How and why to use menstrual cups?

Why to use menstrual cups?

 

Of late there has been a lot of discussion about the use of trashfree menstrual products like reusable sanitary napkins and menstrual cups. Both of them have their pros and cons. And when our glaciers are melting twice as fast as two decades back its high time to switch to more eco-friendly options in every aspect.

 

Why go for trashfree products?

 

On an average a woman in her life time uses around 6000-7000 sanitary pads which lands up in landfills and each takes around 500 years to get decomposed. Eco-friendly products help us reduce this burden to almost zero.

 

Why menstrual cups?

 

• They are reusable.
• One cup can last anywhere between 8-10 years (yes you read it right) depending on the product quality and your use and care.
• Period cups are really comfortable to use, forget those rashes which most of us get on that 2-3rd day.
• Cups are made of medical grade silicone, which is almost inert and is usually safe to use.
• Menstrual cup at anytime can collect more blood than any sanitary pad/ tampons.
• If used properly they are completely leakproof.
• Menstrual cups are easy on pocket as one cup cost around 350 to 700 rupees and can last up to 8 to 10 years.
• As menstrual cups only collects blood and doesn’t absorb it, there are rare chances of toxic shock syndrome as seen with tampons use.
• Your period will be as free as normal days, you can go swimming, gyming, play sports, jump around and do anything and everything you do on your normal days.
• Many of the females experience few menstrual cramps as they used to experience while using pads.

 

How to use menstrual cups?

 

• While using for the first time boil the cup in water for 5-7 minutes.
• Wash your hands properly before inserting the cup.
• Sit on the toilet seat/ squat or keep one foot over the toilet seat.
• Try any folding method (there are quite a few of them) but c fold and punch down method are most common.
• Relax your abdominal and pelvic muscles.
• Widen your labia with one hand and insert the cup with other hand.
• It will unfold by itself but if it doesn’t slightly rotate it or slightly pull it out and reinsert.
• Recheck its unfolding by rotating your index finger all around the base of the cup, you will feel smooth and round cup base.
• You are good to go.

 

How to remove menstrual cup?

 

• Wash your hands with soap and water.
• Sit on toilet seat/ squat partially/ keep one foot over stool/ toilet seat.
• Relax your abdominal and pelvic muscles or bear down a bit.
• Widen the labia with one hand and pinch the bottom of the cup with other hand.
• This will break the suction and cup can be easily pulled out.
• Wash the cup with mild soap and water and re insert it.
• You are good to go.

 

When to empty menstrual cup?

 

Depending  on your flow and size of the cup, you will have to master your cup usage time. On your lighter flow days you can go fine upto 12 hrs, but on your heavy flow days you may need to empty it every 6-8 hrs. I would suggest you to check it every 4-6 hrs in your initial days.

 

How to store menstrual cups?

 

• When your period get over wash the cup with soap and water and if possible boil it for 5-7 minutes.
• You can store the cup in the cloth pouch generally  provided with every cup.

 

Advantages over sanitary pads/ tampons

 

• Menstrual cup is almost 0% menstrual waste generating product compared to the pads and tampons. Pads and tampons may take around 400 to 500 years to get decomposed.
• Highly economical compared to sanitary pads and tampons.
• As it is made up of inert silicon so chances of infection are very very low compared to sanitary pads or tampons.
• Sanitary pads contain so many chemicals like dioxins, perfumes, odour remover etc which can be carcinogenic.

 

 

 

                                                       Advantages over reusable pads/ panties

 

• You will need around 4-5 reusable pads/panties depending on your period flow, but one cup will suffice for 8 to 10 years.
• As the cup only collect blood and not absorb it so chances of infection or toxic shock syndrome are really less.
• No need to drying separately outside.

 

 

My experience with period products:

 

For so many years like most of the girls I was also using sanitary pads but they were so uncomfortable. Then I switched to tampons which were comparatively comfortable but there was always a guilt while disposing them.Then I learnt about these reusable pads and menstrual cups. After a lot of research, I tried on menstrual cup and I was in awww with this product since the very first day. It was so comfortable I forgot about my periods .The period days were like any other normal days so I started to make people around me aware about these cups.My friends, all the females of my family many of those who switched to the period cups have great experience about it, and it is seen that 8 out of 10 females switching to menstrual cups don’t regret the decision and never go back to the pads/ tampons.

 

Checklist to avoid leakage

• Use your specific size which you can check with the manufacturers chart regarding the appropriate size.
• Recheck that the cup has unfolded completely by rotating your finger at the base of the cup.
•  Empty the cup at proper intervals depending upon your period flow. 
• Store the cup with proper care as recommended.

What if my cup doesn’t come out/ it gets lost!

 

• Vagina is a closed space which is connected to the uterus through a very tiny opening called cervix which remains closed usually.
• Cup can’t go anywhere from your vagina, its just that you may not feel it.
• If you can’t feel the cup, just relax your abdominal and pelvic muscles, partially squat and bear down a little.
• Stem of the cup can guide you up to the cup, and then you can squeeze the base and can take it out easily.

Am I suitable candidate to use menstrual cup?

 

• Every women is a suitable candidate to use menstrual cups.
• Its just that you should know the size appropriate for you and know the technique to use it.
• Only during your postpartum bleeding, that’s the bleeding after the childbirth, you are advised not to use menstrual cups and use sanitary pads.
• If  you have vaginal infection or has undergone any gynecological surgery recently, consult your gynecologist before using the cup.

 

I am a Virgin,  can I use menstrual cups?

 

• Very much.
• Menstrual cups are just like any other menstrual product, they don’t interfere with your virginity.
• If you are a virgin and are too conscious about breaking your hymen, you can switch to reusable sanitary pads/ panties.( But for info, hymen is just a flimsy membrane covering the vagina which already have holes. For years you can use the cup without breaking the hymen and on the other hand there are so many other causes for breakage of hymen).
• Hymen is not a proof of virginity( Many females are born without this tissue).
• If someone have to prove virginity through hymen, then its the time to rethink girls.

 

Are menstrual cups safe?

 

I would say till date they are the safest menstrual products ever. 

• Made of medical grade silicone.
• Only collects blood and don’t absorb it, so no reaction with blood.
• Blood collected doesn’t come in contact with atmospheric air, so no bad odor.
• No problem of rash/ toxic shock syndrome.

ITS SAFEST THING FOR YOU AND FOR OUR MOTHERNATURE.

 

How to use cups while travelling?

 

While on the go you can use it for 8-10 hrs, again depending on your flow and can wash it with plain water and reuse again. If you don’t have access to clean water, just empty the content, wipe it with a clean tissue and reinsert.

What if I need to pee/ poop in between?

 

Nothing to worry, the cup fits in your vagina and creates a suction, it may slightly come down on bowel movement but it won’t come out. And once you are free after the nature’s call, wash your hands and slightly push the cup inside, if you felt it sliding down.  

 

So girls don’t let periods stop you from living freely. You should be focusing on your other priorities. If you want to go out and run or if you want to go swimming with your little one or if you have a planned vacation to beach and you are worried to get wet, period cup is for you. That little black dress you want to wear on your date or a bodycon one and are thinking about your pad impression, menstrual cups are for you as well. Its your sports day at school or going for camping/ hiking/ cycling and worried about rashes/ carrying/ disposing pads, menstrual cups are a one point answer to everything. Go for it girls.