest of my life (HA!). I just traded one set of problems for another. Alas, there are no easy answers! There are pros and cons to everything. This is only my first period with the DivaCup, and as with everything, there’s a learning curve. I suspect it’ll get much easier with time.

I’m not trying to discourage people from using this product. And I’m sorry if I’m making it sound overly complicated. It isn’t, really! I’m just trying to be thorough, and report on my personal experience, so that I can help someone who is thinking of buying it, or who is having the same experiences as I am to know they’re not alone. I’ll just say that it is important to keep trying to find out what works for you. Don’t just use the same products that your mother got you for your first period because it’s familiar! Experiment! Find out if there’s something better! 

Good luck! <3

(Note: This is just my own personal experience. I have no medical expertise, no ties to the company, and did not receive any compensation for writing about these products. I know there are other menstrual cups out there that may work just as well, if not better! Do your research and find out what’s right for you!).

Month two with my Diva: Things are SO much easier! I got the hang of it right away again. I was worried I had forgotten all I had learned the previous month, but I found that I was actually excited for my period to come, just so I could practice (wtf, right?)! You can’t really practice when you’re not on your period because the shape of your uterus changes when your on vs. off your period (it hangs lower), so it’s not really the same shape or fit.  BUT so far:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TWO MONTH UPDATE:

No accidents.

No leaks. 

Yes, back-up pad... for now (what am I, nuts?!). 

I cut the ENTIRE stem off. Game. Changer. The instructions say an inch or whatever, but f^ck that!  

Tomorrow is day 3 of my period. I might even do just the cup + a liner! Check me out! I like to live dangerously.

If I can do this, you can too. You’ve got this! <3