Want to switch to eco period care? Here's what you need to know!

Let’s talk about period products and self-care. Periods can be so inconvenient, so we’ve sourced some great products to take away some of the hassle that surrounds managing your period.

If you’ve never used a menstrual cup before and you’re wondering what you’re missing out on, here are a couple of things to think about.

Cups can retain more liquid than tampons and they’re actually much easier to deal with when you’re out and about. If you’re wearing a menstrual cup, you don’t need to carry a bag around with spare supplies, or a wet bag for used period pants. All you do is empty any blood into the loo, wipe out, wash under the tap, and re-insert. It definitely makes life simpler!

You also get to know more about your natural rhythm and flow, which in turn can help you feel more in control during your period. Menstrual cups are great as they allow you to see your flow and understand how hard your body is working.

A lot of people who use menstrual cups report feeling less cramps and pain in the run-up to and during their period, as they allow the body to expel the womb lining at a natural rate. People with sensitivity to certain products and chemicals have also been known to feel more comfortable with a cup. Whilst there's no guarantee, (we're all different, after all), at the very least you can feel more comfortable in knowing your body is doing what it is supposed to, naturally.

One key thing to point out is that you do need to take care of your cups. I clean mine daily with an old toothbrush and unscented soap (when I’m using them), and simply boil them to sterilise before and after use each month.

I currently use two different sizes of cup; a large for my heavier days (2 and 3) and a smaller size for days 1 and 4, but it’s worth experimenting to see what works best for you and your personal cycle.

We stock a range of brilliant period products, including the &Sisters nüdie period cup, which comes in 3 sizes; small, medium and large. The fluid capacity for these cups is great, 18ml for the small, 24ml for the medium and the large holds a whooping 32ml of fluid.

Size wise, the small cup is 38mm in diameter, the medium is 42mm and the large comes in at 46mm, so you can be sure to find a cup that will fit your body shape and size. It also has a patented pebble pull on the base of the stem, which can really help with quick and simple removal. I’d definitely recommend the nüdie period cup if you’d like to try out a soft style cup that’s very easy to fit and remove.

Moving towards reusable period products is a great way to help the environment, and we’re fortunate to have such a wide range of reusable products today. Menstrual cups don’t work for every person, but if you’ve previously used tampons successfully, and you feel that they suit your lifestyle, then a cup might be a good choice for you.

It’s sometimes good to flex what you use, based on your situation each month, and there’s always the option to use tampons on some days, and cups on others, depending on your flow. We also stock &Sisters biodegradable, chlorine-free organic tampons, which are so comfortable to wear.

Take a look at our range and let us know if you’d like to see any more menstrual products listed. We’re always looking out for new items to stock in the store, and we welcome feedback!