Now, I don't know what the policy is on naming brand names, so I won't, but I've been using something for about nine months now that's neither pads nor tampons, and I love it.

It's not, however, for the faint of heart. It does involve getting up close and personal with yourself.

It is a silicone cup with a little stem. My fiance calls it "the funnel" because it kind of looks like that, but don't worry, it doesn't have a hole in it the way funnels do! It's flexible, so you wet it, bend it into a U-shape, and insert like you would with a tampon. Once it's in, you can wear it for up to 12 hours. There's no risk of TSS like with tampons.

Removal is a bit unpleasant. You have to empty it into the toilet once it's removed, and then wash it. Like I said, you have to be up for the challenge.

When it's in right, I can't feel it at all. It takes some practice to get it right the first couple of times. Try this at home rather than at work or somewhere less private!

I love that you can wear it for long days or overnight, but what I love most about it is its eco-friendliness. Think about how many pads and/or tampons get thrown away every month. I just bought this one item last year, and I haven't used a tampon since! I haven't thrown any of those things away!

They usually come in two sizes: for women under 30 who haven't given birth, and over 30/have given birth.

Look into these if you care about your monthly trash!

Learn more about this author, Susanna Samford.
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