Menstrual Cup: Why You Need to Start Using A Menstrual Cup?

Things You Should Know Before Using A Menstrual Cup

What comes to your mind when you think about your "period"? Pads and tampons right! but what if there is a third option that will help you save your time also made you feel like you're on a normal day. The third option I am talking about is the Menstrual cup, yes, you've heard it right. Many of us have heard about the menstrual cup but it also raises many questions like, how to use it? Will it be safe? Will I lose my Virginity? Will it get stuck? and many more.

When I started using the menstrual cup, it made me fall in love with my period. It might sound absurd but it gave me wings that I wanted, it threw me to the childhood days when I did not have to worry about period stuff, and the only question that ran through my mind is "why did not I found this earlier?" 

When I was about to use it, many types of questions ran through my head too so, I researched the menstrual cup and found so many benefits of using it.

In this article, I will talk about the menstrual cup and why you should start using it?

Table of Contents

1. What is a Menstrual Cup?

2. Types of menstrual cup

3. How to use it?

4. Top 10 benefits of using it

5. FAQs

1. What is a Menstrual Cup?

• A menstrual cup is a female hygiene product that is inserted into the vagina and helps to collect the period blood. 

• It's a flexible cup that looks like a bell or funnel-shaped and is made of silicone, rubber, or latex that collects the blood rather than absorbing it.

• A menstrual cup is reusable and you can use one cup for up to 8 years.

2. Types of Menstrual Cup

1. Small, 2. Medium, 3. Large

There are three types of menstrual cups:

1. Small size 

1. Medium size

1. Large size

Before using a menstrual cup you need to find out your cup size. To determine your cup size you need to consider your age, cervix length whether you've given birth or not.

• Gently insert your index finger in your vaginal canal, try to reach out the tip of your cervix. 

• If your finger touches the cervix it means you should use a smaller cup and if you couldn't reach your cervix then you should prefer medium size cup. 

• Large size cups are designated for women who have given birth. 

3. How to use it?

If you're a beginner you might find it uncomfortable inserting it. Use water-based lube to the rim of the cup as a wet Menstrual cup is easier to insert. 

Steps to insert a menstrual cup:

• Wash your hands, sterilize the cup using hot water for 15 to 20 minutes.

•  Sit on the toilet, spread your legs, fold the cup in half, now use your thumb and index finger to insert it with the rim facing up.

•  Once the cup is inserted, release your finger, rotate the cup so it can form a seal to prevent a leak.

•  If your cup is correctly inserted you won't feel the cup, if you're having a problem using the cup then speak with a doctor.

As a beginner, you might find difficulties while inserting the cup. Try different folds to find the right fold for you. Practice them on normal days to master your fold then you won't find it difficult to insert it.

Removal of the Menstrual Cup:

• Wash your hands thoroughly. 

• Gently use your index finger and thumb to pull out the stem till you reach the base. 

• Now pinch the base to break the seal and while pinching it slowly pull it out. 

• Empty the cup, wash it with running water now you're all good to reuse it.

4. Top 10 benefits of using it:

1. It gives you wings:

 Using pads and tampons feel uncomfortable as whenever you sit or stand you always have to be careful so that it doesn't leak also wetting the tampon strand while peeing feels weird but in the menstrual cup, as it is inserted in your vagina with proper leak protection so there is no "look back" thing nor any uncomfortable feeling. 

2. Freedom of doing things:

Menstrual cups give you the freedom of whatever you want to do or you want to wear. Activities such as swimming, running or wearing white which you couldn't do while using pads or tampons, now you can do them freely.

3. Saves time: 

As you can wear the menstrual cup for 8 to 12 hours without emptying it so, basically you think about your period once or twice a day that means less stress and you can focus on doing other things. Also, it saves your time from buying other disposable menstrual products.

4. Budget-friendly:

Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years which means there is no money will be wasted every single month for buying pads and tampons. An average woman uses more than 10000 pads during her life, spending more than $110 a year. Switching to a $20 to $35 menstrual cup you can save more than $1000 in the span of 10 years.

5. Peaceful night's sleep: 

We all know how hard it is to sleep during menstrual days. Keeping an exact position while sleeping just to prevent leaks and staining is pretty difficult but as the menstrual cup can stay inside for up to 12 hours so no more leaking and changing now you can sleep like normal days and it won't leak no matter how much you wiggle during your sleep.

6. Forgetting that you're actually on your period:

This is the best feeling you've ever get on your period. It sounds awesome right and it actually is. The menstrual cup gives you this feeling as you can't feel your menstrual cup nor you feel the blood flow inside which eventually gives you the feeling that you're on a normal day and make you forget about your period.

7. Environment protection:

One of the major reasons to start using a menstrual cup. As I learned, pads are non-biodegradable and contain harmful chemicals, and are made of 90% plastics that harm your uterus and pollute the environment. Menstrual cups are made of reusable medical silicone, last up to 10 years, and only need one cup.

 8. Staying comfortable:

As the menstrual cup collects the blood rather than absorbing it, there is no wet feeling, itching, or irritation.

9. Healthy vagina:

Pads contain harmful chemicals that cause irritation, itching, uterus infection, and tampons stay inside your vagina and absorb the blood as well as the vagina's moisture which lets dryness, irritation in your vagina, unlike menstrual cup that only collects blood also maintain vagina's moisture.

10. Travel buddy:

A menstrual cup is your best buddy when it comes to travel. It helps to save extra space on your bag which would've been used to take so many pads and tampons. As you won't feel the cup which makes your travel delightful.

So, if you want to enjoy stain-free, leakage-free days then switch to a menstrual cup. If you want to love your period then give it a try.

FAQs

1.Can you sleep with menstrual cup?

Answer. Yes, you can sleep wearing a menstrual cup as it gives 12 hours of protection. It won't leak no matter how much you wiggle in your sleep.

2.Can I pee wearing menstrual cup?

Answer. The answer is yes. You can pee comfortably and the cup won't fall unless you take it out.

3.Will it affects my virginity?

Answer. No, it won't. Menstrual cups are designed to collect blood and it has nothing to do with your virginity.

4.Can I swim wearing a menstrual cup?

Answer. Yes. You can swim, run, jump and do as many activities as you want.

5.How long can I wear the cup?

Answer. It depends on your flow but mostly menstrual cup gives 12 hours of protection so, you can empty the cup once/twice a day.