What is a menstrual cup? Is it easy and safe to use?

Question

Neha Parab · Accepted Answer

Hi ,When I saw this product for the first time a few years ago, My first thought was &ldquo;what is a menstrual cup&rdquo; and why is it better than using tampons or sanitary napkins? Luckily, I had my mother who was able to help me with the answers about this mysterious product. A menstrual cup is one of the many feminine products which is designed to collect the blood flow during a period. It is made of good quality silicone and can be reused after cleaning it properly. If you are thinking &ldquo;what is a menstrual cup&rdquo; or &ldquo;what is a period cup&rdquo;, let me tell you precisely what it is:It's a bell-shaped cup (very flexible, smooth and almost egg-shaped) made with high-grade silicone.It is inserted in the vagina during a period, so that it collects the blood flow inside the cup instead of letting it leak out of the body. If emptied often, it doesn&rsquo;t stain your clothes and also allows one to measure how much one is menstruating (this may be needed for some medical reasons).It needs a bit more hygiene and sanitizing practice that usual to keep it clean all the time. iCare Hygienic Menstrual Cup SmallPee Safe Reusable Menstrual Small CupNamyaa Ultra Soft Reusable Menstrual Cup Medium - 1 PcNow, if you are thinking about the different menstrual cup benefits, then here are a few I can think of :It generally doesn&rsquo;t leak as all the blood is collected inside the vagina itself.It is a money saving product as you don&rsquo;t have to stock it up like how we do for pads and tampons.It is more comfortable than pads and tampons as it avoids vaginal dryness.It allows you to do all the activities you love during your period like swimming, dancing, walking, exercising, etc. Refer to this informable article by Nykaa Beauty Book to get a more clear idea about the usage of a menstrual cup - https://www.nykaa.com/beauty-blog/nasty-beauty-the-menstrual-cup-thats-a-period-revolution

Vanya Singh · Answer

Honest, Realistic response below.What it is: It's a silicone cup that essentially collects your blood right as it exits the cervix. Common concerns: Now most women are concerned about how to wear it, if it hurts, hymen damage etc. In India, females interacting with their own body is not very well received so we're often told those "Oh, you know what happened to xyz" stories and we end up never exploring our bodies. I was scared too, but myth busting at this stage is the most crucial thing to do. There is enough and more material on the internet, you'll be surprised! There is a wonderful article, you can access below:https://divacup.com/10-menstrual-cup-myths-busted/Is it easy to use? Well, it takes the same amount of practice and patience as learning how to tie your shoelaces.  What you must remember, however, is that it's very important to be absolutely relaxed. Considering you are going to be inserting the cup in a place that's very sensitive to your emotions, it may take a couple of tries to get it right, but you'll get there, trust me. Again, SO many videos to help you take the first step, go watch! Is it safe? If you take care of your privates and maintain proper hygeine, you're good to go.  I've never used a tampon so I won't go there, but as a girl who's used pads for 13 years, I feel blessed to be able to use a cup. Depending on your flow, you'd only have to empty the cup every 8 hours (can you imagine leaving a pad on for 8 hours straight? I couldn't either)My experienceDay 1: I gave up, I couldn't figure it out.Day 2: Tried again, successful insertion but it felt a little weird for 15 minutes or soDay 3: Heaviest day for me, put it on, rode my scooter 18kms to my office. By the time I reached, I'd forgotten I was on my period. THAT is what I'm talking about ladies! Woohoo!Full disclosure, there will be days(very few) you'll feel your cup is not cooperating, won't sit in place, may leak(but you'll know immediately so you can go fix it), but every product has its shortcomings. Pros: Value for Money, Forget you're on your period, Blessing to the environment! Cons: Non real ones except the one I mentioned above. I'd say, don't think twice, make the switch. Go for it! 
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Hope this helps,Hugs and kisses! Sirona Reusable Menstrual Cup with FDA Compliant Medical Grade Silicone - Medium
&#65279;Pee Safe US FDA Approved Reusable Menstrual Cup with Medical Grade Silicone for Women - Small (1N)

Meenal Bhatia · Answer

Menstrual cups have become very popular in the last few years. However, a majority of the women population still have no idea about what is a menstrual cup and how it is used. Basically, it’s a bell-shaped cup that women insert into the vagina during their periods. Let us also understand what is a menstrual cup made of. They are made of medically approved silicone, rubber, latex and some are made of special plastic. If you have been using sanitary pads and tampons, you won’t know what is a period cup, unless you have used it. Let us all have a look at the benefits of a menstrual cup before you decide to start using it. Menstrual cup benefits: Compared to the amount of money spent on sanitary pads and tampons every month, it's less expensive.A person can wear a menstrual cup for up to 6 –12 hours. You can wash it with soap and water to reuse it again. Using a menstrual cup is more beneficial for the environment. You can wear menstrual cups while performing various activities. You don’t have to worry about menstrual odour and staining. It doesn't affect the pH balance of your skin while avoiding rashes and infections. When you understand what is a menstrual cup, you may also need to know what size you should use. It comes mostly in three sizes: small, medium and large. First-time users and those who have light to normal flow can use the small size and those who have heavy flow and have been sexually active can go for the regular or larger sizes. Find the list of the best menstrual cups that come in different sizes below:WOW Skin Science Freedom Premium Menstrual Cup & WashPee Safe US FBA approved Reusable Menstrual Cup with Medical Grade Silicone for WomeniCare Hygienic Menstrual Cup WOW Freedom Reusable Menstrual Cup and Wash Pre Childbirth - Small (Above 30 Years)Pee Safe US FDA Approved Reusable Menstrual Cup with Medical Grade Silicone for Women - Small (1N)iCare Hygienic Menstrual Cup Large

Karen joseph · Answer

HiWhat is a menstrual cup? or what is a period cup? are questions that many want to know the answer to. A menstrual cup or period cup is a flexible bell-shaped product that you can use instead of a pad or a tampon during your monthly cycle. You have to insert it inside your vagina while you&rsquo;re on your period and it will collect your period flow. You can keep a menstrual cup inside your body for at least 8 to 12 hours, much longer than a pad or a tampon can stay in there.Many times people get confused about what exactly is a menstrual cup and what it's really like to use. Surprisingly, menstrual cups are very comfortable unlike a pad or a tampon which can leave you feeling dry down there. A menstrual cup also does not need to be changed every 3 to 4 hrs but can be left in for at least twelve hours. This is a total win-win situation because you can wear them overnight without the fear of staining your clothes and sheets.Menstrual cup benefits: Menstrual cups come in different shapes and sizes, as everyone has a different option on which size is the most comfortable based on their own unique anatomy. You might need to try a few to find one you really like and that suits your menstrual needs. The most important thing to know is that once your cup is inserted correctly, you shouldn't be able to feel it.The other benefit of using a menstrual cup is that it is reusable which is environmentally friendly. While a pad or tampon is disposable, it creates a lot of waste including the individually wrapped pads which are made of plastic besides the actual product. Not only are menstrual cups eco friendly but are also good for your wallet as you don't need to keep buying them like pads and tampons on a regular basis.So, if you have questions like what is a menstrual cup, then I hope this has helped you understand it much better. If you are still on the fence, talk to your doctor or a gynaecologist who will be able to help you in making the right decision for your body&rsquo;s needs.

Q: What is a menstrual cup? Is it easy and safe to use?