Sustainable Swap with the Saalt Cup!

Hey Readers!

In the past few years, I've been trying to make sustainable swaps in my household. Focusing more on eco-friendly and reusable products that will last longer and reduce waste. And after noticing how many pads and tampons I use each cycle, I figured it was time to make another switch. Read on to learn about my new favorite brand of period care and why you should give it a try!

*Disclaimer: This post may or may not contain affiliate links. Meaning, I could earn a small commission if you make a purchase through links in this post, at no cost to you! You are simply supporting my job as a blogger and content creator. #gifted To be totally transparent, Saalt Cup heard about my love for their brand and kindly sent me the new Seafoam cup and MiiR Bottle as a gift. But my views and opinions are never swayed. And I will only recommend places or products that I actually use, approve of, and love. 

**Fair warning, things are about to get real personal. And probably a bit too much information, but I'm here to have an open conversation about periods to my fellow flow-sters. So let's get into it!

A few days before my last period, I went online and started researching sustainable period items. I quickly found Saalt and read through their website, watched their YouTube videos, joined their Facebook Support Group, and just got fascinated with the topic. Is that weird? Maybe. But what can I say? I'm a Ravenclaw that likes to learn.

This decision has made all the difference in my period care. I learned so much about the benefits of menstrual cups and how they work! And since I joined the Facebook community of 23,000+ women, it was nice to read through questions, answers, and advice from fellow menstruators.

What is the Saalt Cup?

The Saalt Cup is a bulb-shaped, soft silicone menstrual cup that is worn internally like a tampon. The difference is, tampons absorb your menstrual flow, therefore only used one time. While the Saalt Cup collects your flow and can be washed and reused for ten years! 

Why I love it

• The main reason I'm loving the Saalt Cup is that it's SUSTAINABLE. You buy it once and can reuse the same cup for up to ten years. Aka saving you money, time, and the planet! I recently read an article stating the average woman uses between 10,000 - 12,000 disposable menstrual products in their lifetime. About .5% of all marine plastic debris is from tampon applicators. And every pad takes around 500-800 years to biodegrade! It's clear to me that single-use and disposable products have a significant impact on landfills and the environment.

• With the Saalt Cup, I can get up to 12 hours of leak-free wear time. Then take it out, clean it with water and Saalt Cup Wash, and reinsert again. There is nothing to throw away! Since it holds 3-4 times the capacity of a regular tampon, I can wear it for a longer duration. (The Saalt Cup comes in two sizes: The Small holds 25 mL. And the Regular holds 30 mL. Compared to tampons that can hold between 5 to 18 mL. And Saalt Cups can be worn for up to 12 hours, while experts recommend changing tampons every 4-6 hours.)

• If I want to take it out after a couple of hours to clean and reinsert, I can. It doesn't hurt as a dry tampon does. Everyone's flow pattern is different, so knowing which days are heavier vs lighter is helpful to determine how often to empty your cup.

• It is also more comfortable. Once inserted into the vaginal canal, I don't feel it at all. I can do yoga, ride a bike, swim, dance, or even lay on the couch all day worry-free. (In my experience with tampons, I was still always aware of it. And would often feel painful and dry if I didn't bleed as much during the 4-6 hours of wear time.)

• It's healthier! The 100% medical-grade silicone is odorless, biocompatible, hypoallergenic, reusable, chemical-free, and FDA approved. And it's highly unlikely to get Toxic Shock Syndrome while using the Saalt Cup. (Most tampons and pads are full of chemicals, including artificial colors, polyester, adhesives, polyethylene (PET), polypropylene, and propylene glycol (PEG). These contaminants have been linked to hormone disruption, cancer, birth defects, dryness, and infertility.)

• It's cleaner, fresher, and easier! You may immediately think, HOW? But let me explain. I was primarily a pad wearer. So my period would get all over, from front to back. Every time I went to pee, I'd have to wipe a bunch to clean up my privates. (And living in South Florida, where its warm weather 10 months out of the year... sweat + period = super swamp ass.) With the Saalt Cup, the mess is collected in one small cup internally. There is no excessive wiping! To be real honest, you may get some discharge on your fingers and labia when removing Saalt. But once you clean the cup and reinsert, just wash your hands and go about your day.

• Sleeping is quite literally, a dream. I always wore pads at night, but constantly had issues with leaks up my bum from laying down. (Even with the longest and largest pads I could find.) But now, I clean my cup before and after bedtime and sleep worry-free.

