Post-Natal Choices – The Femmecup
The idea of reusable sanitary protection can leave most of us more than a little squeamish. Nobody likes to talk about periods except the women in white on the TV adverts, and none of them look like they are bloated, angry with a dull backache and a shorter than normal temper.
We decided it was time to talk about periods. One of the best things about being pregnant is that for the majority of people periods stop for nine blissful months. What you don’t find out until you are pregnant and then they give you the Bounty Book full of everything you wish you’d known before you got pregnant, is that you bleed for up to six weeks or so afterwards.
This is normal post-pregnancy bleeding, and for this you can only use maternity pads or sanitary towels. After you have had your six-week check up your doctor can give you the all clear to use alternatives.
One of these alternatives is the Femmecup. This is made from medical grade silicone. It is 100 per cent hypoallergenic with no fibres, bleaches, perfumes or chemicals. It is also latex free.
It is a bell shaped cup, which is worn internally during your period and collects the flow instead of just absorbing it. Because of this it does not cause the dryness or irritation that tampons may cause some people, and can be left in place for up to 12 hours.
Femmecup is not only a more eco and budget friendly alternative to tampons, there has so far not been a case of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) ever associated with its use.
TSS is a serious, quickly developing illness. Though it is rare, people can die from it if treatment is not sought immediately.
There around 40 cases reported each year, and half of these are linked to women using tampons.
The common bacteria – staphylococcus aureus is responsible for the development of TSS. This bacteria usually lives quite happily on the skin of every one in three people, however, in extremely rare cases some strains of this bacteria can produce toxins that result in TSS.
We got hold of a Femmecup and were surprised at how impressed we were with it. It is an investment, as it will last for up to five years once purchased.
It is easy to use and once inserted it forms a seal so there is no way it can leak.
We could see the possibilites of using the product at home, but couldn’t imagine popping out of the toilets at the Cabot Circus shopping centre showing everyone how eco-friendly we were with a cup of menstrual blood. Fear not though, because when out and about you only have to wipe it out with tissue and wash it at home (no wonder no one likes talking about periods).
Using a Femmecup is an experience that is no worse that using tampons. As the product reduces the risk of TSS, then this is a few lives every year that are worth saving by talking about something a bit yukky.
Femmecups are available to buy online at £14.99: www.femmecup.com
For more information on TSS: