So, you probably shouldn't get a pet just for this purpose. But. If you have a cat, especially one willing to nap on your lap, they work pretty well for mild cramps, lol.
rice bags or wheat bags are great alternatives to hot water bottles!!!! ive literally been using them my whole life and the few times ive used a hot water bottle, ive much preferred my rice bag. its slightly weighted, which tends to help my pain, and its much more floppy and mouldable to your body! literally never gonna get a hot water bottle after that horror story haha - just get rice/wheat bags! (or make them yourself as you said! some even have lavender scents hehe)
Also in the summer you can put them in the freezer for a few hours and use them for cooling purposes! Laying down with a cold wheat bag on the forehead is heavenly on hot days
Super agree. I've always found that hot water bottles can't conform to my body by nature of their shape so are just less useful. I recently was given a heat bag that has these things called 'lupins' in them and it holds heat even better than wheat! I think they are a kind of legume?
for me disposable period products just isn't the sustainability hill i'm willing to die on seeing as periods are already so stressful and i don't think it's right to expect myself to feel guilty on top of that. that being said menstrual cups are amazing!!
Agreed, I gave myself a hard time recently for switching back to disposable pads when my period got dramatically heavier (thanks to the copper coil), but realised that it’s okay to let yourself adjust to new things like this without also feeling bad about how you cope with it! I’m hoping period pants may be the solution for me, but in the meantime Ill remember to be kind to myself 😊
It's also worth pointing out that reusable products are quite an investment compared with regular, drug store period products. It helps to have the disposable income so you can shop around and find what works.
Agreed! I started using a cup in the 90's and never looked back. It was just so much more convenient. I used cups from my early 20's till menopause. In all that time I only bought 2 cups and only because you need to get a different size after kids. With the exception of pads right after childbirth, I think I spent $40 on period products in 20+ years. Fem hygiene products are expensive these days, when I bought my cups I think the were about $20 each. I saved so much money over the years.
I use reusable when I'm at home - big fan fo both pads and cups. But, when traveling or hiking, it is just so much more convenient to have disposables. My middle ground is to buy organic cotton ones that don't contain any plastic and aren't owned by the big bad brands like P&G.
I just checked my family's hot water bottle for that sign you showed and it doesn't have that but it does say "Made in West-Germany" 😳 So it's safe to say it's at least 30 years old As an alternative we also use pillows filled with cherry stones, you just heat then in the microwave and then they're warm for a while.
My family's hot water bottle is also "made in West-Germany" and it is still being used :D I guess it's fine as long as there are no holes in it and you don't put it directly onto your skin
one thing i wish someone said to me when i was younger about menstual cups. I grew up scared/grossed out of my own body, especially my reproductive organs. Society definitely makes people grossed out about vulvas/vaginas, so i internalised that. So i've always used pads, because the idea of tampons freaked me out. Growing up i wanted to challenge my own prejudices against my own body, so i bought a menstual cup. I would never go back, honestly. On top of all the positive (cheap long term, no odor, long period of time without having to change etc), i has really helped me understading my body better and treating it as a precious thing and not something to be ashamed of. It wasnt even that hard to master, it only took, like, a couple of periods before i could do it on less than 3 minutes and with no leakeage. So, if someone is unsure to switch to menstual cups because they are not used to getting close to their genitalia, i would say to give it a try! I was so glad i did! (Of course it has to be something you want to do, if that causes you great distress dont force it)
Preach! I was really lucky because even though it's still disposable, my mom always emphasized that you should be comfortable with yourself and just provided us with bleach free and applicator free tampons. Even as a teenager when my decisions about purchasing were pretty slim, I felt really empowered and good about the fact that I wasn't throwing away a bunch of plastic, just a little bit of cling wrap. I also was more prepared when disaster struck! Some of my friends chose toilet paper over the same size tampon that I had to offer because they didn't know how to use it.
for the sake of adding a different perspective: the only thing i can use is cloth pads, or disposable pads if i'm travelling and won't be able to wash the cloth ones. putting anything up there freaks me out and makes me dysphoric. cloth pads don't do the thing that disposable pads do where they fold at the edges, though with the thinnest ones i have i do occasionally bleed through them (rarely, though, and only on the very very heaviest day). i get less chafing with cloth pads. i find that if i wear boxers over them, they stay in place much more easily - that might not work for everyone, but for me i would be doing that at least sometimes to ease the dysphoria anyway so... yeah.
I believe Modi bodi recently brought out a boxers range, as well as more disability friendly styles that undo at the sides etc. I have been using them for years and can honestly say that they are worth the investment if you can afford a pair or two!
Yesss I love my cloth pads! They're way more comfortable, don't crinkle when you sit, and if you're a bit crafty you can even make your own. I made mine out of a thin fleece blanket and an old flannel shirt
This is the best video I've ever seen. You talked about how it is, no glamor just facts. Oversharing? More like educating the population on important menstrual health topics! And I BLOODY love how this is a Halloween video! 5 stars 10/10
Hot water bottle alternative: I highly recommend sewing wheat or barley into a little bag that you can microwave. If you want to use recycled fabric, it actually works really well to cut off a section of an old jeans leg so you have a tube, and then you just have to sew the two ends shut!
I'd just make sure to make it out of natural fibres, not sure what heating synthetic materials would do. And also watch the bag when you're heating it, in case of fire. 😅
Thank you for acknowledging that all products aren’t possible for all people. Lessens the ‘guilt’. And for those who have to use something unsustainable, don’t stop looking for other areas of life where you can be more sustainable.every little change is helpful, but one person can’t make all the little changes, we’re all different. My advice for holding pads of any type securely is two pairs of underpants, one with wings round then another over the top. And if needed, black bike shorts as well.
I've used Always all my life because that's what my mom used, and I recently took a free pad from a bathroom in a college, and it was SO comfortable that I felt instantly duped. I thought Always was as good as it gets, which, when finally compared, is so sad. But I also want to do something more sustainable as I move away from Always. So thank you! I'll try the Ruby cup. The washable underwear sounds cool but I am so bad at doing laundry in a timely fashion I feel like that wouldn't work out for me.
Medicine and snacks are something I don't stress myself out about when it comes to packaging. It's not *my* fault the industry hasn't innovated how to package cheetos better. In regard to the water bottle alternative, I just use an electric heating pad. I've found that I'm too lazy to reheat rice packs.
Cherry stone cushions for hot water bottle alternatives! I grew up with them so never actually used water bottles, and they are great. You just put them in the microwave for a couple of minutes, wrap them in a towel/blanket so they aren't too hot on your body, and boom - instant comfort. And the best thing is that they are more 'flexible' than hot water bottles because they are literally filled with cherry stones. 100% recommend!
I second this! My family have always used these too and they've had some from before I was born that are still perfectly usable. It's safer, easier to use and much more sustainable! They are also machine washable if necessary.
100% second this. I have two cherry stone bags on me right now. We love them. I might have to sew new covers for the ones we have (up to ~25 years old) as they are getting threadbare. Highly recommend.
Bonus of rice bags (I filled an old sock with rice and tied it shut lol): in the summer you can throw them in the freezer and put them in your bed on hot nights - reverse hot water bottle! They get delightfully cool, but not painfully frozen, so you can comfortably cuddle them like a frosty stuffed animal. I can't use internal protection, so I swear by cloth pads. They are definitely not all created equal though. The sliding around in your underwear is down to the material on the back. Some pads will have a smooth, plastic-y type material on the back, which tend to slip, but there are many other materials like fleece, or cotton that stay put perfectly. For anyone interested in cloth pads, I would highly recommend getting them off etsy. There's a ton of different shapes, materials, sizes, absorbencies and even cute prints available, and most are handmade. Once you find the shape that works for you they are sooooo much more comfortable than disposable pads, they're much easier to change on the go than undies (though I do love period undies for sleeping), I find them way easier to clean (I don't rinse them after use, just soak them in cold water before machine washing) and they don't smell!
I prefer being able to wear my favourite comfy bad days undies with a soft reusable pad (granted it took a few tries to find a brand that worked for me) that can be easily machine washed. I used to get hives and blisters around my crotch every period from the adhesive of disposable pads - so reusable pads have been life changing for me.
For me it wasn't the adhesive but the friction that was painful so I changed to period panties that don't ride around as much but preferably even better menstrual cups.
@@niki3722 same! the friction is the worst and I think because pads are made of that slightly plasticy stuff around the edges they kind of catch and rub more
@@orladdin yes exactly I could even feel the ridges in the pattern on the pad I also hated the smell of them and how they always stick to the skin/hair
I love fabric pads for days I’m laying bout the house! I still haven’t quite figured out how to use them while out and about at work or school because what do you do when you need to change them? Do you carry around the used pad in your bag? I do love that I can easily make them at home though with my sewing machine! Very easy to do and tons of nice tutorials here on RUclips
Pads are my go to unless I am at home. Reusable products just don’t work for me when I’m out of the house for work for 10-14 hours a day. Period pants smell terrible after a while (like after wearing them for a few hours) and can’t be worn all day from my experience. The idea of emptying my diva cup at work in a tiny cubicle is the most stressful thing ever as well. Also as someone that moves around a lot in my sleep the reusable pads are the absolute worst when I’m sleeping. I trusted it once and never again. It made it worse that that happened the night I had changed my sheets.
you can keep a cup in for 12 hours and it shouldn't smell. If you fill up a cup multiple times in 12 hours it does sound like a hassle though. And your flow would be pretty heavy.
