Why using a menstrual cup is not scary!
I started using a menstrual cup as my go-to period product about a year ago. When I told my friends about it I was met with a ton of questions, and many of them saying ‘let me know how it goes, I was going to try one.’ I was intrigued that my friends wanted to know my opinion before trying a menstrual cup themselves. It made me realise that maybe we are all a bit anxious to branch out from our much loved sanitary pads and tampons.
Because of this, I thought I would share some of my experiences of using a menstrual cup, hopefully to convince some of you that it’s not as scary as it seems.
When I first thought about switching to a menstrual cup you can bet I did a hell of a lot of googling. Of course I came across the horror stories of people ending up in hospital with them stuck, and of course the list of disadvantages, but I also found a lot of advantages that I hadn’t known before.
-Unlike tampons, menstrual cups don’t dry the vagina, therefore preserving your healthy bacteria and protecting you from vaginal infections.
-They are also safer than tampons, as they collect the blood instead of absorbing it, meaning you are not at risk of toxic shock syndrome.
-They’re budget friendly. You only have to buy a menstrual cup once which can save you so much money in the long run.
-They're eco friendly. I am in no way an eco warrior but I do try and do my bit where I can, so the environmental advantages of a menstrual cup really appealed to me.
After weighing up my options I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I went to the Moon cup website to order, as this is the main brand of menstrual cups I had heard of. The website was really helpful and gave a lot of different advice on how to choose your size as well as instructions on how to use your cup and a list of FAQ.
When it arrived it came in a small material pouch with an instruction booklet. I would definitely recommend not throwing the instructions straight in the bin as they give a lot of helpful tips on how to insert and remove your cup, as well as information about how to clean and sanitise it.
Now, obviously I don’t want to be TMI at this point but by following the instructions as well as watching one or two YouTube videos I was able to very easily insert the cup. I know this will be a very unique and personal experience for everyone but if I had one piece of advice it would be to understand what you’re doing, know your body, and be confident. It was a lot easier than I expected. The instructions also give information on how to adjust the cup and cut the stem to make it comfortable which can really help.
Now onto the most intimidating part, and the bit I was definitely most nervous for, removing it. Again, the instructions are a life saver at this point and explain it step by step. Be prepared for a little mess at first, but I can confirm after some practise it is the easiest thing to do, you will be fine.
When I had cracked the basics I used the menstrual cup on and off until I was fully comfortable with it. I haven't been confident enough to use it overnight so I stick to my trusty sanitary pad but I have had absolutely no problems using it during the day. I have always been comfortable and never experienced any leaks or mishaps.
The only disadvantage, and thing I find slightly annoying, is the thought of having to empty it in public. The instructions and advice say, if you do need to empty yours in a public toilet taking some water into the cubicle to rinse it will be fine. But personally, I stick to using mine when I know I can be in the comfort of my own home when I need to empty it. I also haven’t been brave enough to go swimming or to the beach while using a menstrual cup, but these are only little things compared to the advantages I have found. I have saved money, I am way more comfortable than I was when using a tampon, and I’m doing my bit for the environment. What’s not to love?
Overall, I am sold, and I really hope this has helped cure some of your nerves about menstrual cups. There really isn’t anything to be scared about.
If you want to get your hands on one there are a lot of different brands for different prices so I would advise shopping around. But here are some of my recommendations:
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