Are you sick and tired of periods? Month after month, menstruators push through cramps, itchiness, bedsheet stains, and period poverty. The average menstruator may spend over 70,000 rupees on sanitary products in their lives.
Period products also spell bad news for the planet. Each menstruator generates around 125 kilograms of sanitary waste over a lifetime. Plus, in a country with such lousy waste management, ragpickers are exposed to diseases like E-coli and HIV from our non-biodegradable pads and tampons.
Menstrual cups help combat many of these problems. As a long-time user, I have outlined the pros, the cons, and things I wish I knew before starting the cup.
What exactly is a menstrual cup?
Menstrual cups are small, reusable, bell-shaped cups for holding period blood—typically made of silicone. They are designed for vaginal insertion and use a vacuum mechanism to prevent leaks.
Since all vaginas are different, cups come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Most have a trimmable stem attached to help pull them out. Although cups can cost anywhere from 200 to 3000 rupees, they last a whole decade if maintained appropriately.
We actually bleed less than we think. The range per cycle is typically 10-80 ml (2-16 teaspoons), and the average is 35 ml. Unlike pads or tampons, menstrual cups usually hold 20-40 ml (4 to 8 teaspoons) of blood. A thoroughly soaked pad will hold 1 teaspoon. This means the cup only has to be emptied every 6 to 12 hours. However, it can be 2 to 3 hours for heavy bleeders using a small size.
My first experience was traumatizing. My cup got stuck, and I pushed it out like a baby. I was hurt by the friction and the vacuum, and my size was incorrect. Hopefully, this guide will help you avoid this because the cup is 100% worth the improvement in comfort. It would have never happened if I'd known what I was doing.
Why should I make the switch?
1. They're incredibly comfortable.
With the right cup, you shouldn't really be able to feel it inside you after inserting it. Cups enable people to play sports better because it takes away some of the vaginal pressure felt when wearing a pad. You also don't have to endure the itchiness of period blood. When wearing the cup, many people forget that they're on their period!
2. They’re mess-free.
The vacuum in cups is absolutely secure when put properly. This means you can go swimming on your period hassle-free. You also don't have to worry about soiling a bedsheet or your favorite panties anymore.
3. They’re smell-free.
Menstrual blood is actually very clean. It's a lining that your body prepares to nurture a baby, so it has to be free of contaminants. The typical 'period smell' only happens when the blood comes in contact with air. Cups prevent this.
4. Reduced risk of TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome).
TSS is a life-threatening condition caused by bacterial infection. It is linked to people using superabsorbent tampons, which can dry or scratch the vagina. Menstrual cups collect blood instead of absorbing it, helping limit infection.
5. They're affordable.
Since they’re reusable and last up to 10 years, a menstrual cup is a long-time investment. With pads and tampons, you'd spend over 18,000 rupees over the course of the decade, which is a lot compared to, say, 1000 rupees for one cup at the beginning of the decade. The cup I use cost me 2000 rupees, but there are equally good ones for under 400.
6. They're sustainable.
The average menstruator will use a whopping 16,000 pads or tampons in a lifetime; most of them take 500-800 years to decompose. It is estimated that 12.3 billion pads and tampons are thrown out every year in India alone. Switching to a reusable menstrual cup is the right path to sustainable and comfortable periods. There really is no better way to manage sanitary waste.
Can virgins use menstrual cups?
Of course! Insertion of a period product is not an indication of virginity. Many people have a flawed definition of virginity, in which they refer to whether the hymen is stretched or not. Being a virgin typically means you haven't had consensual penetrative sex. The hymen is just a thin layer or flap of tissue at the opening of the vaginal canal. It can stretch or tear by non-sexual activity, like intense exercise. Usually, it simply wears down over time. That being said, menstrual cups will probably stretch your hymen if it's still intact. So it's perfectly normal to feel scared as a first-timer. But they are designed to be harmless, and you can use a cup at any age as long as you're menstruating. I'll explain how to insert your cup correctly later on in the article.
How do I find 'the right cup'?
The main factors to consider are your cervical position and experience with penetration. If you've never inserted anything into your vagina, like a tampon, it's best to go for a soft variety.
