Menstruation is the most natural monthly process which recurs over roughly 40 years of a woman’s life. So it is but natural that we, as women would want to find the best possible solution to mange our periods with the least amount of discomfort – some of us already have a full plate with cramps and mood swings as it is! 

Gone are the days when only two options existed in the market – pads and tampons. Although, pads are still quite popular in India and tampons have taken over the western world; growing environmental consciousness have given birth to many new alternatives that don’t choke up the already-full landfills. One such alternative that has seen a lot of acceptance in recent times is the menstrual cup.

However, trying out new products to manage menstruation can be an extremely scary and uncomfortable experience. That’s why it’s always good to do a fair amount of research before deciding to try something new. Have you always wanted to shift to menstrual cups and to have a zero-waste period but have always been apprehensive to give it a shot? Don’t worry ladies; we’ve got this covered for you - check out the pros and cons and we’re sure you’ll come to a conclusion soon enough!

What is a menstrual cup?

First thing’s first – you need to know what the product is and how it works. A menstrual cup is exactly what the name suggests – a cup made for the days you menstruate. This cup is inserted into the vagina and gets lodged using a suction mechanism to stay securely in position inside your vagina, without leaking. This cup collects all the menstrual blood and can be worn for up to 12 hours.

There are two kinds of menstrual cups – disposable ones and reusable cups. Needless to say, if you’re shifting to cups to make a change and go easy on the environment, you should opt for the reusable menstrual cups.

The reusable cups at The Woman’s Company are made of medical grade silicone and can be used for up to 10 years, if maintained properly.

How do you use a re-usable menstrual cup and what should be kept in mind when using one?

As stated above, menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours or until they are full. When it’s time to change, carefully pull out the menstrual cup by pinching it from the bottom – never use the stem to pull out the cup. Drain the blood in the pot or sink, rinse the cup with water and insert it again. 

However, remember to boil the cup at the beginning of your cycle, before inserting it for the first time; and at the end of the cycle, before you pack it until your next period – this is important because the cup is going inside your body so you want to sterilize it properly to avoid any infections.

Pros and Cons of Menstrual Cups

Pros

The pros of menstrual cups may actually pulverize some of that hesitation to try them out!

1. They are environment friendly (in case you opt for reusable menstrual cups) and you will have a zero-waste period.
2. They can be worn for up to 12 hours unlike pads and tampons.
3. You can sleep with them overnight (yipeeeee no waking up at night!!)
4. They really go easy on your pocket – menstrual cups are a one-time investment. You can use them for up to 10 years if they’re kept in proper condition. That’s 10 years of no expense on your period!
5. You can wear them during sex. Yes, it’s true!
6. No need to put away your sexy lingerie! You can kiss your pad-friendly granny panties goodbye!
7. You can swim with them – no more “No Beach Days”!
8. They aren’t uncomfortable - you can barely feel the cup if worn properly.
9. No more rashes and irritation.
10. No more period smell – we all know that smell.
11. It keeps your vaginal pH balanced.

Cons

Every coin has two sides; however, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. You’ll see!

1. If you have a heavy period i.e. you bleed heavier than most women, you may have to change your cup more often, which can be a hassle at times.
2. Menstrual cups take some getting used to – insertion isn’t the easiest task.
3. Removing the cup is also slightly tricky the first few times. However, once you get the hang of it, you will never switch back to pads or tampons!
4. If you have fibroids, insertion can be uncomfortable and difficult.
5. It can be messy when you change the cup, as you need to use your fingers to take the cup out of your vagina. Then you need to dump the contents and rinse the cup before inserting it again.
6. Even though TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) is mostly associated with tampons; menstrual cups, if not used properly have a very slim chance of giving you TSS.
7. Menstrual cups are slightly costlier than other period products such as pads and tampons. However, it is important to remember that it is a one-time investment and saves you tons of money in the long run.
8. It is essential to boil your reusable menstrual cup before and after your cycle to sterilize it and avoid infection – one extra but necessary step.

Menstrual cups are meant for you if:

1. You care about the environment and wish to reduce the environmental footprint.
2. You hate having to change pads and tampons frequently.
3. Want to have sex during your period but don’t want it to be messy with all that period blood.
4. Want to save money in the long run.
5. Do not want to limit activities such as swimming while you’re on your period.
6. You are prone to rashes from pads and need to switch.

Read more on "Menstrual Cups" here:

• 10 Beginner's Tips for using a Menstrual Cup
• What are Menstrual Cups?