Written by Shelly-Ann Weeks
When it comes to menstrual products, most of us are familiar with sanitary pads and tampons. However, the world of menstrual products has opened up to include some very interesting, reusable products like the menstrual cup, among others. The menstrual cup is a small funnel-shaped device usually made form medical grade silicone that is used as a catchment unit for period blood. This device is used by folding it, inserting it into the vagina and securing it at the base of the cervix. The cup is placed where the blood is directly deposited into the device and it creates a seal that helps to prevent spills.
Using the menstrual cup has its pro’s and con’s
PROS
Convenience – You can wear the menstrual cup up to 8 hours depending on how heavy you flow. Put it in the morning and go about your day, you can urinate when you want, even defecate. If you need to change throughout the day, it’s easy to remove, clean and re-insert.
Cost – The initial investment of the cup is high in comparison to the disposable products. However, since it’s a re-usable item, it pays for itself over time. It actually becomes cheaper eventually with repeated use.
Less infections and allergies – So many women have issues with disposable products because they have allergic reactions to some of the materials that are used to make the products. The cup also prevents toxic shock syndrome because the blood is contained in the cup.
CONS
Culture Shock – Seeing the menstrual cup for the first time can be daunting and figuring out how to use it can take some time and effort. For some persons, the idea of getting so intimate with the body is very jarring.
Infrastructure – The way most public bathrooms are set up makes it difficult to wash and reinsert the menstrual cup especially if the bathroom is full. Currently some persons who use the cups walk with a small bottle of water or wipes so they can clean the cup as needed.
Cost – Even though the cup pays for itself over time, the initial cost can be prohibitive for the person who may not have that money up front. Hopefully as the popularity of the cup increases, it will become more affordable.
Reusable products are getting more popular as more women become more aware of the benefits. As the conversation about protecting the environment gains more momentum, reusable products like the menstrual cup will become a more viable option. The idea of inserting a small cup into the vagina can be scary to many women but I think it’s a good idea to try the products to see how they work.