Stabby Stem

When did you start using reuseable period products and what motivated you?

I started using them recently in August 2021. I had three motivating forces: a lightly mortifying incident, experiencing a brand of liners that felt like burning sandpaper, and knowing a couple of friends who used them.

How many cycles did it take before you felt closer to confident in having a leak-free experience?

Probably 2 although I still have off days •́‿•̀

Do you have any comic and/or disaster experiences?

The first morning I just couldn’t reach my cup after struggling for half an hour. I had to ask my partner for help which involved a single finger hook over the rim to drag it down.

How often do you have to change your cup on a heavy day?

Every 4 to 5 hours with a 20ml cup

What is your period routine like?

I use my cup for the first 3 days with period underwear as backup and then just period underwear or a cloth liner for the remaining days

What do you use to wash your cup with?

My regular hand soap, alverde NATURKOSMETIK Cremedusche Ultra Sensitiv

Have you ever changed your cup or disc in a public bathroom?

I’ve emptied my cup twice in public stalls but then just reinserted without cleaning or rinsing.

What’s the longest you’ve left your cup in for?

14 hours on a travel day without access to a private bathroom

How do you sanitise your cup?

I boil it for 5 minutes after every cycle.

How many products did you try before you found one that works for you? Which ones didn’t work for you?

I’m on my second cup. My first was an Organicup A which worked in terms of fit and being leak-free, but the stem and the remainder of it when I trimmed it was always jabbing me.

Do you have a favourite period product?

The one that’s working for me is the Luneale S. I specifically searched for a stemless cup and this one is easy to grasp even after a night of wandering up in my sleep.

What do you like and dislike about period underwear and cloth pads and liners?

The back of the liner I am trying now flips over when I’m sitting on the toilet so I have to make sure it’s not folded over when I put my underwear back on. Period underwear is more convenient without that extra bit of fuss but they can get a bit hot. When I was in a hotel bed with a less breathable mattress and heavy duvet it felt like my bum was having a fever. Liners are easier to rinse and handwash though.

Have you ever stained a mattress with period blood?

Probably 3 over my lifetime. These days I put a rectangle of waterproof fabric on the bed just in case.

Is there a product that you would be interested in trying if you had no budget concerns?

I’m awaiting a Hello Disc. I’m also interested in the Kind Cup even though it has a stem.