MENSTRUAL CUP: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS ALTERNATIVE FOR YOUR PERIOD

There are several options to use during our menstrual period: pads, tampons, menstrual cups, cloth pads and absorbent panties, among others. The menstrual cup is an option that is gaining popularity, but many doubts arise about it: how does it work? Can i use it after delivery? How do I choose the one that is best for me?

Therefore, today I talk to you about the menstrual cup, telling you everything you need to know about this alternative for your menstruation and I also share my personal experience.

What is the menstrual cup

The menstrual cup is a small cup-shaped container (hence its name) that It is introduced into the vagina in order to collect the menstrual flow in each period. There are several brands on the market that make them latex or silicone. Most brands use silicone, which is also resistant to bacteria and the most recommended.

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In recent years the menstrual cup has become more popular and has aroused the interest of millions of women in the world, but in reality, Its origins date back to the 19th century and began to be produced industrially in the 1930s, but it was until the end of the 80s when it began to be more used since the materials improved.

Currently, menstrual cups have evolved, making them more comfortable and mostly silicone, so today we can find a wide variety of brands which allow us to choose different models, sizes, colors and prices.

How the menstrual cup is used

As I mentioned previously, the menstrual cup is responsible for collecting the menstrual flow during the period. This is inserted into the vagina, but unlike a tampon, does not absorb menstrual blood, but is placed so that it falls directly into it.

To introduce the menstrual cup, we must wash our hands with soap and water, drink the cup and make a fold that helps us to easily introduce it. Once inside, the cup will return to its natural form by itself, sealing and retaining the menstrual flow. When it has been filled, we must carefully remove it to discard the blood, rinse it and replace it. In this video, you will be able to know more clearly how to place and remove the menstrual cup:

Know when it has already been filled It is a matter of practice and will depend on the amount of menstrual flow each woman has. The first few times, you can start by emptying it every two hours and depending on how full it is, you can try to leave it longer: four, six or eight hours. In recent days, where the flow is minimal, you can leave it on for up to 12 hours and you can even use it when sleeping without any problem.

As for its cleaning and storage, before the first use it is recommended to sterilize it in boiling water, and also to do it again between each period (it can be at the end and / or at the beginning). Regarding the times you empty it during your period, you should rinse it with clean water, making sure you have removed all waste before reinserting it.

You can use a mild soap to wash it every time you empty it, although this is not necessary in silicone cups (It is important to read the manufacturer's instructions). If you decide to wash it with soap, it is important to use only a neutral pH soap and avoid antibacterial or scented soaps, as well as other chemical materials to clean it.

When you are not going to use your cup, make sure you wash it well and store it in a cloth bag that allows the silicone to breathe, in a room where there is no moisture (Although it may seem the obvious place, we should not leave it in the bathroom or in an airtight container). A good option to store it is in your bag in the drawer of your room where you have your underwear.

How can I choose the ideal menstrual cup for me?

Not all menstrual cups work for all women. Today there is a wide variety of brands, and although most drive two to three sizes (as a girl, medium and large), the truth is that each varies by brand. There are three factors to consider: height, firmness and capacity or size.

Height. This is the size of the cup, that is, its measure in terms of height. This is chosen according to the height or depth at which your cervix is at the end of the vaginal canal, because not all women have it at the same height (shortly I explain how to know your height).
Firmness. This is the level of firmness or hardness of the walls of the menstrual cup. There are cups that are very soft and flexible, while others are more rigid and firm. Choosing the ideal one for you will depend on various factors, such as the type of activities you have, or whether you exercise or not.
Capacity or size Finally, this is the amount of liquid that the cup can collect and that will depend on your age, number of children and menstrual flow. There are from very small with a capacity of 12 milliliters to the largest, with a capacity of 50 milliliters.

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How to measure the depth of the vaginal canal

Why is it important to know this measure? There are different sizes or heights of cups in the market, and as we know, the anatomy of each woman is different. Some have a low cervix, while others have it higher, therefore the same cup model will not fit all.

For example, if a woman's vaginal canal is short, buying a menstrual cup that is too long will be uncomfortable because it is too long. In the opposite sense, if a woman with a longer vaginal canal obtains a short-waisted cup, the application and withdrawal of it could become an odyssey by being too short.

And how will we know how much our vaginal canal measures? Because the position of the cervix varies throughout the menstrual cycle, We must measure it at the time of the cycle in which we will use the cup: during our menstruation

Thus, it is recommended to do it on the second day of our period, which is when the cervix is lower and is what will be the necessary height that we must take into account when looking for the ideal menstrual cup for us.

Squat down, insert your index finger or middle finger into your vagina and try to touch your cervix, which will feel like the tip of a nose. Once you have located it, look at where you inserted your finger and measure it to know the height of your vaginal canal.

Knowing this data and reading the manufacturer's purchase recommendations, you can search for one for yourself. Personally, I recommend consulting with a menstrual glasses consultant, since she will ask you a series of questions about your style and pace of life, including if you have children and the height at which your cervix is, to help you choose the most appropriate to your needs within a wide variety of brands.

