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| A menstrual cup can totally change your period experience for good! |
Simply because a menstrual cup will make your life better, at the very least your period a bit more convenient. Have you ever had rashes around your periods and always end up with chafed inner thighs after your period has gone by?
A menstrual cup is the best solution you could be looking for. When you use it, you can forget that you are on your period. The wet feeling between your thighs during your menstrual cycle would be gone.
What is a menstrual cup?
It is a cup-like structure made of medical-grade silicone which is used to hold the blood inside the vagina. It has finite capacity and you need to empty it every now and then, the frequency of which depends on your flow. Read this to know an expert’s opinion on the matter.
A menstrual cup is the best solution you could be looking for. When you use it, you can forget that you are on your period. The wet feeling between your thighs during your menstrual cycle will be gone. A menstrual cup will make you free as a bird.
It may take some time to get used to, inserting it and using it properly so that it doesn’t leak, and to make it work as per your period cycle.
It is sustainable and comparatively inexpensive for your pocket and your planet.
Which one do I use?
I use a Medium-sized Safecup. I have been using it for about a year now.
I got it from amazon.in. Honestly, my first experience with a menstrual cup was not that bad because I have tried tampons before. Although I had to cut the stem of the cup to make it fit me better. With the stem still intact it was causing me discomfort and I could always feel that there was a cup in place and something was irritating the inner walls of my vagina; ideally you are not supposed to notice that you even have it inside you. But it was fine as soon as I reduced the size of the stem.
Anatomy of the vagina
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| Anatomy of the Vagina (source: Teen Vogue) |
*Remember every Vagina looks different, there is an artist who celebrates the beauty of a woman’s body through their illustrations. The drawings may cause some of you to flinch and they sure felt weird when I first saw them, but after giving them 5 seconds I was fascinated by the diversity of the human body.
Follow the link to check out their page on Instagram.
Which one have I tried?
I have tried two cups, both from different brands in M size (going as per the size chart they provided).
1. Sirona:
Color: Pink
Flexibility: 5/10
(10 being like jelly & 1 represents a metal rod)
Purchased for INR 299 in June 2020
2. Safecup:
Colorless
Flexibility: 8/10
(10 being like jelly & 1 represents a metal rod)
My review:
Personally, I liked the Safecup one better because it made it easier to work out with, due to its being more flexible. Although I had to cut off its non-existent stem because it was irritating my vagina, the rest is all good. I have been using this one from August 2020 till today (12th May 2020)
With the Sirona one, I had to go pee quite frequently as it was pushing slightly on my bladder because of being a bit rigid.
Fellow menstruators who don’t use a menstrual cup and their opinion.
Question: Do you know what a menstrual cup is?
Answer:
1. No idea.
2. Yes, silicone cups used by women during their periods instead of eco-friendly pocket-friendly are initially difficult to use.
Question: Now that you know what is it, would you consider using it?
Answer:
Both- I would definitely consider using it. Trying how to do it, it’s been a year I can’t figure it out still.
Question: What do you like to use during your period cycle?
Answer:
Both- Generally I like to go with the good old pads. I have heard about tampons but never really tried them.
Question: Do you face any problems with a pad/tampon? If so please share.
Answer:
1. Sometimes it gets a little rough and I have to face chaffing. When the flow is less I get lazy and procrastinate changing them on time and getting rashes in return. I tried a few brands such as 'Stayfree' and 'Whisper' before finally settling into the comfort of 'Sofy'. When I had to use 'Whisper' again this one time, I realized why I'd stopped using it in the first place. They are just very very rough with the only upside of it being extremely absorbent.
Question: What would make you switch to menstrual cups?
Answer:
1. Honestly, I like the idea of it being comparatively more sustainable and economical so perhaps practice on how to use it is my answer. I have tried different methods and the fold and positions but still didn't get the hang of it.
Why did I shift to using a menstrual cup
Ladies the answer is simple:
- A menstrual cup is 10x more efficient than our customary means of soaking blood. I can keep it in for about 12 hours and go about my day as usual, of course except for the period cramps.
- It aligns with my principle of sustainable development and it is literally inexpensive compared to other options such as pads and tampons.
- It lets me have my freedom of motion in everyday life.
- It has saved me a ton of money in the long run.
- It is comfortable throughout the day, although I will not lie I do feel slight discomfort only while inserting and removing it.
*One issue I face is that I feel slightly itchy if I keep it in for too long, say 15-16 hours. It could lead to an infection as a worst-case scenario but I do forget that it’s there sometimes because it is so comfortable.
