The menstrual cycle is a regular cyclical bleeding for 3-5 days every 28 days. Menstrual hygiene is a very less discussed topic. Many feminine hygiene products are used during this time, like homemade cloth napkins, tampons, use and throw pads, and menstrual cups. Over time, women have shifted from cloth to using disposable pads. In terms of hygiene, it's a good transition. A lady in her reproductive time from the attainment of menarche (first menstrual cycle) to menopause (last menstrual cycle) will use and throw around 17,000 pads. In Bangalore alone, 150 tons of sanitary waste is generated per day 1. But how are these used pads disposed? It needs acres of land for burial and many years for decomposition. The best answer to all these new-era menstrual hygiene products would be "Menstrual cups". Many women have heard about menstrual cups, but they still may have a lot of queries regarding this.
A menstrual cup is a flexible dome-shaped cup which can be worn in the vagina. It is made of medical-grade silicone or latex. It only collects the blood, which needs to be emptied. The cup is reusable for almost 8-10 years. Even after 10 years, it is recyclable.
Cup: which collects blood
Stem: which is used to hold the cup while inserting and removing from the vagina.
Menstrual cups are available in various colours, with or without a stem, which may be flattened, cylindrical, or in the shape of rings. Many brands are available. They are available in the market, pharmacies, and online shopping sites.
First-time users, please select the menstrual cup with the stem. Try on a menstrual day when you will have ample time. Sit on a closed commode with legs apart and relax. Relaxing is very important. Menstrual cups can be folded in many different ways. It is folded so that the diameter of the cup is decreased.
To begin with, fold the cup as shown in pic, called fold of C. Folded cup is inserted into the vagina. Once you insert it inside, the menstrual cup will open, and the popping out of the cup will be felt. You should push the cup until your stem is in the vagina and just felt.
To confirm whether the cup is properly inserted, feel the base of the cup just above the stem. If the cup is opened, it will be round and uniform; if not, you can feel a notch. Then, hold the base above the stem and try to rotate the cup. It will open up.
Still, I am not sure if the cup is opened or not. Go for double protection, use a menstrual cup, and wear a pad, when you see an unstained pad and once you master the art of insertion fully switch to menstrual cups.
Usually, once in 6 to 8 hours, the cup should be emptied. Maximum cup can be left in the vagina for 12 hours. The changing frequency differs from lady to lady, depending on their bleeding pattern. It even differs for the same lady on the first and fourth days of the menstrual cycle. So, it is better to individualize the changing frequency.
Wash your hands. Relax and sit. Open your legs and feel for the stem. If it is high up, you can slightly pull down until you can feel the base. Just pinch at the base above the stem so that the suction will get released and the cup can be pulled down.
Empty the cup and wash with running tap water using soap. Once the menstrual cycle is over, the cup can be sterilised by boiling water.
Size selection depends on many factors, like age, body build, sexual activity, and childbirth. Proper size selection should always be tried.
Teenage girls, Unmarried lady and not sexually active – Small size
Married lady and had a child by LSCS, between 25-30 years of age – Medium
Lady who had one or more vaginal delivery – Large size.
The same cup size may not fit all ladies in the same age group. Hence, it is better to try and then switch to a bigger size if the cup is leaking in spite of it opening inside. Or you can switch to a size smaller if the cup is uncomfortable.
It depends on different brands. It starts at ₹300 and goes up to ₹1600.
Yes, they are very safe. They are made of silicone, which is an inert material. It will only collect blood. It is safe even for Mother Earth, as the cup is reusable and recyclable.
No, anatomically, above the vagina is the mouth of the uterus called the cervix, and the cervical opening is 1-4 mm. Even if the cup has moved up in the vagina, along with bowel and bladder (urine) movements, it will eventually move along with movement and gravity. So there is no chance of the cup getting lost.
It’s a disease caused by toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus. It was commonly seen in ladies who used tampons. It is very rare in menstrual cups. Globally, only 2 cases of TSS have been associated with menstrual cups since the invention of menstrual cups in 1930. It will usually be associated with prolonged use of menstrual cups. So, the maximum duration of use is 12 hours. Clean hands before and after insertion and removal of cups.
Yes, only threads of Cu-T will be hanging in the upper part of the vagina. The cup will not interfere with the cu T as the suction created by the menstrual cup can’t suck in the Cu-T.
Challenges to use of menstrual cup:
The biggest challenge is accepting the menstrual cups mentally. There is nothing wrong with handling a vagina and using intravaginal sanitary care products. Once accepted mentally, mastering the technique of insertion and removal. It may take some time. But once learnt, no girl will stop using the menstrual cup.
