Running Your Period Series Finale: The Pros and Cons of Menstrual Cups & Discs 4 of 4

What if you could redefine your period experience with the simple switch to menstrual cups or discs? Brace yourselves for an enlightening discussion with us, Coach Shelby and Coach Christine, as we unravel the ins and outs of these innovative products. We're diving deep into the benefits of menstrual cups, from their impressive 12-hour wear time to the convenience they offer, especially for our enthusiastic runners. But it's not just about the positives; we explore potential setbacks like learning curves and possible irritation, and even the somewhat surprising risk of blocking urine flow. We also underscore the importance of proper menstrual cup care – think unscented, antibacterial soap and vigilance for foreign substances.

We look forward to our exciting workshop about the Hormonal Cycle for Female Runners on July 19, where we deepen your understanding and share best practices.

Wanna reserve your spot? Join here >>

Our conversation doesn't stop at menstrual cups; there's much more to look forward to. We're excited to share details of our upcoming workshop focusing on paramedic pause and postnatal health. Plus, we're all about self-care and finding what works best for your body, and we're encouraging our listeners to do the same. Our upcoming long brunch episode promises to be a treat, and we're also continuing with our quick advice segments for those who like their knowledge in bite-sized pieces. So, join us for this engaging wrap-up of our Running Your Period Series, where we learn, share, and grow together.

Chapters

• 0:03 Period and Running
• 11:09 Considerations for Menstrual Cup Use
• 18:59 Promoting Podcast and Self-Care

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

Hey friends, coach Shelby and Coach Christine, welcoming you in and letting you know it's time for Brunch, quick Fights Edition, where you already know you can grab your miles with the side of smiles. Take them on the run midday in the afternoon or a late night snack attack, and again always giving a healthy disclaimer, as we are doing the Running Your Period series. You guessed it this is going to be talking about period and running with our period. So for any of you non-menstraining runners, go ahead. You might want to circle back to one of our other episodes because we're going to be estrogen heavy and letting all of the period jokes flow and fly.

Speaker 1: 0:43

But this is our final episode of this series, which it's been a lot of fun. I know it might not be everybody's cup of tea, but I feel like we've really kind of opened the door, opened the window and opened this conversation, and I'm excited to continue this conversation on the workshop that's going to be happening because again we do it. It happens we might as well talk about it and troubleshoot how we can make our periods work with us versus against us. So tonight's workshop is gonna be so much fun, this last episode is gonna be so much fun, and I'm ready to go. What about?

Speaker 2: 1:24

you, coach, i am too, and I am still looking forward to the workshop, and I wanna remind folks that if you can't make it live, but you still want all of the access to the material, to go ahead and sign up anyway with the link in episode notes, because you will have access to the recording and all of the downloadable material that we're presenting for this workshop.

Speaker 2: 1:42

And I think it's very important because I think that there is a lot of mystery regarding our menstrual cycle, though it's something that's super important and something that follows us for our entire lives, regardless of if we are in menstrual cycle, paramedic pause, postnatal, all of these different aspects, and coach Shelby and I have officially decided that this is something that means so much to us with our athletes and our work with our athletes, that both of us are pursuing further education so that we can continue to really be leverage that expert knowledge, so that we can continue to really serve our athletes the best. So I'm excited to talk about that too, coach, because I love the fact that you're gonna be tackling that pre and postnatal aspect of everything that our female athletes encounter, and I am tackling the paramedic pause and menopause certification. So it'll be really interesting as we continue to expand our database.

Speaker 1: 2:41

Well, and it is important because while we share that, we're very similar where we are at in our lives. With this, too, we have different portions that we can bring to the table and learn from. So I'm excited about the certification. I know when I was in my postpartum and my pre-natal era, there was a lot that I had to Google. There was a lot that wasn't covered for runners specifically, and I felt like there was never really a great answer. So I'm excited to dive in and be able to provide those answers, because I am also one of those firm believers that pre-natal, you can always start thinking about it if you know that's in the cards for you and a choice that you want to make. And that postpartum, people think of it as six months you're postpartum and then you're done. But I still consider myself postpartum because things change in that era of life. So you've got to take it all in stride and figure out how to get your stride back.

