In that case many individuals in my life have been making the swap, was I lacking out by being caught in my tampon rut? I made a decision it was time to check out a couple of of one of the best menstrual cups for myself.
Menstrual cups are reusable female hygiene merchandise. These versatile, bell-shaped cups—usually manufactured from medical-grade silicone—are inserted into the vagina, and as a substitute of absorbing your interval blood like a pad or tampon does, they accumulate the blood within the cup. After 12 hours, you take away the cup, pour out the blood, give the cup a cleansing, and put it again in. Some manufacturers say they will last as long as 10 years. (Although there are additionally some disposable menstrual cups accessible.)
If this appears like a newfangled Gen Z invention, know this: The primary usable business cup was truly dropped at market all the best way again in 1937, however solely lately has the thought turn out to be extra mainstream.
In that case many individuals in my life have been making the swap, was I lacking out by being caught in my tampon rut?
I gained’t lie—beginning this chapter felt intimidating. I made a decision that I might strive three completely different manufacturers over the course of three cycles to present menstrual cups a stable strive. To determine which manufacturers would make most sense for me, I meandered over to Amanda Hearn’s interval schooling platform Put A Cup In It—and really rapidly realized it’s not all one-size-fits-all-vaginas. Fortuitously, Hearn has created the Menstrual Cup Quiz you’ll be able to take to seek out out which cups to strive. I’m 36 (howdy, mid-thirties!), have vaginally delivered a child, and have a regular-to-light movement. Sure, these particulars matter when discovering the suitable cup for you.
The outcomes: The Saalt Mushy and Ruby Cup have been my high suggestions as one of the best menstrual cups for me. I additionally tried the Honey Pot. Right here’s the way it went.
Studying how one can use a menstrual cup
As a result of I used to be a beginner, I practiced inserting the cup earlier than my interval truly began so I wouldn’t be caught off guard making an attempt a brand new contraption after I was already bleeding. (I extremely advocate studying how one can insert a menstrual cup earlier than your movement begins.)
After sanitizing the cup (boil for 3 to 5 minutes after buy and to start out every cycle), I attempted my luck. The best technique to get a interval cup into your vagina is the U-shaped fold. With clear fingers and a sanitized cup, maintain the cup between your fingers and fold it within the form of a “U.” You’ll be able to then insert it rim-side first, nearly such as you would with a tampon with out an applicator. As soon as inside, the cup returns to its cylinder form and creates an hermetic seal.
This was simpler stated than carried out, and it took observe to get proper. I knew I did it incorrect at first as a result of 1) I may really feel a boring stress from the cup, and a couple of) the stem was protruding. That could not be proper.
I attempted once more, and after getting the kinks of consumer error out, the cup was absolutely inserted into my vagina and the stem was not seen—this left a way more comfy really feel that was as pure as a tampon, to my shock.
Month 1: Saalt Mushy Cup
I began this cup journey with the Saalt Mushy Cup, common measurement ($29). This measurement cup is beneficial for larger cervixes and post-childbirth. Celebrated for its comfy really feel, Saalt Mushy is a professional first-timer’s cup. I used to be involved it could jab or I’d really feel stress inside, however as soon as I received it in the suitable place, it match simply.
The cup has the capability of 4 tampons. However I used to be satisfied it could leak and felt nervous to go about every day life. I had a hike with pals deliberate on what would have been thought-about a heavy movement day, so I additionally used a panty liner to be secure.
Spoiler: You actually can put on the cup and stay your life. It stayed in place the whole time and after two intentional pit stops to test for leaks, I used to be pleasantly shocked to seek out none.
Saalt Mushy Cup — $29.00
Sizes: 2 (common and small)
Supplies: medical-grade silicone
Lasts: as much as 10 years
- Snug
- Holds the capability of 4 tampons
- Straightforward-to-follow instructions
- Some reviewers report it may be tough to take away
After about eight hours (you’ll be able to go for 12, however I used to be nervous and wished to ensure I didn’t push its limits), I attempted my luck at eradicating the cup with out leaving my rest room trying like a homicide scene. Interval cups aren’t meant to only be yanked out like a tampon. As a substitute, to take away a menstrual cup, with clear fingers, you have to attain inside and break the seal of the cup earlier than gently pulling it out. I learn horror tales about cups getting caught, so my nerves have been on edge. However, the mild squeeze to interrupt the seal labored for me, and the cup got here out. I emptied it, after which I used the Saalt Cup Wash ($13)—which claims to assist preserve a wholesome pH—to wash it earlier than giving it one other insert.
My take: This was a beautiful newbie cup to expertise my first month of nixing tampons. The web site’s instructions are useful and simple to comply with. Familiarize your self with the method earlier than your interval and don’t get discouraged with it doesn’t really feel comfy the primary time you insert it.
Month 2: The Honey Pot
The Honey Pot Menstrual Cup ($24) is sturdy, straightforward to make use of, and feels tremendous substantial with out leaving you conscious you might be utilizing the cup. Feeling a little bit extra assured on month two, I took different customers’ recommendation and trimmed down the stem, so it wasn’t as lengthy. This may be carried out for any cup with a straight stem to make sure most consolation. Some cups, nevertheless, have a loop on the tip for simple gripping. As soon as reduce, this meant the cup (I used to be making an attempt measurement 2) felt a little bit larger inside my vagina. Word that when you do really feel a poking sensation, you might need inserted it incorrectly.
