Whether you’re hitting the festival circuit this summer or you’re just relaxing on the beach for a few weeks none of us want our period to come along for the holiday fun. But sometimes it can’t be helped. We don’t want to deal with the dreaded tampon string hanging out of our bikini as you come out of the waves or worrying about changing our sanitary pad every few hours when we’re dancing up a storm! Menstrual cups are the perfect alternative to tampons and pads in summer (and all year-round really!).

 

Here’s why we think all ladies should make the switch from tampons and pads to menstrual cups and enjoy the summer sun!

 

Menstrual cups are perfect for swimming and bikinis.

- Using a menstrual cup means you don’t have to worry about where to tuck that tampon string when you’re swimming or sun baking.

- With 12 hours of leak-free protection you won’t need to plan your bathroom breaks every few hours to change your tampon or pad – you can relax all day long!

- When you’re swimming you won’t need to worry about your tampon soaking in water.

 

Menstrual cups are ideal for travelling, camping and backpacking.

- Whether you’re backpacking or camping you won’t need to worry about changing your tampon or pad often or where to throw your waste away – if you’re hiking this helps keep the trails in pristine condition and preserve the environment.

- If you’re backpacking to several countries over your summer break you can save your pennies by not needing to buy pads or tampons on the road – one menstrual cup and you’re done!

- If you’ve got a long haul flight booked you can rest assured you won’t have to deal with leakage and stains because you’ve got 12 hours before you have to empty your menstrual cup.

 

Why do you think a menstrual cup is the perfect summer companion? Let us know in the comments below! To purchase one, simply go to our onlinestore www.luvur-body.com/onlinestore, we ship globally by tracked post.

 

 

 

Busting Myths About Menstrual Cups

There are loads of misconceptions doing the rounds about menstrual cups. Today we’re here to bust these myths and get more of the facts out there to promote menstrual cup awareness & help you make an informed decision when purchasing a Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup.

Myth 1: A menstrual cup is too big to fit inside me…

Fact: A menstrual cup on average is about the size of a pinky or forefinger. The entire vagina is a muscle and it expands to accommodate anything put inside it. If a tampon, penis or vibrator several fingers at a time can fit inside a vagina & a baby's head/shoulders can come out of it, a Luv Ur Body menstrual cup will also easily fit. When choosing the right size menstrual cup for you, use our size charts to see which length will be most comfortable (link this to: http://luvur-body.com/wp/how-to-choose-size/).

Myth 2: Menstrual cups are painful to insert and hurt when inside…

Fact: When properly inserted a menstrual cup will hardly be noticeable inside the vagina. When you insert a finger into your vagina, you may have noticed the bumpy inner lining of the vagina called RUGAE, as women, we may have noticed that there is little or no sensation let alone pain felt when we scratch the rugae with the nail of the inserted finger. Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cups won't go to the extent of ever "scratching" so no discomfort is felt on insertion or removal. The "soft swell" design of our Cups enables the soft swell just under the Tim to gently part the vagina during insertion & removal to create more space & enable a smooth glide in or out. The flowers on the Luv Ur Body Cup are barely there and cannot be felt. The Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup can also be used turned inside out if this is more comfortable. For first time users there is a learning curve to get the cup inserted quickly, smoothly and in the right position. For tips on using menstrual cups check out the guide on our website (link this to: http://luvur-body.com/wp/how-to-use-clean-store-easy-insertion-removal/). You can also watch this instructional YouTube video on how to use & care for a Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup. The video link is http://youtu.be/y0q5H9Cl64o

Myth 3: Menstrual cups can be used as protection during sex…

Fact: Menstrual cups are not a form of contraception & should never be used as such. They will not protect you from STDs or pregnancy. Always remove the Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup before penetrative sexual intercourse. For oral sex (if your religion or personal beliefs allow it), our menstrual cups are the better alternative to other methods used for oral sex during menstruation such as menstrual sponges or cotton wool as the Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup will obviously be more leak proof than a menstrual sponge or cotton wool - no leakage and 100% clean.

Myth 4: Menstrual cups can be washed with any soap…

Fact: Your menstrual cup goes inside your vagina so any products used to clean your cup should be specifically formulated for vaginal use. Many cleaners (such as hand soap and dish soap) are too harsh to use on the vaginal area. Also never use bleach or other household cleaners. We highly recommend cleaning your Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup with Milton sterilising tablets or Milton Solution after each period or simply by boiling it for at least 15mins. We’ve got our tried and tested cleaning tips over on our website for you to follow (link this to: http://luvur-body.com/wp/how-to-use-clean-store-easy-insertion-removal/). We also have on the blog a post about how to use Milton to clean your Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup. We strongly DO NOT recommend using hydrogen peroxide to clean your Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup.

