#other than menstrual underwear that stuffs a hassle

[technicolorxsn]

someone should invent a menstrual product that doesn't make cramps hurt worse

[seiin-translations]

2.43 S1 Chapter 2.3 - Dracula and Princess Briar Rose

3. GIRL’S MIND

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Seiin High School was located on a slope at the foot of a mountain, and it took twenty minutes to walk there from the shopping district in front of Nanafu Station. That was why the height difference between the school building and other facilities was so severe. The mountain behind the school building was flattened, and the first sports ground and the slightly narrower second sports ground were arranged like terraced fields, and the outdoors court was on the slope that ran beside those two grounds. That slope was about a hundred meters long, and it was the perfect course for hill running.

The dirt road, which had absorbed the sweat and curses and vomit from thousands of athletes since founding and was trampled down firmly by them, was bone dry from being exposed to the scorching September sun. The regulars were holding game-centered finishing practice for the Spring Inter-High volleyball qualifiers coming up later this month, so during that time, we first-years were assigned to do basic strength training. Our second-year senpais who weren’t on the bench were in charge of it, but these second-years were far stricter than the third-year captains.

“Ayano! Who said you can rest!? Get up and run!”

Our senpais’ angry voice flew at Ayano, who was sitting down halfway up the slope. Somehow, she managed to get up and unsteadily meandering up to where we were, before covering her mouth with an “Urp” and sinking down again. Without giving Ayano time to rest, they scolded, “If everyone’s here, then go down now!” We didn’t even have the energy to complain and came down the slope with our faces hanging down like exhausted slaves. Ayano, standing up while wheezing, was on the verge of tears. Ah, she might throw up… When I saw that, I felt like I was about to puke too, so I decided to not to look back at her.

I didn’t have it in me to reach out my hand today. In terms of physical strength, I was just as exhausted as Ayano, but it was just that I refused to sit down out of pride. I felt gross. My hips felt heavy. Sometimes my vision would suddenly go red and black. I think…that is coming. It was supposed to be still around four days away, so I got careless. Once I became possessed by that thought, I couldn’t stop worrying about the inside of my underwear. How many more times did I have to go up? Do I wait until club activities were finished? What would I do if I run to the washrooms right after and it really comes?

…It was no good. I had to tell them.

“Senpai…”

I called out to my senpais in a fidgety whisper, which was startling for me. Though it shouldn’t be something embarrassing because I saw other girls coming forward about it from time to time, I had to muster up all my mental strength to broach that topic.

⋆﹥━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━﹤⋆

When I told them, I was unexpectedly readily allowed to leave for a short period. Apparently I looked sicker than I felt. Because I, who never whined like Ayano did, told them about it with a ghastly pale face, and it actually made my senpais panic instead.

I was strangely embarrassed about that certain time of the month that every girl had, and even in places where there were only girls, I was afraid to talk about it. Being afflicted with heavy menstrual pains didn’t suit a masculine girl like me if I do say so myself, and I felt like if people knew, they would judge me or be put off.

“Long hair doesn’t suit Ibara-chan.” —I felt like I was letting that kid down, the one who determined my character with an innocent smile. They would probably be picturesque when they fell asleep with menstrual cramps because they were so small, dainty, and fragile.

My motto was to stand up straight and walk with big steps, but I was currently slouching slightly and my stride naturally narrowed. While praying that I didn’t run into anyone, I hurried to the club room building. I was able to get out of club activities, but my crisis hadn’t actually gone away. I recalled not bringing my pouch with me because I didn’t think it was coming yet.

It would be bad if I just rummaged through Ayano’s backpack without asking her…I don’t want to go back now and ask her either…What should I do, what should I do…

There were several boys taking a break in front of the drinking fountain of the club room building. Crap, this was bad timing… I straightened my spine that was bending forward and casually walked past their backs. As I began to walk up the stairs, feeling gravity pulling at my hips ten times more than usual, I ended up slouching again, and right then,

“Suemori Ibara-saaaan. Please show us your panties again today!”

