Update: I’ve been using Flex Menstrual Discs for almost 3 years now and still love them!!! The price has come down since my original post so I’ve made some updates to this post with pricing at the bottom as of May 2020.
So ladies, I'm getting a little personal on the blog today. No one looks forward to that time of the month, but I've recently discovered something that makes life on your period a lot easier and I just had to share it with you guys!
It all started with PiperWai. I had been using their natural deodorant and they sent out an email about a collaboration they were hosting with Flex, a tampon alternative company. I was intrigued enough to try it out. Flex is a disposable menstrual disc and unlike tampons, it catches rather than absorbs menstrual fluids.
Until recently, tampons and pads were really the only two options women had to choose from when on their periods and let's face it, neither option is ideal. Pads are bulky and I've never liked wearing them. Tampons are more convenient, but can't be worn long, are linked to TSS, can dry out your feminine area and can change the pH balance of your lady parts. It's hard to believe that feminine hygiene products have been virtually unchanged for so many years.
I have seen a few newer feminine hygiene products on the market lately, like menstrual cups and period panties, but Flex is the first one I thought I actually might use. The menstrual cups and period panties are not disposal and the thought of emptying and washing them out each time was not appealing. Also, like tampons, menstrual cups sit in the vaginal canal. Flex actually rests beyond the vaginal canal so you can't even feel it! Another bonus using Flex is, since it fits behind the pelvic bone and not in the vaginal canal, you can actually have mess free period sex while wearing it. Yep, you read that right!!
The Flex menstrual disc is hypoallergenic, made of a surgical grade polymer and is not made with any latex, rubber, BPA or phthalates. It is Doctor approved and FDA registered. Flex is not linked to TSS and has no chemicals, toxins, or bleaching so it won't alter the pH balance of the vagina, reducing the risk of infections.
I took advantage or their risk free trial (one free box of Flex just pay shipping) so I figured, if I don't like it I've only wasted $4 on shipping! They have a very informative website with all the FAQs you can think of and a video Q&A series that was extremely helpful in getting me more comfortable and confident using Flex (10 tips and tricks for your 1st time using Flex).
I've been using Flex for almost 3 years now and can say, what a game changer!!! I'll never go back to using tampons again! Flex suggests initially trying it out on lighter days and wearing a liner in the beginning until you get the hang of inserting it to ensure you don't have any accidents or leaks. I was able to get the hang of it pretty easily on my first try and have had no issues or leaks. It's super easy to use. To start, pinch the sides together, insert into your vagina, slide it back and then just push up slightly to tuck it behind your pubic bone (video demo here). To remove, insert your finger, pull down and out flat then throw away. Removal might sound a little icky, but it's not any grosser than trying to fish out a messy tampon string that can sometimes get pushed up. Best of all, I love that Flex can be worn for up to 12 hours! You heard me, 12 hours! No more rushing to the restroom and carrying around tons of menstrual products. I carry a couple small Flex discs and I'm all set for the day. I usually change it once in the morning and then once again before I go to bed. How easy is that?! Flex is so comfortable I forget I'm even wearing it.
You can purchase Flex via their website. It is a subscription service, but you can change the timing of your shipments, cancel or skip any month with no additional fees or penalties. It costs $12.99 for a starter kit with 8 Flex Discs or $24 for 16 Flex Discs, so it is more expensive than other menstrual products on the market, but for me, it's totally worth the extra cost. Plus, I signed up for the quarterly shipment instead of monthly and the price came down $31 for the quarter which includes 24 Flex Discs.
I can't believe I hadn't found Flex sooner, but now that I have I'll never go back to using other feminine products. Let's recap, more comfortable than tampons, can be worn up to 12 hours, enables you to have mess free period sex and is easy to use. So what are you waiting for? Seriously, try it out and change life on your period for the better! From one chica to another, you won't be sorry!
This is not a sponsored post. I am thrilled to have found Flex and wanted to share it with you all. This post contains affiliate links.