A complete guide to Menstrual Cups: How to Use, Benefits & More!

Menstruation is a necessary bully that visits us womenfolk monthly. Period cramps, constant visits to the bathroom and mood fluctuations? It is not pretty at all. 

Are you tired of changing your sanitary pads relentlessly? Try menstrual cups for a less messy period without any worries. We cannot avoid periods, but we sure can make it less stressful. Now a lot of Indian women are not familiar with menstrual cups. So, let us begin with what exactly is a menstrual cup?

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup (commonly known as a period cup) is a small flexible funnel-shaped cup made of rubber and silicone. It's a washable and reusable feminine hygiene product that you can insert into your vagina and go about your day stain-free! 

A menstrual cup is an eco-friendlier alternative to a tampon. You can go at least 6-7 hours at a stretch with one menstrual cup, even if you have a heavy flow. For women with lighter flows, your menstrual cups can last you up to 12 hours!

You can find both disposable and reusable menstrual cups in the market. Read on to know more about the step-by-step guide on how to use menstrual cups and if they are safe for you.

How to buy a menstrual cup?

If you are thinking about switching to a period cup, we recommend you talk to a doctor. Yes, you can buy them online in various sizes, but you have to know your perfect menstrual cup size before buying one. 

Generally, smaller menstrual cups are recommended for women below 30 years old and who haven't given birth. On the other hand, larger sizes fit women above 30 who have given birth prior or have a heavier period.

Easy right? wrong. Look at any menstrual cup size chart and you will see a lot of terms like length of stem, stem style, capacity to air holes and many other things. If you are a beginner, all these terms might overwhelm you. Let's break these terms down:
 

• Stem- This is the hollow, slim cylindrical part situated at the base of the menstrual cup. While taking out, you can wiggle down your cup with the help of a stem unless you reach the base. The stem alone cannot bear the weight of the filled cup. Hence, it's important to slightly pinch the base of the cup and bring it down. You can imagine the mess if the cup spills during that time!
• Stem style- Yes, different variants have different types of stems. It might be hollow or solid, flexible or stiff. Some stems might have rings around them for better gripping while others are smooth. If you are a beginner, it's better to opt for cups with ringed stems since it allows you to grip properly. However, a lot of women do not like stems. They feel it's extra. So, they cut it off. At the end of the day, it's up to what you prefer.
• Capacity to air holes- Many women complain that with cups without air holes, they feel a tight suction which is uncomfortable. Now you might be curious why the air holes are there in the first place? It helps air circulation which allows your menstrual cup to open fully. They also help by sealing in your cup while it is inside and aids in easy removal without any pain.

How do I choose a menstrual cup?
 

1.Based on length

Now, the most important question. How do you choose one from the variety of cups available in the market?  Experts suggest you forget about the size and focus on the length. A low capacity cup with a large stem won't be able to fit inside you if you have a low cervix. We don't want any slipping accidents, do we?

So, the first step is to measure your cervix. You need to measure where your cervix is during your periods. Insert a clean finger and try to reach your cervix. It should feel a bit like the tip of your nose. If you can't seem to find it then we have good news for you. You can wear cups of almost any size!

Once you find your cervix, place a thumb against your finger to measure the entire length. Take out and mark your finger to where you placed your thumb. Now, measure this length. This is more or less an accurate measurement for your size.
 

2.Based on diameter

“Recommended for women over 30 who have given birth at least once”- A lot of times you might have noticed this particular label on a lot of period cups. Please note that this has nothing to do with whether you had a normal delivery or a C-section. If you have a petite vaginal canal even after giving birth, an S size is perfect for you. But you know your body best. If you feel like your vaginal canal is not narrow enough to hold in your menstrual cup, then a size 2 might be a better option. Yes, our vagina can stretch but it cannot hold stuff in!
 

3.Based on capacity

This is also an important factor to consider. Most small size cups can hold about 25-27 milliliters. You do not have to worry about the cup capacity unless you bleed very heavily. In most cases, the higher capacity cup will have a longer stem too. Make sure to try it on before buying.
 

4.Based on age

Many small menstrual cups come with specific instructions like "Recommended for women under 30 who have never delivered before". However, you can be under 30 with heavy flow and prior delivery. Indeed, a small-sized cup will not suffice for you. If you generally have lighter flows, the age recommendations might work better.
 

5.Based on Cup firmness

Pregnancy and any stress to the pelvic muscles cause some loss of tone. In that case, a larger cup is recommended because they have a wider diameter. But if you tone your muscles by doing Kegel exercises or any exercise, a small period cup will be fine.

How to insert / use a menstrual cup?

If you are familiar with using tampons, then menstrual cups will be pretty easy to use.

Follow these steps:

• Wash your hands with a gentle cleanser
• Moisten the period cup with water
• Fold the cup in half and hold it in one hand with the rim facing up.
• Insert the cup in this position into your vagina. Your cup should be located a few inches below your cervix.
• Once the menstrual cup reaches the vagina, rotate it. This will shift open to create a seal that helps in preventing leakage.

