Menstrual Cups

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Menstrual Cups

Menstrual cups are a great alternative to single-use pads and tampons. They help the environment immensely because of the amount of waste it prevents. They even help if you become overly conscious of the fishy smell that sometimes occurs during the monthly bleed.

Because a menstrual cup catches the uterine shedding before it is exposed to outside air, the blood doesn’t oxidize. It also allows for more airflow in the vaginal area than most single-use pads so it doesn’t get hotter or sweatier.

  • What is a menstrual cup?
    A menstrual cup is a cup-like item usually made from body-safe silicone. It is meant to be inserted into the vagina during the menstrual cycle to collect the uterine sheddings.
  • Are there disposable menstrual cups?
    Yes, there are disposable menstrual cups, but even those are more environmentally friendly than single-use pads or tampons. One disposable menstrual cup is meant to be used for an entire cycle versus a pad or tampon that has to be tossed immediately after use.
  • Do menstrual cups hurt?
    Many people say that once the menstrual cup is inserted, they can’t even feel it. While insertion may be something you will need to get used to, there should be no pain involved.

Menstrual Cup Benefits

As mentioned earlier, menstrual cups are immensely more sustainable than single-use napkins and tampons. It is also fiscally better for you, as a consumer, as menstrual cups need only to be replaced every 10 years which comes out cheaper than having to renew your stocks of pads or tampons on a monthly basis.

Add to that, no matter the lightness or heaviness of your flow, the number of times you’ll have to swap out your cup will be less as you only need to empty most cups every 6-8hours a day.

Different Sizes of Menstrual Cups

Everybody is different, so it’s no surprise that while there are brands that go by the one-size-fits-most ideology, most brands will carry at least 2 different sizes so that you can find your perfect fit.

Most menstrual cups will list what cervical dimensions work best for their cups and the best way to find out what size your cervix is, is by asking your OB-GYNE at your next checkup. Another way is to stick your finger up your vagina and measure the length of the finger you were able to insert. This gives you an idea of the length of your cervix and you try to match your cup purchase to this information.

Care & Maintenance

Caring for your menstrual cup lengthens its life span and ensures that you don’t get bacteria and infections from a dirty cup. Washing your menstrual cup before and after each use makes sure that your cup stays clean.

You can even opt to sterilize it by dipping it in a pot of boiling water and leaving it in the hot water until it cools down (make sure that the cup never touches the bottom of the hot pot).

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