Hearing jeering voices from below, my hands immediately went to my butt. Four or five boys with stupid grins on their faces were looking up at me on the stairs, forming a weird cluster like giving each other neck locks. Were these the same idiots who told Ayano to show her panties last week?

Should I try to run upstairs and escape to the club room? But turning one’s back to the enemy is out of the question! Or should I run down and try to bring down divine punishment to these middle school-looking stupid boys—my head didn’t know what to do, so my body was at a loss, and my left and right feet twisted in a weird way and I ended up missing a step. My legs opened wide and one leg plunged through the gap between the steps, hitting the inside of my thigh hard. This impossible dullness from Suemori Ibara of all people!

“Woah ho, Suemori’s so lame!”

The boys laughed, but they too were indeed a bit flustered. The shame was more unbearable than the pain, and tears welled up in my eyes. The pain of a bruise was nothing compared to the shameful sight of spreading your legs above boys’ heads on the day your period arrived.

And then, someone from behind grabbed me by my arms and pulled me up.

“…Are you alright, Ibara-chan?”

A somewhat gloomy voice came down. The first thing I saw as I craned my neck, half suspended in midair, was red lips and a thin chin, so close that I panicked and pulled my face away.

Kanno, with a sports towel covering his head, was looking down at me worriedly.

“Don’t, don’t touch me!”

I pushed Kanno away without thinking and clung to the railing of the stairs. Kanno awkwardly withdrew his hands, which had lost their place, and apologized as usual. “I’m sorry…” It seemed like I had refused to let him help me up, but I simply didn’t want my body to be touched by Kanno right now… The stupid boys were still looking up at me from below the railing, so I squeezed my throbbing thighs together.

“Oh, okay…Ibara-chan.”

Right after Kanno looked like realized something, he pushed me to the back and stepped forward. My body, which had been hidden in the shade of the eaves, was now exposed to the sun, and I almost shouted, “Ah!” Right at that moment…

Bang!!

A metallic roar pierced my eardrums. My heart shrank, and the sounds that were about to come out of my mouth and the tears that had welled up in my eyes receded.

Kanno had kicked the railing. The towel had fallen, exposing his pale face.

As the shaking of the metal lasted faintly…

“Sorry, but please don’t tease people too much.”

That was said by a voice so meek and subdued that it made you wonder what was that outburst right before. It was directed at the boys who had stiffened in a mass below the stairs and were openmouthed, probably having braced themselves for an angry voice.

“Ibara-chan, come here.”

As though nothing happened, he dejectedly went into the shadows of the eaves again, called out to me and climbed up the stairs. I was rooted on the spot from amazement, but Kanno beckoned to me with his hands behind his back with a “Hey” and I crab-walked up the stairs, mindful of my bottom. Kanno went straight past the girls’ volleyball room that was second from the front and nimbly passed through the outside passageway that was already narrow but crowded by the junk overflowing from each room.

Relegated to the very end of the second floor, in a spot where it was a hassle to get in and out of, was the boys’ volleyball club room. This was just my own impression, but aura of losers was leaking out from the door gap.

“No one’s here right now, so feel free to come in. I just came here to get my stopwatch because I forgot it.”

Kanno said, opening the door and going in. There was no way I could just walk into the boys’ club room and say “Pardon the intrusion” if I was told “Feel free to come in.” As soon as I cautiously peeked in from the door, an indescribable smell of sweat hit me. It was completely different from the scent of the girls’ room I was used to smelling. It wasn’t mixed in with artificial smells like antiperspirant spray, just the smell of bare sweat. It couldn’t be called neat and tidy by any standard, with equipment, personal belongings and trash lying around, but I wondered if it was because we had three times the number of members that it looked emptier than the girls’ volleyball club room. Or, maybe it was simply because girls had more stuff.

Kanno opened the door of one of the lockers, rummaged around, found something and handed it over to me. It was a rectangular object with a short edge of about ten centimeters and long edge of about twenty centimeters, with a colored plastic bag wrapped around it. Its shape, size, and tight packaging, as well as the drugstore logo printed on the bag. A girl would recognize what it was right away, but—why was it coming out of Kanno’s locker!?

“C’mon, take it.”

