FemmyCycle Review

"Say goodbye to pads and tampons!

The FemmyCycle is an innovative menstrual cup that is safe, cost effective, and most important, minimizes the mess and leakage associated with almost all other feminine sanitary products. The FemmyCycle ® is ideal for active or athletic women."

The above was copied and pasted from FemmyCycle's website. :)

You may or may not know that I switched to RUMPs (reusable menstrual products) and no longer use disposable tampons and pads for my periods. It has been as wonderful as periods can be and loads better than using disposables. If you are having a response of "ewww" or "ick" or "that's gross" right about now, I totally get it, but keep reading. At the end of this blog I have placed some links to some blogs addressing those very things and maybe they'll change your outlook. If nothing else, I hope I will at least get you thinking about how you can help the planet's pollution problem.

My first try with a menstrual cup was the Diva size 2. There was a learning curve, but once I was inserting it right, I knew I wanted to keep using a cup, but I was getting cramps from the firmness of the Diva cup. I went to my FB RUMPs group and asked them what they recommended and kept hearing about the Sckoon cup. I bought my Sckoon cup and let me just say-I LOVE IT so much I bought a second one. I cannot ever feel it while it's in, and it pops open much easier than the Diva. It is more flexible and softer than the Diva. As long as I empty it often enough, it does not leak. It fits very well and I can tell very easily that I have it in correctly over my cervix. I have been using my Sckoon for several months now.

I love using a cup so much, and I am even excited about my homemade cloth liners! I got so excited I wanted to spread the word about RUMPs so I wrote to some companies asking for stickers/pamphlets and such to leave in restrooms. One of the companies I wrote to was FemmyCycle. FemmyCycle was so awesome, they sent me pamphlets and even asked me to try a sample and give a review for their menstrual cup. Within a week I had a FemmyCycle to try.

My thoughts on the FemmyCycle are mixed. I got the regular FemmyCycle cup. They do have a low cervix option available. I must say, this cup does not leak IF PLACED CORRECTLY. However, I have been having a lot of difficulty getting it to unfold completely and therefore have had a few issues with leaking. If I understand correctly, the FemmyCycle is designed not to open all the way. I think it is confusing because even though it does not have to open completely, it does have to unfold completely in order for it not to leak. I have trouble getting it to unfold and also knowing if it is unfolded because it is so large. This part is a little bit frustrating but I haven't had horrible messes or anything, so it's still catching most of what it is supposed to even if it's still a little folded. I also have experienced minor cramps from the firmness and how large it is. I have only used it for 2 cycles, and some cups can take several cycles to learn. I obviously need a little more practice with this cup since its shape is different than the Sckoon and Diva cups and I need to get familiar with how it feels when it's open AND unfolded like it should be. I do like it for my heavy day even if I have to put up with cramping as I don't have to empty the FemmyCycle as much due to it's larger capacity. I have to empty my Sckoon about every 4 to 5 hours on my heavy day and work bathrooms are not the most ideal for rinsing out a menstrual cup. With the FemmyCycle I can go my whole work day and not have to empty it until I get home. On light days, I use my Sckoon and empty it every 8 to 12 hours.


At the end of my cycles I boil my cups and put them away. I keep one in my purse and one in my bathroom. Less waste, less time AND money spent on my periods, and more freedom during activities like swimming and playing sports. I never feel like my cup is going to fall out, nor has it done so. I have had tampons fall out before or at least feel like they're going to fall out and that is not a pleasant feeling. I never liked using tampons and I never liked the waste caused by using pads/tampons. This solves many of my period problems, and is healthier for my body. What's not to like?


Still think it's gross? Read the following blogs addressing the "ick factor."
http://paleomovement.com/ladies-menstrual-cup-can-change-life-least-period/
http://www.mommygreenest.com/why-i-heart-my-menstrual-cup/
http://lunapads.com/blog/2010/09/cloth-pads-gross/
http://www.overthrowmartha.com/2014/05/menstrual-cups.html

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN ROLLER DERBY IN THE LAST DECADE....

I get this question so much: “YOU play roller derby?” This question is accompanied by an incredulous look and usually the statement, “but you’re so small.” So what. I am powerful and strong and I can hit people and take big hits too. This is a misconception based on my size.

Not only do people have misconceptions about me when I mention that I play roller derby, but most of these same people (people who have never seen modern-day roller derby) have many misconceptions about the sport of roller derby itself.  I have had countless conversations in the past 6 years of my derby “career” clearing up some of those misconceptions.  Maybe more people would take the time to step into an arena where roller derby is happening if they could be educated about what roller derby is NOT. This is my attempt to inform the uninformed public.

Misconception #1 – Roller Derby girls have to be big girls. Or they have to be lesbians. Or they have to have tattoos.

Roller derby players come in all shapes and sizes and walks of life and career backgrounds. We have parents too. Some players have tattoos, some don’t. Sexual identity among derby players is just as diverse as the Kinsey scale itself. Some look tough, some look sweet. 

Misconception #2 – Roller derby is not a sport. And there are scantily clad women who fight each other.

Briefly, about the staged fighting, IT IS AGAINST THE RULES!!! You want to see a fight, go to hockey. You want to see staged fights, go to WWE. Roller derby rules can be found at http://wftda.com/rules. Read them. They will help you understand the game. YES we have rules. Roller derby still has big, exciting hits and plays. Roller derby doesn't need fighting to be exciting. :) Football is exciting without fighting. Roller derby athletes work as hard as any other athlete to be the best at what we do and we can do it on skates. That takes more than just skill.

Personally, I like the ability to be able to express one's self as a roller derby athlete by wearing fishnets or colorful tights or socks if I want to.  Wearing these items makes a roller derby athlete no more scantily clad than any other female athlete. See my previous blog covering this subject: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2105450644433191333#editor/target=post;postID=6582921207566927863;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=10;src=postname

 

The beautiful, artistic form of an athlete shows what can come from continuous hard work and perseverance. Not only that, why would we want to cover up those hard-working bodies when it's so hot out there on the track? Watching roller derby athletes in action is a phenomenal experience in my opinion. If you watch Dancing With the Stars contestants, female volleyball players, or just go to the beach or pool you will see revealing clothing. Heck, you can go to Walmart and see revealing clothing. In my opinion roller derby athletes' physiques are more appealing than those you might encounter at a Walmart or a public pool/beach. We practice several times a week to prepare for this hard-hitting, fast-paced game that is full of endurance. Roller derby athletes' bodies let us do these things week after week, year after year, and that is what sporting is about. Doing your best so you can be your best at what you do.

All ORG skaters are required to be professional in their attire and cover all naughty bits if you are still skeptical.

Misconception #3 – Roller derby athletes get paid to play.

Don’t I wish?!!! The amount of time I spend on this sport is well over part-time job status but I only get paid for my full-time job as an administrative assistant. Skaters pay dues, hold fundraisers, and set up for our own games along with many other tasks on a long list of necessary functions that help make a league run. Leagues are run by skaters/league members and volunteers with the help of sponsors and our community. Volunteers make up most of our official team whom we are so appreciative of! My league has a board of directors as well as job positions that members hold to take care of the day to day business and earn required participation points.  Attendance is a requirement as well in order to skate in scrimmages and games.

I think everyone should come to a bout at least once, if for nothing else than to be educated about your misconceptions. Roller derby games are full of fun, excitement, and action! Plus the kids love it and we love signing autographs for them! View the Omaha Rollergirls’ schedule here: http://www.omaharollergirls.org/schedule Come out and see us!