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The pros and cons of switching to a menstrual cup
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There's no lack of information about the menstrual cup on the internet; from the informative fact-based articles to the demonstrative videos using models of genitalia, one can find a lot of resources. However, most of these resources seldom keep it real and the whole process can be daunting, which makes the cup seem mysterious and scary.
Starting out with an intention to reduce my plastic waste, I too was sceptical. But now, after 3+ years of using the cup regularly, going through all the trials and tribulations and making my lil cup my partner-in-crime (the crime being "not having a baby", which the female body clearly thinks is punishable by almost-death), I believe I am well-equipped to detail to you the pros and cons of switching to the menstrual cup. So here goes!
For those who are not aware, a menstrual cup is a type of menstrual hygiene product. It is a reusable flexible rubber/silicone cup which is inserted into the vagina in order to collect the menstrual blood directly into the cup. The cup is to be removed, rinsed and reinserted every 8-12 hours to dump out the collected blood.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on research and personal experiences. It is not professional medical advice. Please contact your gynaecologist for the same.
The Pros
Reasons to make the cup your new best friend
1. You don't have to worry about your period the whole day.
Your cup needs to be given attention only every 8-12 hours (depending on your flow) to rinse and reuse since it holds much more blood as compared to pads and tampons. A rinse once in the morning and once in the night is enough for most people! Here's a table comparing the different menstrual products:
The long time window between rinses is convenient for those who have long work hours, those who travel or those who simply don't want to be reminded of their period every few hours. This means, you get to lay in bed all day on your period, resting up and binging on Netflix with no worries.
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2. It is long lasting and eco-friendly.
With proper care and maintenance, a menstrual cup lasts for 8-10 years. This reduces the large amount of monthly waste that comes with the usage of disposable pads and tampons. Through roughly 38 years of menstruation, one has to throw away only 4-5 small menstrual cups instead of 16,000+ tampons or pads, amounting to almost 150 kg of waste! Also, fewer pharmacy trips!
The menstrual cup stands with the other eco-friendly alternatives like reusable cotton or paper pads/tampons; however, the cup lasts longer than these, implying less waste, and overall, uses less energy and water and no trees to manufacture. Tree huggers, make a note!
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3. It is cost-effective in the long run.
A good quality menstrual cup costs between ₹400 and ₹900 depending on the material and brand. Compared to the cost of pads/tampons for 8-10 years amounting to around ₹25,000 (ignoring changes in prices), switching to a menstrual cup is like an investment! I mean, imagine the number of dark chocolate bars you can buy with that money to satisfy your PMS cravings!
4. If inserted properly, the cup is virtually leak proof and you can't even feel it.
After you have found the right cup and cup fold for you, you will turn into a period ninja. Your cup basically goes into stealth mode. There are no funky smells (since the blood is not exposed to the air as with pads/tampons) and noises (I mean, could pad wrappers BE any louder???). You won't even feel it.
Since a vacuum seal is created when you insert the cup, there is no chance of leakage. You could literally karate-chop bad guys' butts all day and your clothes will be 100% spotless. Say bye-bye to pads sticking to your cheeks, butt-chafing, rashes and accidental staining!
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5. It is much more hygienic and safer than commercial pads and tampons.
The menstrual cup collects the menstrual blood rather than absorbing as pads and tampons do. This means a healthier vagina, since the vaginal fluids are not being absorbed and the delicate pH and bacterial balance stay normal. The vagina does not dry out, and hence reducing susceptibility to various diseases. Additionally, menstrual cups don't contain bisphenol-A (BPA), dye, bleached rayon (a material found in tampons containing carcinogenic byproduct dioxin) or any other harmful additives.
Also, the cup acts as an alternative to tampons which are infamous for increasing the chances of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but serious and life-threatening condition caused by a bacterial infection.
The Cons
Things to consider before making the switch
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1. It involves handling and close contact with your period blood and your genitalia.
It can get ugly. You'll have to look at your collected blood in the cup each time you dump and rinse it. Sometimes, you will need to manually adjust the cup in your vagina to make sure its sitting right. Sometimes, the blood spills. The cup can also have an uncomfortable feeling for some while inserting and removing it. This can be daunting and irksome for some people. However, one can get used to it over time and with practice.
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2. It can take effort to find the right cup with the right fit and the right fold for you.
There are a number of factors that you need to consider while choosing a menstrual cup for you- your age, your cervix length and position, your flow, history of childbirth, your preferred cup material, flexibility, and firmness of the cup. Menstrual cups come in different sizes, shapes and variants, and it can take a bit of time to figure out what kind to look for and you might have to indulge in trial and error with some cups.
There are also a number of folds you can use to fit the cup into your vagina, and finding the right fold for you suitable to you can take a bit of experimenting. The c-fold and the punch down fold work for most, but if your cup has trouble opening or fitting in your vagina, you may want to try some other folds as well.
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3. It is not for people with rubber/silicone allergies.
Menstrual cups are made of rubber and/or silicone, and surely enough, they're not meant to be used for people allergic to these materials. However, there are a few companies providing latex-free variants for people with latex allergies.
4. It may not be for people with intrauterine devices (IUDs) or those who want to preserve their hymen.
The cup can hamper with the string of an IUD and may cause displacement. You can consult your gynecologist to know more about your options or about how to go about it. The hymen being a very thin and delicate membrane of skin, it is higher at risk of being ruptured with usage of the menstrual cup.
So, what do you think? I personally have gotten used to all the tiny hassles, and I would never go back. I have successfully been converted into a menstrual cup enthusiast! Let me know in the comments below how you feel about menstrual cups and if you have any questions, feel free to post 'em below. :)
This is a very well-researched article. Good job Vibha!