I'm super obsessed with menstrual cups, so I had to write an article about it. I'm the type of person who's always up for trying new things. As a girl when I was introduced to period products, I was only told about pads, because putting something down there, would make you lose your virginity.
I used pads until the year 2019. One day I had to buy tampons for a school project, I thought of using it and loved it.
According to recent studies, it had been found out that pads and tampons are not at all environment friendly and take about 800 years to decompose completely. So why harm the environment? Let's take a turn to a reusable method.
Being a teenager, I wasn't able to find a suitable menstrual cup of my size. Then I found out about this extra small menstrual cup for teenagers and immediately ordered one for myself.
I was so excited to use it. It was my first time using a cup. I made a few mistakes, like accidentally letting the cup slip and spilling blood on the floor.
This happened twice or thrice, but by the end of my period, I mastered using it. And I am proudly saying that I am a cup convert. I would suggest everyone to use a cup instead of pads and tampons. It is budget-friendly, one cup can last for 5 years.
Everything has it's pros and cons, for using a cup, you should be comfortable shoving your hand down there, you should be prepared for getting blood on your hand, and most importantly, you should not panic while putting the cup in or while taking it out. It's fine to get worried that the cup is stuck inside you and won't ever come out, but trust me, that's not possible.
There are tiny holes on the rim which create a suction inside your [censored]. so that the cup is stuck and doesn't move. You have to press the cup slightly to break the suction and then pull it out, if you try to pull it out without breaking the suction, trust me it's not a good idea, it will hurt a lot. Even though you need only one cup, because it can last up to 5 years, once you get obsessed with using them, you keep on buying more cups, because they are your [censored].'s new best friend and because they are super cute.
I am a happy and proud cup convert. To all my fellow menstruating ladies, try using a cup, it'll be life-changing for you. There are many types of cups to suit your body type, you can find the right one in the first go or it can take a few tries.
Different types of cups:
1. Best cup for beginners: Lena Menstrual Cup
Beginners find it easy to insert because of the bell-shaped design and the soft and flexible rim. The textured stem provides an easy grip.
2. Easiest to use: Flex cup
The cup comes with a unique pull tab that allows easy and controlled removal. Also, if the cup doesn't fit well, the company will switch it for another size.
3. For a higher cervix: Intimina Lily Cup
Perfect for those who have a higher cervix or heavier flow. It has a slanted rim and a smooth design.
4. Menstrual cup for sensitive vaginal walls: Saalt Menstrual Cup
Softer and more comfortable. It differs from other cups because of the ribbing pattern, so it can be less irritating to those who have sensitive vaginal walls.
5. Pee Safe Menstrual Cup
The best menstrual cup available in India. It comes in three different sizes.
6. Disposable menstrual cup for single use: Softcup Disposable menstrual disc
If you are just not ready to commit to menstrual cups and want to give it a try, these disposable discs are the best option for you.
Putting in a cup is not hard, you just have to fold it the way you want you, and insert it in. You might hear a pop sound which means that the cup has opened and suction has been created, and to pull it out, just put your finger in, slightly press on the cup to break the suction and pull it out, voilà, then just empty the cup in a toilet, reinsert it and you're good to go.
Tips for first time menstrual cup insertion
1. Take your time and relax- if you are nervous while inserting the cup, your vaginal muscles will tighten which will make it difficult to insert the cup. So, take a deep breath and try again. Once you get a hold of it, you will see that it is not as hard as it seems.
2. You can take a dry run before your period- you might be more comfortable in doing so if you feel nervous about touching your blood.
3. Try different fold- you can always try different types of folding techniques to find the most suitable one. There are many different ways of folding a cup but the most common one is the C-fold.
4. Proper insertion direction- be aware that the direction of insertion needs to be aimed towards the small of your back and not straight up.
5. Proper position while insertion- you can try and find a suitable position. You can try sitting on the toilet, standing while propping a foot on the toilet or squatting down.
6. Cutting of the stem- you can trim the stem if it bothers you, but don't cut it off completely as it will help with the removal.
Tips for first time menstrual cup removal
1. Again, relax- take your time, don't panic. The cup cannot get stuck inside you.
2. Do not pull on the stem- if you do so it will hurt a lot and it will also create a mess since the cup won't be supported when it exits.
3. Release the suction- slightly press on the bottom of the cup to release the suction and gently pull out the cup to not create a mess.
If you find it hard to get the cup in, you can always use a lubricant, there any many products available online for the same.
Pros of using a menstrual cup
- They are reusable.
- You can wear a menstrual cup for up to 12 hours before it needs to be emptied.
- Unlike tampons, menstrual cups don't dry the [censored].
- Menstrual cups aren't associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome.
- Menstrual cups don't contain chemicals that are found in pads and tampons like bleach and dioxin.
Cons of using a menstrual cup
- It can take a while to get used to the cup.
- It can take a few tries to find the perfect size and cup.
And even if you don't like the cup, then try using organic pads and tampons. They are eco friendly.