Kanno said in a muffled voice, sticking his head halfway into his locker. Vividly reminded of a vampire who felt safe being in his own coffin, the picture was strangely familiar.

“And please close that door when you’re done. People will think I’m a pervert if they see this, so…”

“No, you’re enough of a pervert already…?”

Kanno awkwardly tossed it at me, like he was unable to bear its weight, and I had no choice but to yelp and catch the thing that flew. Hmm, there was no mistake about it, this feeling and lightness. There were probably about twenty-four inside to use for many days.

“I didn’t have it because I wanted to have it. I was sent to buy it before…They were probably betting on something, but when I came back, the guys who ordered me to do it were getting yelled at by a third-year and it ended there, then I wondered what I should do with these… I couldn’t have anyone see me have them, I couldn’t throw them away, and if I brought them home, my mom would probably faint.”

“They even made you do that…? When was that? Why didn’t you tell me? I did warn them to stop it.”

“I guess June…? I know you aren’t very good at talking about things like this, Ibara-chan, so I thought it would embarrass you if I talked about it…” June meant that Kanno had this in his locker for three months.

“So, please, use this.”

Kanno said, poking a third of his face out from the other side of his locker. Oh, I’m saved. For a moment, I was simply grateful, but——

I belatedly realized what this offer meant, and my face instantly turned hot.

“Wait, h-how did you kn…you, you really are a pervert…”

“I am not a pervert. It’s unfortunate. It’s rather obvious when you see it, you know? I’ve been practicing with girls since middle school… Don’t girls feel tired and look sick?”

“Yeah, but even other girls don’t know.”

“Huh? Really? But even when I’m there, they say things like, ‘Do you have that today?’… You always look like you’re in pain from the twentieth to the twenty-third…Wait, today’s still the sixteenth.”

“Just wait a minute and be quiet. How did you grasp my…you know…”

The important words wouldn’t pass through my throat, and I turned bright red, my chin wobbling. For me, it was a disgusting, taboo word to even say, something that would force me to transform into an unclean creature I didn’t want to be.

“That’s because I’m always watching you, Ibara-chan…”

“So you’re a stalker, creep!”

“No, you have it all wrong! Don’t call me a creep.”

When I cursed at him unthinkingly, Kanno hurriedly added to what he said with a hurt look on his face.

“I’ve always been your fan, that’s what I meant by always watching you…ah, it does sound kinda stalkerish, but I’m not…um…Ibara-chan, you always saved me, and that’s why I’m here in the girls’ club. If you weren’t here, I would have quit a long time ago, and I might have even quit school…My parents are just overjoyed that I’m going to high school, but they’re shocked that I’m joining the volleyball team again, and that’s all thanks to you. Volleyball is fun. You were also the one who taught me the fun of volleyball…You were the best at volleyball, you were always cool, confident, someone who I could never be on par with. But, lately, I’ve been wanting something more, and, um…”

He retreated into the shadows of the locker once again while restlessly shaking his gaze left and right, and he was coughing so much that I was wondering if he had trouble breathing. No, how should I put it…if someone who didn’t know him saw his behavior, he really would seem like a pervert, but…Kanno, who didn’t talk a lot normally, was earnestly talking like he was scraping up the fragments of words scattered all about his body. Unconsciously overawed, I was unable to interrupt. When he calmed his breathing and faced forward like he had resolved himself, his wandering eyeballs had settled, and his gaze was fixed on my face. He straightened his body that seemed like it was going to snuggly fit into the locker at any moment, and ah, that was when I was reminded that he had overtaken me in height a long time ago.

“Um, I like you, Ibara-chan.”

Right after he said that while looking me in the eye, fire erupted from his face with a thud and he covered his face his hands, exclaiming stuff like “Uwah.”

While Kanno found himself in a fix all by himself, I…

I was so calm that it was uncanny. It was not the time for going into raptures over being confessed to by a boy for the first time in my life.

So it’s like that…

While I was listening, something got stuck in my mind. It was in past tense, all of it. In other words, in Kanno’s head, I was no longer an existence that was cool, confident and the best at volleyball. It meant that the current me was “something I could be on par with.” Even I was very well aware of that, but the fact that I was told that from Kanno’s mouth when I was supposed to take a little more time to come to terms with it within myself was a shock that was like having my head chopped off by a guillotine, and with that shock…

The feeling of something somewhat warm sliding down my inner thigh finally overwhelmed me.

