Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Periods can be awful. I’m talking 2-7 days of straight-up agony. While for some people they may be a walk in the park (looking at you, lucky folks who are lucky to be on the 3-day end). But for others like myself who experience a heavier and more intense flow, it’s something I know I would try anything to make the process a bit easier.
I was first introduced to menstrual cups in 2018 by a friend who claimed she would never use tampons ever again. I was so intrigued. TMI, but I am definitely one of the unlucky people who need to purchase a big pack at the store to make it through a cycle. Not only are tampons and pads expensive, but they also create a lot of waste. To my knowledge at this point, I didn’t think there were any alternatives to these products that were easily attainable. In addition, the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) from the usage of tampons is scary AF. As a person who menstruates, I was excited to try something that could change the way I thought about my period.
What are menstrual cups?
Menstrual cups are typically a small silicone cup that is inserted during menstruation. The cup can be emptied, cleaned and reused. Unlike tampons and pads, menstrual cups can be left in for up to 12 hours with little to no risk of TSS. With proper usage, menstrual cups also reduce the risk of leaking and overflowing between changes.
I ended up purchasing a cheap menstrual cup to see if I actually liked it and could see myself using it in the future. And honestly? I hated it the first time I used it. In my defense, I should have done a bit more research on insertion and removal techniques before trying it out on myself. Fun fact: you have to break the suction before you take it out. Don’t be like me and learn the hard way lol.
I ended up trying it again a few months later after learning the correct way to use it and getting some pro tips from friends. I haven’t turned back since!
Thinking about switching yet? Here is some advice I’d give my bestie if they were switching to a menstrual cup:
What would’ve made my switch easier had I known:
It is crucial that you know your way around your own body to ensure that the cup is placed at the right angle and depth to make sure things don’t get too messy. I found a helpful insertion technique video that is very helpful. Click here to watch.
There are so many shapes and brands to choose from. It may suck at first to need to try and find what works best for your body shape, but you are sure to find one that will work for you. There are soft, firm, wide, and narrow options for people based on a variety of factors. Most brands have guides on which sizes to get if you are unsure what will work best for you.
Don’t be discouraged if it’s tough at first. Learning to use something new can be hard, but it is a learning process that you will need to be patient with yourself.
Switching to using a menstrual cup made having a period easier. Knowing that what I am using is more environmentally friendly, and the risk of things like TSS being significantly diminished was enough convincing I needed to switch. I love that I don’t have to worry about my period during the day if I have a long shift at work, or maybe I need an extra hour of sleep in the morning.
Are you thinking about making the switch?