Speaker 2: 3:40

That's an interesting way of looking at it, because, i would agree, once you're in that postpartum, you can't, don't take it back. You never go back to that pre-partum stage, so that's nothing sucks back all in together. Well, we'll be discussing that in more as we continue to work on that, but right here and now, we're going to talk all about our periods and we're going to finish up with the products that we know of that are available for folks. Again, we've touched on it in the previous episodes. Back in the day, There used to be a minimal choices And now, thanks to scientific breakthroughs and more of a spotlight being shed on this topic, we have a lot more options available to us.

Speaker 2: 4:21

So today we're going to talk about menstrual cups and discs, and they are different, though They have very similar, i would say, applications and very similar functions, but they do have a slight difference. However, we're going to go ahead and lump them both in with pros and cons, because, for the most part, both the pros and cons for these two items are definitely pretty similar. Again, because they are such similar products Out of the gate. What comes to mind when I think about menstrual cups and discs? And I'll be the first one to say that I have not utilized these products, though I have side-eyed them quite a few times back in the day, when it was something that I had to be concerned with more frequently, on a monthly basis. The positive that sounded great to me was the fact that I could wear them for such a long time and not have to worry about them, and it's up to 12 hours.

Speaker 1: 5:13

I mean that's why I did pass Right. Yeah, 12 hours That's a long time, Even though they do recommend that you empty it every three to four hours. They do say that that 12-hour mark is really that money spot, if you will.

Speaker 2: 5:28

I'm thinking for any of our athletes that are rolling through here right now or listening to us. This would be perfect for marathons, regardless of if you're back at the pack or if you're a speedy runner or racer. If you're thinking of ultra-territory, this would be a perfect product If you are in the triathlon world, where you may be out there for a few more hours. So again, for me this does seem like a really viable product that blends itself to athletic endeavors, so you don't have to worry about as we touched in previous episodes maybe the logistics of changing it or having to access it. We really don't have a lot of access because we just talk mainly about road running, But there's also that variable of folks that are going out there for trail running And you may not have access to anything out there except for good bush, hopefully a lot of coverage or trees. So, taking that into account, this may be one of the better products of lasting the longest for later, out there for those long runs.

Speaker 1: 6:26

And where this differs is even though I am not team tampons because they're not comfortable this would be an option that I would probably lean more towards because it's a silicone. it's basically the cup, and so the silicone is gonna move with you to where the tampon is just a bunch of compressed cotton that doesn't have a lot of give. I mean, even if you take it right out of the package and you try to bend it, there's not much to where the cup is moldable. it's going to move with you in the different movements, both running and non-running related, and there's not that outward chafing worry that pads have or other products I'm talking about.

Speaker 2: 7:04

Absolutely So. When we continue to talk about these, i think, though, that it does come to mind that we've touched on some options being eco-friendly, and I do think that, absolutely, carried underwear, feet-leading, definitely have their eco-friendly pluses, but when I think of Echo friendly, this is the product that comes to mind the most because there is no additional. Yes, you do have to clean it, you do have to rinse it, but you don't have to worry about an extra laundry cycle, you don't have to worry about towels for the most part. So this definitely, i would say. Of all, if this is something that you are thinking every single month, i can't believe I'm lending to the issues. Because of my pot, because of my tampons, the cups and discs would definitely be where it's at. It's the most affordable family option.

Speaker 1: 7:53

So is it safe to say this gets the period princess crown? I think so. The princess period podium.

Speaker 2: 8:00

Yeah, i think I think it takes gold when it comes to the echo friendly aspect of it, Though, again, i know that a lot of the other products have taken into account. Some may use organic cottons or recyclable materials, but this one is to me it seems to be the most reusable without the least amount of added logistics of keeping it clean.

