What is Menstrual Cup?

A reusable feminine hygiene product used at the time of the monthly cycle is a menstrual cup. It’s so simple that just place a small, flexible funnel-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone into the vagina to trap and collect period fluids. Menstrual cups are more eco-friendly than tampons and sanitary napkins since they store the blood not but do not absorb it. One can use a  cup for an up maximum of 12 hours depending on the flow.

Keep reading this article to know more about menstrual cups and their benefits.

There are many brands but first, it is needed to determine what size you require. Small, medium, and large variants of menstruation cups are available commercially from different brands.

Choosing the Right Size

To decide what is the right size of mensuration cup the  following factors when should be kept in mind

•         If you’ve given birth vaginally,

•         Age Factor

•         period flow: heavy or mild

•         Flexibleness and firmness of the cup

•         Capacity of the cup

•         How strong the pelvic floor muscles is

•         Cervix length

For women under the age of 30, with no vaginal birth, smaller menstrual cups are normally recommended. Women over the age of 30 are frequently advised to wear larger sizes since they have given birth to a child.

 How to insert a Menstrual Cup?

Before you insert a menstrual cup, make sure you have everything you need.

It’s very normal to feel uncomfortable while using a cup for the first time. However, a “greasing” cup can make the procedure go more smoothly. Using water or water-based lubrication, moisten the rim of the cup before inserting it (lubricant). It’s much easier to insert a lubricated menstruation cup.

•         Hands should be completely washed.

•         To lubricate the rim of the cup, use water or a water-based lubricant.

•         Fold the cup in half and hold it in one hand, making the rim facing up.

•         Place the cup, rim up, in your vaginal canal like a tampon without the applicator. The placement should be around an inch or two below the cervix.

•         Try to rotate the cup once it’s inside the vagina. Once inside it will open, forming an airtight seal that will prevent leaks.

•         If a menstrual cup is inserted correctly, you shouldn’t be able to feel it. You should be able to do all normal activities without slipping the cup out of the vaginal canal.

When should you remove your menstrual cup?

Depending on the flow one can wear a mensuration cup for a minimum of 6 hours to 12 hours. One can even use a cup overnight also. But after 12 hours menstrual cup must be removed. It is better to empty it ahead of time if it fills up before to avoid leaks.

How do you remove your menstruation cup?

These are some simple procedures that need to be followed to remove a menstrual cup.

•         Hands should be completely washed.

•         Insert your index and middle fingers into your vaginal opening. Pull out the stem of the cup gently until you feel the base.

•         Pinch the base so that the seal could be broken and pull it down for the removal of the cup.

•         Empty the cup into the sink or toilet when it’s done.

Aftercare for the cup

Rinse and wipe out clean the reusable cups before reinserting them into the vagina. It is recommended to empty the cup at least twice a day.

Advantages of menstrual cup

•         Reusable menstruation cups are durable and can be used for a longer period from six months to even 10 years if they are properly taken care of.

•         They’re cost-effective. Unlike tampons or pads, which must be purchased regularly,  a reusable menstrual cup has a one-time fee.

•         Menstrual cups are a better option. There is very least chance to acquire toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare bacterial infection linked to tampon use because menstrual cups collect rather than absorb blood.

•         More blood is stored in menstrual cups. A menstrual cup can hold one to two ounces of blood. On the other hands  Tampons, are only capable of holding one-third of an ounce of liquid

•         They’re also environmentally friendly. Reusable menstruation cups can endure for a long time, which means you’re not adding to the landfill.

•         With an IUD, you can wear a cup.

Disadvantages of menstrual cup

Menstrual cups are a cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution, but there are a few things to bear in mind.  Some of them are discussed below

•         Sometimes taking the cup out could be difficult. You can find yourself in a situation where removing your cup is inconvenient. As a result, spillage may be unavoidable during the process.

•         For a few times some people may find difficulty in  Inserting and removing them. When inserting a menstrual cup, you could notice that the fold isn’t quite perfect. Sometimes it may be difficult to draw the cup downwards and pull it out by pinching the base.

•         Finding the proper fit can be difficult. Menstrual cups aren’t one-size-fits-all, things that may cause difficulty in finding the exact size.

•         It’s possible that you’re allergic to the product. Most menstruation cups are latex-free which makes them a better choice for those with a latex allergy. However, the silicone or rubber material may trigger an allergic reaction in some persons.

•         It has the chance to irritate the vaginal area. If the menstrual cup is not cleaned properly, it can irritate the vaginal area. Cup insertion without moistening it may cause discomfort in the vaginal area.

•         The menstruation cup should be thoroughly cleaned. Allow drying after rinsing. Disposable menstruation cups should not be reused. Otherwise, there are higher chances of infection.

But choosing the right cup according to the different factors discussed above and maintaining hygiene could be helpful for women during their periods. So if you can choose your cup wisely you can get a worry-free period