The movement toward sustainability has impacted many aspects of life and as part of the push to go green, many have started to use menstrual cups, as it is an eco-friendly alternative to pads and tampons.
For those new to the menstrual cup, it is a reusable feminine hygiene product, which can be worn for up to 12 hours, and is usually made of rubber or silicone.
When purchasing your first menstrual cup, you should consider the following:
Size & capacity of the cup: It may require a good estimation. If a menstrual cup is too small, there may be leakage, and if it is too large, it could cause injury to the vaginal area and discomfort.
Shape & material of the cup: The cups come in different materials, usually funnel or bell-shaped cups. This will depend on personal comfort, so do experiment around, but our tip is to go for reputable brands that have the proper certifications as you do not want to insert dubious objects which may contain chemicals.
The firmness of the cup: For those who lead an active lifestyle and have strong pelvic floor and vaginal muscles, a firmer cup is more suitable. Whilst for those with sensitive bladders, go for a softer cup, as the firm cup can put pressure on your bladder and give you the feeling of constantly needing to pee.
Menstrual flow: This will help to determine the frequency of change, and the capacity to get.
Length of your cervix: Check your cervix near or during your period, where it will be the lowest in the body, measure with your fingers to determine the suitable length.
How to insert your menstrual cup?
For those who are familiar with using the tampon, it should be relatively easy to insert the menstrual cup.
Wash your hands thoroughly.
Apply Wet Lips, Caring Glide, a water-based lube to the rim of the cup to ease the insertion
Tightly fold the menstrual cup in half, holding it in one hand with the rim facing up.
Insert the cup, rim up, into your vagina like you would a tampon without an applicator. It should sit a few inches below your cervix.
Once the cup is in your vagina, rotate it. It will spring open to create an airtight seal that stops leaks.
If inserted correctly, you should not feel it and you can carry out your daily activities without the cup falling out. Leakage can happen if the cup is full or does not fit well.
It is important to remember to empty the cup at least twice a day, and it should be washed and wiped clean before being reinserted into your vagina.
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