Pretty much where I’m at, as well. I like the idea of reusable products, but just…can’t figure out the logistics?? On heavy days I change out an overnight pad every couple of hours, so there’s no way a cloth pad or period panty would last a full work day, and carrying around a purse full of blood soaked fabric is gonna be a nope from me 😬
@@Freya407 For me cloth pads far outlast disposable overnight ones. I used to have to change pads every 2 hours but now with the cloth ones I can go a good 8 hours with one, longer if I wish but then it tends to not feel too comfortable. I have a copper IUD and days 4-5 of my periods used to be horrible.
So true and your supposed to wash the cups after emptying them so your not gonna exactly do that infront of everyone in a work bathroom with a public bathroom sink
i grew up getting weighted bean/rice animals from a local artist (they're called grandpa's garden) rather than hot water bottles. i love them so much. they live in my freezer and act as ice packs (i have an unfortunate tendency of running into things), but pop them into the microwave when i have cramps and they are incredible. also, exceptionally good for headaches/migraines and when you're feeling overwhelmed and just need a weight on you, i heat them up/cool them down and lay them across my eyes or chest. i've had one that looks like a dog most of my life and a few years ago got my partner a bunny and they still look/perform as good as new.
For any Canadian viewers: I find that Knix period underwear are quite great. The boyshort ones are especially great for during sleep bc you definitely will not leak. (also the brand makes incredibly comfortable bras too!)
The only thing I don't like is that the material doesn't seem to bounce back, so they are too tight to start, then a bit too loose in the band at the end of the day. I love that they have a cotton option though!
Also Revol undies! They have styles where the protection goes all the way up in the front and back (which I personally think is necessary regardless of how absorbent they are), and down the inside of the legs in their boxers, and they're handmade in Vancouver, gender inclusive, and have a wider size range than a lot of brands.
I've found that tomboyx is a great brand for period underwear! They have a few different styles, including some very androgynous and masculine cuts, and are pretty size inclusive.
Leena, just made my own rice bag this very evening, as I was watching this! They are brilliant! I've been using them for years, and have actually never owned a hot water bottle. Little tip for you, make one out of muslin, and then make a cover out of cotton or other natural material that you can take off and throw in the wash when necessary. If you ever need to replace the rice (it can start to smell burnt after a few years) just seam rip and add fresh rice. You can make long noodly ones to wrap around your neck or back. They make great holiday gifts too! You absolutely should make one!
Agree! We also have a very weirdly shaped one (imagine toddler sized long-sleeved laid flat) and it's the best thing ever, for shoulder and upper back or hips and lower back. The bigger you make them the more you probably want a few lines stitches across to keep the seeds evenly-ish distributed and to help it lay flat. Cherry stones work really well too, and there are some smaller seeds that I can't remember the name of that you can both heat up in the microwave or stick in the freezer and have cold compresses too!
@@emelinefredrick4447 I love that name! It's so sweet I also came here to hype up heat sacks. I have so many it's almost ridiculous but I also have tiny ones for pocket warmers.
I was majorly inspired by your Helena Bonham Carter fashion October , I bought a black skirt pirate shirt and waistcoat on Depop and now I am doing it too! Thank you it’s cheered me right up xx
I've kept trying to use moon cup but I keep getting very light headed, dizzy, shaky and generally feeling that I can't focus at anything. I always thought it is just some weird mind games of mine, but found out that "vasovagal response cervix symptoms" are a thing also. So if you get the same symptoms (in or out your 20s), you probably are not crazy.
A thing about the reusable pads: I use them and they’ve definitely got some improved designs (well, some brands do anyway). The ones you showed are still around and yeah they’re terrible, but I’ve come across a new design that’s much better - they’re less diamond shaped + instead have “sharper” popper corners, they have 2 poppers instead of one, and the poppers are really very durable. They’re super comfy and I honestly don’t see myself changing any time soon :D
Hot water bottles - we have metal ones in Japan with fluffy sheep-shaped cloth covers. People seem to use the same ones forever and they're fine. The rice / wheat / buckwheat bags are great too - totally agree with the person saying you should make a shoulder one. They're really good.
In Germany we have a thing called "Kirschkernkissen" and it's a little pillow filled with cherry pits or other things ( mine is filled with some sort of grain). You heat it up in a microwave and it's a nice alternative to the hot water bottles(:
The first time I saw a tampon with applicator it was *so weird*, it's not the usual here in Australia. I had to idea how to stick it up me! I've found Modibodi does a good job but, with adenomyosis and needing to wear period pants every. single. day. they're not holding up in the wash/wear cycle (they're disintegrating which is not ideal). Frustratingly I've found a better (for me) brand but it's not size inclusive. Also want to say I don't have hot water connected to my washing machine - I only ever wash in cold, and it's genuinely fine for your clothes and period wearables 💁 A great video, thanks Leena!
Do you use a wool safe detergent? I recently learners normal detergents have enzyme cleaners which will destroy proteins like wool/ silk. And modibodi is wool in the crotch. I've had mine 3 years (but only use for periods)
Omg same I always thought in movies and TV they made tampon so big so you could see them or as a joke because i didn't know applicator were a thing cause you never see them here Also got a strange look when someone asked for a tampon in a hostel overseas and I gave them one I don't think they were expecting it without an applicator but I the time I didn't get it and was like you asked for a tampon
Have you tried Love Luna? They are cheaper which was the main selling point for me but I actually find them really comfy too. They are not as size inclusive tho unfortunately. I buy them from BIG W bc Woolworths and Target don't reliably stock all the sizes and styles.
the first time somebody offered me a tampon w an applicator I was also spooked bc I thought it was just a reeeeally long tampon lol. I don't even know how the applicators work
I super recommend flex cup! The tail of it works like a tampon string and releases the suction so you don’t have to struggle to release it manually. It’s also black which has similar perks to the ruby cup
With menstrual cups, doing a soak in peroxide for 3-4 hours every six months will completely remove staining. I almost bought a new Luna cup because mine was so stained and gross after a couple of years, but the soak made it basically new.
Omg, I'm going to try this! I have a black period cup so I usually boil it in hot water to clean it, but there's no harm in taking off stains I can't see. :)
It's a cup for me, for sure. "Your Kaya" brand is the first one I tried and it was a great fit. It did take couple of periods for me to master it, but I love it. Also, tampons with applicators weren't that popular when I started getting my period and they were more pricey, so I my god, the horrors of having to put/take out a tampon with minimal moisture will live forever in my brain.
I order tampons w/out applicators in a super ×2 and use reusable pads fot my periods because I have 2 days of super heavy flow and then really light days after. Its honestly just finding what works for you when it comes to your individual period.
I can confirm the rice microwavable compress works. Threw one together a few years ago. Just make sure you do two rows of stitches to ensure maximum security. I made mine out of some fabric I had in my bag of "fabric I have bought because it looked cool but didn't specifically have a use for". I have since acquired a microwavable dinosaur and unicorn. I think if you search for "warmies" it'll get you what you want. I often pop a couple drops of essential oils on a seam after I've nuked it.
Hot water bottle alternative: a heating pad!!! I literally started my period this morning and am clinging to my heating pad this very moment. And they last forever! The one I use was purchased by my mother for herself in like ‘93! I also have the rice fabric bag situation, but I hate having to get up and re-microwave it-the heating pad stays at a high heat for as long as you need it to. Also for period pain meds, sometimes ibuprofen doesn’t touch the pain, so I take naproxen sodium (Aleve) and it works really well, especially if you experience lower back pain cramps. And it comes in a bottle rather than blister packaging 👍
Hot water bottle tips (so you don't burn yourself): 1. Knit a case/wrapper for the bottle, it's gonna be cute and cozy 2. Don't put the bottle directly on your skin, have layers of clothes inbetween 3. While waiting for the water to boil, put some cold water in the bottle (like 1/4 of the bottle) - when the hot and cold water is combined, the bottle won't be as hot
Those are great tips& something my mom taught me, same goes for cooling pads! But I think the real issue is the hot water bottle leaking/ bursting (because you're putting too much pressure on it) and the hot water burning you that way.
wheat/rise packs are actually really common in Australia, I grew up using them way more than hot water bottles (although in a tropical climate they can sometimes go moldy, so you have to check to make sure they haven't gone nasty haha).
My mom-in-law got me a plug-in heating pad. It's kind of like an electric blanket, but only about 45cm square. Rice bags are certainly more sustainable, but I like my heating pad for having an adjustable temp.
For people trying to be reusable but have any form of chronic vanginal pain that make mooncups a bit tricky, period pants from cheeky whipes are the best. They fit well, I have a heavy flow and I get though only one a day and one a night. They're also very nice looking and comfy. You do have to wring out the blood under a tap before you wash it or you will get blood over everything in the wash, but it doesn't take too long and is quite satisfying. Would definately recommend.
For the hot water bottle solution, you can get Teddies that warm up! I’ve been using them for years and they’re basically the same concept as the warm up rice bag, but a lot cuter :))
I became 20 about a week ago and my period followed soon after, never have I been this much of a target demoraphic of Leena's 20's toolkit 😂 Thanks again Leena, I can't wait to watch your videos throughout my 20's as I did my 10's 🤗
Firstly, when I saw the title of this video I said out loud "Yes, Leena I'm so here for this!" Secondly, when it comes to hot water bottles. I believe that you can get metal hot water bottles, they are definitely better for the bed warming rather than putting against your stomach. But if you wrap them in some kind of fabric to insulate them a bit you could probably use them that way too. I know my family had one when I was a kid, I have no idea where we got it, or where it went subsequently
I love rice bags! Especially lavender infused ones, there is also a brand called warmies and they make really cute animal heating pads that bring endless joy. They last for years, I've had mine since I was a young teen.
Laughed out loud at your description of pads crackling like a little fire when you sit on them. So accurate. Also have been using rice bags forever, my mom made me one to take to university 😊 as a bonus, they're also great for sore shoulders/neck or to put on your face when you have sinus pain!