Speaker 1: 8:21

Well, it seems from the research it usually can last two up to 10 years with good care, even though it kind of seems like the average is about four, which I mean you only use it one week a month, So I'd probably lose it somewhere before I actually, you know, went through its life cycle, But that's a really great time frame. So again, you're not having that waste to wear again, even like with the period underwear. How are we not going to last? 10 years probably showed it last few ten years. So you're still gonna be contributing with that waste a little bit more than we would like. So this is definitely a great option.

Speaker 2: 9:04

It comes with a little most of them will pouch to keep it in And I would just say put it in the same drawer that you use to carry your tampons or pads or any of your other feminine products in there And just know it's safe and ready to go Yeah, i would agree as well, and I think one of the other things is when we talk about it from maybe the most natural type product for the environment, that's what it seems as far as a product goes, one of the most natural options for your body that you've already touched on. So help and maintain that natural pH balance, as long as it's maintained properly and the reduction is not elimination of potential loader. So again, i think all the way around it's got a lot of pros, but let's not. There is a reason why we have not made the jump, so let's start talking about those.

Speaker 2: 9:57

Cons. Me right out of the gate, one of the biggest issues that I had when I was looking at it was the learning curve. I guess at this point in my life I just didn't want to get into having to dedicate myself to the learning curve, because there is a learning curve of both the application, the removal, the cleaning, all of that aspect, and I'm probably making it sound like a bigger deal than it is, but it does still throw a few people for the loop. So if you are, when you're in the process of the learning curve, it can potentially not be most comfortable to wear Once, suppose you nail that, it becomes like an absolute dream to deal with, though.

Speaker 1: 10:47

Well, i don't love tailpons because of the hole, having to put them in, take them out To wear. for me the con is again I don't want to do like that claw motion kind of stick it all up in there and then pulling it all down. It's just for me again, it's a lot more hassle. That's why I went again towards the period underwear, because it's just you go and everything. But a big con for me is I'm very sensitive in general to soaps and fragrances and cleaning this. You're going to have to be very mindful to not have heavily processed fragrant soaps, because this is going to be going all up in your junk and you have the potential to really irritate. So not only are you gonna have to look into an antibacterial soap, you're also gonna have to be very mindful of getting an unscented and checking for any additives that could in fact go in and be introduced into your vaginal area.

Speaker 2: 11:47

Yeah, absolutely, which actually, let's go ahead and save it for this here and now. For cross of what product you're using, please do take into account whatever product you're using for your external. It doesn't have a lot of heavy fragrances anyway, because it can lead to irritation And I know that I touched on one of the pros, but this helps to eliminate odor. That odor is natural and I know that makes people think score me and I'm comfortable, but it's only part of, it's just part of.

Speaker 1: 12:20

So again, let's talk about it in a way of don't try to overly perfume that part of their body in a little fashion Like easy watering like really chemical soap or no chemical soap for the actual process, yeah, but definitely looking at like an antibacterial because, again, you're gonna wanna make sure that whatever you're introducing into your body does not have that extra bacteria which out and about.

Speaker 1: 12:46

Again, it's gonna be a little bit of a con because, like you had said that you take care when you have your tampon and everything, i would almost be as bold to say that you're going to have to be even additionally careful with this because you're not going to have an applicator protecting the outside of the cotton, even though there are application free tampons. It's something to be mindful of And, going back to, everything is interconnected. Have to remember that when you are inserting this, you are also going to be very close to your bladder and when you go to use the bathroom later on, it can inhibit urine flow, which means that you're not going to be emptying your bladder all the way, which is a breeding ground for UTIs.

Speaker 2: 13:31

So yeah, i think that's all that's expected from my original number one con against it was the learning curve, and really the learning curve in all of these things needs to be taken into consideration. Again, it does not mean that you should not consider this, or maybe you have already considered it and you'd like to share. We'd love to hear from you. But absolutely, coach, when I think about this particular type of product, i actually thought of changing it or emptying it in any kind of public situation. I think I would have to be able to access it every time I'm in my home personally.