Advantages and disadvantages of the menstrual cup

The menstrual cup is very different from the other options that exist in the market to use during the menstrual period, since it is the only one that does not absorb the flow. These are the Advantages and disadvantages of the menstrual cup:

Advantages

You don't need to change it so often. Because it has a greater capacity, you can leave it on for up to 12 hours, compared to tampons, which its maximum recommended time is eight hours.
It is the most hygienic and friendly option for your period. Unlike compresses and tampons, it does not contain chemicals or fibers that dry the vaginal walls or remain attached to them.
It's very comfortable. Well placed and being the ideal size for you, the menstrual cup does not feel or bother or hurt.
It is more economical (long term). The cost of a menstrual cup varies between 15 and 35 euros, and well maintained it can last up to 10 years.
With the menstrual cup you can do all kinds of sports such as running, horse riding, weight lifting and even swimming and getting into the pool. When used correctly and well placed, the menstrual cup does not move or leak, so it is possible to continue with activities such as these completely normal.
You can sleep with her. In the same way that allows you to perform any type of activity without the worry of staining, the menstrual cup can be used while you sleep.
Avoid infections Being made with silicone, an inert material prevents bacteria or germs from proliferating or accumulating in it.
It pollutes less than the other options. Unlike single-use pads and tampons, a single menstrual cup can last up to 10 years, greatly reducing the environmental impact, as less waste is generated and less water is needed for cleaning (compared to fabric packs, which They are also a good option for menstruation.)
You will know your body and your period better. Using the cup will help you better understand your female anatomy and also your period. For the first time you can see how your menstrual blood really looks and (if it was) it will stop being a taboo for you, helping you to be more in tune with your cycle.
It is possible that your periods become shorter. Although this is not something that has been proven, many women say that after several months using the menstrual cup, their periods have become shorter, something that refers to the soft effect of suction it produces.

Disadvantages

Using it correctly requires practice and patience. The first times you use it, you may not be able to place it correctly and have some leakage, however, with the passage of time and practice you can learn to place it correctly easily and quickly.
Choosing the wrong cup can be expensive. If you do not choose the correct menstrual cup for your needs, in addition to having made a considerable investment in something that you may not use, you will not feel comfortable with it and you will get a bad experience.
Using it can be cumbersome and tedious. Unlike single-use pads and tampons that you only throw away since you've used them, the ritual of removing, rinsing and replacing the menstrual cup can be a bit tedious (especially when everything is changed in a public restroom), but You eventually get used to it, especially when you start seeing all its benefits.

Use of the menstrual cup in adolescents

With the increased use of the cup, some mothers have wondered if their teenage daughters can use the menstrual cup. The answer is yes, and even It is possible to use it from its first period, but this will be the only decision of it.

What we must do is present all the options that exist for your menstrual cycle and help you choose the one that is best for your needs and maturity level. The menstrual cup can be difficult to understand and can cause fear if you have not had a talk of sexuality with your daughter, so, if you have not already done so, the first menstruation is the time to do it.

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If your daughter decides to start using it, the selection and search process is the same as for a woman of legal age: taking into account your activities and anatomical needs. You might think that for minors we should get a mini-size cup and very soft, but just as every woman is different, every girl is too.

Perhaps starting to use the cup from its earliest periods can be something that causes you nerves or discomfort, especially for the whole series of changes that occur at the physical and emotional level during this stage, so, It is also a good idea to wait a few months before trying this alternative.

Use of the menstrual cup after delivery

After delivery, a recovery period begins that lasts between six to eight weeks called the puerperium or quarantine, in which the mother begins to physically recover from all the changes organic and physiological that happened in pregnancy and childbirth.

During this stage, postpartum lochies will take place, which are vaginal secretions in which blood, caseous vernix, cervical mucus and placental tissue are expelled. over the first four weeks.

During the puerperium, it is not recommended to use the menstrual cup or tampons, as well as sexual intercourse is not recommended, not only because it can be annoying since the vaginal area is recovering and very sensitive, but also, to avoid the risk of injury or infections, especially if there were stitches.

Around four or six weeks after giving birth, an appointment is usually made with the gynecologist to perform a check and check that the recovery is being positive. This is the time to ask all the questions we have, including know if we can already use the menstrual cup or if we have to wait a little longer.

Usually, We can return or start using the cup when the first rule appears after delivery, something that is different for each woman and that will depend on various factors, for example: the rule may appear in a woman who has not breastfed within a few weeks, while in a breastfeeding woman she can do so after weeks, months or even years

It is normal that there are mismatches during the first cycles or that the rule does not return to be as before the delivery in duration and in quantity. The first rules are usually more abundant and can last longer than usual, so If you already used a menstrual cup before your pregnancy, you may need a larger one or change the one you already have more frequently..

My experience with the menstrual cup

After almost two years thinking about doing it, finally over a year ago I decided to give the menstrual cup a chance and it was certainly the best decision I could have made. My menstrual periods are very different and compared to when I used pads and tampons, they are better.

On the one hand, I have saved a lot of money When I stop buying boxes and packs of packs and tampons of different sizes every month to use throughout my period (with the cup a single size works for your entire duration).

On the other hand, my experience with menstruation has become a happy experience, since the menstrual cup does not feel, does not let out odors, does not leak and is very practical. Sometimes even I forget that I have it as comfortable as it is and I also forget that I am in my period.

Of course, getting to this point was not easy. As I wanted to do well, I looked for an advisor and recommended three possible brands of models and cups. I decided to buy two that were slightly different, because I wanted to try it in the best possible way. One of the cups didn't work for me (it wasn't firm enough for me) but the other did. Hence the importance of choosing the cup to buy well: The wrong size can leave you a bad experience.

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The first months it took me a job to get used to to the ritual of extracting it, washing it and replacing it, but now I do it very easily, even in public bathrooms (for this I recommend carrying a small bottle with water in your bag or looking for a bathroom in which the toilet and sink are together ).

But today, after more than a year of using it, the benefits are certainly noticeable, and I am also one of those who have observed that their period was shortened thanks to the use of the cup. Although it can be a bit cumbersome at first and it is strange to be in direct contact with your menstrual blood, you really learn to know your body.

In conclusion, the menstrual cup is an alternative for menstruation that has many benefits, but that also requires a greater investment and approach with the natural cycle of your body and your menstrual flow, so its use is a personal decision of each one. We hope this information helps you learn more about it.

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