Menstrual Cup

A menstrual cup can be used instead of sanitary towels and tampons, rinsed with water and re-used – for whole 10 years.

A menstrual cup is available in two sizes. (jlp)

What is a menstrual cup?

The beginnings of this handy as well as environment- and women-friendly novelty go back to 1930 when menstrual cups were still made from latex rubber, but were supplanted by tampons because of more successful advertising. The menstrual cup called Mooncup measures approximately two inches (5cm) in length and diameter and looks like a bell. It’s made from soft silicone rubber and has a little bit more than half an inch long stem (2cm). It is inserted like a tampon and fits the vaginal walls perfectly. Menstrual fluid passes into the cup without leakage or odour. There are two sizes available ion the market. The smaller holding 0.88fl oz (UK) or 0.85fl oz (US) (25ml) is recommended for women who have weak periods or haven’t given birth, and the larger one holding 1.05fl oz (UK) or 1.01fl oz (US) (30ml) is recommended for women who have heavier periods, have given birth and are above the age of 30.

Advantages of a menstrual cup

The main advantage of a menstrual cup is that it doesn’t dry out your vagina because there is no interference in the process of natural moistness and it doesn’t change the Ph balance of your vagina as it occurs in tampons, which are usually bleached with chlorine. If the cup is inserted correctly, you shouldn’t feel a thing in your everyday activities, sport or swimming and you will also be able to sleep well. In addition, it can be used before the first sexual intercourse and in combination with an intrauterine device or diaphragm. As you can use it up to 10 years, you will save money and preserve nature at the same time, since an average women uses approximately a pound (0.5kg) of sanitary towels and tampons each month.

Use and cleaning of a menstrual cup

A menstrual cup is easy to use, but you will have to learn to insert the cup correctly. It may take a little practice at first, but when you learn to insert it properly, it is so comfortable that you don’t even feel it. You fold the cup in half and insert it into you vagina where it is attached by vacuum and the vaginal muscles. You insert it in a similar way as a tampon, slightly leaning towards the buttocks or coccyx. The special feature of the cup is its stem which is usually too long, but a woman can trim it to the length that’s right for her body. The cup needs to be emptied approximately two or three times a day and after emptying, you simply rinse it with water or wipe it with a disinfectant-soaked handkerchief. The surface of the cup is completely smooth and its stem is straight, which makes cleaning very easy. It’s recommended that you sterilise it once a month by boiling it in hot water from 2 to 5 minutes.

Novelty that is worth trying

Silicone doesn’t irritate the mucosa and can also be used by women who have sensitive skin prone to yeast infections, eczema or allergies. The use of a menstrual cup doesn’t cause moistness, vaginal candidosis and cystitis, and there hasn’t been a record of the case of toxic shock caused by the cup. Most women grew up at the time when there were no other alternatives than one-off menstrual aids, which of course affected their attitude towards menstruation and their body at that time of the month. It is always a challenge to deal with new ideas, new views and new alternatives, especially if they concern your intimacy. However, a menstrual cup offers big advantages and it would be a pity if you didn’t use it.

Find more advice on period in our Lover's Guide.