A bloody post.

For a long time (over two years), I wanted to write openly about the adoption of menstrual cup and always shyed away..
I'm sharing one of the instances when cup supported me to try my level best.
I was yearning to complete the Malnad ultra trail run 2019 edition 50kms with killer elevations within the cut off time of 9 hours.
A night before the run had period cramps and knee pain kicked in. Early in the morning, I knew it is going to be a heavy #Bloody day...
Yet, my menstrual cup helped to run for half a day (~11 hours) without rashes or discomfort..
I was running strong the trails for 8 hours, lingering Knee pain started at 42kms (lack of elevation training) and had to complete slowly by walking. Took 10 hours 17 mins to reach the end point and finish my race.

I also could endure day long (~20+hours) road and train return journey.
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Every women must have had nightmare or dreadful travel or outdoor experience with periods. Even I have had enough shares of such bad period stories. Now, I do not panic with leakage and stained dresses; instead, learnt to relax and let it go to reap the benefits listed in my previous post!!
http://dhanupriya.blogspot.com/2019/06/its-your-cup-of-tea.html?m=1
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This is just one of my experience with the cup and outdoor activities. I have already ran, hiked and trekked with the confidence of the cup;
To count and state,
Two ultra marathons (50kms)
Hiked for two to three days continuously in Eastern ghats and Himalayas
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You can go beyond comfort zone every month periods with few cups of water and a sterilized cup.
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Hope this helps you to adopt sustainable menstrual hygiene and support your female friend, spouse, daughter to go ahead win the world at any time of the month or day..
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Various studies on menstrual cups says that familiarisation (use continuously for many months) and peer support helps to adopt or accept menstrual cup.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(19)30111-2/fulltext
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I need to thank Thamizh, Aishwarya and Vanathi  who have spoken/introduced/inspired about menstrual cup.
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I purchased mine from online store and recommend you to choose right size for you.
It is difficult to find cup from medical/general stores in and around Chennai.
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I use menstrual cup regularly and recommend fellow women explorers to give a try to your cup!!
#menstration #womenhygiene #woman #menstrualcup #womanexplore #periods
#menstrualhygiene

Cloud9

Two days family run at Meghamalai

1100+kms road trip, 30 hours of travel and 30kms of trail hill run

I got a chance to travel to Meghamalai from Chennai for a weekend (before Deepavalli)..
Trip started with me, Mukund and Souresh from Chennai.
It was all men run crew and I was the only one 'woman'. It was twelve hours bus journey (as Chennai was jam packed with diwali outflux traffic) to Periyakulam. We refreshed in a decent hotel near bus stand.
I happen to arrange for a bike from a friend of friend of a friend, who is generous to borrow his bike for the weekend.
Then it took two hours of bike ride in drizzle and rain to Chinnamannur.
Cool climate and drizzling made the whole ride memorable and felt like floating thro cloud9.
Around three hours of bus and bike ride to reach Manallaru, where warm and wonderful village welcomed us with 'good food'.

Day 1: 
Lovely chill climate, hot food boosted my energy and insisted, I can do it.
Ultimately, when I started running the whole gang left me, to catch up following trail marks.
I just followed my body instincts and pushed few metres in the trails. Alas, saw few friends marking route for me. I was elated and pushed myself to keep up with them in the down and uphills.
I climbed, ran in the ridges and around the cold lake. I had my first meet with leeches.
Then, at last when whole crew took dip in cold lake. I was scared and not sure of wetting my body. I have many times swam in cold open waters, but still...

Suddenly, I got a good push on my shoulders that 'Do it and you won't regret that you have not taken a dip'. It was really a great feel that cold water touching all parts of your skin.

Felt lucky to enjoy that moment with clean, natural water, air and of course 'nice' people around to make you feel good and comfortable in a tough spot.

Day 2:
I took Mukund for 15km hill run, trek that turned into hike, following trail markings. It was an excellent experience to both of us, as we learnt how much we both can endure, tolerate each other and also enjoy nature in a natural manner (by foot).

Again, the return trip was over fifteen hours with refreshment breaks.
It is surely a great trip...
#Meghamalai #Love4hills

It's your cup of tea!!!

Menstruation and active lifestyle


You must have heard about "Menstrual cup" and this post is all about using it.

Menstruation is a topic sorrounded still with taboo, myths and beliefs.
Cups can turn your life from fear of periods to fearless of spots, overflows, stretching leg, sleeping in infinite positions, long travels and even physical activities.
Women, in general, avoid physical activity with pads, as it creates rashes, uncomfortable leakages, pad marks and ofcourse NO chance of water games or swimming.

List of cool things possible with cup:
1. Swimming
2. Running marathons and ultra runs
3. Long Travels inside and outside India
4. Gymming
5. Sleeping in Infinite positions, with legs stretched like wings
6. No pollution and trouble of waste disposal (NO dogs hunting blood soaked pads)


Using cup is surely a 'guilt-free' experience that you are not suffocating nature with synthetic pads (often!) and helping environment pad by pad.

Every woman should feel the freedom to live, travel and binge on their periods with menstrual cup of their color, size and of course brand.

Give a try and share your experience.