Speaker 1: 14:01

for me, though, which, with the 12 hours, that is a completely doable course of action. So, again, take all of our cons with a grain of salt. but that's where our journalistic desire comes from is just to point these all out so you can apply them to your own life. If, especially, i would say even in the medical field if you are not able to maybe have those frequent bathroom breaks for surgeons especially, they have to really put their bladders to the test This could be a great option because you're not having as many risks of like a tampon or having to deal with logistics of the free bleeding. But I hear a lot of people using these specifically for sleep, which I think is a great idea. But from all the research I've done, that is usually the number one time that you can experience leakage due to your muscles relaxing in your sleep and therefore not holding the cup in place.

Speaker 2: 14:58

the same That's so Going really down the rabbit hole. That is super fascinating because I didn't even realize that there are issues attached to having to tight-tub a pelvic floor contraction. But yes, that can lead to some issues as well. So very interesting to hear that this is one of those products that can potentially be attracted by the pelvic floor. So, along those lines, this is also something you would probably need to speak to or to whiten. If it's a product available to you, you can equalize an IV and not be the best option. Again, check with your doctor or technician, because that's what's important to make sure that you get product in that you can potentially cause any issues with it.

Speaker 1: 15:41

Which I wouldn't have thought of. When you brought that up as a con I said, wow, you know, because I've not used an IUD before or have really had that as an entertainment in my realm of thinking. It's not something that I would associate first and foremost. So, again, bringing all of these up so you can apply them And we talked about it with tampons, about, depending on where you're at with your flow, being comfortable getting them in, getting them out.

Speaker 1: 16:10

The same could be said for this You may have to look into some sort of information for ease, which again kind of ups the logistical nightmare. And again then you're going down the gravel of the chemicals, the different additives that are in that which can affect the pH balance and affect your attrition. So, again, going back to knowing your body, knowing your downfalls, your pitfalls, that you have to be aware of. This probably for me is not going to be a realistic option. If I was in a pinch and this was my only option, it would probably be higher on the list than I would try. But I think, just for my flow, my season of life, this would be great.

Speaker 2: 16:56

Yeah, that's really interesting. I think that if I probably would have not been driven to current menopause, i would have attempted this a bit earlier on, but after I had done. I hadn't had enough research time to kind of wrap my brain around it before I entered into paramanopause. I think for me, at the top of my list is at this point it's just to go ahead and utilize the product that I'm most comfortable with and I'm utilized until I'm kind of in the love of my straightening system at once. But at the top of my list which I'm going to do a few times and treat me again, i mentioned it in a previous episode, so I'm going to go back here and I'm going to go through. How well is that? period of induberance just sounds all the way around like the most comfortable avatars you've seen That one got my period princess round For this round.

Speaker 1: 17:44

I will shout it from the rooftops and it really is just to me Gordon, hannah Montana, the best of both worlds. But I'm really interested to hear more from the other female runners and the ones we've heard about. Thank you for sharing your creator and talking about this. Really excited to work shop tonight. Again, you're listening to this live. It is tonight. If you were listening in the past, please visit the link in the bio and maybe shout out if this is something you'd like to see more of, because, again, we're going to be working on those certification. We're going to be growing our knowledge better, support our runners, and our female runners specifically. So there is literally no topic too big, too small. So thank you for coming on the ride with us and letting us talk about running with and on your period, because, again, every month it's going to be there And if it's not, and you are expecting- that I know somebody can call, or, if it's not, because you're starting to get into that season of hot flashes and again reach out to us.

Speaker 2: 18:51

We are really, really committed to making sure that we've got you guys literally covered, with no cons attached. With that said, friends, ashley, amazing, we're so excited to have you here. Give yourself a high five, make sure you're rehydrating your fuel And, while you're recovering, resetting your babies in between and investigating some of these menstrual options for yourself. We'd appreciate if you would rate and review a time of rent and subscribe. If not, subscribe, but it really costs $0. It makes a carry on literally, but it makes so much of a big difference for us. As well as sharing the episodes, if you found that there was something valuable, be sure it was a friend And, of course, if you feel comfortable with it, share it on social and use hashtag TFFrench. So don't forget to come back for our long brunch episode. And, of course, quick advice We'll continue rolling on through. We're gonna continue to see you again because we will see you here serving up more miles with a sigh of smiles period.