It's that time of the month, should I use a menstrual cup?
By: Onlineintimates
Published on March 26, 2021
Published on March 26, 2021
It’s that time of the month, where you need proper sanitation along with help for controlling the blood flow. Periods are no walk in the park. You are dealing with cramps, you are also making sure that you’re well protected from leakage and other issues. Changing pads often is a tiresome job. In other options, you might have heard about menstrual cups. A menstrual cup is a type of reusable feminine hygiene product. It’s small and flexible and has a funnel-shape. Made from rubber or silicone, it can be inserted into your vagina to catch and collect period fluid.
Other methods used in periods are good but nothing matches menstrual cups as they can hold more blood than any one of them. It also provides an eco-friendly alternative to tampons. And depending on the flow, you can wear a menstrual cup for more than 10 hours.
What are the major advantages of Menstrual Cups?
The very first thing is to know that menstrual cups are affordable. Secondly, they are safer than tampons. Thirdly, they hold more blood than pads or tampons. They offer a better option as they are environment friendly than pads or tampons. They can be worn with a UID. Other benefits include-
Budget-Friendly
Menstrual cups can be reused (particular brands). This gives them a major competitive edge over tampons or pads which need to be continually bought. By buying menstrual cups you pay the one-time price and use them for a longer period thus your money is saved.
Safer Than the Rest
Because menstrual cups can collect rather than absorb the blood, there is no fear of getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS), that is a bacterial infection associated with tampon use because they keep absorbing the blood and it leads sometimes to the storage of bacteria or development leading to infection in the uterus. Menstrual cups only collect blood which needs to be poured out and then it can be washed with disinfectant leading to a completely safe tool.
More Blood Holding Capacity
By using a menstrual cup you can hold about one to two ounces of menstrual blood. While pads and tampons only hold a third of an ounce. This gives you a better option to enjoy your life during periods without worrying about going to the washroom to change the tampon or menstrual cup.
Eco-Friendly
eusable menstrual cups are made from materials that last a long time and since there is no wastage of the material, it doesn’t cause any harm to the environment leading to environment conservation.
Sex is Allowed
Menstrual cups allow you to have sex while having them inside again. Soft disposable ones can stay in while you get intimate. There is no issue of cup feeling and there is no worry about leaks because they fit perfectly in the vagina and allow you to enjoy sex while on periods.
Use with IUD
Various research papers and doctors verify that menstrual cups can be worn with an IUD inserted and it doesn’t cause any kind of problem.
No Dryness
Unlike tampons, menstrual cups don’t let the vagina be dry. This allows the vagina to maintain its healthy bacterias that prevent many infections. Tampons usually absorb necessary moisture along with the blood flow and cause problems. This excess dryness leads to itching and lots of other problems. Menstrual cups are better suited for maintaining the right moisture.
No Chemicals
Since menstrual cups are only holding the blood, they don’t contain any chemicals that are usually found in tampons and pads. Bleach and dioxin are usually found in tampons and pads for facilitating their use. These chemicals are said to be causing cancer in humans. Menstrual cups are free from all kinds of chemicals and the proof is that you are washing them with your own hands, meaning there is no fear of chemical insertion into your vagina.
No Odour, No Feeling of Cups
Menstrual cups remove the problem of odor when exposed to air. Usually, menstrual fluids developed odor when exposed to air. That’s not the issue with menstrual cups because they provide an airtight seal inside the vagina which doesn’t let the exposure happen. Also, if the menstrual cup is inserted in the right manner, it doesn’t let the person feel its presence. You can move around freely without any worry about getting the movement blocking by the menstrual cup.
Disadvantages of Menstrual Cups
The major disadvantages related to menstrual cups are that it can be messy. It also might be hard to insert and remove and sometimes it gets tough to find the right fit. In some cases, allergic reactions have also been reported along with vaginal irritation. Few things that need to be kept in mind while using menstrual cups are-
Removal Can be Messy
Sometimes it becomes awkward or difficult to remove the menstrual cup. You might have a problem in finding the right place and position so that no spill can occur but in some situations, it can’t be avoided, and blood spills from cups leading to mess.
Tough To Insert & Remove
In some cases, it is major problem that the menstrual cup is not getting the right fold. There is a process involved in putting the menstrual cup in a place where you have to pinch the base to pull the cup down and out. Sometimes due to positioning or other factors, it becomes quite a problem for some to insert and remove the cups.
Hard to Find the Right Fit
It isn’t so that you buy one menstrual cup and fits all. You have to try different brand s to reach the most perfect one for you and your vagina as each brand makes come changes in the material and the flexibility along with size. Finding the right fit is important because without that blood will spill out leading to mess and problems.
