Graceful Women: A Deeper Connection
Through my review of the DivaCup, I was fortunate enough to be contacted by the co-founders of Lunapads, Suzanne Siemens and Madeleine Shaw. Wanting to know more about these women, whose philosophy on women’s health and environmental health matched that of Silver & Grace, I read their bios. This statement about Madeleine jumped off the page at me:
“Switching from tampons to cloth pads brought her the unexpected benefit of discovering a deeper connection with her body”.
I immediately knew I had to have her write a Graceful Women’s post. I am honoured that she accepted my request. Here is Madeleine’s story.
Connecting with my fertility cycle
As someone who has built a 17 year career in the field of women’s fertility cycles, I have taken a particular interest in my own cycle and how my relationship to it has changed through my teens, 20s, 30s and now 40s.
Coming of age as a young woman I was fascinated by menstruation and was an avid reader of Judy Blume’s classic Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret. The magic of being an adult woman absolutely tantalized me and I could hardly wait to be initiated into its beautiful, powerful mystery. Menarche itself, however, was painful and unheralded by celebration.
I started using tampons pretty much immediately, and within a few years added birth control pills to my monthly routine. Even as a self-proclaimed feminist in my late teens and early 20s, I never questioned the potential downsides of either of these choices. It simply felt like the modern, convenient thing to do: freeing even, to have such “control over” and “protection from” my own body. In hindsight I am appalled at how thoroughly brainwashed I was. And as for any health or environmental implications, they simply never entered my mind.
When I finally realized that my recurrent bladder infections were connected to my use of tampons, I was in my mid 20s, and I was about as disconnected from my cycle as I could be. Going off the pill and switching to washable menstrual pads coincided to bring about a profound change: for the first time in my adult life I was actually experiencing my unmitigated, complete cycle from start to finish. After a few months I was amazed by how different I felt, and literally wept with regret over the years I had abandoned my body and the wisdom that my girl-self had known was there all along.
By chance at about that time I came across a powerful article called The Truth About Tamponsand learned about the environmental impact of disposable pads and tampons, as well as questionable health and regulatory issues, particularly with respect to tampons. I created a business venture to manufacture alternative products that were reusable and “birthed” Lunapads in 1993 at the age of 25. I continued my journey to go deeper with my cycle, attending Goddess rituals, reading extensively and reaching out to other women via the internet.
My 30s brought about yet another major change – just as I had started formally charting my cycle I discovered that I was pregnant with my daughter. Saying goodbye to my cycle for a while ironically made me all the more grateful for it, feeling for the first time its true purpose and power. By the time my period resumed over 2 years later I felt as though I was hitting menarche all over again, but this time from a healed, empowered perspective – it felt wonderful.
In the last few years I have noticed that things are shifting yet again and I am unquestionably feeling the onset of peri-menopause. My period itself remains relatively problem-free, but for about 10 days immediately preceding it I am beset with cramps, moodiness and aching breasts. The upside is that for the rest of the month I have abundant energy.
What does my body need during this change, what can I learn, and how can I support myself? With the help of a progressive family doctor, naturopath, massage therapist and simply paying gentle attention to my body, I hope to be able to continue to reap the gifts of my cycle. And when my cycle finally ceases, I hope I move through the next phase of womanhood with an equal amount of care and grace.
Madeleine Shaw is co-founder of Lunapads International (www.lunapads.com), the web’s finest collection of natural menstrual products. She lives in Vancouver Canada with her family.
Product Review: the DivaCup
Although in my mid forties, my monthly cycle is regular as clockwork. However, I am becoming more concerned about what I put into my body, and what eventually ends up in the landfill. So, I was very happy to find out about the existence of menstrual cups as an alternative to tampons. I purchased a DivaCup and have been ‘tampon-free’ for over a year now.
What is a menstrual cup?
According to the DivaCup website, menstrual cups were developed in the the 1930s. However, over the years companies folded and it has only been in the last 15 years that they have gained in popularity again.
The DivaCup is a non-absorbent cup that collects menstrual flow. It is made from health care grade silicone and safe for those of us who are allergic to latex.
The cup comes in two sizes:
Model 1- for women under 30 years old who have never delivered vaginally or by cesarean section.
Model 2- for women over 30 years old and/or for women who have delivered vaginally or by cesarean section.
The reason for the two models, is due to to the natural widening of our hips, and the loosening of our vaginal muscles as we age.
I had to admit my inital reaction to having to purchase a larger size was one of offence. “Huh, so I’m all loosey-goosey, am I?”, but I quickly got over that. It’s all part of the aging process.
How do you use the cup?
There are 4 basic steps to inserting the cup: fold, hold, insert, twist.
There are very clear instructions on the website and included with the cup. I did find the first several attempts a bit frustrating, but no more than when I first tried to insert a tampon way back when. Within 24 hours I was a pro, and can now insert the cup in seconds. You know you have it right when you cannot feel the cup, and it twists easily.
How long can you use it, and does it leak?
As there is no risk of toxic shock syndrome with the DivaCup, it can be worn up to 12 hours. However, I find that during my heavier flows it will leak if left that long. I just make a habit of emptying it each time I go the washroom.
How is the cup cleaned?
With each emptying, I wash the cup with soap and water. DivaCup also sells a cleanser you can buy. I did purchase it, but generally just use it at the end of my cycle before putting the cup away.
What are the benefits of using the DivaCup?
The obvious benefit is financial. According to government standards, the cup should be replaced one per year. I don’t plan on replacing my yearly, as I keep it very clean. However, even at once per year, the average yearly amount spent on tampons and pads is $150 to $200 U.S., as compared to $30 for a DivaCup.
As well, you are keeping waste out of the landfills. The following is thrown out each year in North America:
- 12 billion sanitary pads
- 7 billion tampons
And from a health perspective, tampons bring a risk of toxic shock syndrome. As well, they leach good fluids out of your body, along with your flow.
Are there any inconveniences assoicated with using a DivaCup?
I found there were two inconveniences, but I overcame both:
- the ‘stem’ at the base of the cup. I found it quite long and caused irritation. I am assuming it is there to help remove the cup; however, I never use it, and simply grasp the base of the cup to remove it. So, I trimmed back the stem and no longer experience any irritation.
- how to clean it when you are in a public washroom. I simply soak one paper towel with water and soap, and another one with water, which I take into the stall with me. This works quite well, and I follow up with a really good scrubbing once I get home again.
I’m all for simplifying my life now, and being more ‘green’. The DivaCup is a safe, reliable product, that protects both me and the environment, while providing me with far more convenience and protection from leaks than a tampon.
