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Thinking about period care? The first thing that comes to mind is a tampon or pad. But there is a third option: menstrual cups. Surely, it is not your first time hearing about the menstrual cup. But if you have not used it, you will have tons of questions in your mind. You must have numerous questions, from how to use it to what the heck they are. Using a menstrual cup for the first time can be nerve-wracking. It is quite an intimate process and confusing too. Thus, you might not know what to do. So, this article is about familiarizing yourself with the menstrual cup. Are you ready, girls, to go on this wild ride?
What is a menstrual cup?
Menstrual cups are a type of feminine hygiene product that is also reusable. Many brands create menstrual cups, with Moxie menstrual cups being the best. It is a flexible, funnel-shaped small cup created using silicone or rubber. Women place it inside their vagina to collect period fluid, like blood and bodily fluid. The one-time investment is a bit more, but it is a reusable product after that. Also, a menstrual cup collects more blood than tampons and pads. Therefore, you can wear one cup for more than 10 hours.
How do I use a menstrual cup?
- First, clean your hands well. Next, sit or be in a position in which you feel comfortable. Some positions include sitting on your toilet with your knees apart or squatting.
- Apply water-based lube or water to the rim of the cup.
- Squeeze or fold the cup to insert it into the vagina. It is best to follow the directions that come with the cup. Also, practice when not on your period to determine the best way to use it.
- Remember to follow the steps you would follow when inserting a tampon without an applicator. Ensure it sits below the cervix.
- To know if you have placed it correctly, notice if you feel it in your vagina. If you do not, it means you are placing it correctly. Also, there should be no leakage, and the cup should be full only halfway.
- Until you understand how to use a menstrual cup well, wear a pad beneath it. That will ensure no leakage. After a few cycles, you will start wearing the cup correctly.
How do you buy the right menstrual cup for you?
There are multiple menstrual cup brands on the market. How do you find the right one for you? That is a question every first-time user has. To know this, take help from your gynecologist. Also, keep in mind these tips:
- Your age
- Length of the cervix
- Your flow quantity, Whether it is low, medium, or heavy
- Flexibility and firmness of the menstrual cup
- The capacity of the cup you are buying
- Whether you have given birth vaginally or not
If you go by the sizes, doctors will always recommend smaller cups for women under 30 or who have not delivered vaginally. Larger cups are for women over 30 who have heavy periods or have given birth vaginally.
When and how do I take the menstrual cup out?
When to take the cup out depends on your flow. Keep the cup inside the vagina for up to 12 hours if you have low or medium flow. However, if you have a heavy flow, take the cup out after 6–8 hours. In both cases, you can keep the cup overnight to prevent leakage. Always take it out after 12 hours (or before if it becomes full). Otherwise, it can cause vaginal infections.
To take it out, follow these steps:
- First, clean your hands.
- Place your thumb and index finger in the vagina. Pull the stem of your cup with gentle fingers until you reach its base.
- Pinch the cup’s base to release its seal. Pull down, and it will remove the cup.
- Empty the now-empty cup into the toilet.
Why should you use a menstrual cup?
The best reasons for using a menstrual cup are:
- It is eco-friendly. A single cup is reusable for many years. Thus, it reduces waste.
- It is comfortable to use. You do not feel the cup or get rashes when using the cup.
- It is affordable, as one cup lasts for years, and you do not have to buy the products every month, like with tampons or pads.
Does it hurt to use menstrual cups?
No! Once you insert the cups, you will not feel them at all. They are not even painful after you insert them. But it does take practice to reach this stage.
With the number of problems girls face daily, do not let periods be one of them. Ensure it does not ruin your clothes or mood using a sturdy period blood collection device, like a menstrual cup.
Isreal olabanji a dental assistant and public health professionals and has years of experience in assisting the dentist with all sorts of dental issues.
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