Disclaimer: This is mostly for all the people who menstruate, but if any other considerate person cares to know more about the menstrual cycle and hygiene, read on!
That being said, I apologize if in some parts, the article becomes cis-women centric. I will try to be as generic as possible to be inclusive, but since I share my experiences in parts, the bias may creep in.
If you are an Instagram addict, you probably already know this – Menstrual cups are the new way to combat plastic pollution. But let us also be honest. You and I, we are all Internet warriors who still use plastics during grocery shopping, still use Tupperware boxes for packing in our lunch, still binge-watch with a packet of chips in hand, still choose packaged water over regular one, still behave like the plastic problem is not as threatening as it sounds like.
Fair enough. (Not really!)
But there, let me give YOU reasons that might convince you to make the switch.
Second disclaimer: This is probably not meant for people who have taken other precautions such as IUD or implants as measures of birth control and as a side effect, have their period cycles stopped or barely present. Whether you can club it with other birth control/period control options is a question best answered by your gynaecologist.
What is a menstrual cup and what is all this hype around it?
It is a rather cute-looking bell-shaped cup with a stem sticking out at the bottom. On first sight, it might scare you how to insert the entire thing in your vagina, but then remember that you’ve been just as apprehensive about your partner’s genitals or a sex toy. Fret not. It will do nothing to arouse you and put you in an uncomfortable position before your parents and conservative family. Infact, that’s the best part about it – the comfort.
We are in a serious crisis – both environmentally and financially. And menstrual cups are justifiably in hype because they help on both those fronts. Most brands offer reusable cups, which means you can spend $20-$40 once and forget about period expenditures for the next 1-5 years. They are eco-friendly too, being made of latex rubber or silicon-grade, which means that they don’t end up in the dump with your pads and tampons and take years to degenerate.
How am I benefitted from this though?
- You keep forgetting about changing your pads or tampons on time.
- You’re a messy sleeper, and wake up in the middle of the night, afraid to get stains on your bedsheet.
- You hate the disgusting smell of menstrual blood.
- You are a water babe and have a beach vacation planned, but your periods chose a wrong time. You’re now scared of the deadly mix of sanitary napkins and salty water.
- Sanitary pads leave behind rash or irritation along your thighs and tampons feel uneasy and expose you to Toxic Shock Syndrome.
- You are really concerned about saving your money and saving the environment.
If you’re any of the above, you should seriously consider switching to a menstrual cup. Here’s why.
- For medium to light flow, menstrual cups can have your back..err, blood for upto 8-12 hours. For heavy flow, I think they can stick around for 5-7 hours definitely.
- If inserted right, menstrual cups have no leakage at all and practically has no sensation. So you won’t even feel it inside you, and have your peaceful night of sleep.
- It holds the blood and prevents it from coming out. Naturally, without an exposure to the air, there’s no bad odour.
- It is super comfortable to wear with beach wears and swimsuits. So even if you want to get rid of those undies, nobody around will realise it’s “that time of the month” unless you’re PMSing.
- I am no scientist, but these reports show that they are much less prone to causing trouble.
- There’s no better alternative for this!
How do I take this leap of faith, especially if I am not on great terms with my vagina?
Hailing from India, I know how most girls are not taught how to be comfortable with their own bodies. The idea of touching the insides of your vagina may be scary to some, and trust me, I have been there. So, when you start out, it might be difficult to get accustomed to the idea of a menstrual cup when you’re already dealing with the social taboos surrounding periods.
Sanitary napkins may be a good way to start out, but once you become comfortable with your own body, make the switch. Remember, it’s your body after all and there’s nothing shameful, nothing disgusting about touching it. Personally, I feel menstrual cups are a great way to get acquainted with your body.
What if I am a virgin or a mother?