“Ibara-chan…?”

Kanno cautiously raised his face.

The me who was a supreme existence for Kanno had nowadays fallen to the point where I could be obtained if someone wanted me. No matter how much I aimed for the top, I would never be able to jump higher than I did now, but Kanno was undoubtedly continuing to nimbly soar higher and higher at this very moment. Instead of attaching extra fat to his chest and buttocks, he would be covered in more and more supple and strong muscles.

I guess you don’t remember anymore…

“Long hair doesn’t suit Ibara-chan. You’ll look more handsome if it’s shorter.”

That was something said to me. From the smallest and most delicate kid in class. Putting a spell on me to shun being a girl and be cool and handsome, he became independent from my protection before I knew, and on top of that, confessed to me, like I was a clown.

It was now clear that the scratchiness that I felt within me every time I saw Kanno was jealousy and hatred.

“…Sorry, but no.”

Kanno’s eyes widened for a second, and then his shoulders slumped in disappointment.

“The only thing I feel for you is jealousy. You were lucky enough to be born a boy, and without using much effort, you were able to snatch what I want so bad but could never get. You grew a lot, I see… Did you know? I haven’t grown a centimeter since a year ago. My jump power is dropping. I’m gonna be less and less able to jump, just like Ayano. I don’t want that… I don’t want to be Ayano. Being so heavy and shameful-looking, just lumbering around close to the ground…”

“Ibara-cha…don’t…”

When I said Ayano’s name, Kanno suddenly interrupted me with an accusatory voice. I was irritated, wondering if he was finally going to talk to me like he was condescendingly admonishing me. I was very on edge.

I noticed that Kanno’s gaze was directed over my shoulder towards the outside hallway. When I looked back, sure enough, Ayano was standing there. She was holding a sports drink and towel, and her eyes were wide.

What did I say just now—? I was horrified at the words my own tongue wove together.

“Oh, um, Ibara-chan didn’t come back, so I came to check on her, but well, I half did it because I wanted to skip,” Ayano was speaking quickly with a shocked look on her face, and then forced an “…Aha!” like she just remembered to do it. “Ah, haha…that’s right, that’s why I’m useless. I get fat too quickly and it’s no wonder that Ibara-chan hates me, so, so don’t worry about it…”

She suddenly cast down her face with the whitish smile and spoke in a small voice.

“They, they’ll get angry if we don’t back now…I’ll go on ahead...”

She said and turned on her heel. Without looking anywhere but forward, she ran past the girls’ volleyball room, swinging the big butt I had shamed just now and disappearing down the stairs. The sound of squeaky footsteps stamping down the steps became distant.

“Ibara-chan, you have to go after her.”

Kanno grabbed my arm. I, who was frozen, jumped, but my legs didn’t move. If I took even a step forward from here, my blood will…

“It-it’s fine, it’s fine, we’ll meet in practice soon anyways, and she’ll understand once I talk to her… It wasn’t like I was talking about Ayano, just girls in general…”

Of course I was lying. It wasn’t about girls in general or anything like that. While I was blathering to Kanno about stuff that was just me taking out my anger from the ends of my prejudiced mind, it was definitely Ayano who I had been picturing in my mind with contempt.

***

When I returned to practice, Ayano, who was supposed to have gotten back before me, was nowhere to be seen. When my senpais asked me with concern, “Ibara, are you alright?”, I subconsciously put on a tough front and said, “Everything was completely fine. Sorry for all the trouble,” and despite worrying about Ayano, I did the rest of the regimen with the same enthusiasm as everyone else.

When practice time ended and the outside court, which had been roasted by the late summer sun, was finally in the shade with a somewhat comfortable wind blowing, Ayano returned.

She was with Kanno. No way, did he go searching for her…? She whispered something to Kanno, and then came to inside of the fence while awkwardly shrugging her shoulders. Kanno was seeing Ayano out and he himself didn’t go inside, just watching from outside the fence. The sports towel was once again snugly tied around his head.

