The confusion of which method of sanitary product to make use of when it comes to that time of the month can be quite a stressful path, however, many of us choose to stick to the traditional methods purely because of familiarity and comfort.
Whether you are a tampon or sanitary towel girly, there is no wrong or right way. Our different choices are centred around comfort, affordability and hygiene purposes.
An instrument that many do not know of, however, is the menstrual cup. These feminine hygiene products are small silicone cups that are available in various sizes and are quite cost-effective as they are reusable.
What is a menstrual cup?
Healthline – a health information publisher staffed by an experienced team of health practitioners – defines the menstrual cup as a “flexible funnel-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone that you insert into your vagina to catch and collect period fluid.”
This eco-friendly alternative is said to carry a lot more than other feminine hygiene products.
Healthline further states that the durability of the cup can go for as long as 12 hours a day. These products also come in various forms as ladies can either opt for the reusable ones or opt for the disposal menstrual cups.
What is my size?
She Powers – the first acclaimed woman-owned menstrual cup manufacturer in South Africa – provides us with a size guide, stating that small is suitable for those between the ages of 9 to 15 years with a light flow.
The medium-sized cup is advisable for those who experience a light to medium flow between the ages of 15 to 25 years, emphasising that it should be used by those who have not yet experienced childbirth.
Coming in highly recommendable for anyone above the age of 25 who experiences a medium to heavy flow and may also be used by those who have experienced childbirth is the large-sized menstrual cup. Note that you should not experience any form of major discomfort or pain while navigating with your menstrual cup inserted.
How often should I change the cup?
Because this is a reusable cup, you should not worry about having to change it, however, you will have to empty it frequently depending on what type of flow you have.
People with medium to heavy flows should empty their cups every 4 to 6 hours max. While those who experience a light to medium flow should empty theirs every 10 to 12 hours. Note that after each time you empty your menstrual cup, it is advised that the cup be rinsed thoroughly to ensure that no bad odours linger. Once you familiarise yourself with the cup and your filling rate, those factors will determine how often you should empty and rinse your menstrual cup.
It is also safe to sleep while wearing the cup. Just ensure that the cup is emptied and rinsed out before catching a good night’s rest.
How do I keep my cup clean after cycles ?
The cleansing process is quite hassle-free. According to She Power, the cleaning process consists of boiling the cup for 3 to 5 minutes. Post boiling the cup, make sure that all the holes of the cup are clean and not clogged by any materials. After doing this step, the cup should be fresh and clean, ready for your next cycle usage. Do not use any form of detergents such as bleach or soaps, just plain water.
How long will my cup last for?
The reusable cup will save you plenty of money and last you approximately 10 years if taken proper care of. These silicon cups do not require much effort, just ensure that you wash them thoroughly and keep them clean at all times for hygiene purposes.
Want to learn how to insert the menstrual cup? Here is a video supplied by She Power to ease the process and guide you.
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