Befriend menstrual cups and forget about the period
What is a menstrual cup?
No marks for guessing that it is a cup- a cup that collects menstrual blood when placed inside the vagina. Once it is full, you need to empty it and re-insert. There is absolutely no need to empty & re-insert it multiple times a day as it is safe to go on for 12 hours. The exception to this is only that heavy-flow day when the cup fills up earlier. Yes, you read it right! So start your day with an empty cup and forget about it for the next 12 hours.
It comes in various sizes so that women of all ages and sizes can use it. Teenage girls would wear the smallest size and so on.
I use Sikly cup in medium size. Read the product description to buy the right size for yourself. It usually retails for 300-700 INR.
My experience with it and why you should give it a try?
Like all new things, you will take a bit of time to get the hang of it and so did I. After 4-5 uses, I was a pro. I am a regular user and honestly, sometimes it makes me forget that I am on my period.
I came across menstrual cups online while I was frantically searching for tampon alternatives. I had heard of a model get Toxic Shock Syndrome because she kept the same tampon on for longer.
And ta-da! My life changed!
If I could, I would kiss your forehead, hold your hands and say- do not miss out on it! It is such a boon-
- Does not give that wet feeling like sanitary pads. No stink!
- No need to change multiple days during the day like pads or tampons
- Very comfortable to wear once you get the hang of it, feels like it disappeared inside
- Go swimming with it
- Eco-friendly as nothing to dispose
- Budget-friendly as you do not need to buy pads/tampons every month. This is a one-time buy ladies!
- The use is painless, do not worry
How to use it?
- Start with a sterilised cup and washed hands
- If the cup has a long stem, chop it off with scissors, leaving a very tiny bit so that you can hold it. This will be needed while pulling out the cup from the vagina.
- Poke your finger into the middle of the cup to make it look heart-shaped as in the image to the left
- Sit on the toilet seat (or in that position) and gently insert the folded cup into your vagina, with its narrowest side facing the vagina. Then push it downwards towards the base of your spine. The image above clearly shows that the cup should be placed downwards, in the vagina. Vagina has two openings- one for urination and the other one lets out the menstrual flow. If the cup is not properly placed then the blood will leak and it will get uncomfortable while passing urine.
- Once the cup has been inserted, hold it from the bottom and rotate it. You will hear it pop as the folded cup unfolds and takes the shape of your vagina. If it is easy to rotate that means you got it right. You can try and push it down further (while still holding it at the bottom, a little above the stem) if you feel that its hanging outside. Basically, when you get up and walk, you should not feel the presence of the cup.
- While you are still practicing using it, use a panty-liner or a pad along with it so that you're all covered
- Now how to take it out? Hold the stem and push- push your muscles there to move the cup a tad bit outside and then pull it out using the force of your fingers very slowly. It is completely hassle-free. Remember to keep it vertical during pulling out else the blood will spill out.
Keeping it clean
Since it goes in the deepest corners of you, ha-ha, it is very important to keep it clean.
- You will notice that it has two holes at the open end. To clean them, place the open end on your palm and squeeze the cup such that the debris in the holes gets pushed out.
- Before using it, boil it in water for a minute and then wash with a vaginal wash.
- Wash it between uses during the period with warm water when at home. When out, use clean water. You may use bottled water as well.
- After the period, wash with vaginal wash and keep it back in its pouch.
It is no rocket science. Just be patient for the first few tries and like everyone else, you will get supremely comfortable with it. It is really worth the frustrations of not getting it right initially- you have my word.
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Now go, let the redcoats attack!
4 comments
Thanks for this.Didnt know about it.
ReplyDeleteHope you benefit from it :)
DeleteGreat post. Thanks for sharing this Post
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shaila. I am glad you liked it!
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