The correct way to ensure that the cup is correctly inserted is you should not feel any discomfort. You can run, walk or jump freely and go about your usual routine without any chance of leakage. In case you are having trouble inserting the cup, talk to your doctor.

How to remove a menstrual cup?

You should be very careful while taking out the menstrual cup, especially if you are a beginner. Follow these steps to take out your menstrual cup.

• Wash your hands well with soap and water.
• Put your index fingers and thumb into your vagina and gently pull out the cup stem. Do this until your fingers reach the base.
• Gently pinch at the base. This will help in releasing the seal. Then pull downwards and take out the cup.
• Pour out the contents of the cup into the toilet bowl or the sink.

You should always keep in mind reusable menstrual cups because they can cause infections if not properly cleaned after every use. It would help if you emptied your period cup at least twice a day. After emptying the cup properly, wash it well and wipe it clean and dry. This helps maintain your sanitary hygiene and prevents unwarranted infections. Do check out these myths & facts about intimate hygiene & why women should get serious about it!

Reusable menstrual cups can easily last till 6 months to 10 years! Yes, that's precisely how durable they are. Make sure to remove disposable menstrual cups right away.

Many women think that menstrual cups are a hassle and they might be messy. Many women do not like menstrual cups in conservative countries since it's invasive and you have to touch your menstrual blood. But the majority of women who have used menstrual cups find it more convenient. 
 

Is a menstrual cup safe to use?

A lot of women worry about hygiene concerns related to menstrual cups. Well, with a bit of care, menstrual cups can be your best friend during those days of the month. 

The benefit of using menstrual cups:

Let's look at some of the advantages of using a menstrual cup:

• It is very affordable
• Is much safer than tampons
• Holding capacity is better than both sanitary pads and tampons
• Is more eco-friendly compared to pads and tampons
• Some brands of menstrual cups are very inconspicuous, and you cannot feel them during intercourse
• You can wear this cup with an IUD
   

The modern woman has chosen menstrual cups as the best because of several reasons:
 

1. Pocket-friendly option- Most menstrual cups are reusable. You are paying once for using it as long as you want. On the other hand, tampons and sanitary pads have to be bought each time and cost more than Rs 60,000 per year.
2. Be safe with menstrual cups- Unlike tampons, menstrual cups collect and hold blood. The constant absorption of blood by tampons might lead to a bacterial infection called toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
3. More holding capacity- Stay worry-free for a few more hours with menstrual cups. Menstrual cup size is generally more prominent than tampons. A menstrual cup can hold about one/two ounces of blood compared to tampons, containing only one-third of an ounce.
4. Environment friendly- Since they can be reused, you are not adding more waste to the environment. Now that's got to count for something.
5. Sex is not off the book- Although reusable cups need to be taken out before sex, the disposable ones can quietly snug in there. It does not disturb your intimate sessions, and you don't need to worry about any leaks.
6. Can be paired with IUD- There are some myths that IUD can dislodge menstrual cups. However, recent studies have proved that you can easily wear menstrual cups with IUD.

What are some of the common menstrual cup side effects?

Even after all these benefits, you need to be aware of some menstrual cup side effects. Check these common symptoms here:

• It can get messy, especially for beginners! Finding the correct position to remove your cup might prove to be a challenge. You might experience a few spills before acing the move!
• Inserting and removing the cup will seem like work! Maybe you are not folding correctly, or perhaps you can't seem to pinch the base. But fret not; it's a temporary phase.
• You might struggle to find the right menstrual cup size for yourself! Different brands have different measurements, so it is recommended to try out a few brands till you find the right fit.
• Most menstrual cups are latex-free. However, silicone and rubber can also cause irritation and allergic reaction in the vaginal wall.
• Vaginal irritation is a pretty common occurrence. Hence it is vital to wash and take care of your menstrual cup daily.
• There are always chances of infection while using a menstrual cup. Dispose of non-reusable period cups as soon as possible. Hence maintain good sanitary hygiene at all times.

Now that we are done explaining everything about menstrual cups, you must be wondering how affordable they are. Well, we have good news for you. They are much more cost-effective than tampons and sanitary pads. Let us break it down for you.

You are paying Rs 500 to Rs 2000 for a menstrual cup which you can use for the next six months, if not more. At the same time, you pay Rs 300 to Rs 500per month for tampons and pads depending on your period flow and the duration of your periods. See the math? That's how much you are saving by switching to menstrual cups. If your looking for all the menstural hygiene products, Pee safe is one brand solution for your intimate care products at affordable prices.

All said and done; each woman is unique. We have our own needs and preferences. If you wish to switch to menstrual cups, it is always recommended to consult your doctor. Here are best menstrual cups availabe in india.That way, you will be able to know if a menstrual cup is suitable for you.