| 28.06.2019
What Is a Menstrual Cup?
- min -What is a menstrual cup, a period cup or a menstrual cap?
A menstrual cup, sometimes called a period cup, is a reusable sanitary product and a healthier, safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to the disposable tampons and pads used during menstruation.
A menstrual cup is shaped like a small wine glass or a flexible cap. These days it is most often made from medical-grade silicone, although there are also cups made from rubber or from the thermoplastic TPE.
During your period the cup sits inside the vagina, much like a tampon, with the opening facing the cervix. Menstrual fluid and blood collect inside the cup.
Once you have taken the cup out and emptied it, you simply rinse it with clean water and a mild cleanser, and it is ready to use again.
The menstrual cup and your health
A major advantage of the menstrual cup is that it does not dry out the vaginal lining, so it does not irritate it. It also contains no harsh chemicals, toxic substances or allergens that could cause irritation. For most women this is the main reason they switch to a menstrual cup instead of traditional pads or tampons.
The reusable menstrual cup and comfort
A menstrual cup is made from medical-grade silicone or another springy material. Its shape, firmness and elasticity are chosen to fit a woman’s body as closely as possible. Unlike other sanitary products, it does not change shape or size while you use it. It does not swell, it does not expand and it does not leak, which makes a real difference to comfort. The cup also flexes as you move. Whether you are cycling, running, swimming, dancing or working out at the gym, it changes shape along with the tension in your muscles. It works particularly well in the pool, because water does not get inside the cup and the contents do not escape into the water. That is why women who lead active lives value it so highly.
The reusable menstrual cup – the money
A menstrual cup is easy on your wallet. The one-off cost pays for itself in under three months. A single menstrual cup can be used for up to 12 years, which makes it an excellent way to save money.
The reusable menstrual cup – the environment
The average woman uses around 130 kilograms of intimate hygiene products over her lifetime. In Poland, roughly 10 million women get through about 150 million pads and tampons in a single month. That is an enormous amount of waste piling up around the world, especially in seas and oceans. Tampon applicators, the film used to wrap sanitary products and their plastic parts take about 300 years to break down. Tampon applicators and the plastic parts of pads hold an unenviable fifth place in the ranking of the waste that pollutes our planet the most. One menstrual cup can be used for 6-12 years. Every woman who switches to a menstrual cup significantly reduces the amount of waste she produces.
In summary
Every intimate hygiene product has its pros and cons. Using a menstrual cup can raise concerns about how it is inserted, about contact with your own menstrual blood and about keeping your hands clean while you insert it.
Objectively, using a menstrual cup:
– increases comfort, because it can be worn for up to 12 hours,
– is practically imperceptible and adapts to your body as you change position and move,
– reduces drying of the vaginal lining and the risks and discomfort that come with it,
– reduces period pain,
– keeps harmful chemicals from tampons and pads out of your body,
– significantly reduces environmental pollution,
– cuts spending on intimate hygiene products,
In most cases the menstrual cup is the best alternative to tampons and pads that we currently know of.
What next: now that you know what a cup is, check how to choose the right menstrual cup size. We also explain separately whether virgins can use a cup, and then how to insert a cup step by step.
See also The Cup’s Things · Menstrual Cup Reviews
Najnowsze Wpisy
Frequently Asked Questions
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1.
When should I consult using menstrual cup with a doctor?
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· If you use IUD/IUS (in some cases it may be dislodged while using menstrual cup).
· If you have pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
· When your pelvic floor muscles are very weak and when you suffer from urinary.
· If you have, or suspect you have, a gyneacological condition consult your doctor before you use Perfect Cup (cervical ectroption, defects in body structure, cervical cancer, if you had TSS incident, if you have a lot of stitches after natural childbirth). · If you are a virgin – there are no contraindications for use menstrual cup by virgins, but this is delicate issue, so we recommend consultation with your doctor.
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2.
Can menstrual cup get lost inside me?
- A menstrual cup cannot pass through cervix, so it cannot get lost inside you. Some woman has a long vagina, so you should be careful not to insert your cup as high as tampon. If you cannot reach the stem, relax, breath slowly and squat, because when squatting it is easier to get your cup’s stem. To ease your Perfect Cup keep gently downward pushing, a sequence of 10-15 slow and gentle pushing will release your cup and it will be pushed lower, so you can reach it and remove. The other tip is, you can put some string (like tampon string) to the stem to make you feel more comfortable.
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3.
Do you need to wear a reusable pad with menstrual cup as an additional protection when I start using Perfect Cup?
- You can use reusable pad at the begging of using menstrual cup, but when you insert it properly there is no need to use any pad while using Perfect Cup.
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4.
Do you need two menstrual cups?
- No. You don’t need two cups, but it is more convenient and more hygienic to have two.
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5.
Are there any menstrual cup’s disadvantages?
- No. The only thing is silicone’s discoloration but it does not reduce its effectiveness. You can prevent discoloration through rinsing it with cold water first when emptying. From time to time you can put the cup into a hot water with salt, citric acid, soda bicarbonate or vinegar (choose one of it) to refresh your cup.
