Tag: period

  It’s bound to happen.


You could be dining at your favourite restaurant, enjoying on the beach or work late. Sooner rather than later, you’ll have to change your cup… in a public toilet *gasp*.

Questionable hygiene, small space and not-so-clean toilets are common culprits of concern – am I right? But now that you know how to use a menstrual cup, it’s time to take the next step on your less-waste journey, step up your game and bravely change your LaliCup in a public toilet.

In this post, I’m going to share with you our best ways to clean a menstrual cup in public toilets and show you that changing your cup on the go isn’t as scary as it seems.
 

How to do it:


I know you’re worried about not being able to change the cup in the safety of your own bathroom and, in some cases, without a sink nearby.

But the easiest and safest way to clean your menstrual cup on the go is to always have a small bottle of water with you during your period.

1. When you are in a public restroom, place an open bottle of water on the floor. Remove your menstrual cup with one hand and emptiy its contents into the toilet. Take the bottle with your other hand and clean the cup with water over the toilet.

2. Wash off any blood on your fingers with the remaining water left in the bottle.
 
3. Put the cup back in and voila, you are good to go!
 

Extra hint:

If you don’t have a water bottle with you, it’s enough to wipe the cup with soft intimate wipes, or in extreme cases with toilet paper.

P.S. before and after changing the cup, wash your hands in the sink.
 
You can find a demonstrating video of what we just talked about below. Just click on it and you will find out how our boss Mateja goes about cleaning LaliCup in the public toilet:
 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XoxOUjtfyhk

  In order to avoid all the hassle of washing the cup, a lot of menstrual cup users decide to carry an additional LaliCup with them, change it and then simply wash both cups when they get home.
 
Does this method seem more fitting to your need? The extra cup is already waiting for you in our store.
 

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

Did you know that in many cultures, women are considered unclean when they have their period, are even forbidden to enter certain buildings while on their period and are socially excluded or even exiled from their homes?

Yes, period taboos are, unfortunately, still alive and thriving in 2022.

False beliefs surrounding menstruation create an environment where women are deprived of their fundamental rights to their hygiene and health as they prefer to keep silent when it comes to this topic.

 

Why is period still a taboo?

 

The first period is a scary ordeal too often.


Even in societies that see themselves as progressive, menstruation still remains a taboo topic.

In this case, I speak from personal experience. Allow me to tell you a story:

A couple of weeks ago I took my daughter out (treated her to a nice dessert) to celebrate her first period.

I also posted (a now infamous) TikTok video of the two pieces of cake each of us chose while explaining that we are celebrating my daughter’s 1. period.

 

 

In less than a day this video attracted a slew of comments!

Most of them insisting that such content is horrible / discussing and that both of us should feel ashamed – me for bad parenting and my daughter for tolerating this kind of behavior. Video:

@lalicupmenstrualcup

Žur za prvo menstruacijo #LaliCup #prvamenstruacija #menstruacija #tortica#puberteta #menstrualnaskodelica

♬ Yummy – Justin Bieber

 


This made me realize that our society still has a lot of work to do when it comes to period.

Workshop


After that, I came to the conclusion that the best way to stop the cycle of shame is to start educating the new generations about how period is a perfectly natural occurrence and is nothing to be ashamed of.

That is why I started playing with an idea about workshops for teens that are just about to get their first period.

I would like to create a safe space for a group of peers where we can discuss periods in a positive light while also talking about our fears and explaining them away.

What do you think about this little project? Would you come?

Klara Žagar (check her out on IG: @klaraazagar) is an eco-friendly traveler and photographer who is currently living in a van with her husband and a dog. Check out her period experience:

How do you deal with your period in a van?

When living in a van, periods can be tricky, but they do not have to be. That is why I love using a menstrual cup. 6 years ago my friend recommended I try a period cup and that choice made my life during period so much easier – needless to say, I have been an avid user ever since.

How To Deal With Your Period

Why is the most important thing for you when using a cup?

I have so many sizes to choose from (here is our size guide)!

But the biggest plus in my opinion is that a menstrual cup does not have the unpleasant “plasticy” smell that used to bother me so much whit traditional hygiene products.

Not to mention that you can swim with it! Basically, LaliCup gives you a feeling of freedom!

Want to hear more of what Klara has to say (how she changes the cup, where does she put the blood etc?) Check the video below – period segment starts at 4:35. 🙂

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.

 

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.

If I ever checked my LaliCup menstrual cup and saw blue fluid instead of red blood, I think I would have a mini heart attack!

So why do so many sanitary product manufacturers feel the need to use blue liquid when denoting menstrual blood?

What is so disgusting about this red colour that compels ad makers to use a vibrant blue colour that is not naturally occurring in a human body at all?

Advertisements for period products are often silly and unrealistic scenarios, portraying women dancing around in their compulsory white trousers having the best time of their lives.

It is hard to imagine these ads were written by people who have heard of cramps and other discomforts during menstruation let alone had periods themselves. However, for many, these ads are an important and often the only source of information on this topic.

 

Women do not bleed blue!

 

Such advertising reaches a huge audience and has the power to either spread stigma and shame around menstruation or to inform and empower viewers about the reality of periods.

The ubiquitous blue liquid used in many an ad sends mixed signals to young people about what periods are. Not to mention that it subtly suggests period blood is too disgusting to show on TV.

Isn’t it ironic that you could watch a commercial break with “blue period blood” and after that, you would continue on watching a show – sports, medical dramas, action or horror films – where blood (yes, the normal kind) is an everyday occurrence.

 

menstrual cup and blue fluid

 

I would argue that even bigger issue regarding period representation than a silly blue dye in commercials, but this is a can of worms that we will save for another time.

Do not get me wrong, I am not advocating for period blood to be blasted onto every photo, every commercial and conversation we have… but we do have to take the opportunity to speak about our bodies – what is normal and what is not – and maybe things will gradually change, and the information will not be given through the lens of the blue dye of shame.

What do you think about this topic? I am very much interested in your opinion.

Great content! Keep up the good work!

I admit, I sometimes can be a little tired of all the inconveniences period brings. You too? When I started reading about how I can help myself feel better during those days of the month – one of them (obviously :P) being the usage of LaliCup menstrual cup – I realized that I will only be able to really use the potential of this wonderful device to the fullest only once I have learned the basic anatomy of my body.

Now, don’t get frightened, this will not be a lecture on human anatomy with a test at the end.

When it comes to using the menstrual cup, it is especially important to get to know the cervix and pelvic floor muscles more closely. The cervix affects where you will place the period cup in the vagina to perform its task effectively and without discomfort, and that muscles can significantly affect your comfort when using the cup and improve many other areas of your life.

Interested? Do keep on reading.

photo: N.Veger
Pelvic floor muscles

The pelvic floor muscles perform many important functions in a body – they support the vagina, uterus, intestines, bladder and rectum and ensure their proper functioning.

Strengthening these muscles ensures normal urine flow (and prevents incontinence), increases sexual pleasure, and helps make the menstrual cup more enjoyable and effective.
photo: N.Veger
How to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles?

After childbirth, it often happens that the muscles become loose. You can strengthen them mainly by performing exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, also known as Kegel exercises.

With the help of vaginal balls, you can perform the exercises two times a day for 5 minutes, thus improving sexual pleasure, incontinence problems and the menstrual user experience.

Next time, let me tell you more about the cervix!

Have a lovely day. 🙂