Should you use a menstrual cup?

Women, are you seeking freedom from sticky, wet pads? Teens, are you worried about school trips during periods?

Ladies, if you haven’t yet tried menstrual cups, do give it a shot; there’s no going back to pads. Also, menstrual cups are cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

When used correctly, menstrual cups can be cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly. By inserting properly, you may feel comfortable and have a better option to manage your menstruation.

The best part of switching to a menstrual cup is that there’s a dry feeling and less stress from staining. The ease of sleeping in any position is also an advantage.

They are a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s hassle-free.

Table of Contents

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup is one of the hygiene devices for women that is inserted into the vagina during menstruation.
The soft, reusable cup-shaped product is designed to collect period blood instead of absorbing it.

How to use a menstrual cup

Using a menstrual cup for the first time may be tricky, and you may be afraid of inserting it, but with a proper guide, you will feel comfortable with it.

Just follow some steps for insertion and removal.

Also read: 13 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Menstrual Cramps

How to put in your menstrual cup

Fold, insert, and release are the three steps to follow while putting in your menstrual cup.

Fold	Before using, wash your hand, fold it, and hold it for the next step.
Insert	Sit comfortably, especially in a squat position, for easy and leak-proof insertion into your vegina.
Release	After inserting it, release it inside the vegina to unfold and seal for the collection of blood during menstruation.

Tip: experiment with the position for insertion to make you comfortable for the first time or at the beginning.

How to fold a menstrual cup

Folding the cup correctly may seem complicated at first, but trial-and-error methods give you a perfect fit. Here are some of the popular folds:

C-fold or U-fold	Press the sides of the cup together so that it looks like a long oval shape. Fold the cup in its middle so that it looks like the letters C or U.
Punch-down fold	Put your finger on the rim of the cup and push it down into the centre to form a triangle.
7-fold	Press the sides of the cup together to make a long oval. Fold it diagonally, one side down, so that it can look like number 7.

How to take your menstrual cup out

Get into your comfortable position, which is squatting or standing.
After figuring out your comfortable position, take out the cup, flush the blood down the toilet, and clean the cup for reuse.

When to take your menstrual cup out

You can empty your cup after 8–12 hours. And if you have heavy periods, you may need to empty them in less time.

Here is the detailed information about how to use of menstrual cup by a doctor.

Cup aftercare

Menstrual cup aftercare is most necessary to maintain healthy hygiene.

Menstrual cup sterilisation

Sterilisation of the cup is a must after or before every period.
Always prefer the sterilisation process mentioned at the product level.
Generally, you can boil the cup for 2-3 minutes for sterilisation.

Menstrual cup size

Before buying any menstrual cup, you have to figure out the size that is suitable for you.
For this reason, many brands give specifications according to age and other factors.

Also Read : Bone loss in women; Does pollution affect bones?

Here I am explaining some of the common factors to consider when selecting the size of a menstrual cup.

Your age
The flow rate (heavy or light)
capacity of the cup
Length of your cervix
Flexibility of the cup
For women given birth veginally

What are the advantages of using menstrual cups

Due to the fact that the cups can be used for a longer time, that is, up to 10 years, these can help with cost shaving.
You will not feel the presence of the cup as it is inserted, and you may not feel irritation due to wetness as you would during the use of pads.
You don’t worry about leaking or straining while using a menstrual cup.
It can hold more blood as compared to pads, so you can get overnight protection from it.

Benefits of menstrual cup explained by a gynocologist.

What are the disadvantages of using menstrual cups

You may find it messy while emptying the cup or while removing it. and cleaning it in public places may be impossible.
Some may feel uncomfortable while inserting and removing the cup.
It may be a risk to use a menstrual cup for the woman’s inserted IUD for birth control, as it may be pulled out with the cup.
Menstrual cups may be associated with the rare toxic shock syndrome, which is less common than tampon use.

How does a menstrual cup work

The silicon-made, small, flexible, reusable cup collects the period blood.
The cup placed below the cervix is fixed inside the vegina.
The rim on the cup prevents the blood from leaking.
The size of the cup depends on various factors like age, capacity, etc.
These are pocket-friendly and eco-friendly products used in menstrual management.

Pros and cons of using a menstrual cup

Pros	Cons
The eco-friendly and cheap cup that costs Rs. 200–300 can last up to a minimum of 5 years.	To find the right fit, you have to do some trial and error.
This is useful for overnight protection. as it lasts for 8–12 hours, according to your flow.	Removal of the cup may be tricky as compared to inserting it.
You may not experience an odour. As blood is not exposed to air.	Regular sterilisation after each cycle is a must.

Menstrual cup price: how much does it cost?

You can pay once for this reusable cup that can be used for years with proper care. The cost varies from ₹200 to ₹5000.

Which is best menstrual cup India?

You can find a menstrual cup online or at any cosmetic or medical shop. One of the best and most usable menstrual cups is found on Amazon.

FAQ’s

Are menstrual cups better than pads?

Menstrual cups are good as compared to pads because of their wet-free, irritation-free,leak-free, and pocket-friendly nature.

Can I sleep with a menstrual cup?

Due to its higher holding capacity, you can get overnight protection with a menstrual cup,and you will not feel your period after inserting the cup.
Hence, you can sleep stress-free with a menstrual cup.

Is the menstrual cup painful?

Generally, the menstrual cup does not give any pain after inserting, but you may feel discomfort at first, and after getting the perfect position for insertion by trial and error, it will not be painful.

In some cases, it is painful when you select the wrong size and shape of cup.

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Conclusion

The small,reusable silicon cups are used to collect period blood. These can hold more blood than others. These are generally safe to use, but if you are unsure about them, then consult a gynocologist for an opinion.

Are you using a menstrual cup? If yes, comment below about your experience.

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Disclaimer: The only goal of all the content on greenspacelife.com is informational. It is not meant to replace any medical guidance, diagnosis, or treatment.

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