Author: Joan Shimda- Tokyo, Japan. (Originally from London).

Hello, lovely people! I can't wait to share my incredible adventure into the world of menstrual cups with you all. The bohokiwi Menstrual Cup and its nifty collapsible steriliser found their way into my life through a holiday deal in an expat Tokyo Facebook group. They were offering a very nice discount for group members as they were launching their products online in Japan.

Now, let me give you a little background: I'm a 33-year-old first-time cup user, no kids, and I'm a gym enthusiast, hitting those workouts about three times a week. My cervix likes to hang out a bit higher and tilt slightly to the left.

Day 1: My period arrives, usually the first day is on the heavy side. The anticipation and also anxiety of using the bohokiwi Menstrual Cup were building. I used the punch-down fold and this made insertion a breeze and the comfort level was a very pleasant surprise. I guess I am lucky as I have heard murder scene stories. I rocked that cup, a whopping 7.5 hours before even a hint of leakage. Note my trusty period underwear was worn for backup and I was not that confident.

Removing the cup took some getting used to, though. Breaking the seal to remove the cup took a few tries and was, to say the least, a bit nerve-racking at first. I managed to break the seal but maneuvering it out with one hand was a bit of a learning curve. Sleep that evening wasn't the soundest due to my leak anxiety, but I embraced it like a champ and woke up at 5 am to take care of business.

Day 2: Removal was smoother this time, and although there was a bit of leaking when the cup was only half full, I wasn't discouraged. It made me wonder if I needed to finesse my insertion technique or if the softness of the cup was playing a role. Could firmness be the key to a leak-free day? (Over the next few days my worries subsided as it did get easier and easier and I think the cup suited me perfectly). 

Day 3: Another early wakeup call to check for leaks, but this time the cup was just a quarter full and no leakage. The rest of the day sailed by with zero worries. I put the bohokiwi cup through the ultimate test at the gym – black leggings of course as I was still super paranoid about leaks– squats, lunges, you name it – and the bohokiwi cup held its ground like a true champion. My confidence was growing, although I still had reservations about heavy flow days. I even decided to go with just a liner to sleep on nights 3 and 4 – talk about adaptability!

Reflections on the BohoKiwi Cup a couple of cycles down the line: Inserting and removing it became second nature. Once it was in, it felt like it was meant to be. And can we talk about the steriliser case? Total game-changer. No boiling my cup in my cooking pots; it was already a win in my book. And it's collapsible, so perfect to carry in my handbag for holidays or just when I want to rinse my cup in the bathroom stall. I fill it with water, pop the cup in, give it a shake, and reinsert. So no major hitches and I wish I had made the switch earlier. Overall, my BohoKiwi Menstrual Cup journey has been a dream come true. I still wear period undies now and then on heavy days as backup, but I am learning more about my body and my cycle, and I am getting in sync.

As I continue this empowering journey, I'm convinced more than ever that menstrual cups are my new normal. The comfort, sustainability, and the profound connection with my body have me hooked. Goodbye disposables – I'm officially a menstrual cup enthusiast, and there's no turning back! I will try the disc at some point; the auto-dump feature intrigues me. But for now, I have found my unicorn!