I wish I could talk more people into trying menstrual cups. They’ve made my periods considerably easier to manage and more comfortable, hands down! I do understand that the idea of using one can seem daunting, and that you probably have a lot of questions. Let’s try to answer some of those Qs then! 

It’s been three years since I switched to using a menstrual cup, and it has made getting my period so much more bearable. I no longer need to worry about my napkin leaking or paranoid about getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS) from my tampon. Using a cup is so much more comfortable than the other two options since there are no strings or thick paddings to deal with! And it does make me feel better knowing that menstrual cups are a more environment-friendly option for dealing with my monthly period.

Growing up in a conservative environment, I wasn't taught much about my body. All I knew about breasts were that they start to grow when a woman hits puberty, that you should wear a bra when they do, and that they were a food source for babies. There were no other explanations or discussions, so I had a lot of unanswered questions when I began to notice the changes in my body. No one was willing to talk to me because boobs were and often still are treated as a taboo topic in the Philippines.

It’s so easy to take health for granted. I’ve never been hospitalized my life so far, so I tend to be careless about taking good care of myself. However, I do try to be self-aware and pay attention to any changes in my body.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and though the month has already passed, getting checked is something that women should do regularly. Self-examination only takes up a little bit of time, but can make a huge difference in helping to detect breast cancer. Recently I went to the Avon Pink Minute event in the Quezon Memorial Circle where they gathered breast cancer survivors and other members of their community to raise breast cancer awareness.

Living your best life and being your best self can be interpreted in a number of ways. If your definition includes striving for constant self-improvement on the health and wellness front, you’re in good company. General Nutrition Centers, aka GNC Philippines, is also on the move to becoming bigger, better, and stronger to match their stores in Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

Let’s face it: when asked what are the worst things about being a girl, dealing with our monthly period is one of the first things that come to mind. The blood, the cramps, and the PMS we endure for decades is no walk in the park. Thankfully, living in the 21st century gives us more options on how we manage our blood flow. We asked Yna (24), Calacatia (27), and Annette (34), as well as PV girls Gett (24) and Den (34), who have tried different methods to manage their periods to share their experiences.