My Experience of Using a Menstrual Cup

I have been using the menstrual cup for six months now and found it to be a game changer! Not only is it environmentally friendly but is also much more comfortable. Happy to share my experience of using a menstrual cup with you all.

I will start with all the benefits and then will address some common concerns.

1. Environmentally friendly: One of the biggest benefit of the menstrual cup is that compared to tampons or sanitary napkins, I was not generating bags full of garbage that would end in the landfill. The liquid and residues that the menstrual cup collects can all be flushed down the toilet.

2. Re-usable and cost-effective: The menstrual cup can be re-used (mine can be used for five years) and one is enough. I sanitize it between cycles. Considering the average cost of a cup is $12-15, imagine the amount of money you save over the years compared to buying sanitary napkins and tampons.

3. Superior experience: One of the strongest pros of the menstrual cup is the superior experience of wearing it. There is no “wet” diaper feeling and I definitely slept better along with going about my day with ease including exercising. 

4. Ease of wearing: In the first couple of days you have to empty the cup every four hours while you’re awake but in the later days you can leave it in longer for up to eight hours. You can even pee while wearing it! 

Bonus points: You can wear the cup while swimming!

5. Greater capacity: The menstrual cup has much more capacity than sanitary pads and tampons. I’m amazed whenever I empty the cup, since a fraction of that amount would soak up a pad or tampon.

I would now like to address some common concerns with using the menstrual cup:

1. Leaks: Yes, this was my biggest concern also! But once you get the hang of the cup you will realize that the cup works on a suction principle and if the cup is inserted properly there are no leaks. And this brings me to my second point.

2. Proper Insertion: You need to pick the right size of the cup for yourself. Most products will guide you based on your age, how your children were delivered etc. There are many YouTube videos that you can watch to learn proper insertion. It’s a learning curve but once you get the hang of it there is no going back!

3. Cleanliness: Wash your hands whenever you insert or remove the cup. Also sanitize the cup by putting in boiling water for five minutes every month between cycles (set aside a separate pot). 

If you’re a virgin I would recommend talking to your doctor before using.

Hope my experience of using a menstrual cup helps answer a lot of questions in your head. It is definitely a great choice and I highly recommend it! Let me know if you have any questions. 

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