Myth 5: Menstrual Cups can dis-virgin teens or widen the vagina...

Fact: As long as the Menstrual Cup is inserted correctly, it will not dis-virgin or widen the vagina. It's also important to choose the correct size for your needs. Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cups can be used safely without any apprehension of either issue just the same way tampons and vaginal douches/Douch applicators are used successfully by virgins and have not been known to dis-virgin. As stated above, the vagina is a muscle which will expand to accommodate anything put into it. So during insertion, the vagina expands slightly & retracts back into shape to take in the Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup and it won't expand any more than needed. This vaginal expansion and retraction back into shape is similar to the slight expansion that takes place during sexual intercourse.  

Thank you for reading this post. Have you got any other myths you’d like us to bust about menstrual cups? Let us know below in the comments and we’ll get back to you with a response. You can also email us via customercare@luvur-body.com or fill out the contact form on our website www.luvur-body.com.

5 Ways To Ease Menstrual Cramps

                             

5 Easy Ways To Ease Menstrual Cramps

As women we all dread that time of the month when our period arrives (although sometimes we’re even thankful that we get it!). We all know the constant throbbing and cramps that come with it and even after years of having a monthly period some of us still don’t know how to manage the pain.

To help you get through your next period we’ve put together some easy ways to ease your period pain.

1. Get your body moving

We know it might be the last thing you actually feel like doing but a brisk walk or any type of movement can help ease your belly pain. When you’re doing any kind of aerobic exercise your body is pumping more blood around, this helps to release endorphins and reduce your cramps. Regular exercise is good for your overall health but it’s especially important if cramping is a regular part of your period.

2. Apply heat

Fill a hot water bottle with boiling water or grab a sweet smelling lavender heat pack and hold it on your belly while you watch TV or relax in bed. The heat helps to relax the contracting muscles in your uterus which are the cause of your pain.

         

 

3. Drink herbal tea

Herbal teas such as chamomile or raspberry leaf tea can help ease the pain from cramps. Have a cup in the morning with breakfast or before you go to bed at night. If you regularly take ibuprofen to ease the pain of cramping maybe try these natural remedies next time to see if they help. Limiting your caffeine intake can also help ease the pain.

4. Soak in a hot bath

A soak in a nice hot bath is good at any time of the month but it’s especially good for soothing muscle cramps during your period. Use sea salts to nourish the sensitive skin around your vagina, and avoid scented bubbles, salts or melts as these may irritate the area.

5. Switch your tampons and pads for a menstrual cup

Many women find that their period pain eases when they use a menstrual cup. The cup strengthens your pelvic floor muscles, making cramps less intense. If you’re ready to make the change, head to our online store (http://luvur-body.com/onlinestore/).

Have you got any other tips to ease period pain? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

 

Wearing a menstrual cup INSIDE-OUT?!

We get a lot of questions about the little leaf stem on the cup: some women prefer cutting it off because they feel it tingling, while other women like it because it makes it easier to grab the cup while removing it.

We usually answer that, yes, it is possible to cut the stem - paying attention not to damage the cup, and making sure not to go beyond the small ball at the base of the stem - but we also say that there is another way to wear the cup without the stem: and that is WEARING THE CUP INSIDE-OUT.

That's right, Luv Ur Body menstrual cups can be worn inside out, just like in the pictures you see. By wearing the menstrual cup inside-out, you won't have the stem, and the capacity of the cup will be slightly reduced: this is good if, for instance, you are on the last days of period and don't need a super-big cup to hold the flow.

We would love too see your cups going inside-out, so if you have one, please post a picture and tag it #LubCup! And let us know how it feels!

Love,

Luv Your Body Menstrual Cups


Shop: http://luvur-body.com/onlinestore/

How to keep track of your period with a menstrual cup

Did you know that with a Luv Ur Body menstrual cup you can keep track of your menstrual flow?

Our Medium and Large cups have measuring marks on the inside, so you can always have a look at how much you bleed and report it to your doctor/gynecologist. 

Knowing the amount of menstrual flow can be very helpful, especially if you have a pathology or a disorder that impact your period. We suggest keeping a little diary where you can write down the volume of blood every time you empty the cup.

Shop your menstrual cup today at our online boutique: http://luvur-body.com/onlinestore/

What's the best way to sterilize a menstrual cup?