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6.
How often should you empty menstrual cup?
- The frequency of emptying the cup depends on how heavy your menstruation flow is. In the beginning it is recommended to empty the cup as frequently as you used to change your pads or tampons. On average you should empty the Perfect Cup every 4-8 hours. The maximum time for continuous usage is 12 hours. It isn’t recommended to keep the cup too long in the vagina without emptying it, since it may increase the risk of bacterial growth.
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7.
How to clean and care about menstrual cup?
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Before the first use sterilize your Perfect Cup to be sure it is fully hygienic. Cover your menstrual cup with hot water and boil it for 5-10 minutes. After menstruation, clean and sterilize your Perfect Cup in the same way.
During the period you just need to wash it thoroughly with clean water after each emptying.
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8.
When should you replace your menstrual cup?
- A menstrual cup is made from high-quality materials such as medical-grade silicone, latex or thermoplastic elastomer, which lets it last for years. It is recommended to replace the cup every 2-5 years, although some last up to 10 years. Replace yours if you notice cracks, damage, changes in shape, or if it starts to feel uncomfortable.
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9.
Is a menstrual cup safe?
- Yes, a menstrual cup is safe when used according to the manufacturer's instructions and with proper hygiene. The cup is made from biocompatible and hypoallergenic materials. There is, however, a small risk linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which is why it matters to keep the cup clean and to empty it regularly.
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10.
How to store your menstrual cup?
- There is a cotton pouch included with your Perfect Cup to store your cup between periods. Do not use any hermetic boxes or anything with no air access. It may cause bacterial growth on your cup.
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11.
Can a menstrual cup fall out?
- Correctly inserted menstrual cup should not fall out. Your vaginal muscles keep it in a place, so it should not fall out.
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12.
Can you use a menstrual cup overnight?
night? - Yes! You can safely use your Perfect Cup menstrual cup overnight. It can be worn up to 12 hours at a time.
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13.
Can you exercise when using Perfect Cup?
- Yes, you can! You can swim, dance, run and do any other form of exercises.
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14.
Why menstrual cups are better than pads and tampons?
- Perfect Cup is produced of high-grade medical silicone Silpuran. Unlike traditional hygiene products, Perfect Cup menstrual cup does not irritate the vaginal mucosa or cause any dryness. Perfect Cup is free of any potentially harmful chemicals, BPA, latex and therefore completely safe. Perfect Cup menstrual cup hold your menstrual fluid 4-6 times more than a single tampon or pad. Therefore, despite your activity or time, you can wear your Perfect Cup up to 12 h at a time. Correctly inserted Perfect Cup fully adapts to your body. It is so comfortable that you will not feel wearing it. Once purchased Perfect Cup will last for 5-10 years, so it reduces monthly expenses for traditional hygiene products and contribute to reducing production of monthly hygiene waste.
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15.
The smell of menstrual cup
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The Perfect Cup menstrual cup is made of the highest grade quality medical silicone Silpuran from the German company Wacker. This silicone is odorless, but it may absorb smells from air and liquids. This may cause that the menstrual cup will have an undesirable smell of cosmetics, chemical cleaning products, packaging, production processes and storage as well as resulting from use. Removing the smell requires cooking for about 20 minutes. If the smell remains, repeat the action until the desired effect is obtained. You can put a cup in a solution with vinegar or salt. It will also help in case there is a discoloration resulting from use.
A cup with an aroma can be used using the hygiene measures as described in the manual instructions.
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16.
How does a menstrual cup work?
- A menstrual cup is a small, flexible container that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. It is designed for repeated use. The cup sits low in the vagina, where it forms a vacuum seal that keeps the fluid inside and prevents leaks.
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17.
How do you remove a menstrual cup?
- To remove a menstrual cup, first wash your hands thoroughly. Then get into a comfortable position, for example squatting or standing with one leg raised. Insert your fingers into the vagina and locate the cup. Take hold of its base or ring, squeeze gently to release the vacuum seal, then carefully pull the cup out. Empty it, wash it with clean water and a mild soap, and you can insert it again.
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18.
What should you do if the cup starts to leak?
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If your menstrual cup starts to leak, there are a few steps you can take to solve the problem:
- Make sure the cup is placed correctly: the cup should sit low in the vagina and the vacuum seal should form properly. Check that the cup has opened fully and is not folded.
- Check the size and shape of the cup: the wrong size or shape can cause leaks. Choose the size and shape that suit your body and your needs.
- Empty the cup more often: if the leaks come from the cup being full, empty it more frequently, especially on heavy days.
- Try other folding techniques: different folds can help you get a better seal. Try several methods to find the one that works best for you.
- Check the condition of the cup: if it is damaged, cracked or deformed, replace it with a new one.
- Use extra protection: on heavy days, or whenever you are unsure about the seal, you can use extra protection such as panty liners or menstrual pads.
If the leaking continues, consult a doctor or a health professional to check whether any health issue is affecting how the cup works.
This site is only an information about menstrual cups and it’s usage. Any doubt regarding the usage of the Perfect Cup should be consulted with a doctor or other professional medical specialist.
