Why Switch to a Menstrual Cup?
1:54 PM
Menstrual cups are, at the moment, the most popular type of reusable menstrual products. FDA approved cups, such as the Diva Cup, the Lunette, the Juju Cup, the Mooncup, the MeLuna up, the SckoonCup, the Ruby Cup, the Mia Cup, etc., are made of antibacterial silicone and can be used for over ten years. They are way more ecological than tampons and pads, they cannot in any way cause toxic shock syndrome since they don't absorb the blood but collect it, and they don't cause dryness or irritation inside the vagina. Also, the suction of the cup once inserted into the vagina can help reduce menstrual cramps, which, I mean, is obviously a big plus. A couple of other benefits are that they do not contain chemicals, they can be worn for up to twelve hours (depending on your flow), they can't be felt, etc.
There are different types of menstrual cups that you should take into consideration when you start looking into switching. Most cups come in different sizes, such as a size small and a size large. The size small is typically for women under twenty-five years old and who have not given birth vaginally, and the size large is typically for women over twenty-five years old and who have given birth vaginally. Of course, you should always consider the size of your body, the strength of your vaginal walls, and your flow. For example, a thirty-year-old woman who has given birth vaginally but still has a tight...nether region can wear a size small very comfortably. On the other hand, an eighteen-year-old with larger hips and a heavy flow might be more comfortable wearing a size large.
There are also longer cups, shorter cups, bell-shaped cups, round-shaped cups... Find what works with your body. If you have a low cervix, go for a round-shaped cup or a bell-shaped cup because they tend to be shorter (Sckooncup, Rubycup, etc.). If you have a high cervix, go for a longer cup because they are easier to grab (Diva Cup, Lunette, etc.). Most cups hold between fifteen to twenty-five milliliters, so that might be another thing to consider.
If you think they will get lost in there, fear no more. Cups come with a stem attached to the bottom to make them easier to remove. Stems are usually stretchy and cannot be felt, but they make the removal process a lot better. And if you're used to wearing a cup, you can even cut the stem off. There are ridges at the bottom of most cups; that way, they are still easy to remove without a stem.
Menstrual cups also come in different firmness. The Diva Cup and the Lunette (the two most popular cups at the moment) are firm cups, which means that the rim is firmer and tends to open up more easily inside the vagina and stay in place better. Those cups are better for sports or heavy duty. Softer cups, like the MeLuna, are going to be better for someone who is more sensitive down there. It all depends on what you like, but if you're not sure, go with a firmer cup. They tend to be easier to insert as well for a first time user.
Some cups, like the Lunette, also come in different colors! The dyes used are entirely FDA approved and completely nontoxic for the body. And using a colored cup might be a good idea, because if you use a clear cup like the Diva, it tends to stain with time. I have been using my green Sckooncup for a year (very firm cup, by the way), and it doesn't have a single stain. My Diva, however, is a little bit gross to look at.
You might be turned off when it comes to the price. A cup usually retails at $29.99 to $39.99. It might look scary, but you have to understand that you don't have to buy more than one cup. A single cup can last you years, so if you think about it, you save a lot more money with one cup at that price than a box of tampons for every period. There is also an alternative: softcups!
Softcups are disposable cups that you insert into the vagina for twelve hours and then throw away. A pack of fourteen retails at $5 or less. However, in my opinion, they are in no way comparable to a real reusable menstrual cup. Softcups tend to leak if they aren't inserted properly, and since they hold between your cervix and pubic bone instead of a suction, they tend to cause more cramps.
If you're looking for other types of reusable menstrual products, there are pads, sponges, etc. A lot of businesses on Etsy sell awesome reusable pads made out of wonderful materials, so if you're not comfortable with cups or anything you have to insert, these might be a great alternative. They are also a lot more eco-friendly and safe for your body.
Google. Watch YouTube videos. Get as much information as you can before you decide to buy, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Find out what is better for you and your body, and always make sure that the cup you buy is FDA approved (it should be written on the box or on the website).
Have a good period!
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