Ayano first ran over to the captain, received a scolding, and then joined us as we were putting away the net.

“Wh-where did you go? Ayano…”

I made my face up like nothing had happened and called out to her, but she didn’t meet my eyes. I wondered where had she been until now—the tip of her nose was red from being sunburnt. “Ayano, Ayano, what happened?” “Why did you come with Dracky?” Immensely curious whispers immediately surrounded Ayano, and I was shut out of the circle.

Apologize, apologize, apologize, apologize… Just chanting that in my mind like a prayer to Buddha didn’t lead to action. Was I such a dawdling coward? In the end, I wasn’t cool or confident when it really mattered.

Clang, the fence shook violently.

On the inside of the fence, all of the girls’ team ducked their heads as they turned around, and then there was a sudden stir. Kanno gripped the fence with one hand and crouched down like he was hanging from it.

“Kanno!?”

I immediately ran over to the fence. I changed my mind on the way there and turned ninety degrees, rushing out the gate and went outside the fence. I rushed up to him and got on my knees, and when I touched his shoulder, it was hot—!? Kanno’s five fingers, which were still caught on the fence, slipped off and hit the ground. “Kan…” When I pressed his shoulders and tried to look into his face, the towel he covered his head with came loose and exposed his face.

The other members who belatedly gathered at the inside of the fence cried out.

From the bridge of his nose to his cheeks, a dense, closely-packed rash had emerged, and his skin was flaming bright red like he had blisters. Ayano’s slight sunburn couldn’t compare to it. The members in the front row were being pressed against the fence by the pressure from behind and blatantly trying to move back. “Hey, stop pushing!”  

“Don’t…Please don’t look…”

A feeble voice leaked from Kanno’s mouth. He fumbled for the towel and pressed it against his face, curling his back and cowering. The rash also appeared on the back of his hand, peeking out from his long sleeves. Ibara-chan, his small voice entered my ears, and I unconsciously brought my drawn back face close to his.

“…I’m sorry for getting carried away…I know, I’m a total disgrace, and I’m nowhere near equal with you, Ibara-chan…So please, don’t…don’t go saying silly stuff like that…don’t say things that will make you lose your friends because of me…”

There was no one to make fun of, but without knowing what to do, and me and the rest of the team could do nothing but stay frozen in place from confusion. While we had been told that he had a health condition, it didn’t mean we could truly imagine the reality of it, so we thought it probably wasn’t as serious as everyone said, so that was probably why we could mess with Kanno so lightheartedly.

The only one who moved was Ayano. She went around the fence and ran over to our side, thrusting me away and switched places with me, putting the unfolded bath towel on top of Kanno’s head.

“I’m sorry, Dracky, you were with me the whole time, I’m sorry, and thank you… What should I do? Should we go inside the school? Can you walk? Senpai, please call the teacher!”

Ayano at that moment was not slow and sluggish in the slightest. She was quicker and braver than anyone. As though her voice released them from their paralysis, everyone regained their movements. The third-years ran to get their phones to call the advisor. Some came over to help Ayano while others carried over a cooler box.

Amidst all of that, I was the only one who was unable to take any effective action, just sitting on my butt in a daze.

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[vivalamerlin]

A No-Bullshit Review of Menstrual Cups by Someone Who Has Used Them More Than Once:

Oh hi there. I’m Katie. As a 21 year old semi-reluctant owner of a uterus, I get periods once a month, and have to deal with that shit (I assume that you too are in this boat, or maybe not. Maybe you just want to be educated, good for you!) I am going to immediately acknowledge my bias: I adore menstrual cups. The brand I use is the Diva Cup, and I will probably use the terms interchangeably, please just know that there are lots of brands and you have lots of options if you’re considering buying one. 

I’m gonna let you in on a secret for a hot second: I’m mainly doing this review because I hate most of the other ones. 90% of the reviews or youtube videos or opinion pieces I have seen about menstrual cups are from people using them for the first time. I get it! It’s interesting, and I do think there’s value in showing someone the troubleshooting process, but I feel like they ultimately serve to drive people away from menstrual cups, and that hurts my soul.

