I first heard about menstrual cups about 3 years ago. I was intrigued. I particularly liked the thought of saving money. I figured, even if I wasn’t wild about it, it was worth a shot because I’d save enough to pay for it with just a couple of months of use.
I was excited to have a chance to interview Phallin, owner of My Secret Cup, to answer some common questions about Menstrual Cups. Special thanks to My Secret Cup for sponsoring this post.
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What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is a flexible cup shaped object made most commonly from medical grade silicone or rubber. It is worn inside the body to collect your menstrual blood. Menstrual cups are great for those who are aware of the dangers tampons and pads pose on your health.
How does it work?
You take the cup in your hand and fold in the sides to form a “C” shape, then you insert it into the vagina. Unlike tampons which absorb (and are full of chemicals), a menstrual cup needs to be emptied when or before it gets full. On a heavy day it may be full within 2-4 hours and on light days you can plan to wear it the full 12 hours! After you empty your menstrual cup you can rinse it out with water, or use a cup wipe then reinsert.
Is it difficult to insert and remove?
The first time you use a menstrual cup it might seem a little scary just like the first time using a tampon. Don’t panic! There are many folding techniques to use for insertion, we have some listed under folds on our website. After you get the cup in, slide your finger up and around the rim to make sure it is open all the way. Removal is just as easy, once you get the hang of it. All you do is release the suction by pinching and pulling down. The best way to learn how to use a menstrual cup is in the shower. That way you can rinse your hands and the cup as you practice getting it in right. Each time you use the menstrual cup it gets easier.
Is it comfortable?
Yes! I was so shocked with how great menstrual cups feel, or actually don’t feel! If you have the cup inserted properly you really should not be able to feel it at all. Unlike tampons which stay straight and stiff, menstrual cups adjust and form to your unique shape. I have seriously forgotten I was on my period—they really are that comfortable. You can do any activity without noticing the menstrual cup from sleeping to hiking and swimming plus everything else in between.
What other advantages are there to menstrual cups?
- One menstrual cup will last you 5-10 years, and will save you $2,880 over your menstruating years.
- Pads and tampons can make you stink while you are on your period because the air hits the blood and causes a chemical reaction. With menstrual cups the air will never reach the blood since there is an airtight seal, and you will not have any bad odor.
- A menstrual cup will not dry out your vagina or mess with it’s pH like tampons do, because they do not absorb all the moisture they simply catch the blood.
- All you need is one cup, which will take up a lot less space then all those pads and tampons.
- When you get rid of all those toxic chemicals your period will be lighter, shorter and bring less cramping.
Why did you decide to try out a menstrual cup?
After my fourth baby I had my first real period in years! Right away that first month I started having burning inside my vagina, abnormally heavy bleeding, intense cramping, and sudden shooting pains in my uterus. I did not know it at the time but I was showing early symptoms of Endometriosis, a chronic condition that affects 6.3 million woman in the U.S. I stopped using tampons, the worst pain went away but my vagina still felt achy. I totally hated pads, there was no way I would be walking around feeling my blood drip out into was felt like a diaper. Yuck. I had heard about menstrual cups years ago so I ordered the Diva Cup, Lunette, and The Moon Cup. Within a few cycles all my cramps were gone and my period kept getting shorter each month going from 8 days long to 4 days. I will never turn back to disposable feminine products I am so thankful to have found out about menstrual cups!
Which brand do you recommend? Do you have a favorite cup?
The Diva Cup is longer, and slightly softer than the other cups. Lunette is made from a little stiffer material, which is good for strong or moderately strong Kegel muscles. I would recommend Lunette Size 1 to girls just starting their periods, Diva Cup to woman who are of larger stature, The Keeper to woman who want rubber because it is naturally biodegradable, and The Moon Cup for those who have a hard time inserting the other cups because the wall of the cup are a little bit thicker. I personally love Lunette! It is just the right size and firmness. I am also very sensitive to the stems poking at me, some woman can just cut the stem off but I can still feel that. The shape of the Lunette cup makes it easy to turn it inside out and that is how I wear my cup 🙂 Not to mention they come in fun colors.
Are they safe?
Yes! Menstrual cups have been in the United States for nearly 30 years. There have been variations of menstrual cups in different countries for centuries. No known cases of Toxic Shock Syndrome have been reported with menstrual cups and you can go without emptying for up to 12 hours. If you have an allergy to latex however you should not use the Keeper Cup which is made out of rubber.
Are you ready to try out a menstrual cup? My Secret Cup carries an assortment of cups you can choose from and is currently offering free shipping on all of their cups!
Jenna
I love this post! Sharing it on my Facebook – but I can’t wait to give the Lunette a try (I’m pregnant now). But I tried the Diva Cup and REALLY could feel it and didn’t like it, so I’m looking forward to trying these others that you recommend!
Jennifer
Thanks for this…I’ve been wondering about them for a while, but don’t know anyone that uses them to ask. This post actually cleared up a lot of questions I had. And saving nearly $3000 over the course of 5-10 years sounds fabulous!
Alyca
I have been trying to decide whether or not to take the plunge into menstural cups, I am a cloth diaper mama and it seems like the two go hand in hand. Saving money is my top priority but your other reasons sound appealing too. I wish I knew of somewhere local that sold them so that I could see one in person before buying it.
Heather R
I have a Diva cup and the packaging says it should be discarded once a year. Which is correct? The packaging or the 5-10 years you mention here?
Phallin
Any menstrual cup is made from midical grade products and should last at least 5 years, with proper care. Certain cleansing agents, or boiling your cup could make it deteriorate faster. Your cup should be checked for signs of deterioration within the material each month. As long as a menstrual cup is usable you can continue to wear it for as long as you want. Even if you did buy a new menstrual cup each year you would still save around $100 a year just by using a cup.
Paula W
The literature that comes with the DivaCup says to use DivaWash to clean it and says NOT to use a long list of other soaps. With the idea being to save money, is there a less expensive option to use to clean my DivaCup than the DivaWash?
Trisha Gilkerson
Well, I’ve used my castile soap with my DivaCup for the last couple of years with no adverse effects. Not sure how much of a real issue it is to use the DivaWash.