WTF is a Menstrual Cup?

Menstrual cups are in high fashion, and more and more women have been making the big switch from tampons and pads to menstrual cups. If you are not familiar with the natural world of feminine health, you may be asking yourself – WTF is a menstrual cup?

Ever since my Instagram story post about the Diva Cup, I’ve been getting a lot of questions like:

Is it safe?

Should I switch?

What’s wrong with tampons?

Can you feel it?

Isn’t that messy? 

Menstrual cups aren’t new, they have actually been used in other countries since the 1930’s. But like with most natural health remedies, America has been slow to catch on.

No worries, I have a quick break down for you of exactly what a menstrual cup is. You’re welcome! 🙂

What is a menstrual cup?

Point blank, a menstrual cup is a small flexible cup that is inserted into the vagina during menstruation. A good quality menstrual should be made of medical grade latex rubber or silicone. Unlike tampons and pad which absorb your menstrual flow, a menstrual cup catches and collects it instead. There are typically two main sizes for menstrual cups, one for women under the age of 30 who have never delivered a baby (vaginally or by cesarean) and one for women over the age of 30 and/or who have delivered a baby.

What are the benefits of a menstrual cup?

There are several benefits to using a menstrual cup vs. using standard pads and tampons.

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• You can safely leave it in for up to 12 hours. Yes yes yes.
• It is eco-friendly and helps the planet. That always feels good.
• Because it is reusable, it saves you money in the long run. That feels even better!
• It’s generally much safer. No risks of TSS, or bacterial infection from the tampon. No risk of rash or skin irritation from the pads. Winning!
• There is far less odor. Everytime menstrual blood hits the air it creates a ranking odor. No more sitting in stinky pads and tampons.
• They hold WAY more fluid and don’t leak on those heavier days. Up to 12 hours remember?
• You can actually have sex – mess free. Disposable menstrual cups do exist, and they were designed with sex on your period in mind. Your partner can’t even feel them.  Just sayin’

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What are the risks of using a menstrual cup?

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• Finding the right fit can be tough. Different vaginas are different sizes, so you may have to experiment a bit before you find your match.
• It can cause irritation – at first. If you are sensitive or have certain allergies, a menstrual cup could cause some irritation. Make sure you check with your gyno if you have issues with latex or rubber products.
• It can get a little messy in the beginning. Inserting the cup is fairly easy, but getting used to removing it can become messy if you aren’t careful. Once you learn to use your kegels and angel it correctly, you won’t experience any mess.
• You could have issues if you are also using an intrauterine device or IUD. Some doctors have said that a menstrual cup could accidentally dislodge the IUD or pull on the string.
• Removing it in public can be embarrassing. If it’s time to change and you find yourself in public bathroom, you will have to dump the fluid in the toilet and then rinse your cup in the sink. Avoid this by timing yourself (you have 12 whole hours) and by carrying a bottle of water with you so you can rinse in the stall!

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And that my beauties are the basics of menstrual cups! And to answer the above-mentioned questions:

Is it safe? When used correctly, yes.

Should I switch? Depends on what makes you feel comfortable! Try it out, see how you feel 🙂

What’s wrong with tampons? Nothing is wrong with using organic tampons and pads, but commercial feminine product brands often contain dangerous chemicals that can lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).

Can you feel it? Nope, not if it is inserted correctly. It feels normal, like your not even on your period.

Isn’t that messy?  Eh kinda. The removal process at first can be messy, but it’s actually quite neat once you get the hang of it! Plus it doesn’t smell. But always wear an organic panty liner just in case. I have never had a single drop leak out. 

You can check out my full review of the Diva Cup and Luna Pads coming soon! And keep up with me and all things fem health on Instagram @HypeGirls

Have you tried using a menstrual cup before? Share your experience with me below: