Blog Post

Period Partying!

  • By Chloe Tingle
  • 01 Jun, 2016

Saturday 28th May saw our first ever “Period Party” held at Arts House Café, Stokes Croft, Bristol. 


Over 30 attendees came along in celebration of Global Menstrual Hygiene Day. There was laughter, honesty and audible gasps throughout the afternoon.

The day involved delicious cake, the release of our first research publication into Homeless Menstruation, amazing Improv comedy and plenty of queries into the use of reusable sanitary products.

An amazing introduction to our local project was given by Shai Vora who has spent the last 6 months conducting first-hand research into the effects menstruation can have on homeless women’s lives. She presented her findings with some moving accounts of the struggles these women face on a monthly basis. Her research offers an insight into the ways in which homeless women manage their periods, materially and emotionally, with limited financial resources. Not feeling comfortable with speaking freely about menstruation has detrimental effects on homeless women's experiences of menstruation. Her research outlines the importance that the role of shelters and day centres have to support women during their period, providing a warm space to rest and, sometimes, access to sanitary products. You can read the full report here including what action we plan to take next:

Homeless Menstruation Report

 After this great intro, attendees were able to enjoy the party. They could: check out the products, access our Q&A booth under the stairs to ask those difficult questions that many of us still don’t feel comfortable asking in front of others like: “What happens if it gets stuck?”, “Won’t they smell?” and check out our gallery of taboos. Plus eat lots of brilliant cake provided by Arts House and have a few giggles sharing first period stories.

Next up, we had an amazing and informative pub style quiz hosted by our Marketing Intern Alex Kmiecik. We learnt some amazing facts such as “During the Middle Ages, a child with red hair was believed was believed to be conceived in ‘unclean sex’ during menstruation.” and that  “Walt Disney made a movie about menstruation titled “The Story of Menstruation” in 1946. It most likely is the first film to use the word ‘vagina’.”

This was followed up with some amazing period related improv comedy provided by Bristol Uni Improv Society. From a speeded up scene of changing your menstrual cup in a public loo, to interesting period facts to removing a period blood stain from a chair, “We’ve all done it!”. The laughter was contagious and it brought down some of the customers from upstairs in the cafe to see what could be making us laugh so much.

We closed up the day with a talk from Founder, Chloe Tingle on why menstruation matters to everyone everywhere, the theme for this Year’s Global Menstrual Hygiene Day. This included some of the amazing taboos she has witnessed first-hand around the world. One story talked of how in Nepal she met a group of villagers whose daughters are required to hide from daylight when they first get their period, they are unable to see day light for up to 22 days, meaning they can only use the toilet at night. Many of the attendees were truly shocked about these practices still happening today.

We also asked people to get creative and make signs portraying what #nomoretaboo means to them. Check out some of the pictures from the day and if you believe in #nomoretaboo send us your own pic with a sign and pledge on our crowdfunder today www.crowdfunder.co.uk/nomoretaboo. One of the rewards is a chance to have a “Period Party” in your own home, don’t miss out only two early-birds left! 


By Chloe Tingle 25 Feb, 2019
We are hosting two period poverty training courses this spring. See the details on eventbrite.
By Rebecca Batala 30 Jan, 2019
Here's a little insight into what our Staff Training at CoLab was like...
By Chloe Tingle 18 Oct, 2018

WOW Women of the World festivals have been popping up across the world, if you get the chance to go along to one we would strongly recommend it.

WOW – Women of the World  festival celebrates women and girls, and looks at the obstacles that stop them from achieving their potential.

Around the world, individuals and communities are insisting on the simple proposition that women and girls must have equal rights and asking the question: why is gender equality taking so long?

Southbank Centre's WOW – Women of the World  festival is a global network of festivals which provides a platform for celebrating what has been achieved, and exploring all the ways we can change the world for the better.

What’s not to love?

Our Founder, Chloe, and her Mum Angela went along to represent No More Taboo with a stall across the two days. Here’s her highlights:

“Although we didn’t get much time to take in all the discussions as we were kept busy wo-manning the stall (thanks Mum for helping out)! We had some great discussions around gender, equality, inclusivity and of course periods with new customers, supporters, other panellists and some old friends who came to see us.

In fact, we were really pleased to catch up with Plan International UK who were opening the festival with a discussion about Period Activism exactly one year on since the launch of our #BreaktheBarriers research and Period Poverty Conference that we ran in collaboration with Plan.

By Catherine Blom-Smith 01 Oct, 2018
We look at what introducing menstrual leave to workplaces in the UK might mean.
By Iloni Kingston-Smith 17 Sep, 2018

On the first weekend of September, No More Taboo set up shop at Lush Cribbs Causeway for their Charity Pot weekend.

The Lush Charity Pot is a wonderfully creamy shea-butter hand lotion where all the sales money (excluding VAT) goes towards a chosen charity or non-for-profit. This scheme is designed to help boost grass-roots, small and local organisations, like ourselves, financially so that we can continue to do the work we do such as our Tackling Period Poverty programme.

As we were Lush’s chosen organisation for the weekend of the 1-2 September, one of our volunteers, Iloni, and one of our advisors, Carolyn, went along to wo-man the (suitably Lush-styled aesthetic) stall that Lush had kindly provided for us. We took along a range of our products, stacks of leaflets and information as well as our enthusiasm for talking about all things to do with periods.

Over the weekend, we sold over £200’s worth of stock with Ruby Cups and Honour Your Flow re-usable pads proving most popular with Lush customers. On top of this, Lush sold so many of their Charity Pots that £340.60 was raised for No More Taboo – which was amazing! 

However exciting the money side of things were with this event, what I personally took away as being the real highlight of the weekend was the number and nature of conversations we shared with customers. 

Mothers and daughters came and chatted to us about how they agreed it was so important to use re-usable products for personal and financial reasons as well as for the planet’s sake. Boyfriends accompanied their other halves as they prodded and probed the range of menstrual cups on display. Older women commented on how it’s such a relief to be able to talk about menstruation in public and with people you’ve only just met. They regaled of a time when periods were even more hush-hush and celebrated with us out mission of there being No More Taboo.

We would like to thank Lush Cribbs Causeway for being such wonderful hosts, encouraging every customer that came through their doors to consider buying the Charity Pot or simply to chat with us. Each member of their staff team was incredibly warm and so keen to find out more about what we do. On behalf of all of us at No More Taboo, thank you.

By Catriona Dickie 26 Jul, 2018
What is a Mooncup?

If you're following No More Taboo, chances are you are already aware that a Mooncup is a silicone menstrual cup. It is inserted vaginally and used throughout your period. There are two different sizes: size A, for those who are either thirty and over or have given birth vaginally, and size B, for under thirties who have not birthed a child vaginally. 

Why Use One?

The main reason I wanted to convert to a Mooncup is because I was feeling concerned about the amount of waste my period was generating every month. During the twelve years I've been menstruating I must have thrown thousands of tampons into landfill , and as I became more aware of the impact this is having on the planet, switching to a sustainable sanitary product seemed like a straightforward lifestyle change that would really make a difference.

Another advantage for frugal (or rather, perpetually skint) me was that for a £20 upfront investment I'd have an item that would last up to 10 years. And while a box of own-brand tampons is only a pound a pop, there's always a risk that a trip to Boots will result in an impulse buy and before I know it I've bought a new nail varnish and a Graze box and end up spending a tenner.

I also love to travel and have more than once found myself in a situation where I'm in a country without ready access to tampons. I'm not a big fan of pads and had found myself obsessively carrying around a box of tampons with me at all times and becoming anxious when I didn't have one on me. The great thing about the Mooncup, for me, is that all you have to do is empty it out and with a quick rinse or wipe it can be used again.

Finally, Mooncups are not known to carry any risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome, which I think we'll all agree is what nightmares are made of for those of us who menstruate. 

Putting it In

I was lucky enough to come on my period on a lazy Saturday afternoon. With no plans for the day that involved leaving the comfort of my home, I was able to fiddle around with folding and inserting and looking up advice online. After three failed attempts , the cup stayed put and I heard the satisfying sound of the vacuum seal closing in. Minimal leakage did occur over the course of the day but once I got the hang of the fold-and-insert method I was confident enough to wear my proverbial white jeans, like those women in the adverts who bleed blue menstrual blood.

Out and About

As I write this I've been using my Mooncup for about 6 months, and it did take me about 3 cycles to completely get used to it. I think after over a decade of using tampons, which are a lot smaller and more streamlined, this is probably normal. For me it was worth persevering and the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, of which I can't think of any aside from the following: I have dropped it down the loo while taking it out a couple of times. This has never been much of a problem until last weekend when I dropped it down a portaloo never to be seen again. So much for that 10 year investment.

Verdict

What can I say, I'm a convert. For anyone willing to spend £20 I'd really say its worth giving the Mooncup a chance and persevering with the tricky first days. As for me, I'll be buying another to replace my lost menstrual cup and will be using organic tampons at festivals from now on.  

Feeling Inspired?

Are you ready to give the Mooncup a chance? Buy your Mooncup, or another menstrual cup, from our shop , where all profits go towards tackling period poverty in the UK.

If you're wondering how else you can reduce your plastic consumption, read about how me and Catherine challenged ourselves to a plastic-free fortnight

By Catherine Blom-Smith 19 Jul, 2018
Watch this space for information on how No More Taboo will be involved in Big Green Week, UWE's annual festival of eco ideas, events and smart living. 

For more information, take a look at their website:  https://www1.uwe.ac.uk/whatson/biggreenweek.aspx
By Catherine Blom-Smith 19 Jul, 2018
A whole week of period-related and enviro-conscious action! What could be better? This event will run from the 13th of to the 20th of October. Watch this space for details on how No More Taboo will be involved. 

Read more here:  https://www.wen.org.uk/environmenstrual-week-of-action/
By Catherine Blom-Smith 19 Jul, 2018
At this year's Women of the World Festival, our founder Chloe will be holding a workshop at their event in Exeter. She will be talking everything you need to know about cups! This event is on Sunday 14th October. Find out more at this link:  https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/women-of-the-world/
By Jenna Yates 19 Jul, 2018
Find out how we've been getting ready for the highlight of our summer, Shambala Festival, where we'll be helping you safely navigate the festival period... Jump on board for a period-friendly weekend trip away with the monthlies!
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