Menstrual cups are reusable silicone or latex devices that collect menstrual fluid. They are inserted into the vagina to catch menstrual blood. For proper use:
1. Wash hands before handling the cup.
2. Fold the cup for easy insertion.
3. Use water or specially-formulated cleaning fluid before insertion.
4. Position the cup comfortably in the vagina with the aid of gravity.
5. Empty the cup before it reaches full capacity.
Pros:
– Environmentally friendly due to reduced waste.
– Economical: saves money over time compared to disposable pads/tampons.
– Can last up to 10 years with proper care.
– Discretion; no odor as it doesn’t absorb fluid.
Cons:
– Requires practice for insertion, which may cause initial discomfort.
– May take up to an hour to adjust after insertion.
– Size may not suit everyone; consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended.
– Cleaning and storing can be time-consuming.
– May not be ideal for women with certain health conditions or STIs.
Always consider speaking with a gynecologist before use.
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How it works
The menstrual cup is an excellent alternative to sanitary pads or tampons. The menstrual cup is inserted, properly folded, inside the vagina, into which it opens, going to adhere to the walls and creating a kind of vacuum that does not allow blood to escape and allows the woman to carry out daily life as well as sports.
These cups are made of medical silicone or TPE. It should be emptied after a few hours of use and can be washed and reused. The hours it remains inserted depend on the type of flow, whether abundant or not, and the size of the cup. A reusable cup comes to last over 5 0 even 10 years, especially if it is always washed carefully and kept in good condition. There are also disposable cups on the market. All models are available in different colors and take into account the different morphologies of the female genital organ.
As for the hardness of the material, there are toned, semi-toned, or soft ones, and the choice depends greatly on the degree of tone of the pelvic floor (the band of muscles that supports the uterus, rectum, vagina, and bladder). Pelvic floor tone is also assessed by a visit to a specialist gynecologist. In fact use remains very simple and functional to everyday life, it’s just a matter of getting started and familiarizing yourself the first few times. A very good idea might just be to ask specific questions to friends or people who have been using this method for some time to gather more information. Certainly doubts can occur and there are pros and cons to each aspect. Let’s go through them in detail in the next section.
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Pros and cons
The first positive aspect lies in the cost savings: the menstrual cup has truly sustainable costs and saves a lot of money on tampons. In the second instance, the cup also has a great ecological value, it does not pollute and does not produce waste that is difficult to dispose of. Many women have a fear that you may develop allergies or various skin problems, especially if you have very sensitive skin. In fact, the cups are manufactured so that they do not bother or create any problems at the skin level, unless there are previous abrasions or wounds or other problems. The cups are manufactured without phthalates, dyes, bleaches, perfumes, and BPA, making them great allies for women living with allergies or skin problems of various kinds.
As for hygiene, it is strictly up to you; the cup should be cleaned well with soap and water, preferably specific, and at the end of each menstrual period a very thorough washing should be done so that it is found clean at the next cycle. Some women decide to do a complete disinfection. In some cases it is sterilized with water and bleach, or Amuchina: about 10 ml of bleach (i.e., one tablespoon) or 20 ml of Amuchina, in which sodium hypochlorite, the substance that disinfects, is more diluted, should be put into a 200-250 ml glass of water. We suggest this method of cleaning when the cup has made contact with Places or places that are unclean Or if we lost our pouch.
The materials are certified, but it is still important check the origin and quality of the cup you buy, to prevent the risk of irritation. How to keep it? Where to store it? This point, too, is up to you and determines hygiene: many for example store it inside a practical and discreet pouch or bag, which is sometimes even sold with the cup. But how many women use it? How many are really comfortable with it? An industry-specific study published in the journal Lancet Public Health reveals that about 70 percent of women who have tried the menstrual cup want to continue using it. It certainly becomes a period of familiarization is necessary the duration of which depends on each woman. Cups win 100% over tampons: in the opinion of gynecologists, the latter can bring serious problems to the cervix and go as far as causing major problems such as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), a serious disease caused by a toxin from the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which is commonly found in the vagina. The risk of contracting TSS soars in women who use absorbent tampons and internal contraception devices during menstruation and/or have already had staph infection.
Every woman has different characteristics, but before judging anything surely we have to at least try it out. Experienced women recommend at least 4 menstrual cycles to try to figure it out and have time to try to insert it without letting blood out, how to tell when it fills completely. At first it is recommended to use them In conjunction with an external tampon, to avoid going to dirty clothes in case it is put on wrong the first few times. You need time to figure out if you have chosen the right model and type.