Many people have heard of menstrual cups, but not many know what it is. Even women are unsure of what this product is. They don’t know how it looks, how it works, where to buy it, or what the pros and cons are. So that brings us to the question; what is a menstrual cup?
Menstrual cup
Made of rubber or silicone, it is a funnel-shaped cup which is small and flexible. This little cup is inserted into the vagina to collect the blood of your period. The cup has a thin stem at the bottom. This is to make removal easier, and can help guide you when you have to reposition the cup for a more comfortable or proper fit. As with all menstrual products, the cardinal rule stands – always wash your hands before and after.
You may also wonder if it is eco-friendly product. The answer is No, most of them will end up in a field. As I already mentioned above the cup made from silicone. Silicone is not a bio degradable product. The recycling process is not easy either. If your focus on eco-friendly product your best bet is organic cotton sanitary pads.
Menstrual cup sizes
In general there are only two sizes available, namely small and large. Some specialized brands will have a third medium option, but don’t count on it. The small cup can be anywhere from 35-43 mm, while the large cup can be up to 48 mm at the rim of the cup.
How does a menstrual cup work?
It is actually quite simple. The small cup is twisted up and then inserted into the vagina with the rim pointing inwards towards the body and the end pointing down. Once the cup is in place, it will unfurl to sit in the vagina where it can collect all the menstrual blood. After 6 to 12 hours the cup is pulled from the body to be emptied and washed, then reinserted. If you are experiencing a heavier flow then you may need to empty the cup before you reach 6 hours.
How to clean a menstrual cup
The cleanliness of a cup is very important, and should be washed with soap and water after every single use. It is also recommended to boil the cup in water after the end of each menstrual cycle. To do this, simply pop the cup inside a metal whisk inside a pot of water, and boil it for 5-10 minutes. Unfortunately it can be difficult to always properly wash your menstrual cup, especially when you are in a public bathroom setting. While some women prefer to carry a spare cup with them, this can be extremely costly for most.
TOM menstrual cup
The TOM menstrual cup, or TOM organic period cup, has gone the extra mile to try and make using a menstrual cup easier and more comfortable. The cup is made from 100% medical grade silicone, has finger indentation grips to make insertion and removal easier, and has a unique internal rib system for easier removal. To further up their game, their cups come with a convenient steriliser case where you can not only store your cup in a clean and sterile place, but also use it to wash the menstrual cup.
How to remove a menstrual cup
Easy, can be messy. Push the cup out using the vaginal muscles. Reach in and grab the stem of the cup and gently pull it down. To break the suction of the cup, pinch the base. To avoid spillage, try to keep the cup upright.
Menstrual cup folds
There are a couple of different ways for you to fold your menstrual cup before insertion. Each fold is based on a person’s own preference as to what is most comfortable for them. The most popular folds are as follows:
* The C fold, which creates a shape very similar to that of a tampon.
* The punch down fold, to get the smallest tip for insertion.
* The double 7 or tulip fold.
* The labia fold, for if you struggle to get a softer cup to properly open up.
* The triangle fold, which is similar to the punch down fold.
* The origami fold, also similar to the punch down fold, gives you a nub to push on to open the cup.
* The diamond or half diamond fold.
* The E and S fold.
Menstrual cup leaking
Unfortunately, especially for first timers, you are going to experience leakage when using a menstrual cup. There are a couple of reasons that this could be happening. One of the main reasons is that there is a crease in the cup, meaning it didn’t open properly inside your vagina. When it is inserted correctly and unfolds properly, then it should suction to the walls of your vagina. Another reason for leakage may be that the holes around the rim is clogged. These are pressure holes to ensure that the blood goes into the cup, and doesn’t find another way out. Then there is overflow, when your period may be heavy and you’ve left the cup in for too long. There is also placement issues, where you placed the menstrual cup too low in your vagina. Another reason may be if you have a bowel movement and the pelvic floor muscles contract, causing the cup to crease and inevitably leak a little bit. Finally, it might simply be that you have the wrong size menstrual cup.
The dangers of menstrual cups
The question that many new users have concerns the safety of a menstrual cup. As with any menstrual product, there are always risks. Although it is rare, infections can happen. Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are risks, which can develop if bacteria in the vagina becomes imbalanced. This will normally occur due to unhygienic use of the menstrual cup. This includes not washing your hands before handling the cup, and not washing and sterilising your menstrual cup before and after use. Another danger to look out for is toxic shock syndrome. Although rare, this can occur if the cup is left in for too long. If you have a lot of resistance, then over time the cup may cause a prolapse. Although most menstrual cups are made from silicone, there are some that are made of rubber. So if you are allergic to latex, this can cause serious problems. A good guide to follow can be found on www.healthline.com where they go into a lot of detail pertaining to the safe use of menstrual cups. There are some people who will not be able to use a menstrual cup, and for those people it is best to stick to Anion pads, as these are completely biodegradable and have the added benefit of negative ions that kill bacteria. It is also easier to store when you are out in public.
Best menstrual cup in Australia
So you’ve decided to give the cup a go. The best cups to try in Australia is the Diva Cup, Lunette, and the Lily Cup.
Happy cupping, but always remember to keep your Anion pads on hand.