I've always used rice bags (like your reccomendation in the comments) growwing up, they work really well and I highly reccomend it. You can find them online easily or make them. When I was a kid, we made rice bags for mother's day in school. And we used clean socks to hold the rice and sewed it closed. So if you have any larger socks that you don't want anymore you can use that to make your rice bag.
I use sterilising tablets (the ones for baby bottles) to clean my mooncup at the end of each period, it sterilises it and gets rid of the staining too. I used to boil it every now and then until forgetting about it one day and melting it to the bottom of a pan. A sterilising tablet in cold water is much safer and easier :)
You can also soak your cup in dilute peroxide to disinfect and clean stains. I water down my 3% peroxide to 1.5, in a glass with the cup fully submerged overnight.
What about the smell. After using mine for a few years it started to smell even after thoroughly cleaning it, including scrubbing off the stains. Leaving it out in the sun has been the only thing I've found to get rid of it, but I've got a uv sanitizer on order that I'm hoping will work.
The ⭐adventure⭐ of adolescence and then birth control messing with my period has taught me some lessons too! I started on always pads but found that always were so uncomfortable especially with sensitive skin- they feel so plastic-y and sticky to me, but found that bodyform are much comfortable and non-scented. Their packaging also sticks around the edges which is useful for disposing of them! When i had the implant i bled for weeks at a time with only a few days inbetween, and menstrual cups were my saviour. Also feels good to use reusable stuff rather than going through whole packs of pads or tampons in a few days. Thankfully the hormone coil has rescued me from the constant bleeding and made my periods way, way lighter and easier to deal with. I rarely have to use my cup anymore and I've been using reusable pads and period pants for the last year or two! I use floweret for both, they're amazing. So comfy, stay well, easy to clean, and not too expensive. They do deals for multiples and sales pretty regularly. I also doscovered these amazing things called 'tampliners' which are tampons with a little mini pantyliner attached to stop any little leaks. They also pull out into their own little plastic thing to make it way less messy and easier to dispose of. They're made by Callaly and they do a subscription service or one off so you can get as many as you need 😭 a game changer honestly. Nit great in terms of plastic waste but no worse than other disposable options. Long comment lmao but this is a wildly important subject for us uterus-having people so. Love the bideo Leena!
Thank you for sharing. It didn't come off as gross or bizarre to me -- and I'm a guy, who's just curious about the modern state of what girls have in their arsenal. I'm making a note of Ruby Cup. I also wouldn't really mind hearing what research you did on IUDs, since there are a few different kinds. Apparently the copper coil works splendidly for sterility, but actually INCREASES menstrual flow, which seems like a grim trade to me. Then there are varying degrees of hormonal options, which seem to come in a 'one size fits all' approach, rather than finding the proper kind of balance that leads to optimal mood and menstruation and birth control. It's helpful to know what's possible right now. (And I'd be tempted to handwave it as yet another sign of the ignorance of The Patriarchy, but even on the XY side of the field, my father ended up with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer because his hormones weren't kept in check, and only over the past few years have a small fringe number of doctors figured out how to reduce Finasteride doses to address male baldness without also incurring significant and potentially permanent sxual dysfunction. So it's a poo flinging goat rodeo for men and women alike.)
This was the video I didn't know I needed but I'm very happy it exists. I'm 29 and started using a Mooncup around the age of 22/23 and I love it. I also recently invested in some period pants (I use WUKA) and they're great too. Both a bit pricey initially but SO worth it in the long run if you can afford it (and much more comfy than disposable bits!)
The rice bags sound awesome! I got an eye mask with a gel pack that can be heated in the microwave or cooled in the freezer, and I realized it works great for period days too. I also have a relic from my mom: a plug-in electric heating pad (basically a tiny heated blanket). Maybe not the most energy efficient, but definitely does the job (if you’re lying in bed all day.. or if you have an extension cord)
Thank you Leena for making this video. I wish someone had shown something me like this when I first was confronted with the whole bloody menstrual mess. I feel like the general taboo around periods means we are heavily influenced by what our mothers/sisters/very close friends use, and what works for them might not work for us. I wish school taught stuff like that (or do they now? I'm too old).
I finally broke down and bought an electric (weighted!) heating pad last year for something else entirely and both my husband and I use it all the time for our various sore spots. I use it for muscle pain, menstrual cramps and sometimes just to warm myself up a bit. The one I got is made by Sunbeam and I hope it lasts a long time. I've also ended up as a cup user in my 30's because I have a quick and heavy flow. So even though I've never made a baby I still use the larger size cups because I need the capacity. So far my favorite one is the Saalt soft cup, but I do also use the Ruby from time to time.
menstrual cups changed my life. pads were just downright uncomfortable for reasons you mentioned and I enjoyed using tampons but making the switch to the cup was truly life changing. putting it in + emptying it in the shower also makes it much easier
I just found out a few months ago that you can use denture cleaner tablets for cleaning period cups and i can't live without them now.. they are easy and quick to use, deep-clean the cup in a relatively safe way and removed stains that i've had on my cup for years!
This is the first video I’ve seen of hers since it just came up in my recommended but all I can say is she looks like she gives absolutely amazing hugs
If you have to go for store-bought sanitary pads, try to find the Always Infinity packs. The design is completely different in shape and material to the crackly/chafey regular ones and they are so much more comfortable, honestly changed the game for me (later changed again by reusable pads, even more comfy).
I recently discovered The Female Company here in Germany. I'm still waiting to try their period pants, but their normal pants have become my absolute favourite. They are size inclusive and produce their products ethically and eco-conscious in partnership with other small companies :)
I actually started off my alternative period product journey with the ruby cup! Years ago when I was trying to figure out which one to buy they had a program where for every cup you bought they would invest some of the money for women in poor countries who don’t have access to period products. So that’s why I bought it. Turned out I really enjoyed it. Mine is purple so it also doesn’t discolor into this weird yellow and also has measurements on the side. I might suffer from endometriosis but the GP doesn’t want to send me for a test because I’m ‘still so young’, I’m 21 so she doesn’t want to scar my body with a surgery basically. But she did sound alarmed when I told her the exact amount I was bleeding every month. Definitely a good tool when doctors don’t take your seriously when you say you’re bleeding a lot. Also about the hot water bottles, my first ever hot compression tool for period cramps was a rice bag! They’re amazing and as far as I know they’re far safer to use than hot water bottles. But something more similar might be an actual hot water bottle, as in a glass bottle that is made to withstand those temperatures. I’ve seen people use those as well.
5 seconds in and i am already amazed by the vibe of this video, you never disappoint! i'm very behind on the train for new period products but i am terrified of trying anything but trusty ol' pads and honestly i didn't ask for a period and i hate it and if wearing pads for the sake of not being anxious about stuff leaking everywhere is something i can do for this already awful time of the month i feel like i can give myself a break.
I use a pillow full of cherry pits. Its similar to the bag of rice, the cherry pits are just bigger. You can put it in the microwave and it lasts quite long but isn't so hot like a hot water bottle. The casing on mine is from a cotton material, so it's completely biodegradable and I even have one pillow from my grandma, so it's really sustainable and longlasting. Hope this help 🥰
I highly recommend Sea and Flo menstrual cups! I had the same problem with Mooncups being stiff, discoloured and having crevices. S&F cups are black and come in an 3 sizes plus they’re really smooth and flexible so nicer to use. I found Wuka pants to have wildly inaccurate sizing, I had to size up twice and they just felt like wearing a pad, however the Primark period pants are very comfortable!
I have made several homemade “hot water bottles”! You can fill them with both grain or rice, I’ve used both and they get really hot and hold the heat nicely for a while. I have a fancier one I’ve sewn with compartments filled with the grain or rice but I also have a couple that literally takes SECONDS to make! Yes, you read that right! My boyfriend bought a multipack of new socks and I just took a pair and filled each with rice and tied a knot at the tops. Boom, two heat packs in an instant. I *love* them. (I used his socks because his feet are bigger so they could fit more of the rice :p).
I use reusable pads these days (from WearEmOut, they have double poppers and stay in place really well!) because I found the drying time on period underwear was a bit much, although I do absolutely love the WUKA pants! I just couldn't afford enough of them to get me through a period. You can also double layer a period pad with period undies for extra security if you are in any way worried about leaks etc.
Perfect timing, started my period yesterday! ^^ I've been trying to have a sustainable period as my new year's resolution this year, so now I try to only use a period cup and reusable period pads
Always always gave me a bad reaction! Only disposables I could use were body form. Used body form pretty much exclusively without issues up until I was about 24. Tampons never worked well for me, always felt too dry, I only use them if I have to go swimming. Even then I'm so scared of TSS that I literally just panic the whole time. I love cloth pads, I used them exclusively for about 7 years. I also went through SOOOO many cups. They were either too small to hold enough or they wouldn't open up inside me or they would open if they were firm enough and then cut off my ability to pee. I've even had a child and still need the smallest size or it literally will stay folded inside me. My first experience using one was awful, I filled up the cup every 2 hours for the entire day, i thought I was going to die, and I had to take it out in public and blood went everywhere, all down my arm and everything. I use period pants on the last couple of days when its really light and I don't want a pad on. I've been using the Primark ones and they're alright, I resent having to pay so much for underwear. I find the primark heavy ones aren't the best for how heavy I am, but on my medium days they work and they don't feel like wearing a pad at all. I have a cute hot water bottle cover I might just have to buy a new bottle for it though! I didn't know any of that!! I have used those warm up bears that you put the pouch in the microwave. I have a bunny one. I had to sub you are brilliant I don't know how I didn't know about you for so long!