Hello dear friends of Luv Ur Body menstrual cups,

we often get asked what is the best way to clean & sterilize a menstrual cup, in order to keep it safe and durable.

Menstrual cups can be cleaned with simple water each time that you empty them and before placing them back in the vagina. If you are on the go and don't have access to clean water, simply blot the cup with some tissue paper or toilet paper in order to remove the blood residues and make sure the holes aren't clogged.

It is of crucial importance that you STERILIZE the cup once your period is over and before starting using it again next month. Sterilization is a process that requires more than simple, running water. 

We wrote a blog post a few days ago on all the different methods that you can choose from to clean the cup at its best, but today we would like to go deeper and analyze what is - in our opinion - the best solution for sterilizing your cup.

We recommend, if possible, using Milton sterilizing tablets. Milton tablets are safe and easy to use: moms use them to sterilize their baby's feeding bottle teats and even veggies and fruit. They don't need to be washed off, and this makes them a great choice if you are traveling and don't have access to a stove or a microwave to boil the cup. 

Additionally, while the boiling process gets rid of most - but not all the - bacteria, Milton tablets kill even the stronger bacteria, making them the best solution possible to sterilize your cup.

Another plus of Milton tablets is their cleansing power: you may have noticed that menstrual cups - especially the clear ones - tend to acquire a yellowish tone with time. This is because hemoglobin is a very strong natural dye and it stains medical grade silicon. 

Soaking a cup in a Milton tablet gets rid of this yellowish tone, bringing the cup to the original clearness (and beauty!). For best results, soak the cup overnight.

We do not recommend using anything else than Milton tablets to treat cup discoloration and we highly recommend against hydrogen peroxide based products or other chemicals than could damage the cup and affect its functionality. 

We hope that this article has helped you, and we wish you a happy time with your Luv Ur Body menstrual cup!

http://luvur-body.com/onlinestore/

5 Tips to Live a More Sustainable Life

Hello dear friends,

You may all know that menstrual cups make a great sustainable life-choice and drastically reduce the waste women create due to their period.

But we can all do more, can't we? Here is a list of five, simple tips that will make you feel better at the end of the day, knowing that you are helping to care for our beloved Earth. ENJOY!

1. USE REUSABLE CONTAINERS - you can find all types of reusable bottles, in hard plastic or glass, with some designs being very attractive! The same can be said for food containers: when you go to the restaurant, you can bring your own super stylish plastic/metal/glass container so you won't have to ask for the disposable foam container. And the list goes on! Find your own way to recycle containers and reduce the amount of disposable ones you use.

2. UNPLUG PHANTOM POWER DEVICES - phone and computer chargers, coffee pots, and other devices consume energy even when they are not being used. Simply unplug them from the wall to cut out on energy consumption...the planet will thank you, and you'll get a nicer bill.

3. BRING A REUSABLE GROCERY SHOPPING BAG - instead of buying the plastic shoppers from the store, bring reusable bags made out of juta, cotton or other resistant material. You can throw them in the back of your car and have them at your disposal whenever you need to carry your purchases. 

4. TAKE SHORTER SHOWERS - even a couple of minutes less make a huge difference!

5. INVEST IN HIGH QUALITY - from clothing to furniture, from appliances to shoes, remember that quality saves money down the line. You might pay more when you buy it, but you won't have to replace the purchase as quickly, which will save you more money and reduce waste.

How To Clean A Menstrual Cup

Cleaning is a very important step in your menstrual cup routine. Actually, it is the only thing that you have to do in order to keep your menstrual cup safe and functional.
The beauty of a re-usable product is that with a minimum effort you get almost unlimited usage out of it, creating no waste and helping the world being a better place.
Here are a few ways to clean your menstrual cup: pick your favorite, and let's give it a clean!

1. BOIL THE CUP IN WATER
This is the most common method to sterilize your menstrual cup: it takes 5 minutes, a little bit of water and gas. Simply sink the menstrual cup in a pot filled with water and bring the water to boil. Wait five minutes, then carefully remove the cup from the pot and let it cool. We suggest getting a small pot only dedicated to this purpose.

2. MICROWAVE THE CUP
The principle is the same, although it's a bit quicker and it doesn't involve gas. Make sure to place the cup in a microwaveable container in order to avoid unpleasant accidents. We suggest getting a specific container for this purpose.

