So it’s been a while since I have been asked by patients and friends to opine about menstrual cups. Which is a relatively new mensural hygiene product , it also reusable for many years and doesn’t cause any environment pollution , at the same time it eliminates the need of disposing /hiding/ buying again and again….. as we do for pad and tampons.
Before I speak about it , I had to try it myself which I did around seven months back.
The first attempt was an epic fail , which seemed to me was because the cup was too hard and inflexible.
It did not dishearten me though and I went ahead to try again.
With some amazing feedback from the friends who are using it , I bought a new one , which is also the most popular brand , that goes by the name of Rustic Art.
I have used it happily for 5 months now and it’s time I share my thoughts and tips with the future users of this life changing products.
So here we go..
1. Choosing a cup is bit confusing. As you are supposed to measure you cervix. This part is tricky for some, so if you can’t then simply go for the commonest size + choose on basic factors which is ,if you have had a vaginal delivery or not.
If you hadn’t had a child birth then most likely you will need a smaller size.
Further there are various tutorials available on YouTube.
2. Ordering a cup is simple, it’s available on almost all common portals like Amazon, Flipkart and even Bigbasket. There are individual sellers also mostly seen in various social media groups.
Menstrual cups are usually not seen in store or advertised on TV/radio. Honesty they don’t need to advertise , one happy user shares the experience with her collegues , friends without fail :-) . Like me!
3. Once you have the cup, boil the cup one day or a day prior to you cycle so you are ready with it. Store in a clean pouch or container.
For boiling you don’t need any thing fancy or needn’t take it to kitchen also. As most of us are not comfortable doing this in kitchen.
I suggest the use of a steel vessel or bowl to keep it , pour boiling water on this vessel and let it stand for few minutes.
Alternatively an electric kettle or a similar thing can be used for this process.
Once cup is cleaned and sterilised. You may let it stand for a while till it cools down . ( Warm cup can be used too if you are comfortable).
Never try to use cup when your periods have NOT started because the vagina is relatively dry so cup may not go inside at all and it will be an uncomfortable experience.
4. Fold the cup so that the rim is closed and occupies less space , hold firmly while you insert it in the vagina at an angle, the rim pointing towards back or spine. Usually it slides easily as there is mucus in vagina , which helps the cup glide .
Choosing the fold is important part and I suggest you try a few folds and choose for yourself. Attached with the post is a picture of the fold I find useful .
5. This can be done while sitting on the toilet seat comfortably with legs slightly apart, alternatively you may squat ( fully or half a squat) and do it. Try and see what is more comfortable to you.
6. Once it’s inside, just try to rotate it a bit. It will pop open ( not something painful or uncomfortable) . You may use finger to feel the rim or middle part of cup , to check if it’s opened or not.
If it’s not open, pull down a bit insert again. Its not difficult as it’s bound to come back to this natural round shape and snugly fit inside you.
7. Stand up , take a few steps to see how it feels.
Usually you may not feel anything unpleasant. It may feel as if something is inside . The stem of the cup is not usually felt while you are standing on walking. You may feel it when you sit or squat.
8. If you are trying for the first time, I suggest to use a pad or tissues on the panty to prevent an accidental leak. Or may be on heavy flow days you may need to use a pad to be safer. Once you are familiar with it , there will be absolutely NO NEED of PAD.
You may need tissues to wipe the mucus leaking from rim as you insert or remove.
9. Depending on the day or amount of flow you may remove and empty the cup ,for example on 2nd day with a heavy flow you may need to do it every 4-6 hourly. But on 4th day you may do it in 8-10 hours also.
10. Emptying is little messy intially , but improves with practice.
Just hold stem, pull it gently , press down the muscles of your pelvis , pinch base to break vaccum inside, keep sliding it gently till it’s out.
It NEVER gets stuck inside. It is an imaginary fear. Fear and anxiety can cause bit discomfort or trouble in removing it. So just relax and follow the steps.
Once it’s out, spill contents, wipe with tissue and reinsert.
11. Next morning you may again use boiling water to wash and sterilise your cup .
12. While using cup, are will be able to do everything without worry .
Tip:
Trim pubic hair before your cycle, you may accidentally pull a hair while manuvering the cup.
Cut nails , while using cup or be careful if you have longer nails.
You can pee or poop also , there is no need to remove cup while doing so.
One of my friend goes for a swim dying her periods ..thanks to the cup!
After your cycle is over, wash and keep it safe in the pouch or container.
If this doesn’t work on day 1 or 2 . Try again on 3rd day when you don’t have pain and/ flow is moderate.
Most women will succeed in couple of attempts but some need practice.
There are social media forums and groups for users to help and guide , so seek help if required.
This is indeed a life changing product and once used successfully you will thing that why didn’t you find this before!
Feel free to reach out help and guidance.
Disclaimer: I am not associated with any company selling or marketing the product. This post is based on my experience only.