Allergy
Most menstrual cups are made from latex-free materials. Meaning people who have allergy problems with latex are worry-free but there is a chance that silicone or rubber material inside the menstrual cups can cause an allergic reaction leading to further problems.
Vaginal Irritation & Infection
A menstrual cup can lead to vaginal irritation if the cup isn’t washed and cleaned properly. Also, you need to use lubrication to facilitate easy insertion into the vagina. Sometimes these small things can also lead to infection which causes great problems. Disposable menstrual cups aren’t to be reused.
Other methods used in periods are good but nothing matches menstrual cups as they can hold more blood than any one of them. It also provides an eco-friendly alternative to tampons. And depending on the flow, you can wear a menstrual cup for more than 10 hours.
What are the major advantages of Menstrual Cups?
The very first thing is to know that menstrual cups are affordable. Secondly, they are safer than tampons. Thirdly, they hold more blood than pads or tampons. They offer a better option as they are environment friendly than pads or tampons. They can be worn with a UID. Other benefits include-
Budget-Friendly
Menstrual cups can be reused (particular brands). This gives them a major competitive edge over tampons or pads which need to be continually bought. By buying menstrual cups you pay the one-time price and use them for a longer period thus your money is saved.
Safer Than the Rest
Because menstrual cups can collect rather than absorb the blood, there is no fear of getting toxic shock syndrome (TSS), that is a bacterial infection associated with tampon use because they keep absorbing the blood and it leads sometimes to the storage of bacteria or development leading to infection in the uterus. Menstrual cups only collect blood which needs to be poured out and then it can be washed with disinfectant leading to a completely safe tool.
More Blood Holding Capacity
By using a menstrual cup you can hold about one to two ounces of menstrual blood. While pads and tampons only hold a third of an ounce. This gives you a better option to enjoy your life during periods without worrying about going to the washroom to change the tampon or menstrual cup.
Eco-Friendly
eusable menstrual cups are made from materials that last a long time and since there is no wastage of the material, it doesn’t cause any harm to the environment leading to environment conservation.
Sex is Allowed
Menstrual cups allow you to have sex while having them inside again. Soft disposable ones can stay in while you get intimate. There is no issue of cup feeling and there is no worry about leaks because they fit perfectly in the vagina and allow you to enjoy sex while on periods.
Use with IUD
Various research papers and doctors verify that menstrual cups can be worn with an IUD inserted and it doesn’t cause any kind of problem.
No Dryness
Unlike tampons, menstrual cups don’t let the vagina be dry. This allows the vagina to maintain its healthy bacterias that prevent many infections. Tampons usually absorb necessary moisture along with the blood flow and cause problems. This excess dryness leads to itching and lots of other problems. Menstrual cups are better suited for maintaining the right moisture.
No Chemicals
Since menstrual cups are only holding the blood, they don’t contain any chemicals that are usually found in tampons and pads. Bleach and dioxin are usually found in tampons and pads for facilitating their use. These chemicals are said to be causing cancer in humans. Menstrual cups are free from all kinds of chemicals and the proof is that you are washing them with your own hands, meaning there is no fear of chemical insertion into your vagina.
No Odour, No Feeling of Cups
Menstrual cups remove the problem of odor when exposed to air. Usually, menstrual fluids developed odor when exposed to air. That’s not the issue with menstrual cups because they provide an airtight seal inside the vagina which doesn’t let the exposure happen. Also, if the menstrual cup is inserted in the right manner, it doesn’t let the person feel its presence. You can move around freely without any worry about getting the movement blocking by the menstrual cup.
Disadvantages of Menstrual Cups
The major disadvantages related to menstrual cups are that it can be messy. It also might be hard to insert and remove and sometimes it gets tough to find the right fit. In some cases, allergic reactions have also been reported along with vaginal irritation. Few things that need to be kept in mind while using menstrual cups are-
Removal Can be Messy
Sometimes it becomes awkward or difficult to remove the menstrual cup. You might have a problem in finding the right place and position so that no spill can occur but in some situations, it can’t be avoided, and blood spills from cups leading to mess.
Tough To Insert & Remove
In some cases, it is major problem that the menstrual cup is not getting the right fold. There is a process involved in putting the menstrual cup in a place where you have to pinch the base to pull the cup down and out. Sometimes due to positioning or other factors, it becomes quite a problem for some to insert and remove the cups.
Hard to Find the Right Fit
It isn’t so that you buy one menstrual cup and fits all. You have to try different brand s to reach the most perfect one for you and your vagina as each brand makes come changes in the material and the flexibility along with size. Finding the right fit is important because without that blood will spill out leading to mess and problems.
