Periods. We all know the deal – they happen and they’re a natural function of the female body. We also know that even in 2017, there is still a huge stigma surrounding them. Maybe if we say the word enough, people will get used to it. Period. Period. Period.
But, there’s one brand out there that really is attempting to normalise periods. You may know Monki for its affordable fashion, but did you know that the Scandinavian high street label has collaborated with Lunette this summer to launch a menstrual cup?
Monki has always been pretty good at sticking up for women. They’ve made a number of statements over the years to combat issues surrounding how women should be. One example being about female masturbation, and that women should be able to masturbate as they please, just like a man would.
This time, it’s about periods. Their launch of the menstrual cup with Lunette is a step in the right direction. Not only are they great because the momentum of this product brings us closer to female menstruation being an ‘acceptable’ subject to talk about, but for a whole bunch of reasons. Firstly, they’re teaming up with The Cup Foundation, a charity that aims to empower young girls in Kenya and teach them about menstruation – and they’re donating 5000 of these cups to the charity, making life easier for women in Kenya who don’t have access to sanitary products the same way we do, making life a whole lot easier for them.
CEO and Founder of The Cup Foundation, Camilla Wirseen, said: ‘It is the right of all women to be able to handle their periods in a safe and hygienic way. Together with Monki and Lunette, The Cup Foundation will be able to make a real difference and help even more girls living in poverty to stay in school.’
They’re also better for the environment - the cups are reusable and will last a number of years, whereas tampons and sanitary pads make up a massive 200,000 tonnes of waste each year. And last, but certainly not least, they’re better for your body– you’re still more likely to develop Toxic Shock Syndrome when wearing a tampon despite being able to keep the cup in for longer.
It’s available online and in selected Monki stores, and it’s got a price tag of £25.That may seem like a lot of money, but weighing up all its benefits– perhaps it’s worth giving a try!
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Ask An Adult: What Happens To My Body The Week Before My Period?
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.