Throughout this spherical, I used to be in peak summer season mode and examined my luck swimming. No leaks and no discomfort. I noticed my considerations have been largely psychological. I used to be too conscious of the cup solely as a result of I used to be nervous about leaks poolside, however as soon as I turned extra assured in my cup-inserting abilities, I ended enthusiastic about it and relaxed.
Honey Pot Menstrual Cup — $24.00
Sizes: 2
Supplies: medical-grade silicone (freed from latex and phlalates)
Lasts: As much as one yr
- Some reviewers report the rim feels tough when inserted
When it got here time to take away The Honey Pot, I used the squat technique to loosen up my pelvic flooring muscle tissue. I gave it a squeeze and slight twist and felt the seal break.
My take: I appreciated the sturdy really feel of this cup. It gave me the boldness to step out of my consolation zone and do extra whereas on my interval.
Month 3: The Ruby Cup
What pushed me to strive the Ruby Cup ($33) is the corporate’s mission. For each cup bought, they donate a cup to an individual with out entry to interval merchandise. Up to now, that’s greater than 140,000 cups, which has saved greater than 14 million kilograms of plastic in tampon utilization. Whereas the value tag is a little bit larger than the opposite two, the donation made the additional cash spent greater than price it.
Past the mission, the Ruby Cup made me really feel like a seasoned professional. The dimensions medium inserted simply, and identical to the opposite two, the fabric was agency however comfy. What set this cup aside was the easy-grip stem: It has elevated pumps that make grabbing it with out trying easy. I didn’t really feel the necessity to trim this one down in any respect, as a result of it was such a cinch to take away after use.
Ruby Cup — $33.00
Sizes: 2 (small and medium)
Supplies: medical-grade silicone
Lasts: as much as 10 years
- A cup will get donated with each buy
- The straightforward-grip stem makes removing straightforward
- Can take a while to get the cling of correct insertion
I had one heavier than regular day throughout this cycle and cleaned the Ruby Cup noon whereas on the workplace (I had my cleansing wash in my purse). I used to be a bit involved how this might go, whereas for the earlier two I used to be nice for 12 hours. Nevertheless it was a breeze. I eliminated, cleaned, and reinserted the cup in simply 5 minutes.
My take: With an important mission, it is simply an added bonus that this cup is a cinch to take away.
Regularly requested questions
How have you learnt when your menstrual cup is full?
In response to Dame interval care, there are a couple of tell-tale indicators that your cup is full. The cup would possibly begin to really feel heavy and your pelvic muscle tissue will tire a bit type holding it up. You would possibly begin to expertise some leakage. And you may also begin to really feel some discomfort because the cup shifts down in your vagina underneath the additional weight.
As Amandine Pranlas-Descours, former international model supervisor of female care firm Intimina, beforehand advised Effectively+Good about utilizing menstrual cups, when you begin utilizing a cup often, you will start to intuit precisely when it is time to take it out.
Can you are feeling a menstrual cup while you stroll?
If you happen to’ve inserted a menstrual cup appropriately, it ought to really feel no completely different than a tampon. That means, aside from perhaps getting a boring sensation when it is fuller, you actually should not really feel it—particularly not throughout day-to-day actions like strolling.
What are the disadvantages of menstrual cups?
Menstrual cups are clearly extra environmentally-friendly than disposable tampons or pads that replenish your rest room trash can. They’re additionally extra wallet-friendly, since one cup can final a number of years.
That stated, there’s a studying curve related to utilizing menstrual cups and discovering the suitable match. “Every model has a distinct design, and each vagina and cervix is a distinct form,” Jennifer Conti, MD, board-certified OB/GYN and co-author of The Vagina Guide: An Proprietor’s Handbook for Taking Care of Your Down There, beforehand advised Effectively+Good. “If the cup is simply too small, you’ll have leakage. If it’s too large, it may be uncomfortable.” Particularly, there is a potential for mess while you empty it, which is why specialists advocate that you simply take it out whereas hovering over the bathroom and ideally at house, so that you’ve got quick access to a sink for laundry your fingers and rinsing the cup.
And when you can put on a menstrual cup with an IUD, there’s a likelihood it may get caught on the IUD’s string, inflicting the system to dislodge. Speak to your medical supplier when you plan on carrying each—they could reduce the IUD’s string quick to keep away from issues, in keeping with Nicole Alicia, MD, an OB/GYN and an envoy for The Hey Cup.
My takeaway
One large realization for me was how a lot of my nerves surrounding menstrual cups have been simply based mostly on a societal stress to maintain durations a secret. The dreaded leak felt like a nightmare—I’m speaking flashbacks to center faculty fears of a stain in your denims. However durations are part of life. The cup, I discovered, truly helped me normalize one thing that’s been in my life for 20 years. I hadn’t anticipated this technique of interval administration to be so empowering.
After three months, a little bit psychological work, and a brand new sense of interval empowerment, I can formally say I’m a cup convert.
