Sustainable Periods with WUKA Period Pants & Sea + Flo Menstrual Cup #SustainableLifestyle

 

Let's talk about periods. They're not much fun and they can be uncomfortable and annoying at the best of times, and horribly painful at the worst, yet nearly half the population experiences them every month. One way to make periods more comfortable is to switch your menstruation products from disposable plastic pads and tampons, to comfy period pants and menstrual cups. The environment will thank you as well!

We've all seen the factual memes and awful images of the ever-growing plastic pollution problem that is damaging our oceans and the environment. Much of the focus of this has been on disposable, single-use plastic products that we use every day, but it's only been fairly recently that awareness has been made of all the disposable menstruation products that are clogging up our rivers and beaches too.

I started my periods when I was 11 years old and back then, things like period pants, reusable pads/cloths, and menstrual cups weren't readily available, so like everyone else's family that had young girls, my mum went to Boots and bought me a packet of sanitary pads. It's scary to think of just how many pads and tampons I've used since then, and how many are languishing in landfill sites all around the world still decomposing right now.

But it's never too late to change and make a difference, so ladies, if you're reading this, it's time to say goodbye to disposable pads and tampons and embrace sustainable periods! There are so many different reusable options available nowadays, and I wanted to share just two that have helped me to make the switch.

WUKA Ultimate Bikini Briefs (from £17.99, link)

When I first began researching period pants, there was one brand that kept coming up time and time again and so many friends and family members have recommended them to me, so now it's my turn to rave about them! WUKA (which stands for 'Wake Up Kick Ass') has the best range IMO and they are wonderfully ethical with a strong focus on education to break the taboo around periods, body positivity, inclusivity and female empowerment in general. Their period pants are made from sustainable and plant-friendly materials which are responsibly sourced, and they're delivered in plastic-free packaging. 

I absolutely love their Ultimate Bikini Briefs which are made from organic cotton and come in a range of sizes from 2XS to 4XL. These period pants completely replace the need for pads or tampons and hold 15ml of period flow so they can be worn for up to 8 hours. After use, simply pop them in the washing machine as normal without any fabric conditioner, hang them out on the washing line to dry, and then re-use again and again!

They are SO comfortable to wear and I had no issues with leaks or odours. They do run a little on the small side so I'd recommend going up a size when ordering. Also available in packs of 3 and 5, and with different flow options to suit your needs.

Sea + Flo Menstrual Cup* (£25, link)

If you're a tampon wearer, you'll probably prefer a menstrual cup and these really are such a great eco-friendly option as they can last up to 10 years with the correct care. They're also ideal for those who want something a bit more convenient and discreet than period pants, plus they are amazing for travel! 

The market for menstrual cups has grown massively in the same way as period pants which means there are lots of different brands to choose from. I like this one from Sea + Flo as the cup is made from 100% FDA-approved medical-grade silicone so you can rest assured that there are no unnecessary toxins such as parabens or BPA, and no latex which makes it ideal for those who have allergies.

Menstrual cups are surprisingly very comfortable to use and wear, though it can take a few tries at first to properly insert them - there are loads of handy tips and YouTube vids for guidance on this. Sea + Flo has some excellent articles, as well as cup sizing recommendations on their site so do check them out! Like period pants, I have no problems with leaks and you can wear one for up to 12 hours, day and night.

Overall thoughts

I know what you might be thinking; the initial cost seems to be the main reason why women don't make the switch or put off making the purchase until later on. I had the same feeling, but whilst the initial outlay may seem high at first, you will save money in the long term. Not only are reusable menstrual products a healthier, safer, and far more comfortable option than their mainstream disposable counterparts, the benefits to the environment mustn't be ignored here. Yes it sucks and it's unfair that as women we have to pay for these things, so why not go with the more sustainable product? After all, can we really put a price on our environment?

Have you made the switch to sustainable period products?