There is a 0% chance I would take tampon advice from someone who had only just started using them, so why is that how it’s going down for the greatest gift bestowed upon uterus-havers from whichever deity you believe in??? Let me, as a woman who has used a cup for over a year, guide you.

Most of the questions I’ve seen about menstrual cups are about general mess, comfort and convenience, so these are the things I’m gonna try to focus on in answering questions and giving my overall review. We’re gonna start with insertion, go through wearing it and taking it out, and dip in to how you maintain/clean them.

I am 100% certain that lots of this information is on the Diva Cup instruction manual, but I can’t speak to other brands and I might as well give you as much of my infinite wisdom as I can, so let’s go!

Q: How do you insert them? Is it hard?

A: There are two ways to insert them! The first is basically just folding it in half, this is the “U” fold, and the other one is the “Push Down” fold where you push the rim of the cup down and inwards at one point to create a cone shape. Then you insert it just like you would a tampon! I definitely would not recommend menstrual cups to someone who is not comfortable using tampons, they are easier and that practise will make using a menstrual cup a million times less of a hassle (seeing as you’ve already mastered the art of shoving things inside you) but cups are not hard to master! There’s a learning curve just like there was when you started using tampons - I seriously doubt you were immediately an expert - but after a couple periods it’s no longer even remotely stressful. 

Q: Do they hurt to put in/take out?

A: Menstrual cups should not hurt! An important tip for insertion that someone reminded me to include is rinsing off your cup before using it. A wet cup is easier to insert, and eliminates any kind of discomfort that comes with putting something dry anywhere near your vagina. When taking your cup out, don’t just yank on it!!!!!! I cannot stress this enough, if you just grab the stem and go to town it’s gonna be pretty unpleasant. Not only will you be working against the seal the cup created, but if you had to fold it to get it in, why would you be able to pull it out wholesale, ya feel? If you break the seal beforehand by wiggling it around a bit, and pinch the cup as it comes out, there should be zero pain.

Q: How uncomfortable are they?

A: I have accidentally worn my cup for 24 hours because I couldn’t feel it and just forgot that was a thing I had to do. Granted, it was the end of my period so the cup wasn’t filling (and therefore lowering) but if you insert the Diva Cup correctly you will literally feel nothing for the majority of the time you are wearing it. There are two words to stress here: correctly and majority. If your cup is in the wrong place or the seal isn’t right or anything along those lines, you’re gonna end up feeling it. This basically just comes down to practice and likely won’t be a problem for you after a couple of uses. You will start to feel the cup when you need to empty it. As the cup fills and gravity does its thing, your cup is going to start to move downwards towards the opening of your vagina. Notice it, empty it, reinsert it, problem solved! There are people who feel the stem of the cup (that you can use to grip it and pull it out) and who advise trimming the stem. If that works for you then all power to you! I personally have never felt the need to cut it, but do what makes you comfortable.

Q: Can you sleep with them in? Do they leak?

A: Hell yes, and hell no! I always sleep with mine in, and I have never trusted a product so much in my life. When I was using pads/tampons I was terrified of leaking which made periods a thousand times more stressful than it already was. I was terrified of TSS so I wouldn’t sleep with a tampon in, and I was terrified of leaking in public so I nearly always doubled up with both a pad and a tampon. Cups are now literally the only thing I use. I haven’t bought pads in over a year, and the days of doubling up are loooong gone. Now, they aren’t foolproof and cups will leak if you wear them for too long and they overflow, or if you insert them incorrectly and don’t form a seal. I’d definitely recommend wearing either a pad or a liner for your first couple cycles while you’re figuring out and mastering how to use it, just to be safe (but maybe that’s my paranoid brain)

Q: How messy is it to take out?

A: That depends on you. When you’re first starting out, it’s probably gonna be a little messy. There’s a learning curve with cups if I haven’t made that obvious by now, but practise really does make perfect. I’ve found that it’s really only actually messy if you’ve let it fill to Maximum Capacity™ and are trying to pull it directly downwards to keep all the blood in. I personally don’t care to see the measurement of how much blood I’m spilling (the Diva Cup has little mL markers on the side) so when I’m taking the cup out I angle it downwards so it immediately empties into the toilet. I rarely ever get blood on my fingers, and it helps with breaking the seal (as mentioned above)

Q: How gross is it to clean?

