What Are Menstrual Cups?
Silicone or latex rubber is used to make the tiny, flexible cup. It captures and gathers your flow rather than absorbing it like a tampon or pad.
Disposable menstruation cups, such as the Instead Softcup, are also available. A reusable feminine hygiene product is a menstruation cup and you can easily get it from Gynocup. A period cup is a tiny, flexible funnel-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone that you place into your vagina to capture and collect period fluid.
Cups may store more blood than other techniques, thus, many women choose them as an environmentally responsible alternative to tampons. You can wear a cup for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow.
How To Use A Menstrual Cup?
Tightly fold the menstrual cup and insert it like a tampon without an applicator just before your period begins. You shouldn’t feel it if it’s used appropriately. It’s akin to inserting a diaphragm or a birth control ring. Your cup will pop open (you may need to spin it first) and rest against the vaginal walls. It makes a seal to keep leaks at bay. After that, the blood just drops into the cup.
Some are disposable, but the majority are reusable. To remove it, pull the stem that protrudes from the bottom and pinches the base to release the seal. Then you just drain it, wash it with soap and water, and reinstall it. You may sanitise your cup in hot water at the conclusion of your cycle.
You may buy them online or at groceries and drugstores, just like any other period product.
Most menstrual cups are environmentally and financially friendly. A $30 to $40 reusable cup can last up to 10 years. This results in less garbage in landfills and it saves money over time. These advantages, however, do not apply to throwaway brands.
You can leave it in for a total of 12 hours. Depending on your flow, tampons should be replaced every 4 to 8 hours. Cups, on the other hand, can stay in place for extended periods of time, making them ideal for nighttime protection. There’s no need to use a backup pad or liner after you’ve mastered inserting it.
Using a menstrual cup:
- First of all, wash your hands with water.
- Fold the cup to insert it properly.
- Insert it into the vagina and gently move it until it opens up.
When you want to remove it:
- Pull the stem of the cup to remove it.
- Wash the cup and re-insert it.
Benefits Of Menstrual Cups
- It has a larger capacity: A menstrual cup can store 1 ounce of fluids, which is nearly twice as much as a super-absorbent tampon or pad. On days when you have a lot of work to do, the difference might be a big help.
- You can have sex without making a mess: The majority of silicone and rubber menstruation cups must be removed before intercourse. The soft, disposable ones, on the other hand, are made with sex in mind. They have the form of a dome because they resemble a diaphragm (not like the usual bell). Your spouse isn’t aware of them, and there’s no blood to be concerned about.
- There’s a lot less stink: When menstrual blood is exposed to air, it might begin to smell. Your cup, on the other hand, makes an airtight seal.
- These cups come in a variety of sizes according to your age, flow and whether or not you’ve had a kid. Still, finding the proper fit might be difficult, especially if you have a tilted uterus or a low cervix. It may need some trial and error, and there may be leaks in the meanwhile.
Cons Of Menstrual Cups
- Removal may be unpleasant — and even embarrassing. Even though inserting the cup is simple, withdrawing it might be difficult. You must utilise your pelvic floor muscles to press the cup down, then reach up and hold the stem in a sit or squat. Pinch the base of the cup to break the seal and bend it slightly back to prevent spillage.
- Also, if you’re in public, remember that you’ll need to wash your cup at the restroom sink (as an alternative, one manufacturer recommends taking a bottle of water inside the stall and washing it out before wiping it clean with toilet paper).
- It may cause an IUD (Intrauterine device) to malfunction. Some manufacturers advise against using a menstrual cup if you have an IUD in place because the cup may tug on the string or dislodge it. A 2012 research, however, found no evidence of this. Still, before mixing the two, consult with your doctor.