The Modibodi sleep shorts are an absolute game changer, they prevent leaking at night and I absolutely love them. I have really heavy periods and I've never found anything that's prevented leaking until now
I've got a spelt bag as a Christmas present and I love it. I used it basically every night from October to April because I found it so comforting (It isn't only warm but smells like freshly baked bread. Heavenly!) and was always excited when it was cool enough to use it without sweating all night. However, I don't live in a flat with a microwave anymore so I hardly use it right now. I find turning the oven on for 10 minutes just to heat up the spelt bag a bit wasteful. If the oven is on at night anyway, I might remember to put the spelt bag in. But that rarely happens. Regarding the hot water bottle, when I was at uni I visited my parents and used one. The next morning I had a wet bed and wet pyjamas. So, I changed my bedding because I believed I'd wetted myself. I guess my mother thought those times where over (and I freaked out a bit). The next morning I woke up in a wet bed again. It turned out that the hot water bottle which I had used both nights was damaged. Thankfully, I didn't hurt myself.
Other options if you have not rice (this might be more popular in American) use the dried animals feed corn with old fabric you have (I’ve even used old jeans) and refrigerator (also good of headache) or microwave (for cramps)
Love this video Leena!! Never knew about the hot water bottles! Here in the Netherlands we have cherry pit bags which you can stick in the microwave! Don’t know how they hold up to the rice and grains other people are commenting buut at least they’re plastic free and don’t contain the hazards of boiling hot water :)
Seconding the rice heat pack recommendation! I really like that they also add some pressure due to being kinda heavy. Plus you can get them (or make them) in the shape of a neck pillow which is really great for sore shoulders/neck muscles!! (And it seems like you can make them with all kinds of grains- my roommate has one with dried corn!)
Instead of a hot water bottle, I'd recommend a small heating pad. They're very common in the US, not sure about anywhere else. It's a little flat pillow with a heating element inside, you plug it in, and get heat! Mine has 3 warmth settings, usually low is plenty. And when the cover wears out you can get crafty and make it a new one out of that sweater you got bleach on that one time.
That's my go-to as well and I'm also American. Can UK folks comment if these are a thing in the UK? While I wouldn't say they are 100% sustainable, I have had the same one for around 5-7 years and probably would last quite a while even if you use them a lot. Both me and my dad have chronic pain and use ours very regularly (my dad uses his probably every day) and they only have to be replaced after a long time of use. Many of them also have auto turnoff features for safety. Maybe not the most sustainable for a period, but if you have a more serious need for pain relief they are a lifesaver.
this was such an amazing video! I have been struggling for so long to find sustainable period products, and this is just the bank of information I need!!
I always get the cups that say they're for maternity, I tried a small one to begin with years ago and it filled up in one hour and I could feel it leaking at work D: so then I just got the biggest size possible haha. As for warm things to hold against you that aren't hot water bottles (an ancient one at my dad's burst on me once while I was visiting, didn't burn me but made the bed wet and uncomfortable), when I was little I always had a wheat bear we would heat up in the microwave, he was really cute, our school sold them.
I still have fears over the whole toxic-shock-syndrome, so I can't handle the anxiety of tampons for too long, so I'm still on reusable pads and disposable pads as backups.
Also I have the biggest flax seed waterbottle : 50x30cm and it's REVOLUTIONNARY. I bought it but, from what I've read on the internet, it's pretty easy to sew. Thank you for this wonderful video xx
Wheat bag!! They're just fabric "bags" filled with wheat/other grains, very similar to the diy rice one you mentioned but they tend to retain heat a bit better
Cherry stones are very common in Germany, (they can be quite loud though, depending on how well the bag is filled) And we had them all my life bc my mum was worried we'd unscrew a hot water bottle and getting wet or burn ourselves. We have several cherry stone bags and we just microwave them. The ones we have are well over 20 years old so they are definitely sustainable too 😊
Microwaveable teddy bears, the kind of ones filled with lavender and they’re pretty heavy. So perfect for weight against your stomach and the lavender smell sends me to sleep!
I used to use pads, and because I'm not really an insertable period product kinda gal I decided to graduate to period underwear. I got ones from Modibodi and I absolutely love them, they're so comfortable and absorb the blood so quickly especially compared to the uncomfortable moist feeling I would often have with pads! I do think I may need to get a few more pairs at some point though, I have a seven-day period and figuring out when to do the laundry to make your few pairs get you through the entire cycle is kind of a hassle 😭
If you have the money definitely get more! I find modibodies so comfortable and easy that I stopped using my cup and invested in enough undies to last me the whole 7 days. I have a mix of heavy, medium and light absorbancy for the different days of my cycle
I used an old towel to fill with rice and it works wonderfully for keeping warm. My oldest one I've had for over five years and it's still working good =) Plus you can make it any size you want.
Really enjoyed your flapping the cups around at us! I loved my diva cup phase but got an iud 2 years ago and have not found a cup that doesn't threaten to rip it out :(
I don't know if this is helpful, but you might want to look into reusable menstrual disks, they work similarly to cups but don't use suction, so maybe they wouldn't pose a threat to your iud?
I'm obsessed with cherry pit heating pads! We have a local shop that sells them stored with a blend of cherry pits and some oils that makes it smell like lavender. There are some mom and pops online that sell them too. Incredible stuff! I bought one and it's lasted me 6 years so far and doesn't look like it'll let up. I think the only thing to be careful with is accidentally making it too hot. I microwave mine in 20-30 second sections and test it each time. DO IT!
I love using my period pads. I use 2 brands, cheeky wipes and wear 'em out and they are great. Also the overnight ones were great for post birth bleeding too along with period pants 🙂 Wheat bags are definitely the way to go instead of hot water bottles and there is research into washing nappies which kinda works for washing period products too. The research says its best to wash on 30 or 60 degrees as microbes can't survive in these conditions because they aren't body temperature so washing on a low temperature can still kill and clean things properly.
Reusable pads and pants for me! My favourite brand is Floweret ☺️ I have really bad sensory sensitivities around my period and they’re the only ones I’ve found that are consistently comfortable (and they don’t have enormous chunky uncomfortable seams to dig into period bloat!)
I love a hot water bottle on my period but after having burned myself with one (seemingly permanent scars type burned) I would defo say it needs to be in a liner and even then should be held on top of a jumper or other relatively thick-fabric clothing. Honestly doctors need to find some kind of pain killer that can be used for extreme cramps that we can get on prescription - that feels like the best solution?
If you're unsure about menstrual cups, I'd highly recommend the video that Hannah Witton made where she tried one out and talked about her experiences. Her struggles and concerns were so relatable, it got me over the line with them. Re: heat for cramps, if you don't have access to a way to heat a thing, there are these really cool heat packs where they're filled with liquid and you click a disc which triggers a chemical reaction and it solidifies a bit and goes warm. Once they've gone cold and you're back home, you can reset them by boiling them in a pot for 10 minutes. They're absolutely fantastic!
![FNAF vs TF2 - Episode 2 [SFM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5b3V2-VLb0/mqdefault.jpg)
So, you probably shouldn't get a pet just for this purpose. But. If you have a cat, especially one willing to nap on your lap, they work pretty well for mild cramps, lol.
Same with "gaming" laptops having solid thermal output
Lol. Yeah, cats aren’t all lap cats. They tend to choose a person so two of mine only sit on my mum.
Small terriers like my yorkie work great too, and much easier to convince to snuggle 😅
I use my shihtzu as a way to relieve mild cramps, plus she loves laying on my stomach so it's a win win for the two of us 😁
Leena, do not apologise for the terrible puns. Own the puns, wield their power, they bring light and laughter to the world.
rice bags or wheat bags are great alternatives to hot water bottles!!!! ive literally been using them my whole life and the few times ive used a hot water bottle, ive much preferred my rice bag. its slightly weighted, which tends to help my pain, and its much more floppy and mouldable to your body! literally never gonna get a hot water bottle after that horror story haha - just get rice/wheat bags! (or make them yourself as you said! some even have lavender scents hehe)
Also in the summer you can put them in the freezer for a few hours and use them for cooling purposes! Laying down with a cold wheat bag on the forehead is heavenly on hot days
Definitely agree! They are also great for aching muscles or joints, in general.
Yesss!!! My friend actually got me one that's extra long for my back pain,and it ended up being so useful for my periods too! 12/10 recommend
I'd love one but I don't have a microwave, is there any other way to heat them? I don't really want to buy a microwave just for period purposes haha
Super agree. I've always found that hot water bottles can't conform to my body by nature of their shape so are just less useful. I recently was given a heat bag that has these things called 'lupins' in them and it holds heat even better than wheat! I think they are a kind of legume?
for me disposable period products just isn't the sustainability hill i'm willing to die on seeing as periods are already so stressful and i don't think it's right to expect myself to feel guilty on top of that. that being said menstrual cups are amazing!!
Agreed, I gave myself a hard time recently for switching back to disposable pads when my period got dramatically heavier (thanks to the copper coil), but realised that it’s okay to let yourself adjust to new things like this without also feeling bad about how you cope with it!
I’m hoping period pants may be the solution for me, but in the meantime Ill remember to be kind to myself 😊
It's also worth pointing out that reusable products are quite an investment compared with regular, drug store period products. It helps to have the disposable income so you can shop around and find what works.
Callaly is a bit pricy but a decent alternative to supermarket brands for eco friendly disposable period products!
Agreed! I started using a cup in the 90's and never looked back. It was just so much more convenient. I used cups from my early 20's till menopause. In all that time I only bought 2 cups and only because you need to get a different size after kids. With the exception of pads right after childbirth, I think I spent $40 on period products in 20+ years. Fem hygiene products are expensive these days, when I bought my cups I think the were about $20 each. I saved so much money over the years.
