So back in 2019, I decided to try using menstrual cups more as an alternative to using pads and panty liners. This was mostly because I had begun working from home and thought it would be much easier for me to go about emptying the cup and cleaning it since I'm just at home. Also, I wanted to see if it was really true that you're less likely to get stains and leaks from using a menstrual cup.
But since the pandemic happened and a lot of people are working from home, it seemed even more apt to write this post. So after around 10 months of continuous usage, I finally can say I have a solid opinion on a menstrual cup and here is what I honestly think of them:
BTW, you can easily buy a menstrual cup from an online seller or a reputable beauty store. It will definitely cost more than a pack of sanitary napkins or tampons. But I consider this an investment because a menstrual cup is reusable and can be cleaned to be used again. You can use it for years before you have to replace it.
Why Use a Menstrual Cup
Now, the menstrual cup has a number of advantages. The most obvious one is that it's a zero-waste alternative to use pads and tampons, which does contribute significantly to solid waste. But aside from that, it can hold more than a normal tampon and napkin can so you only need to change it a few times in a day. Since the menstrual cup also forms a bit of a suction lock once you have it on, so there's a lower chance of getting those embarrassing stains on your underwear, bottoms, or whatever you're sitting on (it happens, but it can still be mortifying).
If you suffer from cramps or discomfort as a result of the materials in tampons and napkins, a menstrual cup can be better since it's made of medical-grade silicone, the same stuff that medical tubes, respiratory masks, and implants are made of. So it's more biocompatible than those products and can be more comfortable to use.
There are a lot of reasons to switch to a menstrual cup, and all of them are great reasons for doing so. But admittedly, there is a learning curve to using this properly and putting it on.
Tips Before Using a Menstrual Cup
From my personal experience, it's more effective and less awkward to insert a menstrual cup while you're showering. The warm water can help get it in easier (expansion), and you have more leeway to adjust it if need be.
Changing over the toilet is a lot harder as your movement can be limited, and there's a higher chance that you might drop it into the toilet bowl. But I do find that it's a bit easier to change over the toilet if the sink is within your arm's reach and you have a bidet. Makes cleaning out all the blood and stuff easier. But of course, your bathroom may not be designed this way. And, public restrooms DEFINITELY aren't built that way either.
If you have long fake nails (press-on or acrylic) on, you can still manage to insert and change the menstrual cup if you have rubber gloves. Personally, I take my press-on nails off during my period but I understand if others prefer to keep their nails on or can't remove them.
How to Fold and Insert the Menstrual Cup
There are a number of ways to fold the cup in order to make insertion easier. You can fold it in half like the picture shown below:
This is best for people who have wide and large vaginal canals and you just need to adjust the cup a bit to get it open up and lock in place. If you're on the smaller and tighter side, the 7-fold is another option, this is shown below:
If you use the 7-fold method, you'll need to twist the cup in order to get it to unfold and lock in place. As for the insertion method, you simply push it into yourself. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but you should get used to this with continued use. You can also try massaging your vaginal canal so it can expand and be more lubricated to make insertion easier.
And one last tip, if you can feel the menstrual cup is there, you might have inserted it too high or too low. Move and squat around a bit after you insert the cup, you can easily adjust it if you do this.
Cleaning the Menstrual Cup
It's best to wash your menstrual cup each time you clean out your menstrual cup in between uses. You can use an intimate wash for this as it's formulated to clean menstrual blood and tissue. It can be a bit messy too as you're pouring the blood out of the cup. Just make sure you clean your toilet or shower areas thoroughly afterward.
You can use interdental cleaners or toothpicks to clean the small holes in the menstrual cup too. If you're changing in a public bathroom, you can use feminine wipes to clean out the menstrual cup. Then, make sure to boil your menstrual cup after your period. Just put it in a bowl of boiling water for a few minutes to maintain the silicone's shelf life and longevity.
So here are the pros and cons that I personally found from using a menstrual cup.
Pros
Less waste generated from feminine hygiene products
Fewer trips to the bathroom to change your menstrual products
Great to travel with (portable and reusable)
Less to clean up
Lower chances of extreme staining
Stays in place and doesn't leak too much even while you're doing intense physical activity or sleeping in any position (my favorite benefit)
Cons
Maintenance and cleaning can be a bit of a hassle since you can't just throw it away and replace it with something new
Changing outside your house isn't very comfortable or clean (Not every public bathroom in the Philippines is clean, or has soap or running water)
You can forget about it (I once made the mistake of keeping my menstrual cup on for more than a day, the results weren't pretty...we had to call a plumber)
Sizes can be limited
My Final Thoughts
While the menstrual cup did work well for me and I do see myself continuing to use it, I don't think it's for everyone. I think someone who goes to school or doesn't work from home will find that using one can be a hassle, especially if they're in the Philippines. It's common knowledge that our public restrooms are far from clean and rarely have a bidet in each cubicle or a working faucet. You can try to remedy this by carrying an extra menstrual cup with you, but I understand if some people find that excessive and hard to do.
I also think that there should be more sizes for menstrual cups available. There are different vaginas, but I don't think the range of sizes and shapes that menstrual cups come in is enough. I have two different menstrual cups and I still find that both of them are too small. While I do use my menstrual cup, I still have to put on a regular napkin or panty liner as I still get leaks no matter how much I adjust it. Will it stop me from continuing to use it? Nope. Will I buy another menstrual cup if I find something bigger? Yes.
Overall, I still think it's beneficial to switch to primarily using a menstrual cup when your monthly visitor comes. But I do think you can use this in tangent with pads if you're still learning how to properly use it or feel like you still haven't found the right size for yourself. Either way, you still reduce the number of single-use feminine products you use during that time of the month. I do hope this post was helpful and has at least encouraged you to consider trying it or recommend it to someone else.
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