Did you know?

Using menstrual cups does not affect a woman’s virginity.

Culturally, we are led to think that our hymen breaks and our virginity is lost. In fact, the hymen varies in shape among women, and is actually likely to be elastic. In a lot of women, the hymen just stretches, and in some the hymen does not exist since birth.

We cannot differentiate a virgin by her hymen, due to the variety in shapes among women and the fact that a hymen does not disappear.

Ask us for the references if you would like to know more!

Yes, you can get pregnant during your period.

It’s less likely, but it’s possible. Sperm can survive in the body for up to five days, so if you have a short cycle and ovulate early, sex at the end of your period can lead to pregnancy.

A period tracker can show your likely fertile window, but it is not a reliable form of contraception on its own.

Showering and washing your hair on your period is safe.

Many of us grew up hearing that showering during a period is harmful. It isn’t. Staying clean is part of good period hygiene, and a warm shower can even ease cramps.

Swimming is safe too. With a cup, nothing shows and nothing leaks.

Exercise is good for you during your period.

There’s no need to skip sports. Gentle to moderate movement, like walking, stretching, yoga or swimming, can ease cramps and lift your mood.

Listen to your body: rest when you need to, and move when it feels good.

Periods are not a secret, and not only “women’s business”.

Half of the world menstruates. When fathers, brothers and friends understand periods too, girls feel less ashamed and get support faster.

Talking openly at home and at school is one of the simplest ways to break the stigma.

Darker skin on and around the genital area is perfectly normal, and most of us have it!

Many of us have been at least a tiny bit bothered by how our skin down there tends to look a bit darker, or have wondered whether others have that too.

Is something wrong with my skin? The reality is that in most people, post-puberty, the skin in the genital area will be darker than other skin areas. There’s no “normal” colour, and the darkening can take different shades depending on the skin tone.

This darkening occurs when the skin produces an abundance of melanin (the pigment that gives skin its colour), and it’s called hyperpigmentation. Some common causes are hormonal changes, friction and inflammation, hair removal products, dryness and ageing. Skin darkening can also happen in other areas of the body, such as the nipples, knees, elbows and armpits.

Some tips to avoid or reduce darkening: avoid very tight clothing and underwear, keep the skin moisturized, avoid harsh hair removal like waxing or shaving over irritated skin, wear sweat-wicking clothing, and exfoliate gently.

Darkening usually happens gradually. If you notice a sudden change in colour or itchiness around your genital area, it’s recommended to see a doctor.

Your vagina cleans itself.

The vagina keeps itself healthy with good bacteria and natural discharge. Douching, scented washes and sprays upset that balance and can lead to infections.

Wash only the outside (the vulva) with water or a mild, unscented soap, and pat dry.

Discharge is normal and changes through your cycle.

Clear or white discharge is a sign of a healthy vagina. It often becomes clear and stretchy, like egg white, around ovulation.

See a doctor if it changes colour (green or grey), smells strong, or comes with itching, burning or pain.

Always wipe from front to back.

Wiping from front to back keeps bacteria from the anus away from the urethra and vagina. It’s one of the easiest ways to prevent urinary tract infections.

Period blood is as clean as the blood in the rest of your body.

Period blood is a mix of blood and the tissue that lines your uterus. It is not dirty, toxic or impure. It’s simply part of a healthy cycle.

A cycle usually lasts 21 to 35 days.

Your cycle counts from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. Anywhere from 21 to 35 days is typical for adults. In the first years after a first period, cycles from 21 to 45 days are common.

The period itself usually lasts 2 to 7 days.

A whole period is usually just a few tablespoons of fluid.

It can feel like a lot, but most people lose around 30 to 40 ml over a whole period. A cup lets you see it for yourself.

If you soak a pad every hour, pass large clots, or bleed for more than 7 days, talk to a doctor.

Pain that stops your day is not something to “just live with”.

Mild cramps are common. But pain that keeps you home from school or work, or that pain medicine doesn’t ease, deserves a doctor’s visit. It can be a sign of a condition like endometriosis, which can be treated.

One person can use more than 10,000 pads and tampons in a lifetime.

That’s around 40 years of periods, 12 times a year, several products a day. Almost all of it ends up in landfills or the sea.

One Juniper cup replaces 800+ pads and lasts 5 to 10 years.

A conventional pad can be up to 90% plastic.

The waterproof backing, wings, wrapper and adhesive are mostly plastic, which can take hundreds of years to break down.

Never flush pads or tampons.

They block pipes and often end up on beaches and in the sea. Wrap used products and put them in the bin. Or switch to a cup, and there’s nothing to throw away.

Reusable period care is kinder to your pocket too.

A cup costs about the same as a few months of pads, then lasts for years. Try our savings calculator on the homepage with your own numbers.