Menstrual cup: all to know to use it well!

The menstrual cup is an alternative to tampons, more ecological, economical and healthier. What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages? How to use it? We give you some advice and guide of use in this article.

Summary

What is a menstrual cup ?

The menstrual cup was originally created in the 30s in the USA. But, its democratization is very recent and follows an ecological awareness, and the scandals around the composition of the disposable protections.

The menstrual cup is, as its name indicates it, a cup of the size of 4 to 6 cm length, and approximately 2 to 5 cm of diameter on the top. Of course, there are various sizes making it possible to adapt to the very great diversity of women and their flow.
The menstrual cup is made of quality silicone. The difference with the other traditional hygienic protections like the tampons or towels, is that the cup will retain the blood inside the vagina, rather than absorbing it like the tampon does.

It can be used by all women, regardless of age. You just need to be comfortable enough with your body to use it, put it on and take it off.

What are the advantages of a menstrual cup?

If the menstrual cup is plébiscite by many women today, it is well because it presents advantages.

An economic and ecological protection

One of the main reasons which push the women to turn to this solution is that this type of product is ecological, you do not produce waste, and economic (it is usable approximately during 1 year according to the manufacturers), and its price is around 10 to 30 euros. Several brands offer them such as Meluna, Claricup, Luneale...

An absorption up to three times more blood

Another advantage is that it can collect much more blood than tampons: up to 3 times more. Its silicone material provides long-lasting protection, hypoallergenic to limit the risk of allergies, vaginal dryness or fungal infections. As for the tampon, it is very discreet, invisible under your clothes or if you practice sports like swimming, or in the bath.

Moreover, the cup is available in several sizes according to the age, size or number of children, choosing the right size is essential to benefit from a good protection and avoid any risk of leakage! Available in several sizes, the menstrual cup adapts to all.

How to choose its menstrual cup ?

To choose well its menstrual cup, it is already necessary to take into account several information:

  • If you gave birth or not: indeed, the childbirth modifies the body of the woman and the tone of the perineum. If you have just given birth, external solutions are recommended to allow the body to heal safely.
  • Theamount of flow: light, normal or heavy

Several parameters can indicate whether the size is right:

  • leakage: a cup of the right size does not cause leakage, if it does, it is too big and therefore badly deployed in your vagina or it is badly positioned
  • discomfort: if you feel discomfort when you wear your menstrual cup, it means that the size chosen is not the right one

How to put a cup ?

First of all, make sure you wash your hands well before taking it in hand, and after having put it. Important: between each cycle, it must be sterilized.

There are several ways to insert the silicone cup:

  • you can fold it into a U shape by squashing it flat and bringing each side together to form a U
  • or you can fold it into a hook shape by pressing the top edge of the cup and bringing it inward.

Hold this folding firmly as you insert it into the vagina. As with inserting a tampon, sit in a comfortable position, spread your labia and then insert the cup into your vagina.

When properly positioned, the cup will fit snugly against the walls of the vagina, and you won't feel it.

How do I remove a filled cup?

It can be removed after 4 to 6 hours. To remove it, you have to pull it by the stem until you are able to grasp the base of the cup. Then you just have to pinch the cup, tilt it by moving it from one side to the other and remove it. Once the menstrual cup is removed, you simply empty the blood into the toilet, then rinse it with warm water to eliminate bacteria. It should be washed once a day with an oil-free, fragrance-free soap. When wearing a menstrual cup, hygiene is very important.

How long to keep a menstrual cup?

You can keep a menstrual cup until 6 hours maximum. Better to empty it more often to avoid any risk of development of a toxic shock.

Which precautions to keep a cup at night ?

It is not recommended to wear it at night. Generally speaking, all internal sanitary protection is not recommended at night. Indeed, the stagnation of blood favours the proliferation of bacteria, which can lead to the development of toxic shock syndrome.

What are the external alternatives to the cup?

If you want to choose this product by ecological concern or by fear of the danger of the menstrual cup, know that there are many alternatives, all as healthy. The menstrual sponge is another type of environmentally friendly internal protection. As for external solutions, you can choose between washable pads and menstrual panties. We advise you to choose Elia menstrual panties: healthy and ecological, you can keep them on for up to 12 hours (depending on your flow), even at night. The organic cotton respects 100% your intimate zone and is a breathable and antibacterial material which will prevent the proliferation of the bacteria and will allow you to make breathe your intimate zone.

The FAQ of the menstrual cut

Why use a menstrual cup ?

The menstrual cup is a more ecological and economic alternative to the tampons, its use presents several advantages. Indeed, its composition is hypoallergenic, thus interesting for the vulvas easily irritated by the chemical substances contained in the tampons and towels. Using it can help you to reduce mycoses since when it is well used, and well sterilized before and after each beginning of menstruation, it does not disturb the vaginal flora.

How to put on and remove a menstrual cup?

The application of the menstrual cup is surely the most complicated stage in the use of this type of protection. Indeed, that can make fear. But in reality, it is enough just to fold it to succeed in inserting it. Once properly positioned, it does not move. To remove it, use the stem at the bottom of the menstrual cup, then, when you are able to reach the base of the cup, pinch it and move the cup from side to side to remove it.

When to empty the menstrual cup?

The menstrual cup is changed every 4 to 6 hours depending on your flow. At night, the external protections are more adapted.

Is it normal to smell a bad odor of its cup?

If you feel a bad smell, itching or abnormal discharge, consult your doctor, midwife or gynecologist.


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