Menstrual Cups

Menstrual Cups

Menstrual Cups are menstrual products designed to be inserted into the vagina with the purpose of catching menstrual fluid.

Material: Menstrual cups cup are available in gum rubber (The Keeper), and Silicone (The Moon Cup, The Diva Cup).

Sizes: Menstrual cups generally come in two sizes. One size is designed for users who are under 30 and have never delivered a child vaginally. The other is designed for users who are over 30, and/or for women who have delivered a child vaginally.

How To Use A Cup: To insert a cup, the user folds the cup into fourths, inserts the cup into the vagina, and turns the cup until it pops open. The vagina will close around the cup, creating a seal. The cup should sit inside of the vagina so that the bottom is just above the vaginal entrance. When the cup is full, a user will remove it by pinching the bottom of the cup in order to break the seal with the vaginal walls. They will then pull the cup out of the body, dump the contents into the toilet and then either rinse the cup, or wipe the edges of the cup with a damp paper towel, and then reinsert the cup. Menstrual cups should be washed with soap and water once a day.

How Long Can You Leave A Cup In? Cups can be left inside the body for up to 12 hours. On heavier flow days, the cup will have to be emptied more often.

Benefits of Menstrual Cups

  • Because they can be used for many years, they are better for the environment than mainstream pads and tampons, as mainstream pads and tampons do not biodegrade.
  • Because they are designed to be reused for many years, they are much cheaper than using mainstream pads and tampons.
  • Silicone cups are hypoallergenic.
  • Cups do not strip the body of its natural discharge, and do not leave any material behind in the vagina after use.
  • Cups don’t have a place for bacteria to harbor, which means they hold no risk for Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

Concerns

  • Menstrual cups may not be appropriate for users who have vulvodynia, chronic vaginitis, or other vaginal pain disorders, as use may be painful.
  • People who are not comfortable inserting fingers into the vagina will probably not be comfortable using cups.
  • Menstrual cups may not be appropriate for users who still have hymen tissues in place, as the tissue may make it difficult to insert a cup.

Tips for Beginners

  • When first using menstrual cups, it may be a good idea to have short nails as long nails have the potential to tear vaginal tissue. Once a user gains more experience with insertion and removal, they can generally find strategies to insert a cup, even with long nails.
  • A new user may find it helpful to practice inserting and removing their cup before using it during menstruation.
  • Getting the cup wet can ease insertion.
  • Make sure to wash hands before and after cup insertion so as to avoid infection.
  • Some cups come with long stems at the bottom of the cup. Trimming this stem is imperative to wearing the cup comfortably.
  • When using the cup in a public restroom, a user can bring a damp paper towel into the stall with them if they don’t want to rinse their cup in the sink.
  • There are many websites designed for user support if the user encounters any difficulty in properly using a menstrual cup.

Where to Purchase Menstrual Cups: Menstrual cups are most commonly found online, although they can sometimes be purchased at health food stores.