I use reusable when I'm at home - big fan fo both pads and cups. But, when traveling or hiking, it is just so much more convenient to have disposables. My middle ground is to buy organic cotton ones that don't contain any plastic and aren't owned by the big bad brands like P&G.
I just checked my family's hot water bottle for that sign you showed and it doesn't have that but it does say "Made in West-Germany" 😳 So it's safe to say it's at least 30 years old
As an alternative we also use pillows filled with cherry stones, you just heat then in the microwave and then they're warm for a while.
My family's hot water bottle is also "made in West-Germany" and it is still being used :D I guess it's fine as long as there are no holes in it and you don't put it directly onto your skin
Cherry stones here too! I love that smell ❤
one thing i wish someone said to me when i was younger about menstual cups.
I grew up scared/grossed out of my own body, especially my reproductive organs.
Society definitely makes people grossed out about vulvas/vaginas, so i internalised that. So i've always used pads, because the idea of tampons freaked me out.
Growing up i wanted to challenge my own prejudices against my own body, so i bought a menstual cup.
I would never go back, honestly.
On top of all the positive (cheap long term, no odor, long period of time without having to change etc), i has really helped me understading my body better and treating it as a precious thing and not something to be ashamed of.
It wasnt even that hard to master, it only took, like, a couple of periods before i could do it on less than 3 minutes and with no leakeage.
So, if someone is unsure to switch to menstual cups because they are not used to getting close to their genitalia, i would say to give it a try! I was so glad i did!
(Of course it has to be something you want to do, if that causes you great distress dont force it)
Definitely! I got such a better understanding of my body after using a cup.
Preach! I was really lucky because even though it's still disposable, my mom always emphasized that you should be comfortable with yourself and just provided us with bleach free and applicator free tampons.
Even as a teenager when my decisions about purchasing were pretty slim, I felt really empowered and good about the fact that I wasn't throwing away a bunch of plastic, just a little bit of cling wrap. I also was more prepared when disaster struck! Some of my friends chose toilet paper over the same size tampon that I had to offer because they didn't know how to use it.
I hear this! 💯
"Quirky but capable" might be my new favourite phrase, I would wear that as a badge of honour.
I agree and I think we need stickers or something!
hahah yes, let's get tshirts!
@@leenanorms an idea for Patreon merch perhaps..? 👀👀
I like it, fits me down to a tee too 😉 T-shirts, Leena, yaas.
I NEED that as a sticker omg
for the sake of adding a different perspective: the only thing i can use is cloth pads, or disposable pads if i'm travelling and won't be able to wash the cloth ones. putting anything up there freaks me out and makes me dysphoric. cloth pads don't do the thing that disposable pads do where they fold at the edges, though with the thinnest ones i have i do occasionally bleed through them (rarely, though, and only on the very very heaviest day). i get less chafing with cloth pads. i find that if i wear boxers over them, they stay in place much more easily - that might not work for everyone, but for me i would be doing that at least sometimes to ease the dysphoria anyway so... yeah.
Your comment was super insightful thank you for sharing! Been considering reusable pads for a while. Was good to hear more pros and cons
I believe Modi bodi recently brought out a boxers range, as well as more disability friendly styles that undo at the sides etc. I have been using them for years and can honestly say that they are worth the investment if you can afford a pair or two!
Yesss I love my cloth pads! They're way more comfortable, don't crinkle when you sit, and if you're a bit crafty you can even make your own. I made mine out of a thin fleece blanket and an old flannel shirt
so nice to get a trans perspective on this! ive been wondering about cloth pads as well
This is the best video I've ever seen. You talked about how it is, no glamor just facts. Oversharing? More like educating the population on important menstrual health topics! And I BLOODY love how this is a Halloween video! 5 stars 10/10
Hot water bottle alternative: I highly recommend sewing wheat or barley into a little bag that you can microwave. If you want to use recycled fabric, it actually works really well to cut off a section of an old jeans leg so you have a tube, and then you just have to sew the two ends shut!
omg the jeans idea is JEAN-ius, gunna try that!
I have litterly done this like 10 years ago. I thought i was the only one who had this wierd but so amazing ide. It's great and so easy!
Also bonus tip you do not need a microwave ( I don't believe in microwave so I know) you can heat them also in the oven . Cherry pits work as well ...
Great idea, I used to make striking target bags for martial arts the same way.
I'd just make sure to make it out of natural fibres, not sure what heating synthetic materials would do. And also watch the bag when you're heating it, in case of fire. 😅
Thank you for acknowledging that all products aren’t possible for all people. Lessens the ‘guilt’. And for those who have to use something unsustainable, don’t stop looking for other areas of life where you can be more sustainable.every little change is helpful, but one person can’t make all the little changes, we’re all different.
My advice for holding pads of any type securely is two pairs of underpants, one with wings round then another over the top. And if needed, black bike shorts as well.
I've used Always all my life because that's what my mom used, and I recently took a free pad from a bathroom in a college, and it was SO comfortable that I felt instantly duped. I thought Always was as good as it gets, which, when finally compared, is so sad. But I also want to do something more sustainable as I move away from Always. So thank you! I'll try the Ruby cup. The washable underwear sounds cool but I am so bad at doing laundry in a timely fashion I feel like that wouldn't work out for me.
Cloth pads are nice too. I use them along with my Saalt cup. Both the cup and the cloth pads are very comfortable
Medicine and snacks are something I don't stress myself out about when it comes to packaging. It's not *my* fault the industry hasn't innovated how to package cheetos better. In regard to the water bottle alternative, I just use an electric heating pad. I've found that I'm too lazy to reheat rice packs.
Cherry stone cushions for hot water bottle alternatives! I grew up with them so never actually used water bottles, and they are great. You just put them in the microwave for a couple of minutes, wrap them in a towel/blanket so they aren't too hot on your body, and boom - instant comfort. And the best thing is that they are more 'flexible' than hot water bottles because they are literally filled with cherry stones. 100% recommend!
i use a bag filled with rice and it works the same lmao
I second this! My family have always used these too and they've had some from before I was born that are still perfectly usable. It's safer, easier to use and much more sustainable! They are also machine washable if necessary.
100% second this. I have two cherry stone bags on me right now. We love them. I might have to sew new covers for the ones we have (up to ~25 years old) as they are getting threadbare. Highly recommend.
Bonus of rice bags (I filled an old sock with rice and tied it shut lol): in the summer you can throw them in the freezer and put them in your bed on hot nights - reverse hot water bottle! They get delightfully cool, but not painfully frozen, so you can comfortably cuddle them like a frosty stuffed animal.
I can't use internal protection, so I swear by cloth pads. They are definitely not all created equal though. The sliding around in your underwear is down to the material on the back. Some pads will have a smooth, plastic-y type material on the back, which tend to slip, but there are many other materials like fleece, or cotton that stay put perfectly. For anyone interested in cloth pads, I would highly recommend getting them off etsy. There's a ton of different shapes, materials, sizes, absorbencies and even cute prints available, and most are handmade. Once you find the shape that works for you they are sooooo much more comfortable than disposable pads, they're much easier to change on the go than undies (though I do love period undies for sleeping), I find them way easier to clean (I don't rinse them after use, just soak them in cold water before machine washing) and they don't smell!
I prefer being able to wear my favourite comfy bad days undies with a soft reusable pad (granted it took a few tries to find a brand that worked for me) that can be easily machine washed.
I used to get hives and blisters around my crotch every period from the adhesive of disposable pads - so reusable pads have been life changing for me.
I got this from disposable pads too! Which brand did you end up going with for reusables?
For me it wasn't the adhesive but the friction that was painful so I changed to period panties that don't ride around as much but preferably even better menstrual cups.
@@niki3722 same! the friction is the worst and I think because pads are made of that slightly plasticy stuff around the edges they kind of catch and rub more
@@orladdin yes exactly I could even feel the ridges in the pattern on the pad I also hated the smell of them and how they always stick to the skin/hair
I love fabric pads for days I’m laying bout the house! I still haven’t quite figured out how to use them while out and about at work or school because what do you do when you need to change them? Do you carry around the used pad in your bag?
I do love that I can easily make them at home though with my sewing machine! Very easy to do and tons of nice tutorials here on RUclips
Pads are my go to unless I am at home. Reusable products just don’t work for me when I’m out of the house for work for 10-14 hours a day. Period pants smell terrible after a while (like after wearing them for a few hours) and can’t be worn all day from my experience. The idea of emptying my diva cup at work in a tiny cubicle is the most stressful thing ever as well. Also as someone that moves around a lot in my sleep the reusable pads are the absolute worst when I’m sleeping. I trusted it once and never again. It made it worse that that happened the night I had changed my sheets.
If you're in the UK, Callaly are a good eco friendly disposable period product alternative to supermarket brands!
you can keep a cup in for 12 hours and it shouldn't smell. If you fill up a cup multiple times in 12 hours it does sound like a hassle though. And your flow would be pretty heavy.
Pretty much where I’m at, as well. I like the idea of reusable products, but just…can’t figure out the logistics?? On heavy days I change out an overnight pad every couple of hours, so there’s no way a cloth pad or period panty would last a full work day, and carrying around a purse full of blood soaked fabric is gonna be a nope from me 😬
@@Freya407 For me cloth pads far outlast disposable overnight ones. I used to have to change pads every 2 hours but now with the cloth ones I can go a good 8 hours with one, longer if I wish but then it tends to not feel too comfortable. I have a copper IUD and days 4-5 of my periods used to be horrible.
