I Tried a Menstrual Cup So You Don’t Have To (But You Should, Cause it’ll Change Your Life)

I had always been curious about trying a menstrual cup. As someone with a busy schedule, a sort-of heavy flow and prone to UTI’s, pads and tampons were just not cutting it for me anymore. Pads made me feel like I was wearing a diaper all week, smelled awful, and required frequent changing. Tampons, on the other hand, I only used in case of emergency: inserting and taking them out was way too uncomfortable—and let’s not even begin with the risk of toxic shock syndrome.

For almost a decade I thought I was limited to these two uncomfortable and inconvenient options. Then one evening while surfing the r/TwoXChromosomes subreddit, I came across an unknown third option: the menstrual cup.

Image from tumblr user creature-a.

Menstrual cups are small, flexible, silicone, bell-shaped cups you insert in your vagina to catch menstrual fluid. Unlike tampons or pads, menstrual cups collect menstrual fluid rather than absorb it. This way, menstrual cups can be comfortably and safely worn overnight—simply empty the cup in the toilet or sink every four to 12 hours depending on your flow, wash the cup under running water and reinsert it. Some menstrual cups can be reused for up to five years, depending on the instructions by the manufacturer; others can be disposed after every use or every menstrual cycle.

My experience with a menstrual cup, as well as for several of my girlfriends, has been fantastic so far. All my underwear is accounted for, I felt fresh and comfortable during my entire cycle, and my cup fit perfectly—it felt like I wasn’t even wearing it! I’ve made an effort to review my cup based on three categories: comfort, maintenance, and performance. However, this guide is based mostly on my personal experience and is absolutely not a substitute for sound medical advice from your gynecologist. While I provide general information about menstrual cups, I am by no means an expert!

Comfort: How do I put on this thing?

What intimidated me the most about my menstrual cup was the insertion process. How am I supposed to put on this thing? The instructions of the cup I own offered two ways to insert the cup:

Image borrowed from tristadawn.

Once I figured out the mechanics of holding my cup, I started to practice. My cup’s instructions suggest three positions to assume in order to insert the cup: squatting, standing up, or simply sitting on the toilet. Once you have secured the cup’s fold and have assumed your preferred position, simply insert it. Once it is inside, you should grab the cup by the base and twist it a few degrees until it feels comfortable and secure. To remove the cup, simply grab it by the base again, squeeze your Kegel muscles, and pull.

My first try inserting my cup went smoothly. Since I was in the comfort of my apartment, I took my time putting it in. Once the rim was inside, I grabbed my cup by the base and slowly pushed it inside. I was bewildered by how comfortable my cup felt—I felt like I wasn’t wearing anything at all!

However, removing the cup was a different story. The label warned me that removing the cup the first few times is tricky, but that you will be able to remove it “in a matter of seconds” once you get used to it. First I tried pulling on the stem, but the cup wasn’t going anywhere. I panicked and tried squeezing it out on my own but since I wasn’t relaxed, my muscles obviously weren’t cooperating. I took a deep breath, grabbed the stem again and pulled at the same time. Once I was able to reach the base of the cup I simply pinched it, pulled and pointed it downwards—and the operation went by without a hitch.

Maintenance

A confession, dear readers: even prior to trying my menstrual cup, I had no problem with blood or getting my hands dirty. However, I understand that the concept of emptying and washing a cup that collects menstrual fluid may be nauseating for some. I expected the worst, but was pleasantly surprised by how un-messy using a menstrual cup is. Since the fluid is collected inside the cup and emptied directly in the toilet, you aren’t really in contact with your menstrual fluid at all. Also, the silicone material allows for the flow of the sink or shower to easily wash any residue away without your hands having to intervene. Additionally, since there isn’t any residue outside your vagina, clean-up is similar to any other day of your cycle—this means you save a lot of toilet paper.

Once your cycle is done, all you have to do is sterilize the cup using mild soap (some brands sell their own) and warm water, then store it in a safe place. My cup, for example, includes a pouch for safekeeping.

Performance

            I had an immensely positive experience with my cup. I also like the fact that it’s sustainable and good for the environment. I could move around, cross my legs, and wear what I wanted without worrying about accidents; I felt comfortable the entire time.

During the week I used my menstrual cup, I couldn’t help but keep gushing to my friends about how convenient it is. Since it creates a seal inside your vagina, it doesn’t leak at all. I went to the extreme on my initial trial run by wearing white underwear and a white skirt; at the end of the day, all my clothes were still accounted for. When I would go to the bathroom, I didn’t have to worry about emptying it every single time: since you can “go” while using it, cleaning yourself up is similar to just any other day of the month. Additionally, the cup isn’t drying, unlike tampons or pads, and doesn’t make me feel “un-fresh.”

Bottom line:

Even if you’re squeamish about your menstrual fluid, you should still try it because it’s truly not as bad as it sounds. It’s perfect for women who are constantly on the move, active, and are concerned with the costliness and ecological impact of tampons and pads.

Image from Google.

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