BLACK WOMEN SHOULD CONSIDER USING MENSTRUAL CUPS

660 PICKS

written by Women Of Color Healing Retreats

Menstrual cycles — or moon cycles — are known to be a terrible time. But what if we told you that your menstrual cycle was sacred? Since the beginning of time, women’s bodies have been commodified and used as global resources. This commodification suggests to most women that their natural processes are more burdensome than beautiful. Many African cultures considered a woman’s menstrual blood sacred. In fact, blood potency deemed the idea of flushing female blood down a toilet, or throwing it in the garbage, absurd; however, over time, women were taught that their natural bodily fluids were sinful, dirty, and worthy of shame. This is why today, when women have their periods, it is a secret or they rush to the bathroom to hide their feminine products. To embrace your moon cycle and to understand its potency is every woman’s birthright.  

Black women have a high rate of fibroids, and have reported extremely bad cramps, a large part of this is because of the mis-education about our menstrual cycles. Naturally, most black women are taught to use pads and tampons for their menstrual cycles, but using tampons and pads can cause a plethora of problems. Most major tampon and cotton brands use a combination of bleached rayon, conventional cotton, and contain plastic. Tampons are often made of Rayon, a material associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition where staphylococci bacteria (staph) enters the vagina through the bloodstream. Tampons may also contain harmful chemicals like asbestos and chlorine, and the average pad contains the equivalent of four plastic bags. By switching to a menstrual cup, you can eliminate plastic and have a safer and healthier period. You also save hundreds of dollars by using a menstrual cup, not only this but studies show that those who use menstrual cups experience lighter bleeding and less cramps. Most women report having shorter periods after using menstrual cups especially if coupled with eating healthy.

Our menstrual cycle is also called the moon cycle because, like a moon cycle, menstruation lasts 28 days. When we were balanced, when technology did not affect us, and when we were in tune with nature, women would bleed during the new moon, and they would ovulate and be ready to give birth on the full moon. Presently, women are more likely to bleed on the full moon. In ancient times, women’s menstrual cycles were in sync with one another. Women would sit and bleed together, using this time to nourish themselves and each other. During their menstrual cycles, women used introspection to bring forth manifestations. It was also common for men, elders, and children to give women their own space to sit with themselves. The vitality, the plasma, and the frequency of menstrual blood are potent on a physical and energetic level to heal. Connecting with menstrual blood has been cultural for years. Today, women have been disconnected from their cycles.

A menstrual cup is not only healthier for us but it also can reconnect us to our menstrual cycle. Our blood is not garbage, and it is not trash. Menstrual blood should never be classified in a derogatory manner. Our blood is sacred, and it has stem cells; it is alive, and it is powerful. Most major tampon and pad brands contain plastic and toxic chemicals; moon cups, on the other hand, eliminate these chemicals and provide a safer option. Additionally, moon cups bestow a deeper connection to your blood. All blood is nutrient dense, so women can give their blood back to plants or nature. When you use moon cups, you can simply pour your blood into your plants or garden. Menstrual blood is beneficial and healing for plants, and it also holds your genetic code. To pour your blood into your plants or garden is to link your genetics with the earth. This delicate process enables women to energetically bond with the earth, which is to be in tune with the elements. 

Make your menstrual cycle into a celebration; it is another rebirth, and the more in tune you become with it, the more comfortable and satisfying your period will become.