So true and your supposed to wash the cups after emptying them so your not gonna exactly do that infront of everyone in a work bathroom with a public bathroom sink
i grew up getting weighted bean/rice animals from a local artist (they're called grandpa's garden) rather than hot water bottles. i love them so much. they live in my freezer and act as ice packs (i have an unfortunate tendency of running into things), but pop them into the microwave when i have cramps and they are incredible.
also, exceptionally good for headaches/migraines and when you're feeling overwhelmed and just need a weight on you, i heat them up/cool them down and lay them across my eyes or chest.
i've had one that looks like a dog most of my life and a few years ago got my partner a bunny and they still look/perform as good as new.
For any Canadian viewers: I find that Knix period underwear are quite great. The boyshort ones are especially great for during sleep bc you definitely will not leak. (also the brand makes incredibly comfortable bras too!)
The only thing I don't like is that the material doesn't seem to bounce back, so they are too tight to start, then a bit too loose in the band at the end of the day. I love that they have a cotton option though!
I love this brand too!! I feel really secure in them.
Also Revol undies! They have styles where the protection goes all the way up in the front and back (which I personally think is necessary regardless of how absorbent they are), and down the inside of the legs in their boxers, and they're handmade in Vancouver, gender inclusive, and have a wider size range than a lot of brands.
I've found that tomboyx is a great brand for period underwear! They have a few different styles, including some very androgynous and masculine cuts, and are pretty size inclusive.
Leena, just made my own rice bag this very evening, as I was watching this! They are brilliant! I've been using them for years, and have actually never owned a hot water bottle. Little tip for you, make one out of muslin, and then make a cover out of cotton or other natural material that you can take off and throw in the wash when necessary. If you ever need to replace the rice (it can start to smell burnt after a few years) just seam rip and add fresh rice. You can make long noodly ones to wrap around your neck or back. They make great holiday gifts too! You absolutely should make one!
Agree! We also have a very weirdly shaped one (imagine toddler sized long-sleeved laid flat) and it's the best thing ever, for shoulder and upper back or hips and lower back. The bigger you make them the more you probably want a few lines stitches across to keep the seeds evenly-ish distributed and to help it lay flat. Cherry stones work really well too, and there are some smaller seeds that I can't remember the name of that you can both heat up in the microwave or stick in the freezer and have cold compresses too!
Agreeing about a removable cover! One gets sweaty where the rice pack has been and it is very nice to then be able to wash the cover
I love these, my family calls them “rice babies”
@@emelinefredrick4447 I love that name! It's so sweet
I also came here to hype up heat sacks. I have so many it's almost ridiculous but I also have tiny ones for pocket warmers.
oooo this is so smart!
I was majorly inspired by your Helena Bonham Carter fashion October , I bought a black skirt pirate shirt and waistcoat on Depop and now I am doing it too! Thank you it’s cheered me right up xx
I've kept trying to use moon cup but I keep getting very light headed, dizzy, shaky and generally feeling that I can't focus at anything. I always thought it is just some weird mind games of mine, but found out that "vasovagal response cervix symptoms" are a thing also. So if you get the same symptoms (in or out your 20s), you probably are not crazy.
A thing about the reusable pads: I use them and they’ve definitely got some improved designs (well, some brands do anyway). The ones you showed are still around and yeah they’re terrible, but I’ve come across a new design that’s much better - they’re less diamond shaped + instead have “sharper” popper corners, they have 2 poppers instead of one, and the poppers are really very durable. They’re super comfy and I honestly don’t see myself changing any time soon :D
Hot water bottles - we have metal ones in Japan with fluffy sheep-shaped cloth covers.
People seem to use the same ones forever and they're fine.
The rice / wheat / buckwheat bags are great too - totally agree with the person saying you should make a shoulder one.
They're really good.
Same with sherry pits
In Germany we have a thing called "Kirschkernkissen" and it's a little pillow filled with cherry pits or other things ( mine is filled with some sort of grain). You heat it up in a microwave and it's a nice alternative to the hot water bottles(:
The first time I saw a tampon with applicator it was *so weird*, it's not the usual here in Australia. I had to idea how to stick it up me!
I've found Modibodi does a good job but, with adenomyosis and needing to wear period pants every. single. day. they're not holding up in the wash/wear cycle (they're disintegrating which is not ideal). Frustratingly I've found a better (for me) brand but it's not size inclusive.
Also want to say I don't have hot water connected to my washing machine - I only ever wash in cold, and it's genuinely fine for your clothes and period wearables 💁
A great video, thanks Leena!
Do you use a wool safe detergent? I recently learners normal detergents have enzyme cleaners which will destroy proteins like wool/ silk. And modibodi is wool in the crotch. I've had mine 3 years (but only use for periods)
Omg same I always thought in movies and TV they made tampon so big so you could see them or as a joke because i didn't know applicator were a thing cause you never see them here
Also got a strange look when someone asked for a tampon in a hostel overseas and I gave them one I don't think they were expecting it without an applicator but I the time I didn't get it and was like you asked for a tampon
Cold water is actually a lot better at lifting blood stains as hot water sets it in
Have you tried Love Luna? They are cheaper which was the main selling point for me but I actually find them really comfy too. They are not as size inclusive tho unfortunately. I buy them from BIG W bc Woolworths and Target don't reliably stock all the sizes and styles.
the first time somebody offered me a tampon w an applicator I was also spooked bc I thought it was just a reeeeally long tampon lol. I don't even know how the applicators work
I super recommend flex cup! The tail of it works like a tampon string and releases the suction so you don’t have to struggle to release it manually. It’s also black which has similar perks to the ruby cup
Hey! The grain-filled cotton wraps/bags are quite traditional in Nordic countries - but also simple to make so glad to hear we're talking about them!
With menstrual cups, doing a soak in peroxide for 3-4 hours every six months will completely remove staining. I almost bought a new Luna cup because mine was so stained and gross after a couple of years, but the soak made it basically new.
omg thank you, I'm gunna try this!!!!
@@leenanorms the peroxide can be diluted too! Don't need to use the full strength in the bottle.
This is the best thing I’ve read in ages. I’ve had my cup for about 4 years now and it looks horrendous. Definitely trying this!
Omg, I'm going to try this! I have a black period cup so I usually boil it in hot water to clean it, but there's no harm in taking off stains I can't see. :)
Is that a safe compound to use for your genitalia?
It's a cup for me, for sure. "Your Kaya" brand is the first one I tried and it was a great fit. It did take couple of periods for me to master it, but I love it.
Also, tampons with applicators weren't that popular when I started getting my period and they were more pricey, so I my god, the horrors of having to put/take out a tampon with minimal moisture will live forever in my brain.
ahah yup, can't believe I used to do that to myself! Never heard of that brand but sounds fab! :)
Most tampons in supermarkets in Australia don't have applicators, so I am always a bit surprised when I hear about different types of applicators.
I order tampons w/out applicators in a super ×2 and use reusable pads fot my periods because I have 2 days of super heavy flow and then really light days after. Its honestly just finding what works for you when it comes to your individual period.
I can confirm the rice microwavable compress works. Threw one together a few years ago. Just make sure you do two rows of stitches to ensure maximum security. I made mine out of some fabric I had in my bag of "fabric I have bought because it looked cool but didn't specifically have a use for".
I have since acquired a microwavable dinosaur and unicorn. I think if you search for "warmies" it'll get you what you want. I often pop a couple drops of essential oils on a seam after I've nuked it.
Hot water bottle alternative: a heating pad!!! I literally started my period this morning and am clinging to my heating pad this very moment. And they last forever! The one I use was purchased by my mother for herself in like ‘93! I also have the rice fabric bag situation, but I hate having to get up and re-microwave it-the heating pad stays at a high heat for as long as you need it to.
Also for period pain meds, sometimes ibuprofen doesn’t touch the pain, so I take naproxen sodium (Aleve) and it works really well, especially if you experience lower back pain cramps. And it comes in a bottle rather than blister packaging 👍
Hot water bottle tips (so you don't burn yourself):
1. Knit a case/wrapper for the bottle, it's gonna be cute and cozy
2. Don't put the bottle directly on your skin, have layers of clothes inbetween
3. While waiting for the water to boil, put some cold water in the bottle (like 1/4 of the bottle) - when the hot and cold water is combined, the bottle won't be as hot
Those are great tips& something my mom taught me, same goes for cooling pads!
But I think the real issue is the hot water bottle leaking/ bursting (because you're putting too much pressure on it) and the hot water burning you that way.
wheat/rise packs are actually really common in Australia, I grew up using them way more than hot water bottles (although in a tropical climate they can sometimes go moldy, so you have to check to make sure they haven't gone nasty haha).
Just rewatched to get the reminder about what period product to try. Thanks for your help!
My mom-in-law got me a plug-in heating pad. It's kind of like an electric blanket, but only about 45cm square. Rice bags are certainly more sustainable, but I like my heating pad for having an adjustable temp.
For people trying to be reusable but have any form of chronic vanginal pain that make mooncups a bit tricky, period pants from cheeky whipes are the best. They fit well, I have a heavy flow and I get though only one a day and one a night. They're also very nice looking and comfy. You do have to wring out the blood under a tap before you wash it or you will get blood over everything in the wash, but it doesn't take too long and is quite satisfying. Would definately recommend.
Love this video Leena! Top menstrual cup tip: PUT THEM IN WHEN YOU'RE IN THE SHOWER!!!! Soooo much easier
YES easier insertion, easier emptying, easier clean up.