Allergy
Most menstrual cups are made from latex-free materials. Meaning people who have allergy problems with latex are worry-free but there is a chance that silicone or rubber material inside the menstrual cups can cause an allergic reaction leading to further problems.
Vaginal Irritation & Infection
A menstrual cup can lead to vaginal irritation if the cup isn’t washed and cleaned properly. Also, you need to use lubrication to facilitate easy insertion into the vagina. Sometimes these small things can also lead to infection which causes great problems. Disposable menstrual cups aren’t to be reused.
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HOW TO USE A MENSTRUAL CUP?
Using a menstrual cup is pretty easy. You can buy it online, or in most of the stores. But the first thing is to know about the size. For that, you have to go to your gynecologist and for size, various factors will be checked like your age, length of your cervix, whether o, not you have a heavy flow, firmness, and flexibility of the cup along with cup capacity. Usually, small menstrual cups are recommended for women who haven’t crossed 30 years' bar and who haven’t delivered a baby. Large size menstrual cups are for women who are over 30 years and gave given birth to babies. For first-time users, menstrual cups can be uncomfortable. And for that, you need to grease it up. Meaning you can lubricate the rim with water or any water-based lubricant. A wet menstrual cup is much better than any other menstrual cup and makes it easy to insert into the vagina and handle. How to put it inside? It’s similar to a tampon and it’s relatively easy to put the menstrual cup. Following steps are needed –
How to take it out? To take out a menstrual cup from your vagina, you need to follow these steps-
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What to do with the cup afterward?
If your menstrual cup is reusable, then you should wash it properly and wipe it clean before reinserting. In this case, you should also make sure that you are emptying the cup twice a day. Reusable menstrual cups are usually durable and last up to 6 months to 8 months with proper care. And if you have disposable cups then they are to be thrown just after use.
Is it Costly
No. If you look at the advantage and what these menstrual cups are offering, then you won’t find the price too high in comparison to tampons and pads. If you think about the cost you incur when you pay for six months of tampons and pads, you will be surprised. It’s a high amount. Now, if you buy a reusable menstrual cup that lasts for say 6 to 8 months, it would save a lot of money. As the price is pretty low, around 15 to 30 Euro. It is the step that will make the burden on your pocket lift off and there will be no issue of too much investment and you are saved from reoccurring payments also.
Is a menstrual cup right for me?
So there are few questions that you need to ask yourself-
Conclusion
Every hygiene product has its advantages and disadvantages. Based on that we chose among different options to get the best results and options which suit our needs and requirements. Menstrual cups have been around since the 1860s. They came into popularity when American actress and signer Leona Chalmers began promoting her patented catamenial receptor, which is now known as the menstrual cup, in the 1930s. In the starting, they were made from rubber due to which later development lead to safer material and now we get the modern form.
In the periods, all you want is an easy and effective method for blood flow control which could allow you to be free from any worry of moving and leakage. An option with which you can move around freely doing everyday things. Menstrual cups allow you to do that with the utmost potential and don’t let you down. Based
If your menstrual cup is reusable, then you should wash it properly and wipe it clean before reinserting. In this case, you should also make sure that you are emptying the cup twice a day. Reusable menstrual cups are usually durable and last up to 6 months to 8 months with proper care. And if you have disposable cups then they are to be thrown just after use.
Is it Costly
No. If you look at the advantage and what these menstrual cups are offering, then you won’t find the price too high in comparison to tampons and pads. If you think about the cost you incur when you pay for six months of tampons and pads, you will be surprised. It’s a high amount. Now, if you buy a reusable menstrual cup that lasts for say 6 to 8 months, it would save a lot of money. As the price is pretty low, around 15 to 30 Euro. It is the step that will make the burden on your pocket lift off and there will be no issue of too much investment and you are saved from reoccurring payments also.
Is a menstrual cup right for me?
So there are few questions that you need to ask yourself-
- Is a menstrual cup costing me less?
- Is it easier to use?
- Do I want to have sex during the periods?
- Do I want to be free from the worry of changing pads every often?
Conclusion
Every hygiene product has its advantages and disadvantages. Based on that we chose among different options to get the best results and options which suit our needs and requirements. Menstrual cups have been around since the 1860s. They came into popularity when American actress and signer Leona Chalmers began promoting her patented catamenial receptor, which is now known as the menstrual cup, in the 1930s. In the starting, they were made from rubber due to which later development lead to safer material and now we get the modern form.
In the periods, all you want is an easy and effective method for blood flow control which could allow you to be free from any worry of moving and leakage. An option with which you can move around freely doing everyday things. Menstrual cups allow you to do that with the utmost potential and don’t let you down. Based
