What Are Menstrual Cups & How Do You Use Them?
Menstrual cups are menstrual hygiene devices that are used during the periods. These devices are not new but have gained popularity lately with the increase in demand for a more sustainable and safe menstrual hygiene product for females and the environment as well.
The menstrual cup comes in a bell shape that is used to collect menstrual blood. It does not absorb the menstrual blood but rather collects it, creating scope for collecting more menstrual fluid. Thus, we can use it for a longer period of time during the day without fussing about changing it frequently unlike pads and tampons.
Menstrual cups come with an array of advantages that are listed below.
Advantages of using menstrual cups
The affordable cost:
The most important factor to consider while buying menstrual cups is their affordable cost. It definitely falls under the umbrella of affordable products if we calculate its overall cost that is much cheaper than tampons and sanitary pads. Once you buy menstrual cup you do not have to worry about buying it every month as they are reusable menstrual hygiene products. Follow the instructions on its pack and get going for years. You just need a menstrual cup wash to clean it after use to make it ready to reuse. So, after calculating the cost spent on napkins and tampons over the years you will see that you have spent peanuts compared to money spent on tampons and pads.
Use for a longer time:
You can wear menstrual cups for longer durations as they do not cause any harm to your skin and are not dangerous to your health. The average time to wear menstrual cups is up to 12 hours a day depending upon your period’s flow. So, you do not need to bother about changing it, but if we compare the duration during the day, the pads and tampons can be worn for up to 6 hours only and that is a challenge for many.
Experience fewer leakage:
A menstrual cup keeps you safe against leakages. It does not put you in embarrassing situations with your clothes getting stained. It is inserted inside the vagina to collect menstrual flow and creates a tight seal against the walls of the vaginal canal thus, avoiding leaks. On the other hand, when using pads and tampons, there are more chances of you getting caught in embarrassing situations and you may also experience leakages especially during nights. when you use menstrual cups you are free from all these situations.
Can carry out your daily routine:
You can carry out your daily routine without any hassle if you are using a menstrual cup. You should feel comfortable doing your daily chores and regular activities while you are on your periods, but pads and tampons make it tough for you. You can easily carry out activities like swimming, exercising, and gymming while wearing menstrual cups as it does not even feel like it is there making life easy for you and other females.
They do not create mess:
The menstrual cups do not create a mess for you as they are easy to use and clean. You can wear it for 8-10 hours and forget about it to live a carefree life. It does not make you feel irritated, sticky, cause any rashes, redness or swelling. All you need to do is to wear it, remove it, wash it and reuse it. It does not require too much effort to wash it as it can be easily cleaned using menstrual cup wash or can be sterilized using a sterilizer that is easily available in the market. You can comfortably sterilize it at home also using the traditional method.
They do not contain plastic:
The menstrual cups are made up of 100 percent medical-grade silicone that is FDA-approved and is absolutely safe to use for the skin. It does not cause any bacterial infections if compared to pads and tampons as it does not absorb menstrual blood but collects it in its bell shaped container. Moreover, plastic, insecticide, pesticides, artificial fragrance and colors, and other chemicals used in pads and tampons are a major cause of many deadly diseases in women including cancer and TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).
They are eco-friendly:
The menstrual cups are not only safe for females but for the environment as well. The pads, tampons, panty liners and their tonnes of waste takes hundreds of years to get decomposed. This is proving fatal for our water bodies and the environment. But if we look at the menstrual cups, they can be easily used for 8 to 10 years if you follow the instructions given on its packaging that contribute to negligible menstrual waste. Moreover, menstrual cups are made up of medical-grade silicone that does not harm the environment. They are BPA-Free, chemical free, toxins free, and thus, they contribute to only a minimal amount of waste when compared with other menstrual hygiene products like pads and tampons.
How do you use menstrual cups?
All the above-mentioned benefits make the menstrual cups one of the most sought after feminine hygiene products. A product that can be used in the most hassle free manner and can bring positive change in the lives of females.
Choosing the right size of menstrual cup is the foremost thing. You should first choose the right size according to your age and other parameters and then divulge in other things. Wearing it is simple as you just need to fold the rim side of the cup, take a comfortable position and apply lube to insert it inside your vagina. Twist it a little to pop open it, creating a suction against the walls of the vaginal canal so that there are no gaps for leakages. Let it be there for as long as you need to use it.
Removing it is as easy as inserting it. When you want to remove the menstrual cup you need to pinch the base of the cup to release the suction and then slowly remove it. Empty the fluid in it and wash it with menstrual cup wash to reuse the cup again. Simply buy menstrual cup online to enjoy stress free periods and make your life easy going.