Switching to menstrual cups

 

Image Source- Times Of India

Menstrual cups have come up to be a recent option in menstrual products. It has been on a rise, and for all right reasons.

Menstrual cups are made of medical grade silicone, which has been the best menstrual products till date. Some of the advantages of menstrual cups are-

1. Easy on skin- As it is made from medical grade silicone and is inserted into the vagina, it doesn't react with skin, causing rashes near private areas. So you are free from discomfort rashes cause because of chemical commercial pads and do not have to walk like a penguin. Just menstrual cups won't be suitable for those with silicone allergy.
2. Pocket friendly- A menstrual cup costs mostly around Rs350-500 and one cup lasts for anywhere between 3 years-10 years, depending upon the brand (and usage). So you save a great ton of money from buying pads or tampons, and may finally be able to make that Goa trip.
3. Leak proof- Menstrual cups to a lot extent is leakproof. Though initially over 2-3 cycles, it maybe be a trial and error. If you are a light bleeder, you can check the cup every 6 hours and if you are a heavy bleeder, you can check it every 4 hours. See how on average how long it takes for your cup to fill up. When you get to know, you can change it at times to avoid the leaks.
4. Can do any activity- As long as your cramps allow, you can do yoga, swimming, any sports etc with a cup cozily sitting up in your vaginal canal and doing its job. You do not have to worry about your pad or tampon getting soaked or displaced, causing uncomfortable feeling and possible infections. You even get a comfortable sleep without having to worry about waking up to stains in morning (do make sure you are emptying the cups at right times).
5. Negligible chances of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) and other infections- Unlike tampons which absorbs blood and if left inside for too long, menstrual cups do not cause any infections as long as you empty it at proper times (do not put it in for more than 12hours at a stretch), clean (after every removal) and sterilize it (before and after every cycle) properly.
6. Environmental friendly-Not just you make yourself comfortable, you save Earth by tons of pads that take 500 years to get decomposed. Menstrual cups are disposable and zero waste for 3-10 years.

Though menstrual cups come with its own cons like it may get messy (if not removed properly), and may not be used in areas where there isn't an access to clean water and washrooms.

There have been many myths surrounding menstrual cups and its usage. I'm gonna post the questions and myths related to it and debunk those with facts. Here we go-

1. It is only for married women.- Well, what taboo surrounds this as virginal status. As pre-marital sex is a taboo in India (virginal status of women often judged by presence of hymen) and menstrual cup may rupture the hymen, it becomes a taboo and a shaming topic. Along with menstrual cup or tampon- even activities like gymnastics, horse riding or rough sports can rupture the hymen. And hymen is more like a curtain. It already has holes through which menstrual blood comes out. In some, hymen may not even exist. Yes, for virgins, it may be little uncomfortable at first to get used to it. If possible rupture of hymen isn't a big deal for you, you can go ahead with it. But if this really concerns you, you may choose to continue with pads.
2. How will one pee or poop with menstrual cup in? A women's vulva has 3 holes- urethra (from which we pee), vagina (from where periods and babies come) and anus (from where we poop). A menstrual cup goes into vagina, so it doesn't disrupt peeing at all. Though you can take menstrual cup out during passing faeces (if you think the pressure can make menstrual cup come out, though it is sealed by suction by vaginal walls). This way, you can even empty the cup and avoid any leakage.
3. A menstrual cup can get lost inside the vagina. Well, vagina is open from end below and is closed by cervix from above. Menstrual blood itself cannot go past the cervix back into uterus, even if you are sleeping. Menstrual cup is too big to go past the cervix above. If you cannot find the cup, calm down and try to find it. It cannot get lost. If you still cannot, you can go to a Dr.
4. You cannot sleep with a cup inside you. Well you easily can. Just keep checking your cup so it isnt full and ends up getting leaked by morning.
5. You can't use a cup with IUD inserted. Well, some have said you can end up removing your IUD, even without awareness, while removing your cup. For this, I will suggest you speak to your Dr.

There have been many cup sizes, and choosing from them can get overwhelming. Each brand has its own determinants for cup size. To see how which cup size would fit you (in general)-

1. Extra small cup for those who have been never sexually active or for teenagers.
2. Small cup for those who have never given birth or given birth through C-section.
3. Medium or large cup for those who have given birth vaginally (normal delivery). 

Know that sizes changes according to every brand, so make sure to read the size chart, check and buy according to that. The above size chart has been taken from a reel by Dr Cuterus on Instagram.

If you are facing issues in insertion, even after months of trying, you can ask a Dr about it. 

Getting used to cup can take time- maybe a few days, few cycles or even years. If it works for you, great! You may never wanna get back to pads again. If it doesn't, no need to feel bad and you can continue with pads or whichever you feel comfortable with.

You can make the switch yourself and suggest other women (and non-binary people with uterus and vagina who menstruate) to shift to menstrual cups too.

To see more detailed videos about insertion, removal, uses and other Q&As related to menstrual cup, here are the links-

1. Dr. Cuterus. You can go through her reels and posts related to Menstrual Cups (and any other). 
   
2. What is Menstrual Cup? (in Hindi) by Dr. Cuterus
   
3. Menstrual Cup part 1 by Dr. Anjali Kumar
   
4. Menstrual Cup part 2 by Dr. Anjali Kumar (Maitri)
   
5. Menstrual Cup Questions answered by Leeza Mangaldas (in Hindi)
   

Information source- Dr. Cuterus (Dr. Tanaya Narendra), Dr. Anjali Kumar and Leeza Mangaldas.