Your cervix is a tiny canal connecting the vagina and uterus. Its height determines how high or low your cup will sit. Hence, it provides an idea of what size to buy.
Measuring requires you to get close and personal with your body, as you'll need to insert a finger into your vagina. The cervix should feel slightly firm and round, like a small ball. You may feel a dip in the center, which is the cervical opening. Try to do this right before or on a period day. The cervix changes its position during menstruation, and that's when you'll be wearing the cup.
To start measuring, cut your nails and wash your hands. Sit in a squatting position in the shower and gradually insert a finger into your vagina to find the cervix. If you can reach it around one knuckle deep, your cervix is low. If you can feel it at your second knuckle or slightly past, it's at an average height. If you can't reach it or it takes a lot of effort, you have a high cervix.
If you aren't on your period and experience some spotting of blood, you have probably torn or stretched your hymen. Not to worry—this is normal! Just relax and wash up. You won't continuously bleed.
Onto choosing a size—if your cervix is low or average, it's best to choose a small size. If it's high, go for a medium size. But if you haven't experienced any vaginal insertion and are very young, I would recommend a small as you may feel discomfort with anything larger. If you are older, experienced, and think you have a wide vagina, you may opt for a wide, specialized cup like the Merula Cup. Keep in mind that this only works for some people.
For first-timers, I recommend buying a soft variety. If the brand does not have a specific soft version, the small size is usually more delicate anyway. For anyone else, firmness is a personal preference. More firm (standard) cups pop open and vacuum themselves easily. Soft and small cups often require adjusting before they open up inside you. However, they are easier to insert. For brands that don't address firmness, just use the sizing given above (you can also take a menstrual cup quiz online to find the correct fit for you).
Buy a cup with air holes and a stem, but don't buy a new one if you already have one without them. The holes make vacuuming easier. The stem makes it easy to find the cup to remove, especially if you have a high cervix and a small cup. If you have a low or tilted one, you can always trim the stem to your liking. I have cut mine off completely.
I highly recommend menstrual cup lubricant (or any water-based lubricant), especially for first-timers. It helps avoid any painful friction and makes the cup pop open easily.
Many people buy opaque cups, so stains are not visible, although they are normal. My favorite cup is the black Ruby Cup. Their small size is very soft and flexible, and it comes with a long stem. It is a bit on the expensive side, about 2000 rupees—but it's an excellent brand to support for people who can afford it. They are certified cruelty-free and also donate one cup for every cup you buy. The SochCup and Gaaia Cup are Indian alternatives that many people swear by. Either way, please do your research and read reviews before purchasing your cup. Make sure it's BPA and latex-free. Only buy silicone-free if you have an allergy.
How do I clean and maintain my cup?
Before and after every menstrual cycle, you need to sterilize your cup. Put some water in an open pan over the stove and add the cup when it starts to boil. Let it sit for around 5 minutes, stirring it every minute. Monitor it and don't let it sit for over 10 minutes, or it may burn. After your period, make sure it's dry before putting it back in your cloth bag.
If you notice a white residue layer after boiling, just rinse it off before inserting. This can occur when using hard water, especially in India. This is another reason I like black cups—the residue is visible, so they're easier to keep clean.
Some companies sell electric sterilization machines, but I believe these are unnecessary unless something prevents you from taking your cup into the kitchen, like a religious belief.
While you're on your period, rinse it with cold water after each removal. Cold water prevents stains and smells, while hot water may lock them in. After this, use mild soap to clean the cup. You can use hot water to rinse it off at this point. Make sure it's clean before reinsertion.
Your cup will ultimately stain, but undeniably a lot less if you use the cold water technique. Either way, stains or yellowing is a natural occurrence and has nothing to do with the cup's cleanliness. The sterilization takes care of the bacterial aspect.
If you notice that an odor has been set in your cup, scrub it with mild soap and a clean cloth, then sterilize it in boiling water again. This often occurs due to inadequate cleaning or if you have a habit of wearing your cup too long. Maybe try wearing it for 4-8 hours, and never over 12. If you follow the cleaning methods above, your cup should be in prime condition.