Size Guide

Before purchasing a cup, you want to find the best size and style for you. This Saalt Size Guide can help you determine if you should get the Small, Regular, or Soft style. Your flow, cervix height, age, vaginal insertion, and childbirth experience are important factors to consider when choosing a Saalt Cup.

How-To

These are the basic steps when using the Saalt Cup. (I recommend reading the entire instructions and watch their helpful videos when you're actually going to use it though! This is just the basic steps to give you an idea.)

Insert

• Always be sure your cup is sanitized and start with clean hands.
• It's a good idea to measure your cervix before starting so you know how deep to insert.
• Fold and hold the cup. There are three folds: "C-Fold", "Punch-Down", and "7-Fold". Sometimes you have to try each until you find which one works for you! (I personally like the Punch-Down, as it seems to be the easiest to insert.)
  
• Wetting the cup with some water makes it easier to insert and acts as a natural lubricant. Then squat or stand with one leg raised. Relax your internal muscles. Hold the cup in the desired fold as you slide it rim-first in your vagina. Insert up and back at an angle until it is fully inside.
• The cup sits lower than a tampon. Once you feel it is in a good position and does not stick out, you can release the grip on the cup.
• You should feel the cup open, if it doesn't, gently pinch and rotate the base of the cup until it opens. Creating this seal is my #1 tip for preventing leaks!
• If you're still not sure, run a finger around the cup and feel for any folds and double-check the seal. This also helps "clean up" any flow that may be around the opening of your vagina. (It's not that gross, I promise. You can wipe your labia with some toilet paper after insertion to prevent stains.)
• The Saalt Cup can be worn for up to 12 hours! (Depending on your flow of course.)

Remove

• To remove the cup, wash your hands, get into position (squat or stand with one leg raised), and relax.
• Feel for the stem then reach up to the base of the cup.
• I recommend to "bear down" your internal muscles to shift the cup slightly lower inside, making it easier to reach.
• Pinch the base to break the suction, and wiggle it gently side to side as you pull. Be sure to keep it upright to prevent spilling! (For my first time I removed it in the shower just in case! I did not spill and it was a surprisingly clean process.)
• Hold the cup firmly and pour out the contents into the toilet or sink. (It can be a little slippery. And the last thing you want is to drop it in the toilet!)

Clean

• Rinse and wash the Saalt Cup with the Saalt Cup Wash. (You have to avoid strong cleaners, anything that will irritate your skin, or cause bacteria. The Saalt Cup Wash is perfect and gets rid of any residue.)
• Be sure it is properly rinsed and wet, then reinsert just like the first step.

Things to consider

• If you have an IUD or contraceptive ring, be sure to consult with your doctor before trying a menstrual cup. Because Saalt seals inside the vaginal wall, it may dislodge the contraceptive if not removed properly.

• Plenty of women with long nails are able to insert and remove a menstrual cup without issues. I personally like to keep my nails short, as I find it easier to reach and grab it.

• There is a learning curve when trying menstrual cups for the first time. But I can assure you, practice makes perfect! It's all about finding the right cup size and insertion technique for your body.

Saalt Cup Academy

If this is your first time using a menstrual cup and you're a bit nervous like I was, I recommend joining the Saalt Cup Academy Facebook Group! For my first cycle, I was scrolling through previous discussions and advice others had given to help keep my anxiety at bay. Everyone there has been supportive and helpful!

Saalt Gives Back

The Saalt brand is a certified B Corporation who donate 2% of their revenue to regions with the most need for period care. And help fund initiatives in menstrual health, education, and sustainability. For more information on their impact, visit their site here.

Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii

Saalt is teaming up with a new partner, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, and launching a new Saalt Cup in Seafoam Green inspired by the cool tones of the ocean. For every Seafoam Cup sold from September 18-24, 2020, the team at Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii will remove ten pounds of waste from the Pacific Ocean! You can buy the Seafoam Green cup here!

Sustainable period care and a cleaner ocean? That's a win-win!

My Final Thoughts

I was really nervous at first, I thought it was going to be gross, and have a hard time removing the cup. But after reading up on it for days on end, I finally gave it a try. I can now say that making the switch to using a menstrual cup has been the best decision of 2020! It has simplified my period care, saving me money every month, and reducing waste.

I made the switch, will you?

xx

-Lala

Links

Check out my Period Care Idea List for more sustainable period care options.

Saalt Seafoam Green Menstrual Cup

Saalt.com

Saalt - FAQ

SustainableCoastlinesHawaii.org

Feel free to DM me on Instagram @lalas_mermaid_lyfe if you have any questions about the Saalt cup!