Tag: feminine hygiene

This is one of the questions we have probably all thought at some point.

Every vagina has its own unique smell that errs more on the side of “this is an actual human body part” than rose petals, strawberries and sweets.

Regardless of what intimate hygiene propaganda might have you believe, above mentioned fragrances have no business near your private parts.

So, what should a vagina smell like?

Generally speaking, the vagina typically smells like mildly fermented milk or musk, but there is also an array of other factors that will

determined/alternate the smell like your menstrual cycle phase, exercising, diet, sex…

What kind of odour should I watch out for?

An overpowering unpleasant (fishy) smell, burning sensation and itchiness may all be the indicators that the vaginal environment has been disturbed

and that there is more bad than good bacteria around, leaving space for very common culprit like bacterial vaginosis.

Luckily, BV is easily cleared up with antibiotics and other products.

There are, of course, other bacteria and inflammations that can cause bad odour, so do visit your gynaecologist if you notice the change in the smell.

Tips for a healthier vagina:

  • wear loose-fitting, comfortable cotton underwear
  • regular exercise
  • keep track of your discharge
  • change out of your sweaty workout clothes and wet swimsuit as soon as possible

Fun fact

Did you know that certain products can change the acidity level of the microflora responsible for your vaginal odour?

For example, citrusy fruits like oranges and other fruits like pineapple can make the smell and taste of vaginal fluids sweeter.

There are topics that we are uncomfortable talking about, even though they are a normal part of our lives. This certainly includes the first period talk. Am I right?

Below you can find some useful tips that will come in handy during this conversation:

When is the right time to talk about menstruation?

Start the conversation as soon as possible. I definitely recommend that you don’t wait until the last moment and start talking about the changes the body goes through during menstruation only right before or even after your child’s first period.

Likewise, don’t plan just one conversation in which you’ll blurt out everything you know about menstruation. Start the conversation several times and each time introduce a different topic (body changes, period product alternatives…)

period panties, talk about period

A positive view of menstruation

Although it’s 2022, society still views menstruation as something dirty and annoying. The key is to present children with menstruation in a positive light and emphasize that it is something completely natural and even beautiful.

Be concise

I don’t think teenagers are interested in long answers to already awkward questions, so keep your answers short, clear and point out the real facts. You can also share your personal experience.

period panties talk about period

Workshop

It might also be a good idea for a teen to visit a period workshop. A person who is no stranger to menstrual conversations creates a safe space where a group of peers can discuss menstruation in a positive light, while also addressing fears and shame and eliminating them with the help of appropriate education.

Some key pointers

Here, of course, you don’t need to present all the useful information at once. It will be enough if you start with tips such as: how to use e.g. inserts (you can also present different sizes).

Be careful to present these instructions in a positive light.

Of course, you can say that menstruation is often accompanied by a painful stomach, sensitive breasts… but also emphasize that there is a simple solution for these symptoms – a warm hot water bottle, herbal tea or (in more severe cases) painkillers

In last week’s newsletter, we talked about how to prevent period leaks.

But what if you haven’t figured out your perfect period alternative yet or forgot your extra period panties at home?

Boom, there is a little red circle on your clothes now. What to do now?

Our Lalipanties

 

FEEL NO SHAME


I know, I know – it is easier said than done, but try not to be embarrassed if you have had a leak while in public – it has happened to the majority of us!

Wrap a sweater or cardigan around your waist for an easy solution.

Bonus tip: always keep a spare pair of period undies or trousers on hand for those heavy days.

Let us now concentrate on attempting to save your favourite clothes and bedding after the leak. Try these stain removal tips, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

 

menstrual flow types blood stain on my clothes

 

FRESH BLOOD

1. Soak the item in cold water (cold water is required because we don’t want to “bake” the stain in with warm water).

2. Apply a bar of soap to the stain.

3. Rub in liquid laundry detergent.

4. Wash in warm water.
 


 
DRIED BLOOD
  1. Make a pre-soaking solution of cold water and laundry detergent.

2. Let the item soak in it for an hour.

3. Before washing, use colour-safe bleach.


SEVERE STAINS

Before washing the item in question, soak for a few hours or overnight in water mixed with bleach-free detergent and a bit of ammonia.

 
Hopefully, these tips will help you leak-proof your life! Catch you next week. 🙂

 

Did you know that period underwear can be pretty and even sexy? 

 

Red LaliPanties are stylish, functional and comfortable solution that will help banish leaking and staining for good, leaving you feeling dry, comfy, and secure.

 

red-lalipanties

 

They are constructed to feel and look like regular undies and are not bulky.

 

But do not let the looks fool you; our period panties are made with an extra protective layer of special material and go all the way up the back allowing you to tackle your period with confidence.

 

Our Lalipanties

 

Depending on how heavy your flow is, these period panties might not be absorbent enough, so we honestly believe that red LaliPanties and LaliCup are a match made in heaven.

You can also try out other panties we offer: from black Lalipanties with 4 extra layers to panties with fun prints ; we have them all. 🙂

All of the LaliPanties are washable and reusable, making them the perfect eco-friendly alternative to disposable sanitary products. Basically, a planet-friendly upgrade to a necessary garment.

 

Red Lalipanties

 

All of the LaliPanties are washable and reusable, making them the perfect eco-friendly alternative to disposable sanitary products. 

Basically, a planet-friendly upgrade to a necessary garment.

 

business talk

Have you ever wondered who is the face behind LaliCup menstrual cup?

Well wonder no more! Mateja, the founder of the brand, has had a Business talk as a trusted partner of Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIS) where she presented our alternative period products, talked about our vision and much more. 🙂

Would you like to hear what she had to say? Just click on the video below and enjoy.

Most of us are interested in saving money in some way or another – I mean, who could say no to a good bargain, an amazing second-hand item or a sale at a favourite shop.

Just wait till you see how much money you could save if you decided to use LaliCup instead of single-use tampons and pads. 

How much does an average period cost? 
 

I need to preface this by saying that there is no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ period.

The amount of period products very much relies on how heavy your flow is. 

Saving Money



 Ok, let’s dive into some data: 
 
On average a person bleeds for four to seven days and menstruates for approximately 38 years (from the age of 13 to the age of 51). 
 
Ok, calculators at the ready! This equates to a grand total of… wait for it… around 450 periods!

 

According to the Women’s Environmental Network (NGO based in London), an average menstruator uses more than 11,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime.

This number of course increases drastically for somebody with (very) heavy flow. 

pads

Tampons

If you usually use tampons that are on the cheaper end of the scale during your period – that will cost you about $578 (€530 or £440) during your fertile period.

But now, as more and more is known about the chemicals used in tampons people are starting to search for more eco and body-friendly tampons which will cost even more – around $2,311 (€2,178 or £1,760). 
 


Pads

If you use pads as a sole period solution, expect to spend roughly $2,745 (€2,515 or £2,090)!

And this is without additional panty-liners that easily add even more on top of your regular tampon or pad spend. 

menstrual cup is cheaper

Is there anything else I’ll need to go with my LaliCup? 

 
Nope! Once you’ve mastered inserting your LaliCup
(pst, you can check our handy videos of different folding techniques),
you’ll be leak-free and period hassle-free for years to come. 

So, with one cup that costs €29, you will get complete freedom during those days for multiple years.

Just imagine how much money you could save.

Are period cups worth it? 

 
With the stats we talked about above, we absolutely think they are!

Not to mention that Mama Earth (one cup can be used for up to 5 years) and your wallet will be much happier with you using a menstrual cup.

So, what are you waiting for, check out our incredible period alternatives. 🙂

As a menstrual cup user, you are probably quite period savvy.

But what would you say if I’d ask you to explain what the difference between a light, medium or heavy flow is?

After all, this is all very subjective as your idea of heavy flow may be something completely different to what your friend is imagining under the same concept.

Let’s have a look at those 3 period flow types:

menstrual flow types
photo source: prevention

LIGHT FLOW

A light flow means a rather small amount of blood, so you will probably need to change your LaliCup only once during the day.

It is very common to have a light flow at the start or at the end of your period when your uterus is finishing up shedding the final bits.



MEDIUM FLOW

There is no universal definition for medium flow.

Menstrual cups are perfect for getting an idea of how much blood you lose during your period, so let’s just say that with medium flow you would definitely fill up our model M LaliCup up to 15 ml volume marker.

 

menstrual cup sizes Lalicup
menstrual cup sizes image

HEAVY FLOW

Heavy period flow is technically defined as a loss of more than 80 ml over the duration of your period.

To put that into a perspective:

Our LaliCup model L can hold 41 ml, so if you easily fill 2 cups, then you would be considered as someone with a heavy flow.

There is also a big chance of blood clots showing up mixed with your blood.


CONCLUSION

To conclude, none of the flow types is inherently good or bad. As long as your menstrual flow is more or less constant, you are good to go.

But if there is a sudden shift in your flow, you might want to check that out with a doctor.

Let’s be honest: we’ve all had the experience of going to the toilet, pulling down our underwear, noticing a different colour discharge than usual, and wondering “Is that normal?”
 
 
Many of these colours are common and are not indicative of underlying illness. But what do they actually mean? 
 
You don’t have to wonder any longer. We created a colour guide just for you. 🙂 

verywell/Laura Porter

What exactly is vaginal discharge?


