Let’s talk periods.
How many of you women can relate when I say that having your moon cycle while travelling can be bloody annoying, pardon the pun!
I remember the days of having to stock up on tampons when travelling to countries that don’t sell them. Or hunting high and low for the nearest public bathroom. On that point, what is it with the lack of public toilets in some parts of the world?
I used to perfectly time the places I would be when travelling on my moon cycle. I had to make sure I wasn’t taking any long bus or plane rides, or out on a full-day tour. It’s limiting, to say the least. And something that, as a travel blogger, can interrupt my work and natural flow.
When I switched over to the moon cup I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread! This compact silicone cup replaced hundreds of dollars worth of menstrual products, a whole lot of space in my bag and allowed me to have a zero-waste period. The cup, paired with period-proof undies, made me feel like I had a 1-up on my body. I felt unrestricted on my cycle for the first time since I was 15!
Related reading: 5 travel hacks to make your travels plastic-free
For me though, the most important change was my impact on the environment. This graph explains why –
Photo: https://www.organicup.com/
Most pads contain polyethylene plastic. Most tampons contain chemicals such as dioxin, chlorine and rayon. And both these products often end up in landfill, taking years to decompose and releasing harmful toxins into the already polluted atmosphere.
In the space of 10 years, just 1 menstrual cup can replace over 2500 pads and tampons entering landfill Share on XWhen I travel, I want my waste to be minimal. Especially as a woman who mostly travels to developing regions where waste segregation is little to non-existent. Even just one person can contribute to a larger issue with waste management and, as an eco-conscious human, I don’t want to be that person. I sleep soundly knowing that my moon cycle is a zero-waste one. It’s these little things that make a big impact. Our planet is suffering enough and it’s only through innovations like this that we can reduce our impact dramatically.
Purchase the Sileu Travel Pack online
The moon cup is growing in popularity, but I have noticed some hesitation. I’ll be brutally honest with you all – the first time I put the moon cup in my Lady Jane it was a little uncomfortable. I remember thinking “Yeah, nope I can’t do this” and took it out. But then I tried again and it was fine. Now when I wear it I don’t feel it at all. It actually feels a million times more comfortable than a tampon, and retains three times more liquid!
One moon cup lasts up to 10 years. Before and after using it, just sterilize the cup in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. The Sileu travel pack includes a collapsible sterilising cup so it fits nicely in your bag, with more room for the important stuff. Not sure what size to get? Sileu has a sizing chart available on their website.
If you’re curious about the moon cup, reach out to me and ask me any questions. I’m 2 years pad and tampon free thanks to my Sileu Moon Cup and my Thinx undies.
This article contains affiliate links meaning I may receive a commission should you book using any of these links. I only affiliate myself with companies and organisations that I trust to be ethical and sustainable so I know you’ll be in good hands. Any of the profits I make go towards continuing to share with my readers how they can travel responsibly and help support the causes they care about.
