In today’s world, more people are looking into ways to reduce their use of products with chemicals, as well to reduce overall waste. One product women are looking to change is their tampon or pad. Something known as the menstrual cup has gained popularity over the last few years since it can reduce waste, has low cost, and has a long period of use (Parihar, 2019). According to research done in 2011, women spend approximately $37.44 per year on tampons/pads, which is the same cost as some of the reusable menstrual cups (Howard, 2011). However, there is a learning curve to using one of these cups. Women who had previously used tampons and transitioned to the menstrual cup noted during their first cycle a very low satisfaction with the menstrual cup. But, by the third cycle the women actually preferred the menstrual cup to tampons and made the switch permanently. If you have not already investigated the menstrual cup, here is a breakdown. A menstrual cup is made of silicone which is shaped like a cup with a little stem at the end. The stem is set to a one-size-fits-all and needs to be cut according to the size you need after insertion. The manufacturer’s directions describe insertion, wearing, and removal. During insertion, it is important to realize 2 things: 1) the cup does not go in as far as you think, and 2) a seal must be created. When removing the menstrual cup, it is very important to release the seal prior to pulling it out in order to help reduce issues with suction which have occurred in some situations. Most companies will provide you with instructions, some even have videos, about insertion, removal, and cleaning of the product. However, you may still have some questions about the instructions such as “how much do I need to insert?” or even “is it okay to bear down to remove the cup?” These are all great questions and you may have even more so, if you are looking to use a product like this and would like assistance in answering your questions, how to fit, insert, and reme the menstrual cup please call our office for an appointment at (267) 308-5330.
Parihar M. Can Menstrual Cup be an Alternative for Better Menstrual Hygiene Management? A Review. Nursing Journal of India. 2019;110(1):8-13. http://search.ebscohost.com.neumann.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=135611822&site=ehost-live. Accessed April 2, 2020.
Howard C, Rose CL, Trouton K, et al. FLOW (finding lasting options for women): multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing tampons with menstrual cups. Canadian Family Physician. 2011;57(6):e208-15. http://search.ebscohost.com.neumann.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=108190305&site=ehost-live. Accessed April 2, 2020.
Day S. A retained menstrual cup. International Journal of STD & AIDS. 2012;23(5):367-368. http://search.ebscohost.com.neumann.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=104454413&site=ehost-live. Accessed April 2, 2020.