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Health & Lifestyle: 4 Supplements To Get You Through Autumn

The change of seasons can often be a stressful and difficult time as we adapt mentally and physically to the colder weather and fewer daylight hours. So it's more important than ever to ensure that your body is getting everything that it needs, and these four supplements can help to make the seasonal transition go much more smoothly.

Disclaimer: I have personally tested out all of the supplements below and they are all suitable for vegans, but please see a GP first if you have any queries, are taking any medication or you have any underlying health problems.

Best All-Rounder: Feel Multivitamins (£11.95 per month, link)

If you have never taken any supplements before or you're simply looking for a 'bit of everything' so that you have all your health bases covered throughout Autumn and Winter, Feel Multivitamins are the one for you. Hailed as one of the 'cleanest' multivitamins available on the UK market, Feel has come up with a superb in-house formula that boasts 33 of the best ingredients in their highest bio-availability and absorption rates. 

This ensures that taking just two capsules a day will deliver all of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to perform at its best, plus some extra botanicals are included such as Reishi Mushrooms (for heart and brain health), Spirulina (for extra immunity support), Turmeric (for digestion) and Grape Seed extract (for heart health). These capsules are certified vegan-friendly, non-GMO, gluten-free and free from all the main known allergens with no additives, fillers or bulking agents. 

In addition, Feel Multivitamins come packaged in a plastic-free biodegradable paper pouch and are delivered in a slim cardboard box every month direct to your door on a subscription basis - it doesn't get more convenient or sustainable than that!

Best for Women's Health (UTIs, BV, Thrush etc) & Boosting Gut Health: Kiki Health Body Biotics* (60 x 400mg, £27.95, link)

There's been a big focus on gut health over the past few years and rightly so, but did you know that by boosting your gut health, you're also helping to improve, treat and even eradicate many common women's health problems such as UTIs, thrush and BV (bacterial vaginosis)? That's because many beneficial bacteria strains that are often found in probiotic gut health supplements can provide antimicrobial support e.g Bacillus subtilis can inhibit the growth of Candida (AKA thrush) and Lactobacillus strains have proven to be able to help treat recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Kiki Health's bestselling Body Biotics is a unique blend of SBO (soil-based organisms) bacterial cultures and prebiotics with eight highly-effective friendly bacteria super-strains:- Bacillus Subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactococcus Lactis and Bifidobacterium Bifidum.

These strains are activated when ingested with water so it's recommended to take one capsule daily 30 minutes before a meal with a 250ml glass of water. You can then increase this to 2-3 capsules daily after a week to further maintain the benefits. Naturally free of gluten and wheat and made with a vegan-friendly hypromellose shell, the capsules don’t contain artificial colours, preservatives, sweeteners or fillers. Body Biotics does not contain salt, sugar, yeast, chemical solvents or artificial additives and comes packaged in glass.

Best for Stress, Anxiety & Fibromyalgia: Zen Bears CBD Gummies* (30 gummies, £39.95, link)

Perhaps the cutest supplements that I've ever had the pleasure of trying out, Zen Bears have been voted the UK's best CBD gummies and it's easy to see why. Made with all-natural and vegan-friendly ingredients, the THC-free CBD used is sourced from an organic hemp farm in Oregon, USA and each gummy contains 20mg. 

CBD has been making waves in the health world for its positive benefits that can help alleviate mild anxiety, depression and stress symptoms, and mild-to-moderate pain associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia. In some countries, people have also cultivated a few cannabis plants of a particular strain to help relieve their anxiety and stress. It's believed that one of the best strains is the OG Ocean Grown classic. With no known side effects, it's been touted as a natural alternative to mainstream medications but do check with your GP first if you have any concerns before taking them.

It's been a crazy year so if your anxiety has gone through the roof, why not try these? They come in a mix of fruity flavours with a sweet coating and you can start on one a day to build up to a higher dose if required. There are no artificial ingredients and the jar is made of glass.

