A relatively rare form of period protection a few years ago, the menstrual cup is gradually becoming more popular. More and more women are naturally wondering if this solution is better than tampons and pads. In this article, we take a look at the pros and cons of the menstrual cup. Find out if you should take the plunge!
What is a menstrual cup?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s redefine what a cup is. Cone-shaped, the menstrual cup is a receptacle that fits into the vagina and acts as an intravaginal protection for menstruation.
Made of medical-grade plastic, it’s worn for about six hours before emptying, rinsing, and reinserting.
Is it easy to use?
As an intravaginal protection, the cup can cause apprehension. Larger than a tampon, inserting it calmly requires a little practice. There are several folding techniques that allow you to reduce its diameter before applying it.
The vast majority of women who use it regularly report a similar experience: the first two to three uses are sometimes confusing, and you look for the best way to insert it. But once you get past this learning phase, the cup is then very easy to handle, insert, and remove. By consulting reviews on the menstrual cup, it seems that there are no particular difficulties in using it after your first period.
The best advice on this point is to try several models until you find one that suits your body shape.
The main advantages of the cup
On paper and in practice, the menstrual cup is not without advantages.
More ecological protection
First and foremost, it’s a more environmentally friendly menstrual solution. A cup lasts approximately 5 to 10 years, whereas tampons and pads are single-use. Furthermore, for hygiene reasons, the latter are packaged individually. Each time you use these traditional protections, you have to throw away a piece of paper or plastic. Since the menstrual cup is reusable, it doesn’t generate regular waste and is therefore more environmentally friendly.
The cup is more economical
For the same reasons, the menstrual cup is less of a burden on the wallet. By using a cup every five years and with a unit cost of around fifteen euros, your lifetime period protection budget will amount to less than a hundred euros, compared to several thousand for tampons and pads.
The limits of the cup
While the bowl has many advantages, it also comes with some limitations, which we’ll list here.
First of all, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. The bowl must be emptied and rinsed at least every 6 hours. Therefore, you should make sure to find a toilet with a sink regularly throughout your day. The handling can sometimes be tedious and may put off those who don’t like the sight of blood when emptying it.
Is cutting dangerous?
Numerous press articles have reported a higher risk of developing toxic shock syndrome when using a menstrual cup. What’s the reality? In reality, it seems that most of the articles were based on a scientific study conducted in Lyon on tampons. The conclusion was misinterpreted to the point that the author of the analysis insisted on reiterating that the menstrual cup is not exposed to any particular dangers related to TSS.
The menstrual cup, therefore, offers many advantages as a replacement for your period protection, provided you spend enough time getting used to it, find the right model, and don’t feel embarrassed by the idea of emptying it.