A: I’m not gonna lie to you, if you don’t like blood this will probably squick you at least a little bit. I personally have no problems with this, but I get that rinsing your cup after emptying it can put people off of using them. If you’re totally comfortable using a tampon and if/when you get blood on your fingers from changing them you don't want to vomit, you’ll probably be fine. You do not bleed THAT much in 8-12 hours. You are not entering a murder scene. If you can handle a bloody nose or cutting yourself in the shower I see no reason why this should gross you out any more than that does. 

Q: Where you do keep it when you’re not using it?

A: It comes with a bag! As far as I can tell every brand has its own little bag that you store your cup in. I’d say keep it with the rest of your period products but I don’t know why you’d have them if you’re happy with your cup? I don’t know, I keep mine in my sock/underwear drawer? Just don’t forget where you put it I guess

Some more stuff I think you should know:

For general maintenance rinse your cup every time you empty it, wash it properly before inserting it the first day of your cycle, and boil it to disinfect when you’re done your period!

If you’re new to the cup try to change it at home where you can take your time and figure it out without being stressed in a public stall 

Menstrual cups help the environment! Think of all the pads and tampons you’re not throwing into a landfill !!!!!!!!!!

Cups are more expensive up front, but save you money in the long run. My cup cost around $50, but you only have to buy one a year, instead of a box of $15 tampons every month 

Tampons can make period symptoms like cramping worse, and cups do not

Cups may not be for you, and that’s fine. 

For people who have vaginas who aren’t women:

Whether you’re transitioning or non-binary you might have to deal with Period Shit™ that women don’t. I can't speak to that experience, but here’s a link to a reddit thread of people transitioning, and their experience with cups. I read through it so I could kind of summarize some of the comments for you, and I know there are a few about dealing with body dysmorphia, not having to go down the feminine products aisle nearly as often, and not being nervous of being outed because someone found a tampon in your bag.

TL;DR: Cups are a great product for lots of people. They take some getting used to, and there is a learning curve you’re going to have to deal with, but the payoff is worth it. If cups don’t work for you that’s totally fine, do what makes you feel comfortable with because periods suck enough as it is

Bonus: 50 Reasons to Diva is 50 testimonials (granted they’re on the Diva Cup website so obviously they’re positive, but still)

[meaganhines07-blog]

How should women hikers pack their bags for hiking?

There are more women backpacking today than ever before and women are inspiring other women to get out there: The jump in number of women hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail can be attributed in great part to Cheryl Strayed’s 2012 transcendent memoir, Wild.

Whatever motivates us to hit the trail, most of us women find our backpacking experiences to be empowering, soul-enriching, even life-changing. Whether we hit the trail solo or with others, for a single weekend or for months on end, the ability to carry what we need on our back in order to commune with nature, and with other outdoor enthusiasts we meet on the trail, is simply unmatched in other aspects of life.

If you’re young or old, a first-timer or veteran hiker, you’ll find inspiration from other female backpacking enthusiasts. Following are some suggestions to help you prepare for your next trip. Many of these tips apply to both men and women, while some will address common concerns that women backpackers face.

If you’ve never been backpacking before, or need a refresher on the basics, be sure to read our article on Backpacking for Beginners.

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Gear Considerations

Regardless of your gender, of course you need to make sure you have the right gear to head into the backcountry, including the Ten Essentials. That also means the following:

Camping and hiking gear: Make sure your pack is comfortable, you know how to set up your tent, you have a quality sleeping bag and pad, and you know how your stove and water filter work. Bring along repair supplies for the above. Note that there are women-specific options for backpacks and sleeping bags that may provide a more comfortable fit and better performance than unisex or men’s styles. Clothing and boots: Make sure you have clothing appropriate for the weather and your destination. Fast-drying underwear is of particular note for women because it helps you avoid yeast and urinary tract infections. Also, be sure your boots and feet are comfortable. For more tips, see our articles on how to choose backpacking clothes and how to choose hiking boots.