If you are in a public restroom and cannot rinse the cup at all, it's okay to just wipe it down with a tissue. Remove any bits before reinsertion. If you are in nature and cannot pour the blood into a toilet, dig a hole in the plain ground (without plants), empty the blood, and cover it back up. You may also dilute the blood in lots of water and water plants in a discrete location. Do not pour blood directly into plants. Sterilization tablets are ideal for camping trips where you cannot boil the cup.
Okay, so how do you wear it?
There is no right way to do it—people prefer different types of folds. For beginners, the punch-down fold is ideal because the point of insertion is small. To do this, press down on one side of the rim, so it's folded into the cup. Then hold the cup firmly by its sides, so it doesn't open. The tip should be slightly cone-shaped. You can refer to the diagram given or watch a video to learn about more types of folds.
It's best to practice using your cup before your period starts. This way, you have time to get used to it and don't have to resort to a disposable product last-minute. It is normal to feel the cup's presence for the first few days, but eventually, you should not be able to feel it.
First, squat in a bathtub or shower cubicle where messes are okay. Now make sure the vacuum holes are not blocked by water. You can blow air, use tissue or a safety pin. When I'm in a rush, I don't always check, but you definitely should if you have time.
Unclench your muscles, take your clean cup, and fold. With your other hand, hold your outer labia open. Start inserting GENTLY from the folded tip of your cup. Let your fingers follow inside your vagina and only release when the cup is fully inside. If you cannot feel the cup open up, reinsert your finger and run it around the rim until you can feel it open to its full size. Now tug lightly at the stem to check if the vacuum is secure. If it moves over half a centimeter and you think you can pull it out with more tugging, it will leak. Secure it again and try until you can't tug it out.
If the cup stays slightly dented despite opening, you likely have a tilted cervix/uterus, like me. Simply insert the cup lower in your vagina. Note that a soft cup might be better for you. It's okay if your cup sits tilted as long as the vacuum is secure and you don't feel pain. In the rare case that you experience leaks, try a larger or broader cup.
If you feel any pain or friction while putting it in, do not push any further. Apply lubricant to your cup and vaginal opening before trying again. It should not be painful. There is no shame in asking for help.
Once the cup is in, wash off any blood. Stand up and move around to let your cup sit. If the stem sticks out or pokes your vaginal wall, it needs trimming. Cut a rounded nub. Trim only a tiny bit at a time and try at each length until you reach a comfortable size.
To remove it, use the stem to locate the cup. NEVER tug the stem to pull out. The vacuum will hurt you. Find the bottom of its body and pinch to break the suction—you should feel the air hissing out. Pull it slowly, and right before, squeeze the rim and slide out so it cannot pop open and hurt you.
In your first use, remove the cup every 3 hours to get an idea of how much you bleed. Then you can change the timings—just never allow it to overflow, or it can leak. You can keep the cup in while peeing, but I recommend removing it before taking a dump because the cup might start to come out while doing so.
Disclaimer: In the rare event that the cup gets stuck despite following my advice, using lubricant, and being gentle: please seek help from a grown-up or doctor. Do not push it out: it's okay to leave it in for a couple of hours. If it was too high to remove, you had the wrong size.
What are the disadvantages of the cup?
There really aren't many; it's simply fear or a lack of awareness that leads people to bad experiences like my first. In rare cases, though, people with sensitive skin may experience an allergic reaction. Always check the quality and ingredients before buying a menstrual cup. Some brands label theirs as hypoallergenic—these are ideal. If you still experience a reaction, you should consult a gynecologist and consider switching to a sustainable alternative, like reusable cloth pads.
Menstrual cups can be a hassle to remove in public restrooms, which is why you should practice spill-free removal beforehand.
Despite these concerns, I hope you try hard to use the cup because you'll never go back. You're helping yourself and the environment.
Why aren't more people using the cup?
Honestly, I don't know. It's been a life-changer for me. Many people don't know about cups, are too scared to try them, or cannot afford a good one. It's an effortless act to tell your friends or forward an article or two about cups. If you can afford it, buy one or two cups to donate—you'll make someone's day by taking away such a great financial burden. Even if you do not menstruate, I hope you can contribute to the much-needed spread of information.