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 product of medical-grade silicone—are inserted into the vagina, and as an alternative 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’ll last as long as 10 years. (Although there are additionally some disposable menstrual cups obtainable.)
If this seems like a newfangled Gen Z invention, know this: The primary usable business cup was really delivered to market all the way in which again in 1937, however solely not too long ago has the thought grow 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 received’t lie—beginning this chapter felt intimidating. I made a decision that I might attempt three completely different manufacturers over the course of three cycles to provide menstrual cups a stable attempt. To determine which manufacturers would make most sense for me, I meandered over to Amanda Hearn’s interval training platform Put A Cup In It—and really shortly realized it’s not all one-size-fits-all-vaginas. Thankfully, Hearn has created the Menstrual Cup Quiz you may take to search out out which cups to attempt. I’m 36 (hiya, mid-thirties!), have vaginally delivered a child, and have a regular-to-light circulate. Sure, these particulars matter when discovering the precise cup for you.
The outcomes: The Saalt Comfortable and Ruby Cup have been my prime suggestions as one of the best menstrual cups for me. I additionally tried the Honey Pot. Right here’s the way it went.
Studying find out how to use a menstrual cup
As a result of I used to be a beginner, I practiced inserting the cup earlier than my interval really began so I wouldn’t be caught off guard making an attempt a brand new contraption once I was already bleeding. (I extremely advocate studying find out how to insert a menstrual cup earlier than your circulate 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 palms 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, virtually 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 mentioned than completed, and it took follow to get proper. I knew I did it fallacious at first as a result of 1) I may really feel a uninteresting stress from the cup, and a pair 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 totally inserted into my vagina and the stem was now not seen—this left a way more snug really feel that was as pure as a tampon, to my shock.
Month 1: Saalt Comfortable Cup
I began this cup journey with the Saalt Comfortable Cup, common dimension ($29). This dimension cup is really useful for larger cervixes and post-childbirth. Celebrated for its snug really feel, Saalt Comfortable is a professional first-timer’s cup. I used to be involved it will jab or I’d really feel stress inside, however as soon as I obtained it in the precise place, it match simply.
The cup has the capability of 4 tampons. However I used to be satisfied it will leak and felt nervous to go about every day life. I had a hike with buddies deliberate on what would have been thought-about a heavy circulate 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 all the time and after two intentional pit stops to test for leaks, I used to be pleasantly stunned to search out none.
Saalt Comfortable 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
- Simple-to-follow instructions
- Some reviewers report it may be tough to take away
After about eight hours (you may go for 12, however I used to be nervous and needed to ensure I didn’t push its limits), I attempted my luck at eradicating the cup with out leaving my rest room wanting like a homicide scene. Interval cups aren’t meant to simply be yanked out like a tampon. As an alternative, to take away a menstrual cup, with clear palms, you need 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 scrub 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 snug 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 somewhat extra assured on month two, I took different customers’ recommendation and trimmed down the stem, so it wasn’t as lengthy. This may be completed for any cup with a straight stem to make sure most consolation. Some cups, nonetheless, have a loop on the tip for simple gripping. As soon as minimize, this meant the cup (I used to be making an attempt dimension 2) felt somewhat larger inside my vagina. Word that in case you do really feel a poking sensation, you may 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 issues have been principally 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 grew to become extra assured in my cup-inserting abilities, I finished serious 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 chill out my pelvic ground muscle mass. I gave it a squeeze and slight twist and felt the seal break.
My take: I preferred 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 attempt 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. So far, 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 somewhat larger than the opposite two, the donation made the additional cash spent greater than value it.
Past the mission, the Ruby Cup made me really feel like a seasoned professional. The scale medium inserted simply, and identical to the opposite two, the fabric was agency however snug. What set this cup aside was the easy-grip stem: It has elevated pumps that make grabbing it with out wanting 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 elimination straightforward
- Can take a while to get the dangle 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 is able to go, whereas for the earlier two I used to be nice for 12 hours. However 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.
Ceaselessly requested questions
How are you aware when your menstrual cup is full?
In line with 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 mass 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 beneath the additional weight.
As Amandine Pranlas-Descours, former world model supervisor of female care firm Intimina, beforehand instructed Properly+Good about utilizing menstrual cups, when you begin utilizing a cup usually, you will start to intuit precisely when it is time to take it out.
Can you are feeling a menstrual cup once you stroll?
Should you’ve inserted a menstrual cup accurately, it ought to really feel no completely different than a tampon. That means, apart from perhaps getting a uninteresting 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 refill your rest room trash can. They’re additionally extra wallet-friendly, since one cup can final a number of years.
That mentioned, there’s a studying curve related to utilizing menstrual cups and discovering the precise match. “Every model has a unique design, and each vagina and cervix is a unique form,” Jennifer Conti, MD, board-certified OB/GYN and co-author of The Vagina E book: An Proprietor’s Handbook for Taking Care of Your Down There, beforehand instructed Properly+Good. “If the cup is just too small, you’ll have leakage. If it’s too massive, it could be uncomfortable.” Particularly, there is a potential for mess once you empty it, which is why specialists advocate that you just take it out whereas hovering over the bathroom and ideally at residence, so that you’ve quick access to a sink for laundry your palms and rinsing the cup.
And whilst you can put on a menstrual cup with an IUD, there’s a probability it may get caught on the IUD’s string, inflicting the gadget to dislodge. Discuss to your medical supplier in case you plan on carrying each—they could minimize the IUD’s string quick to keep away from issues, in line with Nicole Alicia, MD, an OB/GYN and an envoy for The Good day Cup.
My takeaway
One massive realization for me was how a lot of my nerves surrounding menstrual cups have been simply primarily based on a societal stress to maintain intervals a secret. The dreaded leak felt like a nightmare—I’m speaking flashbacks to center college fears of a stain in your denims. However intervals are part of life. The cup, I discovered, really 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, somewhat psychological work, and a brand new sense of interval empowerment, I can formally say I’m a cup convert.
