About a month or so ago, a woman I met at a new moon circle (a meditation circle) approached me and we started talking about menstrual cups (my favorite topic!), the fertility awareness method, and periods in general. She told me that she’d love to use a menstrual cup but probably wouldn’t be able to because she has vulvodynia.

If you’re an athlete with a uterus, having a period isn’t going to stop you from training or being an athlete, right? But participating in competitive sports PLUS having a menstrual cycle is a topic many of us overlook. We spoke with one of the world’s best pole dancers, Oona Kivelä, to help shine a light to this conversation.

What made you want to switch to a menstrual cup? Was it the convenience (it was for me), or was it the fact that you’d be saving so much money? Maybe it was the health benefits or the eco-friendly factor that pushed you to make the switch. Whatever the reason, trash-free periods are possible and SO much better for everyone, including the planet. Not only are there menstrual cups, but we’re also giving kudos to those who use reusable cloth pads and period-proof underwear. The options we have today have come a long way since our grandparents’ day!