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Hygiene items: In addition to basics like hand sanitizer and personal wipes, women do have some specific gear considerations for hygiene. • Menstrual supplies: Many backpacking women like to use a menstrual cup because it reduces the extra weight of carrying tampons and it cuts waste. It’s a good idea to carry a “go kit,” an ultralight stuff sack or dry bag that holds your clean supplies along with a separate sealed bag for waste. For more information, see our article, Backpacking With Your Period. • Pee funnel: Planning to backpack in cold or rainy weather? A specially designed funnel lets you keep your pants on and stand up to pee; and, with practice, you can use it in your tent at night with a bottle. • Pee rag: Some women suggest using a cotton bandana instead of toilet paper when you pee. Tie it to the outside of your pack to dry in the sun. Rinse it as often as you can. Safety items: • Safety whistle: This can be a deterrent to animals and humans as well as a way to call for help. • Bear spray: This could come in handy for bear attacks (or human interactions if warranted). • If you’re traveling solo or to very remote locations, you might also consider carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) with satellite messaging so you can send an “I’m fine” message once a day (or at a pre-established date and time) and so you can send an SOS if something serious happens. Also, before you go, always leave your detailed itinerary with someone you trust.

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Mental Preparation

Remember that knowledge is power, so before your trip, do your research and make a mental plan for how you will deal with the following possible scenarios:

Human encounters: The people who go out on trails for long distances tend to be friendly, helpful and generous. That’s not to say unfortunate things can’t happen. Here are some tips women backpackers have shared that help them feel prepared to avoid and deal with dodgy situations: • Avoid camping within one mile of a road or trailhead. Stick to camping in established campsites. • Avoid camping on or near a game trail. You don’t want animals—or hunters—literally running into you. • Trust your gut. If you meet someone you feel uneasy about, don’t feel you have to answer questions about where you’re heading, camping, etc. Feel free to make up an excuse to leave them. Tell them you have to make your miles that day, or are getting an attack of giardia—so goodbye! Stride off confidently. • Consider wearing a fixed-blade, holstered knife in a prominent position on your belt. That can make someone think twice about hassling you. • Carry a can of pepper spray made for personal self-defense if that makes you feel more secure. • Don’t hesitate to use your safety whistle if you need to. Three blasts is the universal call for help.

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Animal encounters: Are there bears and cougars where you’ll be hiking? Learn how to store your food using bear-proof methods and what to do if you encounter a threatening animal. Definitely carry a can of bear spray if you’ll be in bear territory, and hike in a group of three to four or more. See our articles on Backpacking in Bear Country, Food Storage Basics and Bear Canister Basics for more information. For smaller potential hazards, such as snakes, again, find out if any poisonous species may be found where you’re going, how to identify them, how to avoid them, and what to do if you encounter or get bitten by one.

Getting lost or injured: Carry a detailed topo map, GPS and compass and know how to use them to avoid getting lost in the first place. See our articles about reading a topo map and how to use a compass. On a long-distance trail, know ahead of time where your “escape” routes are to civilization if you get sick or hurt and need to cut your trek short. Chances are, if you’re on a well-traveled trail, someone will stop to help. Loneliness: Being alone for days on end can be a challenge—and also empowering. You’ll solve your own problems and make your own decisions without input from others. If you prefer to backpack with someone else, especially as a newbie, find a partner through your own group of friends or local hiking clubs. If you’re solo on the trail, help create a community of other solo hikers. And then there’s the tried and true companion, if your route allows: a dog.

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Physical Preparation

Spending multiple days hauling a pack weighing 30 or more pounds up and down uneven terrain will challenge you in countless ways. From head to toe, you’ll need strength coupled with a solid level of cardiovascular fitness. An ideal pre-trip training plan includes the following: • Cardio workouts (hiking, cycling, elliptical training, etc.), • Training hikes with a weighted backpack (increase weight and distance over time to build stamina) • Resistance workouts to build strength and stability Also, before tackling a long-distance trail, practice short trips of at least a couple days.