Virginity is a heteronormative concept that we might as well dispose off with. Typically, it’s associated with breaking your hymen, but did you know that there’s multiple other ways that can happen? For example, it’s pretty common in sportspersons and can happen even while you’re pleasing yourself. Being a virgin has got nothing to do with placing the menstrual cup up your vagina. If anything, it might even prepare you better for future experiences! But again, I can’t be too pushy and if you feel hesitant about it, it’s okay not to go ahead. The relationship with your menstrual cup should be a natural and free-flowing one (like all others), and it starts with making the choice to build one.
Similarly, if you have already given birth, you might be afraid that your vaginal opening is not tight enough to hold the cup in place. But hey, these folks have thought all these out well in advance.
Usually, for most brands, there are different sizes available depending on age and flow. For example. Diva Cup has 3 models – one for teenagers under the age of 18 and heavy flow, one for average flow and the other for women who have already given birth.
Now for the usage.....
Honestly, there are so many videos out there doing way more justice in explaining than the process than I ever can through words. You can check out the following links:
- https://youtu.be/o9fPUfm-uYE
- https://youtu.be/lwnK8J8fQxk (check out other videos by Put A Cup In It)
- https://youtu.be/MoH_wax35oU
A few tricks from my personal usage, especially for first timers:
Insertion:
- Try it out once before your period actually starts. The first time is always an exhausting process, especially if your vagina is tight.
- Sterilize the cup every time before usage, on the first day. Thereafter, during the cycle, it’s fine to use liquid handwash, or specialized cleaners.
- Try to relax your vaginal muscles to ease the process.
- For most people, the vaginal canal is usually at an angle, so try inserting the cup towards the tailbone instead of straight up.
- You’ll only learn which fold works for you only through trying. So if one of them doesn’t work, try another one while cursing under your breath.
- You need to ensure that your cup is sitting comfortably in, without leakage. The best way to ensure that is to run your fingers in a circle around the base of the cup to check for any folds. You should feel the vacuum suction if you’ve inserted it right.
- Don’t give up!
Removal:
- Don’t worry, your menstrual cup will not get stuck inside. It’s an enclosed chamber and all you have to do is put your hands deeper to find the base. If pinching the base isn’t working, break the side seal. Once you release the suction, the cup will come out.
- Don’t pinch the base too hard. If the cup is full, it might spill the blood.
- Don’t panic!
Problems during usage...
No matter how much you read up on it, there will still be trouble when you’re getting started. I heavily recommended menstrual cups to one of my friends, but while she loved the experience during the day, she faced immense pain at night, directed near her tailbone. The pain vanished as soon as she removed the cup. So, does that mean she cannot use one ever?
Of course not!
This typically results from a low cervix position. Let’s learn more.
- Why should a low cervix not change your ideas about a menstrual cup?
Cervix is the structure located below the uterus and above the vagina. It is the “neck” of the uterus, through which blood travels down to the vaginal canal. Now, for many women, the cervix moves significantly lower during their periods. So if your menstrual cup is inserted too high and your cervix is too low, the menstrual cup might be pushing against it and causing you pain. The best way to avoid it is to check the length of your cervix and choose an appropriate menstrual cup : How to measure the length of your cervix and How to pick the right menstrual cup. Better still, visit your gynaecologist and follow her recommendations on usage.
- What if my cup feels itchy?
There may be multiple reasons for this, which I am not well-equiped to talk about. You might be having some sort of vaginal infection, or something worse. It’s always best to seek a professional help instead of trying to be your own doctor. But being sanitary – cleaning your genitalia occasionally is a healthy and necessary habit.
- How do I change my cup if I'm on the road?
As long as you can manage to have water and some soap, you’re good to go! Wash your heads, empty the cup, clean it and put it back in. If you’re still concerned about the hygiene, you might keep additional options like sanitary napkins or tampons. For hikes spanning multiple days where you have don’t have access to proper bathrooms, it might be wise to keep an alternative handy.
In conclusion...
The article is by no means exhaustive and there may be multiple other questions or situations that I haven’t covered. But I hope, from what I have, it gives you the confidence to try out this amazing thing that has changed the way I feel about periods! If it works for you, you’ll be thanking me for the rest of your period cycles!