Menstrual Cups: A Better Alternative To Pads and Tampons

Menstrual cups are a reusable feminine hygiene product. It’s small and flexible and is to be slid into the vagina. Instead of absorbing blood, like a pad or tampon, it collects the blood.

Best brands for menstrual cups:

Sanfe - The product is paraben and sulfate-free as well as vegan and is made with medically safe silicone

Gynocup - The product is odorless, long-lasting as well as leak-free and chemical-free

Sirona - The product is FDA approved, vegan, and was made cruelty-free, i.e., it was not tested on animals. It is made with liquid silicone. Additionally, it is ideal for playing sports, traveling, and doing day-to-day chores!

Carmesi - The product is incredibly soft, flexible, odorless and long-lasting. It is made with 100% Biocompatible Medically-Safe Silicone.

Details of the product:

Sizes- It comes in 3 different sizes, i.e., small, medium and large:

Small- better for women who haven’t given birth or haven’t given birth through the vagina

Medium- For women who undergo a heavy flow

Large- For women who experience an extremely heavy flow and have given birth

Colors- The cups come in various colors like purple, pink, white, orange, etc.

Additional Product:

Sanfe Natural Menstrual Cup Wash- A 100ml bottle, made with Neem, Basil, Tea Tree, and Lemon. It gently cleanses the menstrual cup and even removes bloodstains. The product is vegan as well as paraben and sulfate-free.

Sirona Menstrual Cup Wash- A 100ml bottle, made with Purified Water, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, and Wild Rose. It cleanses the menstrual cup while simultaneously ensuring the cup remains safe for the skin. The product is vegan and cruelty-free, i.e., it is not tested on animals.

How to use a menstrual cup?

Cleanse the cup nicely and dry it (after use- sterilize it by leaving it in boiling water for around 7 minutes- ensure that the cup is dry and cool before going on to the next step)

• Fold the cup in a U-shape
• Relax your pelvic muscles and gently slide it up your vagin
• Go about the rest of your day stress-free!

Why menstrual cups?

Despite being the cheaper and more affordable alternative to pads and tampons, menstrual cups are also eco-friendly. They are incredibly convenient as they are reusable; only simple sterilization is required after a single use. Additionally, they can hold more blood, thus, lowering the risk of bleeding through your clothes.

Sanitary napkins can often give rashes, while tampons may cause skin irritation and/or allergies; with menstrual cups, you can wave these problems goodbye as they are soft on the skin and entirely free from these drawbacks.

Prevalent concerns regarding menstrual cups:

Removing the cup may be messy- certain places and/or positions make it complicated to take the cup out neatly; thus, there may be some spills.

• Complicated to remove- it might be a bit tough to pull out the cup from the base.
• Complicated to slide into the vagina- the folded shape of the cup you make may not fit properly based on your vagina.
• Tough to get the right fit- Menstrual cups come in different sizes, i.e., they are not one-size-fits-all. As a result, you may have to try different sizes and brands to find the perfect cup for you.
• Allergies- Some materials used to make the product may cause allergies, so it is vital to ensure that you look carefully at all the materials used in the production of the cup to ensure your safety
• Higher chance of infection- It is extremely important to clean the menstrual cup after use thoroughly, else it may cause infections
• Vaginal Irritation- If the cup isn’t adequately cared for and cleaned, it may irritate the vagina.