What is a Menstrual Cup?
One kind of washable feminine hygiene item is the menstrual cup. You insert a tiny, flexible cup—shaped like a funnel—made of silicone or rubber—into your vagina to catch and collect period fluid.
You can use a flexible menstrual cup inside your vagina to collect blood during your period. The menstrual cup does not absorb your menstrual flow like tampons or pads. Many women use cups as an environmentally friendly substitute for tampons because they hold more blood than other techniques. Also, depending on your flow, you can wear a cup for up to 12 hours.
Method to Use
Various brands are offered in most stores and online. Most also come in small and large sizes.
The smaller version is better for those with a light to medium flow or those under 30 years old. The larger version is suitable for people with a medium to heavy flow, older than 30, or recently giving birth. The majority of menstrual cups are made of rubber or silicone. You should purchase silicone cups if you are allergic to latex to prevent problems.
Insertion of Cup
To insert a menstrual cup, follow these steps:
- Clean your hands completely.
- Put a thin coating or a water-based lube on the cup’s rim. It will be simpler to insert as a result.
- Holding the menstrual cup with the rim facing up in one hand, fold it in half tightly.
- Place the cup there. Place it into your vagina while still folded and with the rim up.
- Rotate the cup once it is in the vagina. To stop leaking, it will spring open and form an airtight seal.
Removal of Cup
Whether or not you have a heavy flow, you can wear a menstrual cup for anywhere between six and twelve hours. This implies that a cup can be used as overnight protection.
- Clean your hands completely.
- Remove the cup by pinching the base. Reach into your vagina and pinch the cup with your thumb and index finger.
- After removing it, empty the cup into a sink or bathroom.
- Wash the cup. Clean water and mild, fragrance-free soap should be used to wash the cup.
Before reinsertion into your vagina, reusable menstrual cups should be cleaned and disinfected.
Advantages
- Using a menstrual cup is safer. Menstrual cups do not put you at risk of developing toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare bacterial infection connected to the use of tampons.
- Reusable menstrual cups can last very long, preventing you from adding to the environment’s waste stream.
- They are affordable. A reusable menstrual cup costs a one-time fee instead of tampons or pads, which must be purchased repeatedly and can be expensive.
Menstrual cups typically do not leak when used correctly, though some women may experience leakage due to improper placement or insufficient cup size. Other menstrual products can be safely substituted with menstrual cups.