How to use a menstrual cup?
First and foremost, you will be inserting it inside your body and keep it there for long periods you need to sterilize it at the right time and keep it clean.
As you know by now, the menstrual cup has four holes to create a slight vacuum and stay put in its place. But it has a broader opening than our vaginal opening, which is why it is required for you to fold it to insert it. I have tried the C fold and pinfold, I prefer the pinfold as it makes it really easy to insert the cup.
Here is a link for you to watch a descriptive tutorial that helped me get the hang of it when I was starting out.
Another great tutorial: How to Insert a Menstrual Cup
Read the next headline to know how to properly take care of your menstrual cup.
How do you take care of your menstrual cup?
First and foremost, you will be inserting it inside your body and keep it there for long periods you need to sterilize it at the right time and keep it clean.
You ought to;
- Boil the menstrual cup for 10 minutes,
- Make sure the cup is completely submerged in boiling water or you risk melting it
- Boil it once every 3 days mid-cycle (which means you first boil it on your 1st day’s morning before inserting it in, then on the 3rd day’s morning, and then again on the 5th day’s morning, and so on)
- Sterilize it before and after using it through your period cycle. So boil it once before storing it in a well-ventilated area. It is advised to keep it in a glass container compared to a plastic one
How will you pick up the right one for you?
Select the right size for you, here is a general size scale that most brands follow. Before purchasing the cup from any brand make sure you have identified the right size in their chart as per your judgment.
There are cups with different shapes on the market as well, I recommend you go with the standard one shown in the picture if you are skeptical and try others like these if you are feeling experimental.
It is rather natural for the menstrual cup to stain after some time with regular use, which is the reason why some people go for a black-colored cup. Please understand that it is absolutely normal and nothing to feel embarrassed by if your cup has stained slightly. I personally prefer to have a clear one without any color as it makes it easier to examine and clean.
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| You can choose from a variety of options available in the market |
There are several brands out there offering you a variety of cups. Go through the reviews of previous users of the same product because that will give you a glimpse of how the brand has done to meet its customers’ needs. Choose a brand that is in your country to save on import duty and cut costs. However, you should invest in a good menstrual cup once as it will be going with you a long way. Buy it after thorough research.
Look for “Medical grade silicone” while searching for the right one.
Should you worry if your cup has changed in color?
It is natural for your cup to change slightly in color over time. Although you need to do something if it smells funny because ideally, a menstrual cup should not have any fragrance. If you notice that it smells please sterilize your menstrual cup by boiling it for 10 minutes immersed in water. Link to sterilize a menstrual cup.
What is the right time to change your menstrual cup?
Many/ almost all brands claim that a cup lasts up to 5 years or 7 years or so.
Research on this
What a guy thinks and knows about a menstrual cup?
Question: Have you ever heard about a menstrual cup?
Answer: Yes
Question: What do you think a menstrual cup is?
Answer: It is an artificial cap that is inserted into the female body to hold excessive blood. Not excessive per se, but like holding the blood that comes throughout the period.
Question: How much do you think one pad/tampon/cup costs?
Answer:
INR 12-15 per pad
INR 20 per tampon
INR 200 per cup
Questions he asked after answering all of the above:
1. Is a menstrual cup uncomfortable, as it is something that stays inside you 24*7 for at least 7 days?
My answer: No, it's not uncomfortable to keep it in at all.
2. What if the cup is not the right size?
My answer: Well, you can't use it then. Although, some guides and instructions help a woman decide the right size for her.
3. Where do you pee from while you have the cup inside?
My answer: The pee hole is different from the vaginal opening, many people including women do not know this fact.
4. Does it ever overflow?
My answer: There is a possibility of overflowing but it is very rare. Once you get the hang of it, you will keep emptying the cup according to the flow
5. In comparison, which is the most uncomfortable: Pad/Tampon/Menstrual cup?
My answer: Personally speaking, I dislike a Tampon the most.
6. You have to boil it to clean it properly. Don't you think it is a bit unhygienic to bring something from the bathroom to the kitchen?
My answer: The cup is first washed with soap after usage and then boiled in water for at least 10 minutes. The process is similar to sterilizing a baby's bottle or a doctor's tool.
Conclusion
“Do I need to use it, or it is better to just skip this one?”
Girl, just try it once and you will never go back to using pads/tampons.
A menstrual cup will make you as free as a bird.
Other links to gain more insights on the matter:
Using Menstrual Cup For the 1st Time! _ My experience || How to use, Insert Menstrual cup by Prachi
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