Period Care Made Simple (Win!)

A Canadian company, nixit, is on a mission to make period care simple, with its suction-free cup that’s unique to others currently on the market. We chatted with founder Rachael Newton to find out more about how nixit works, and the brand’s commitment to Mother Earth, too. —Noa Nichol

Hi Rachael! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

Hello! I’m the founder of Toronto-based period care company nixit. Something people might find surprising is that I began my career as a lawyer and then worked at an investment bank in the UK for nine years before moving to Canada and starting nixit. I never imagined myself becoming an entrepreneur, let alone for menstrual products. Periods were not talked about openly growing up, but now, I’m on a mission to destigmatize menstruation in private and public spaces. My aim is to evolve the way we think and talk about periods, especially period products. We want to empower people to make informed decisions about the options available.

When and why did you launch nixit? What niche were/are you aiming to fill?

I was living in the Caribbean with my family before settling in Toronto. There was no landfill, so instead of the waste being buried and hidden, it went to a large pile in the middle of the island. This daily reminder pushed me to make a concerted effort to reduce our household waste and I naturally started to look into period products. I found out that each tampon I used would be around for 500 years, and that single-use period products are the fifth most common source of waste washing up on beaches. My intention was to purchase a reusable cup, but I was so confused about the different sizes and shapes that I never purchased one. Instead, I decided to create my own and eliminate that guessing game. I want to create a better period experience for others and help to lessen their environmental impact along the way.

What products do you currently offer, and what makes them unique?

Our hero product that we launched with in 2019 is our reusable, suction-free menstrual cup. It is disc-shaped (as opposed to bell-shaped) which means it sits at the base of the cervix, not in the vaginal canal like tampons and traditional cups. Many users find this more comfortable. It is one-size and doesn’t require awkward folds to insert. It holds up to four super plus tampons worth of blood, which is about double the amount of bell-shaped cups. Since the vaginal canal is left empty, users can have mess-free period sex, either solo or with partner(s). It can be worn for up to 12 hours before needing to remove and wash, and can be used for five years. Imagine saving on five year’s worth of single-use products! We also offer a fragrance-free, pH-balanced foaming wash that is perfect for cleansing menstrual cups and is safe enough to use on the vulva for those that choose to use more than water. For on-the-go cleansing when using water isn’t a convenient option, we even have biodegradable/compostable wipes that are also fragrance-free and pH-balanced. These are safe to use as a personal wipe.

Let’s talk more about the menstrual cup specifically; for newbies, who may be skeptical or scared, what are your top transition and use tips?

First and foremost, we want people to make the period product choice that is best for their own bodies. Our menstrual cup is made out of super soft and supple BPA-free silicone so that insertion and removal is as easy as possible. Users should not be able to feel the cup inside when inserted correctly – and many have reported that they’ve completely forgotten about bleeding! Cups are inherently less disruptive for vaginas as they collect blood rather than absorb. nixit is free of any unnecessary chemicals or toxins that can cause dryness or irritation. As for tips: try nixit out when you feel you’re ready and comfortable. Try to disregard what you know about traditional menstrual cups when you’re trying this one. nixit should be pushed back and down (rather than up like a traditional cup or tampon), aiming towards the tailbone. Everyone is different in terms of insertion positions. Some prefer sitting, deep squatting, or even standing. One last tip is that a little bit of water, or water-based lube, can help glide it in!

We know the sustainability factor, when it comes to nixit, is great; to date, what environmental goals have you hit?

At the beginning of 2022, we announced a big milestone: diverting over 3.5 million pounds of period product waste from landfills around the world since our inception in 2019! By now, that number has gone up even higher. We pride ourselves for making a plastic-free cup – which also comes in a fun reusable box—and helping users reduce their period waste by 99 per cent. nixit users can go to sleep knowing they’re making a positive difference just by reducing the amount of single-use products they use.

What’s next for nixit?

We’re continuing to add new stockists to our roster all the time—we’re already in Whole Foods, Nordstrom, London Drugs and loads of independent shops across the country. We’ve got some surprises dropping hopefully later this year.

nixit.ca

Win! A $109 Nixit Bundle!

Congrats Alison H. of Toronto, ON, who will receive a nixit bundle, including a menstrual cup, wash, wipes and tote! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.