Menstruation is a normal bodily function and a sign of reproductive health. There are few solutions available to control menstruation. Furthermore, ignorance, prejudice, cost and safety fears can prevent girls and women from trying the full range of products available.
The lack of affordable and effective menstrual products can cause leaks and chafing in girls and women who menstruate and can affect their health. The use of poor quality materials has been shown to predispose women to an increased risk of urogenital infections, including bacterial vaginosis.
The menstrual cup is not commonly known, despite its long history. Like tampons, menstrual cups are inserted into the vagina, but the blood collects in the receptacle, which it can contain 25 to 35 ml of blood.
The menstrual cup should be emptied every 8-12 hours., depending on the menstrual flow and the type of cup. There is two types of cup available, a vaginal cupwhich is usually bell-shaped and placed in the vagina, and a cervical cupwhich, like a diaphragm for contraception, is placed around the cervix high in the vagina.
Menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, rubber, latex, or elastomer and can last up to 10 years.
Even though menstrual cups have certain advantages, they also have their disadvantages.
Advantages of using menstrual cups
It’s good for the environment
Perhaps the most compelling feature when it comes to menstrual cup pros and cons is the cup’s positive impact on the environment. menstrual cups do not produce waste in the form of single-use disposables. Therefore, switch to monthly hygiene products reusable it is a step in the right direction for the environment. A little help goes a long way By using a menstrual cup you can save 528 tampons in 2 years.
Your wallet will thank you.
A box of tampons or pads can be expensive, especially when you need to buy a new box every month. In Spain, the average person will spend more than 1,000 euros in menstrual products during her lifetime. However, when using a menstrual cup, you can save money and not have to think about buying tampons or pads every month. You may notice that your cup discolors or stains after a while, which it is perfectly normal. But even if you decide to change your menstrual cup after a few years, you’ll still save on tampons and disposable tampons.
You don’t have to be changing it every so often
Manufacturers recommend changing tampons every 4 to 8 hours, and pads usually every 8 hours or so. One of the benefits of a menstrual cup is that you can use it for up to 12 hours. This is due to the increased capacity of the menstrual cup, which is a significant increase. Pads can hold 10-15 ml of blood, while super absorbent tampons can hold 12 ml of fluid. Depending on the size of your cup, the capacity can range from 25 to 35 ml. This means you can go longer without having to empty the bowl.
Maintains the proper balance of your vagina
We all know how important vaginal health is. Any small change in the body, such as stress, diet or medication, can cause an imbalance. compresses can create a hot and humid environment that encourages the growth of bacteria and can increase infection. These unwanted bacteria can cause a lot of discomfort and irritation. On the other hand, Tampons can also upset your body’s natural pH balance. Highly absorbent tampons can absorb all of the normal (good) bacteria in the vagina, as well as menstrual blood. The removal of these good bacteria, as well as from your blood, can cause an imbalance in your pH levels. a menstrual cup it doesn’t absorb anything, it picks it up. As a result, the natural fluids produced by your body are collected and then expelled. Does not dry, absorb or irritate. This helps you to have a happy and balanced vagina.
does not leave odor
Unfortunately, when blood is exposed to air, it has an unpleasant odor. And if you use pads, there is no way to prevent this from happening. Although it is completely natural, it is something that many are ashamed of. But there is a way to reduce the odor and feel more confident during your period. One of the great benefits of using a menstrual cup is reducing bad odors. Since the menstrual cup collects blood from your body, the blood is not exposed to the air. And since it hasn’t been exposed to air for a long time, your blood can’t produce odors.
Disadvantages of using menstrual cups
May be difficult to insert at first
Like the first time you put in a tampon, even though you thought it would be easy, It’s actually more difficult than it seems. But after using it for the next few periods, it becomes much easier. Your body begins to relax and before you know it, you can change your tampon with your eyes closed. The same goes for menstrual cups. It takes several times to master it. But once you know how to do it, you will be able to empty the cup and reinsert it without any problem. Some people may consider this a scam as it requires some practice and can take some time.
At first it can be a bit annoying
This will depend on each personbut it is normal at the beginning of using the menstrual cup that it may bother a little, since it requires inserting the cup in the middle of the vagina. Even so, then you get used to it and you no longer feel any discomfort.
You have to take care and sanitize your menstrual cup
Unlike disposable menstrual products, You must take care of your menstrual cup. This means sterilizing your menstrual cup between each menstrual cycle and checking for signs of wear. Dr. Nathan Riley explains that menstrual cups can be removed and replaced without cleaning and this will not increase the risk of infection. But at the end of your period, you can easily sterilize the cup in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, just be careful not to burn the silicone.
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Pictures | istock