Discharge is a term that describes the fluid that comes from the vagina. 
 
With it your body eliminates dead vaginal skin cells, bacteria, secretions… and at the same time also keeps your vaginal tissues and reproductive system clean, lubricated and healthy.
 
Because your hormones influence the amount and consistency of the discharge, you may notice different amounts and colours at different time periods (depending on if you are on your period, pregnant etc.) 
Vaginal discharge red

Brown, red, pink


Is common just before or during period. However, if you see red throughout the month, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem, such as an infection. 

vaginal discharge white

White

Discharge in a range of white shades is very common. The shade can extend to cream or light yellow as well. Don’t be concerned about this colour unless your discharge is accompanied by specific cottage-cheese-like textures or strong odours.
 

vaginal discharge grey

Gray

This colour can be a symptom of a common bacterial infection and it also causes other symptoms like strong odour, itching and irritation.

Clear

Clear discharge is the go-to discharge emitted by a healthy body in order to rebalance itself. 

vaginal discharge yellow

Yellow, green

Discharge that is a darker shade of yellow, yellowish-green, or green usually signals a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection.

When to see a doctor?

You should consult your doctor if you have noticed that your vaginal discharge has an unusual smell, texture and/or appearance.

Tampons are still the current internal protection method of choice for most people.


Partly because of the advertisement they receive – they are taught in schools and in health education classes…


 and partly because you see them in literally every shopping centre and pharmacy regardless of what country you live in.


Watching a film and a girl is on her period? I can bet that there is a tampon product placement in that shot.


It is true that cups have come a long way


(fun fact: they are not such a new phenomenon as you would like to imagine. The first patented and usable menstrual cup has been around since 1932)


 but most people are still not sure how to use them and why they should choose a period cup over a tampon.

menstrual cup flower

So here is a quick table that highlights the main differences:
 

                            TAMPON                   MENSTRUAL CUP
 
 
–          absorbent one-time use product


 
–          made up of synthetic fibers
 

 
–          different absorbency levels
 


–          most of the time they come with a plastic applicator


 
–          tampon will sit just below the cervix and you take it out by pulling the string
 
 
 

–  come in different shapes and sizes and have a longer wear time (multiple years)


–          LaliCup is made from FDA approved silicone



–          do not absorb body’s natural moisture



–          no applicator, usage of different folding techniques for insertion
 


–          cups will sit much lower than a tampon and you take it out by breaking the seal (not just pulling for the stem!)
 

Depending on what menstrual cup you use, they can hold between three to six times more than the average tampon.

So if you have a pretty heavy period, cups are the way to go because you can go longer in between having to change the period cup.

menstrual cups

Granted, menstrual cups have a much higher learning curve than the tampon.  With the tampon you just kind of shove it in while you have to get used to folding the cup.


 I am aware that here at Lali team we are a little biased, but that is because LaliCup is more convenient in the long run, more eco-friendly, more comfortable and do not irritate like tampons.


Just ask your amazing cup-using friend if they would like to switch back to tampons. I can bet, that the answer would be a firm no.


How about you, do you use LaliCup?

At the Lali headquarters, we often ask each other what motivates you, our beloved customers, to buy our LaliCup.  

So we decided to list a couple of LaliCup advantages below but would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on the matter. 🙂

THEY ARE AFFORDABLE AND BUDGET FRIENDLY.
You pay a one-time price for a reusable menstrual cup. True, it is a bit of an investment at first. But the cup will last you for years.

DON’T DRY OUT.
Tampons can absorb and strip your vaginal walls of those naturally occurring lining. So when you decide to remove it could make for, well, a rougher trip.

 GREAT FOR HEAVY FLOW
A period cup can hold a lot more fluid than even the most absorbent tampon. Our LaliCups (even model S) were made with greater capacity in mind so you can go longer between emptying your cup and say goodbye to hourly toilet breaks.

menstrual cup

WATER SPORTS OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES? NO PROBLEM!
LaliCup can be used regardless of what physical activities you have planned for the day: dancing, biking, hiking, even swimming; nothing is off limits.

FREE UP YOUR BAG SPACE
Let me guess, you have at least 5 period products in each bag you own, right? With LaliCup, you no longer have to carry around a year worth of supplies in your bag. All you need is your trusty cup – yes, just the one.

Lalicup Team

BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 
Period cups are reusable and can last for several years with proper care; which means you’re not contributing more waste that ends up piling our landfills!

NO MORE RASHES AND ODOUR
You heard that right you can actually get a nappy rash from certain pads. They can also create a moist environment which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, yeast infections and odour.

YOU WON’T EVEN FEEL IT INSIDE YOU
Inserted correctly, a menstrual cup is so comfortable that you won’t even notice it’s there!