3. USE STERILIZING TABLETS
If you're on the go and don't have access to a stove or a microwave, you can always use sterilizing tablets such as Milton's. Some moms use them to sterilize their baby's toys and pacifiers. Simply dilute a tablet in a container filled with water and let the cup sit in it overnight.

4. USE NEUTRAL SOAP
Some women report problems leaving the cup sinking in water because where they live water has a high concentrate of calcium. You can wash your cup with neutral soap and let the water run through it. Make sure to squeeze it so the holes open and get rinsed carefully.

If you're already a happy customer of Luv Ur Body we wish you pleasant times with your menstrual cup! Otherwise, get yours at http://luvur-body.com/onlinestore/

Love,

Luv Ur Body

Why it is important investing in a good menstrual cup

Hello friends,

today we'll be talking about a hot topic, and we'll be answering a typical question when it comes to purchasing a menstrual cup: "Why should I spend close to (and sometimes even more than) $30 for a menstrual cup, when I can find $2, $5 options online?".

Let's start with a very obvious statement: cheap menstrual cups are made in China and they are unbranded. By saying so, we don't mean that you have to stick to brands like you would for let's say, a smartphone or a pair of sneakers, but that brands do offer something more than a label:

- Quality standards: an unknown brand has "no name", therefore there is no one to blame if the quality is poor, if the menstrual cup breaks or - worse - if it causes health problems.

- Safety standards: a brand that sells in EU and the US must follow safety regulations that don't apply in China. This means that the items you purchase might be potentially dangerous, or contain chemicals that the Western countries have banned.

-Medical silicon: the top quality material for a menstrual cup - and what you should look for when you shop - is medical grade silicon. There are several types of silicon, but not all of them are FDA (Food & Drugs Administration) approved. FDA approved silicon is in fact used for medical devices (such as feeding tube and catheters) and it's tolerated by human body. Any other type of silicon may cause allergic reactions, irritation and other issues with prolonged use.

-Material: even if cheap cups claim to be made "with" silicon, we still don't know which type of silicon it is, if it's chemically treated with other substances, and if our body is going to tolerate it. Some cups claim to be made of "food grade silicon". Attention: food grade silicon may be safe to eat from, but having something inside your body for multiple hours is a totally different story!

-Customer care: we know menstrual cups can be tricky to use at first, and that's why we are here to help! All our social networks, as well as our email, are at our customers' disposal to ask questions and help out. We also offer tips and curiosities about menstrual cups daily, which help raise awareness on the topic. In other words, we care about you and we are not a hidden company who will never answer your call.

-Ethics: many Chinese menstrual cups stole the design of branded menstrual cups, which cost time, research and money to realize. Additionally, menstrual cups are an ethical source for the environment, and you can do your good action by supporting companies that invested in this idea :)

Luv Ur Body menstrual cups are made of 100% FDA approved medical silicon, the top quality material you can find on the market. In other words, you couldn't be more safe :)

Shop your Lub Cup today: http://luvur-body.com/shop/index.php/en/

What is Toxic Shock Syndrome & Why You Are Safer Using a Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup

I'm sure many of you have heard at least once about Toxic Shock Syndrome (or TSS); the syndrome is caused by the presence of the Staphylococcus Aureus. The bacteria develops in the vagina where there is a condition of strong absorbency of liquids, like it happens with tampons. 

Wearing tampons for a prolonged period of time expose women to Toxic Shock Syndrome, because the longer the absorbent agent stays in the vagina, the higher chances are that the bacteria proliferates and infects the body.

What are the symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome? 
Symptoms occur suddenly and resemble those of a flu. They require hospitalization and administration of antibiotics; among them are a high fever, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, a cutaneous rash, muscle aches and fainting. If not treated immediately, the infection may cause shock, kidney failure and liver failure.

Why is a Luv Ur Body menstrual cup safer than a tampon?
A Luv Ur Body menstrual cup is made out of medical grade silicon, the same that is used for catheters, feeding tubes and other medical applications. Medical grade silicon cups are well tolerated by the body and they have a minimum risk of developing infections. Why? Because the cup does not absorb the menstrual flux, but it contains it in the vagina until you empty the cup.  The moisture in your vagina remains unaltered, therefore the risk of a growth of bacteria is very, very low, if not almost non-existent. In fact, there has never been a reported case of TSS reported by a woman using a menstrual cup.
Provided that you sterilize your Luv Ur Body cup and insert it with clean hands, there is no risk of bacteria proliferation.

Be safer and switch to a Luv Ur Body cup today! 

Luv Ur Body Official Online Store: http://luvur-body.com/onlinestore/