Menstruation is a normal and healthy part of women’s life; in fact, it is the key to reproduction. Roughly half of the female population i.e. 26 percent of the global population are of reproductive age and they menstruate each month for about 3 to 7 days. Girls and women need safe, effective, eco-friendly and affordable menstrual products. In the market, there are many types of menstrual products available like pads, cotton cloth, tampons. But lack of effective products results in leakage and it can also affect their health. For years cotton cloth was in use since it is cost-efficient but due to hygienic issues pad replaced cotton. Pads are single-use menstrual products and come at different sizes and price but prolonged use of pad can cause skin rashes and urinary tract infections. Menstrual cup overcomes all these difficulties and it comes in handy.
But lack of effective products results in leakage and it can also affect their health. For years cotton cloth was in use since it is cost-efficient but due to hygienic issues pad replaced cotton. Pads are single-use menstrual products and come at different sizes and price but prolonged use of pad can cause skin rashes and urinary tract infections. Menstrual cup overcomes all these difficulties and it comes in handy.
Menstrual cups
The Menstrual cup is a type of female menstrual hygiene product. It is a small funnel-shaped flexible cup made up of silicone that is inserted into the vagina to fetch period blood. For the past five years menstrual cups are widely used among ladies because it of one-time investment which is cost-cutting and also free from all chemicals. One menstrual cup can be used for almost three years to a maximum of ten years. Only sterilization after each cycle is vital. Menstrual cups come in 3 different sizes. Small, medium and large and also in different colours. Cups can hold more blood than other products. Depending on the flow one can wear up to 12 hours.
Keep reading to learn more about benefits, how to insert, remove, clean and more.
What benefits women get from using a menstrual cup?
It is economically friendly. Since it is a reusable cup you are not providing more waste to the environment.
Safer than a pad, cloth and tampons. Because it collects period blood and not absorb them. This helps you to keep away from toxic shock syndrome also known as TSS, a bacterial infection.
Very affordable. You pay only once for a reusable cup and it can be used for 3 to 10 years if maintained properly.
Holds more blood than any other menstrual products. It can hold one to two ounces of blood.
Mess-free. The rim seals the blood from leaking which helps us to have a mess-free night sleeps and happy hyper-morning routines.
How to use a menstrual cup?
The first step is consulting your gynaecologist. Although you can buy online it is a must to consider certain facts. You’ll first have to figure out what size you want. To figure the size of the cup the following things need to be considered:
- your age
- cervix length
- how sexually active are you
- cup capacity
- have you given birth vaginally?
- how heavy your flow is and finally the strength of your pelvic muscles.
Small menstrual cups are suggested for girls who are not sexually active and have a lesser flow. Ladies over 30 years old who are sexually active, gave birth vaginally and have a heavier flow are recommended with larger cups.
How to insert your menstrual cup?
If you have prior experience of using a tampon it is a similar way but you haven’t then we are here to happily help you out. Just follow these steps to insert your cup.
- Wash your cup thoroughly in warm water.
- Apply water or water-based lube to the rim. It helps to insert smoothly and also avoids irritation due to insertion.
- Menstrual cups cannot be inserted directly. It needs to be folded before insertion and folding are up to one’s personal choice. The 7 common folds are C type also known as U, Punch down fold, 7-fold, double 7-fold, labia fold, S fold and origami fold.
- Insert the cup, rip towards up and insert it into your vagina. It should be placed a few inches below your cervix.
- Once the cup is inside your vagina it will open up and it will create an airtight seal that prevents from period blood leakage.
You shouldn’t feel your cup if it is inserted correctly. If any irritation or pain persists contact your doctor immediately.
When to take your menstrual cup out?
The menstrual cup can be used for 6 to 12 hours, depending on the flow of your period blood. If it becomes full before then, you’ll have to empty it to avoid leaks.
How to take your menstrual cup out?
- Before removing menstrual cups thoroughly wash your hands to avoid infection.
- Place your index and thumb finger into the vagina and reach the stem of the cup gently. It is the base of the cup.
- Pinch the base, it will release the seal and pull down to remove the cup.
- Once the cup is out, empty the cup.
Aftercare of your menstrual cup
Your menstrual cup needs to be sterilized and wiped before every use and it should be emptied twice a day.
Menstrual cup and sexual health
One major myth is reverse bleeding because of the usage of menstrual cups. In the vaginal canal i.e., cervix only we placing the cup, and it collects blood there whereas pad collects blood outside the vagina. If we are sleeping wearing either pad or cup there won’t be any different. The blood flows downwards once we sit and there is no way for it to go back inside. Endometriosis is nothing to do with the usage of a cup. This cervical canal is a one-way canal and it will only allow blood to come out or any other liquid to come out.
Now one may ask then how reproduction is happening. How am I get pregnant? It is because the semen is only deposited in the vagina and it is not the semen that goes inside. It is only the sperm that swims up and it is just five microns. So, the blood cannot go back causing endometriosis. Till menopause women hardly use 6000 pads and it can take 500 years for a single pad to get decomposed. Usage of menstrual cups keeps you away from trash free, cash-free and rash free. So, without any second thought buy one and try which size fits for you. Happy cupverting.