Best Budget Option for Gut Health & Weight Loss - Jolly Jelly (60 gummies, £9.99, link)

Many gut health supplements can be pretty expensive so if you're on a budget, I would recommend trying Jolly Jelly which cost around £10 for a month's supply. Made with 95% organic ingredients, these tasty tapioca based gummies contain a carefully chosen blend of beneficial superfoods, vitamins and probiotics such as Apple Cider Vinegar, Tumeric, Ginger, Beetroot extract, Pomegranate, Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12 and the popular strain of Lactobacillus Acidophilus. 

Jolly Jelly can help to boost your overall gut health, whilst also helping to maintain a healthy weight (some people find that Apple Cider Vinegar helps them to lose weight) and a healthy metabolism. If you have a sensitive stomach, you may find these much easier to digest than other gut health-related supplements and the Apple Cider Vinegar content can help with bloating and sugar cravings too (plus they're more palatable if you find you can't tolerate drinking ACV!).

Which supplements are you currently taking?

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Women's Health: Femna Confusion Infusion Herbal Tea for PMS review

PMS is the bane of many menstruating women's lives, but can a natural herbal tea really help with those pesky monthly mood swings? 

I've suffered from PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) ever since I started my periods at the age of 11, and it's been one hell of a rollercoaster to ride into adulthood. My symptoms tend to vary in their extremities from month to month; I may manage to 'get away' with just a few 'mild' annoyances like breakouts, bloating, headaches and feeling more tired than usual, but then I have times when I experience full-blown PMS to the point where I find it incredibly difficult to get out of bed due to migraines, nausea and feeling depressed. 

I'm lucky enough to have a local female GP who understands periods and PMS, and for people who have the milder to moderate symptoms, a few tweaks in your daily life such as eating a more balanced and healthier diet, and doing more exercise, can make a big difference to managing the worst of PMS. However, one symptom that I've always struggled with has been mood swings, so I was interested to see what natural alternatives were out there to help with these. 

Whilst I was researching online, an email popped up in my inbox from an independent wellbeing brand called Femna, and it was like the universe was putting us in touch! Spooky, eh?!

Femna are a small Berlin-based company who specialises in women's well-being, and they've developed a range of natural teas and products to help in the areas of PMS, menstruation, fertility, pregnancy and menopause. Founded by two young social entrepreneurs, Maxie and Emily, these two women are committed to helping other females in a more holistic and natural manner, rather than the traditional Western approach which sees women popping countless pills and not really fully understanding what's happening to their own bodies.

When I browsed their products, a pop-up questionnaire appeared at the bottom of the left-hand side of their website, with some short statements about PMS and how you feel when you have it. Typically, I ended up ticking 'all of the above', and was re-directed to the Confusion Infusion Tea.  I was curious to see if it would help with my mood swings, and Femna kindly sent me a sample to try.

The Confusion Infusion Tea* is blend of beneficial anti-inflammatory herbs to help with general PMS and mood swings. It contains Lady's Mantle, Yarrow, St John's Wort, Lemon Balm, Silverweed and Peppermint to help calm the mind, soothe menses pain and brighten your overall mood. The tea is a loose-leaf one, so you just need to add two teaspoons to 200ml boiling water, infuse, strain and enjoy. You can drink 2-3 cups a day during the week before your period is due for the most noticeable results. It tastes similar to Green Tea strangely enough which I found pleasant and can be taken warm or cold, although I would recommend warm for the best soothing benefits. 

Overall thoughts?

This tea did seem to help a little with my PMS mood swing symptoms. I didn't notice any huge changes, but I did feel a bit less snappy and my housemates kindly commented that I was 'less moody than usual' which is a firm positive! I'll certainly finish up the bag and consider repurchasing it in the future.

Femna Confusion Infusion Herbal Tea* (€8.90, 50g which makes 25-20 cups of tea) is available from femna.eu)

Have you tried anything like this for PMS?

P.S: Always visit your GP for professional advice if you're struggling with PMS, depression or anything else, and remember that you can request to see a different GP if you feel that the first one you see isn't listening or taking you seriously. Trust me, I've been there and it's always worth the effort to find the right GP to help you.

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