For the hot water bottle solution, you can get Teddies that warm up! I’ve been using them for years and they’re basically the same concept as the warm up rice bag, but a lot cuter :))
I became 20 about a week ago and my period followed soon after, never have I been this much of a target demoraphic of Leena's 20's toolkit 😂 Thanks again Leena, I can't wait to watch your videos throughout my 20's as I did my 10's 🤗
Firstly, when I saw the title of this video I said out loud "Yes, Leena I'm so here for this!"
Secondly, when it comes to hot water bottles. I believe that you can get metal hot water bottles, they are definitely better for the bed warming rather than putting against your stomach. But if you wrap them in some kind of fabric to insulate them a bit you could probably use them that way too. I know my family had one when I was a kid, I have no idea where we got it, or where it went subsequently
I love rice bags! Especially lavender infused ones, there is also a brand called warmies and they make really cute animal heating pads that bring endless joy. They last for years, I've had mine since I was a young teen.
Laughed out loud at your description of pads crackling like a little fire when you sit on them. So accurate.
Also have been using rice bags forever, my mom made me one to take to university 😊 as a bonus, they're also great for sore shoulders/neck or to put on your face when you have sinus pain!
I've always used rice bags (like your reccomendation in the comments) growwing up, they work really well and I highly reccomend it. You can find them online easily or make them.
When I was a kid, we made rice bags for mother's day in school. And we used clean socks to hold the rice and sewed it closed.
So if you have any larger socks that you don't want anymore you can use that to make your rice bag.
That water bottle fact has blown my mind. A wheat bag is seemingly the way forward!
I use sterilising tablets (the ones for baby bottles) to clean my mooncup at the end of each period, it sterilises it and gets rid of the staining too. I used to boil it every now and then until forgetting about it one day and melting it to the bottom of a pan. A sterilising tablet in cold water is much safer and easier :)
You can also soak your cup in dilute peroxide to disinfect and clean stains. I water down my 3% peroxide to 1.5, in a glass with the cup fully submerged overnight.
What about the smell. After using mine for a few years it started to smell even after thoroughly cleaning it, including scrubbing off the stains. Leaving it out in the sun has been the only thing I've found to get rid of it, but I've got a uv sanitizer on order that I'm hoping will work.
The ⭐adventure⭐ of adolescence and then birth control messing with my period has taught me some lessons too! I started on always pads but found that always were so uncomfortable especially with sensitive skin- they feel so plastic-y and sticky to me, but found that bodyform are much comfortable and non-scented. Their packaging also sticks around the edges which is useful for disposing of them! When i had the implant i bled for weeks at a time with only a few days inbetween, and menstrual cups were my saviour. Also feels good to use reusable stuff rather than going through whole packs of pads or tampons in a few days.
Thankfully the hormone coil has rescued me from the constant bleeding and made my periods way, way lighter and easier to deal with. I rarely have to use my cup anymore and I've been using reusable pads and period pants for the last year or two! I use floweret for both, they're amazing. So comfy, stay well, easy to clean, and not too expensive. They do deals for multiples and sales pretty regularly. I also doscovered these amazing things called 'tampliners' which are tampons with a little mini pantyliner attached to stop any little leaks. They also pull out into their own little plastic thing to make it way less messy and easier to dispose of. They're made by Callaly and they do a subscription service or one off so you can get as many as you need 😭 a game changer honestly. Nit great in terms of plastic waste but no worse than other disposable options. Long comment lmao but this is a wildly important subject for us uterus-having people so. Love the bideo Leena!
Thank you for sharing. It didn't come off as gross or bizarre to me -- and I'm a guy, who's just curious about the modern state of what girls have in their arsenal. I'm making a note of Ruby Cup. I also wouldn't really mind hearing what research you did on IUDs, since there are a few different kinds. Apparently the copper coil works splendidly for sterility, but actually INCREASES menstrual flow, which seems like a grim trade to me. Then there are varying degrees of hormonal options, which seem to come in a 'one size fits all' approach, rather than finding the proper kind of balance that leads to optimal mood and menstruation and birth control. It's helpful to know what's possible right now.
(And I'd be tempted to handwave it as yet another sign of the ignorance of The Patriarchy, but even on the XY side of the field, my father ended up with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer because his hormones weren't kept in check, and only over the past few years have a small fringe number of doctors figured out how to reduce Finasteride doses to address male baldness without also incurring significant and potentially permanent sxual dysfunction. So it's a poo flinging goat rodeo for men and women alike.)
This was the video I didn't know I needed but I'm very happy it exists. I'm 29 and started using a Mooncup around the age of 22/23 and I love it. I also recently invested in some period pants (I use WUKA) and they're great too. Both a bit pricey initially but SO worth it in the long run if you can afford it (and much more comfy than disposable bits!)
The rice bags sound awesome! I got an eye mask with a gel pack that can be heated in the microwave or cooled in the freezer, and I realized it works great for period days too. I also have a relic from my mom: a plug-in electric heating pad (basically a tiny heated blanket). Maybe not the most energy efficient, but definitely does the job (if you’re lying in bed all day.. or if you have an extension cord)
Rice and wheat packs are great! I believe I’ve also gotten one which is lavender scented which is so comforting and lovely
Thank you Leena for making this video. I wish someone had shown something me like this when I first was confronted with the whole bloody menstrual mess. I feel like the general taboo around periods means we are heavily influenced by what our mothers/sisters/very close friends use, and what works for them might not work for us. I wish school taught stuff like that (or do they now? I'm too old).
Love a good heated blanket! I had this one in my flat in Edinburgh that just laid under the sheets and plugged into the wall. It was the BEST.
I finally broke down and bought an electric (weighted!) heating pad last year for something else entirely and both my husband and I use it all the time for our various sore spots. I use it for muscle pain, menstrual cramps and sometimes just to warm myself up a bit. The one I got is made by Sunbeam and I hope it lasts a long time. I've also ended up as a cup user in my 30's because I have a quick and heavy flow. So even though I've never made a baby I still use the larger size cups because I need the capacity. So far my favorite one is the Saalt soft cup, but I do also use the Ruby from time to time.
menstrual cups changed my life. pads were just downright uncomfortable for reasons you mentioned and I enjoyed using tampons but making the switch to the cup was truly life changing. putting it in + emptying it in the shower also makes it much easier
I just found out a few months ago that you can use denture cleaner tablets for cleaning period cups and i can't live without them now.. they are easy and quick to use, deep-clean the cup in a relatively safe way and removed stains that i've had on my cup for years!
This is the first video I’ve seen of hers since it just came up in my recommended but all I can say is she looks like she gives absolutely amazing hugs
If you have to go for store-bought sanitary pads, try to find the Always Infinity packs. The design is completely different in shape and material to the crackly/chafey regular ones and they are so much more comfortable, honestly changed the game for me (later changed again by reusable pads, even more comfy).
I recently discovered The Female Company here in Germany. I'm still waiting to try their period pants, but their normal pants have become my absolute favourite. They are size inclusive and produce their products ethically and eco-conscious in partnership with other small companies :)
I actually started off my alternative period product journey with the ruby cup! Years ago when I was trying to figure out which one to buy they had a program where for every cup you bought they would invest some of the money for women in poor countries who don’t have access to period products. So that’s why I bought it. Turned out I really enjoyed it. Mine is purple so it also doesn’t discolor into this weird yellow and also has measurements on the side. I might suffer from endometriosis but the GP doesn’t want to send me for a test because I’m ‘still so young’, I’m 21 so she doesn’t want to scar my body with a surgery basically. But she did sound alarmed when I told her the exact amount I was bleeding every month. Definitely a good tool when doctors don’t take your seriously when you say you’re bleeding a lot.
Also about the hot water bottles, my first ever hot compression tool for period cramps was a rice bag! They’re amazing and as far as I know they’re far safer to use than hot water bottles. But something more similar might be an actual hot water bottle, as in a glass bottle that is made to withstand those temperatures. I’ve seen people use those as well.
5 seconds in and i am already amazed by the vibe of this video, you never disappoint!
i'm very behind on the train for new period products but i am terrified of trying anything but trusty ol' pads and honestly i didn't ask for a period and i hate it and if wearing pads for the sake of not being anxious about stuff leaking everywhere is something i can do for this already awful time of the month i feel like i can give myself a break.
I use a pillow full of cherry pits. Its similar to the bag of rice, the cherry pits are just bigger. You can put it in the microwave and it lasts quite long but isn't so hot like a hot water bottle. The casing on mine is from a cotton material, so it's completely biodegradable and I even have one pillow from my grandma, so it's really sustainable and longlasting. Hope this help 🥰
I’ve always had a rice bag, they’re great for all physical pain! You can also put it in the freezer if needed - for hot nights or sprained ankles.
I highly recommend Sea and Flo menstrual cups! I had the same problem with Mooncups being stiff, discoloured and having crevices. S&F cups are black and come in an 3 sizes plus they’re really smooth and flexible so nicer to use. I found Wuka pants to have wildly inaccurate sizing, I had to size up twice and they just felt like wearing a pad, however the Primark period pants are very comfortable!
"Quirky but capable" never have I ever heard a phrase that describes me so well until now.
I have made several homemade “hot water bottles”! You can fill them with both grain or rice, I’ve used both and they get really hot and hold the heat nicely for a while. I have a fancier one I’ve sewn with compartments filled with the grain or rice but I also have a couple that literally takes SECONDS to make! Yes, you read that right! My boyfriend bought a multipack of new socks and I just took a pair and filled each with rice and tied a knot at the tops. Boom, two heat packs in an instant. I *love* them. (I used his socks because his feet are bigger so they could fit more of the rice :p).
Why am I proud that you rankef my period product of choice (Ruby cup) bloody marvelous. First and only cup brand I got, I chose well.
I use reusable pads these days (from WearEmOut, they have double poppers and stay in place really well!) because I found the drying time on period underwear was a bit much, although I do absolutely love the WUKA pants! I just couldn't afford enough of them to get me through a period. You can also double layer a period pad with period undies for extra security if you are in any way worried about leaks etc.
Perfect timing, started my period yesterday! ^^ I've been trying to have a sustainable period as my new year's resolution this year, so now I try to only use a period cup and reusable period pads
Always always gave me a bad reaction! Only disposables I could use were body form. Used body form pretty much exclusively without issues up until I was about 24.
Tampons never worked well for me, always felt too dry, I only use them if I have to go swimming. Even then I'm so scared of TSS that I literally just panic the whole time.
I love cloth pads, I used them exclusively for about 7 years.
I also went through SOOOO many cups. They were either too small to hold enough or they wouldn't open up inside me or they would open if they were firm enough and then cut off my ability to pee. I've even had a child and still need the smallest size or it literally will stay folded inside me. My first experience using one was awful, I filled up the cup every 2 hours for the entire day, i thought I was going to die, and I had to take it out in public and blood went everywhere, all down my arm and everything.
I use period pants on the last couple of days when its really light and I don't want a pad on. I've been using the Primark ones and they're alright, I resent having to pay so much for underwear. I find the primark heavy ones aren't the best for how heavy I am, but on my medium days they work and they don't feel like wearing a pad at all.
I have a cute hot water bottle cover I might just have to buy a new bottle for it though! I didn't know any of that!! I have used those warm up bears that you put the pouch in the microwave. I have a bunny one.
I had to sub you are brilliant I don't know how I didn't know about you for so long!
The Modibodi sleep shorts are an absolute game changer, they prevent leaking at night and I absolutely love them. I have really heavy periods and I've never found anything that's prevented leaking until now
I've got a spelt bag as a Christmas present and I love it. I used it basically every night from October to April because I found it so comforting (It isn't only warm but smells like freshly baked bread. Heavenly!) and was always excited when it was cool enough to use it without sweating all night. However, I don't live in a flat with a microwave anymore so I hardly use it right now. I find turning the oven on for 10 minutes just to heat up the spelt bag a bit wasteful. If the oven is on at night anyway, I might remember to put the spelt bag in. But that rarely happens.
Regarding the hot water bottle, when I was at uni I visited my parents and used one. The next morning I had a wet bed and wet pyjamas. So, I changed my bedding because I believed I'd wetted myself. I guess my mother thought those times where over (and I freaked out a bit). The next morning I woke up in a wet bed again. It turned out that the hot water bottle which I had used both nights was damaged. Thankfully, I didn't hurt myself.
Other options if you have not rice (this might be more popular in American) use the dried animals feed corn with old fabric you have (I’ve even used old jeans) and refrigerator (also good of headache) or microwave (for cramps)
Love this video Leena!! Never knew about the hot water bottles! Here in the Netherlands we have cherry pit bags which you can stick in the microwave! Don’t know how they hold up to the rice and grains other people are commenting buut at least they’re plastic free and don’t contain the hazards of boiling hot water :)
HEMA also sells hot water bottles 😉 with cute covers! I have a fluffy fox one. And a cherry pit bag haha
Seconding the rice heat pack recommendation! I really like that they also add some pressure due to being kinda heavy. Plus you can get them (or make them) in the shape of a neck pillow which is really great for sore shoulders/neck muscles!! (And it seems like you can make them with all kinds of grains- my roommate has one with dried corn!)
Instead of a hot water bottle, I'd recommend a small heating pad. They're very common in the US, not sure about anywhere else. It's a little flat pillow with a heating element inside, you plug it in, and get heat! Mine has 3 warmth settings, usually low is plenty. And when the cover wears out you can get crafty and make it a new one out of that sweater you got bleach on that one time.
That's my go-to as well and I'm also American. Can UK folks comment if these are a thing in the UK? While I wouldn't say they are 100% sustainable, I have had the same one for around 5-7 years and probably would last quite a while even if you use them a lot. Both me and my dad have chronic pain and use ours very regularly (my dad uses his probably every day) and they only have to be replaced after a long time of use. Many of them also have auto turnoff features for safety. Maybe not the most sustainable for a period, but if you have a more serious need for pain relief they are a lifesaver.
this was such an amazing video! I have been struggling for so long to find sustainable period products, and this is just the bank of information I need!!
I always get the cups that say they're for maternity, I tried a small one to begin with years ago and it filled up in one hour and I could feel it leaking at work D: so then I just got the biggest size possible haha. As for warm things to hold against you that aren't hot water bottles (an ancient one at my dad's burst on me once while I was visiting, didn't burn me but made the bed wet and uncomfortable), when I was little I always had a wheat bear we would heat up in the microwave, he was really cute, our school sold them.
Oh my god "my first ride on the cotton pony" is a fantastic phrase.
I still have fears over the whole toxic-shock-syndrome, so I can't handle the anxiety of tampons for too long, so I'm still on reusable pads and disposable pads as backups.
Also I have the biggest flax seed waterbottle : 50x30cm and it's REVOLUTIONNARY.
I bought it but, from what I've read on the internet, it's pretty easy to sew.
Thank you for this wonderful video xx
Wheat bag!! They're just fabric "bags" filled with wheat/other grains, very similar to the diy rice one you mentioned but they tend to retain heat a bit better
I've always used flax seed and that holds heat really well!
i have a rice bag :))
Definitely trying this
You can also put these in the freezer if you need something cool (Perfect for hot summers).
Cherry stones are very common in Germany, (they can be quite loud though, depending on how well the bag is filled)
And we had them all my life bc my mum was worried we'd unscrew a hot water bottle and getting wet or burn ourselves. We have several cherry stone bags and we just microwave them. The ones we have are well over 20 years old so they are definitely sustainable too 😊
I've made a few rice pillows! They are not only delightful for periods, but they're also fantastic for general cold winters.
Microwaveable teddy bears, the kind of ones filled with lavender and they’re pretty heavy. So perfect for weight against your stomach and the lavender smell sends me to sleep!
We do the rice bag trick too! Use an old mismatch sock and tie up the end!
I used to use pads, and because I'm not really an insertable period product kinda gal I decided to graduate to period underwear. I got ones from Modibodi and I absolutely love them, they're so comfortable and absorb the blood so quickly especially compared to the uncomfortable moist feeling I would often have with pads! I do think I may need to get a few more pairs at some point though, I have a seven-day period and figuring out when to do the laundry to make your few pairs get you through the entire cycle is kind of a hassle 😭
If you have the money definitely get more! I find modibodies so comfortable and easy that I stopped using my cup and invested in enough undies to last me the whole 7 days. I have a mix of heavy, medium and light absorbancy for the different days of my cycle
I used an old towel to fill with rice and it works wonderfully for keeping warm. My oldest one I've had for over five years and it's still working good =) Plus you can make it any size you want.
Really enjoyed your flapping the cups around at us! I loved my diva cup phase but got an iud 2 years ago and have not found a cup that doesn't threaten to rip it out :(
I don't know if this is helpful, but you might want to look into reusable menstrual disks, they work similarly to cups but don't use suction, so maybe they wouldn't pose a threat to your iud?
I have an IUD and use a menstrual cup, it's been years and no problems!
I'm obsessed with cherry pit heating pads! We have a local shop that sells them stored with a blend of cherry pits and some oils that makes it smell like lavender. There are some mom and pops online that sell them too. Incredible stuff! I bought one and it's lasted me 6 years so far and doesn't look like it'll let up. I think the only thing to be careful with is accidentally making it too hot. I microwave mine in 20-30 second sections and test it each time. DO IT!
I love using my period pads. I use 2 brands, cheeky wipes and wear 'em out and they are great. Also the overnight ones were great for post birth bleeding too along with period pants 🙂
Wheat bags are definitely the way to go instead of hot water bottles and there is research into washing nappies which kinda works for washing period products too. The research says its best to wash on 30 or 60 degrees as microbes can't survive in these conditions because they aren't body temperature so washing on a low temperature can still kill and clean things properly.
Now THIS is the tier list we NEED!
haha here to serve
I always just trimmed the stems on cups if they were a bother. Feeling paranoid about my hot water bottle now!
I loooooove that your earrings are always related to the theme. What attention to detail !!
fully cackled at 'clot to go'
I use an electric heating blanket that I had for years for my cramps instead of a hot water bottle. Also loved this video! ❤️
I don't believe anyone's mentioned this yet, but menstrual discs are a great option to try if cups aren't working for you.
I hadn’t heard of those. Will look them up.
Reusable pads and pants for me! My favourite brand is Floweret ☺️ I have really bad sensory sensitivities around my period and they’re the only ones I’ve found that are consistently comfortable (and they don’t have enormous chunky uncomfortable seams to dig into period bloat!)
I love a hot water bottle on my period but after having burned myself with one (seemingly permanent scars type burned) I would defo say it needs to be in a liner and even then should be held on top of a jumper or other relatively thick-fabric clothing.
Honestly doctors need to find some kind of pain killer that can be used for extreme cramps that we can get on prescription - that feels like the best solution?
It’s crazy that science has brought us so much, but no one has yet found a pill that turns off the pain from prostaglandins.
If you're unsure about menstrual cups, I'd highly recommend the video that Hannah Witton made where she tried one out and talked about her experiences. Her struggles and concerns were so relatable, it got me over the line with them.
Re: heat for cramps, if you don't have access to a way to heat a thing, there are these really cool heat packs where they're filled with liquid and you click a disc which triggers a chemical reaction and it solidifies a bit and goes warm. Once they've gone cold and you're back home, you can reset them by boiling them in a pot for 10 minutes. They're absolutely fantastic!