Menstrual cup - an alternative to the tampon?
What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup, also Menstasse, moon cup, Mooncup, Ladycup, Dicacup, Femmecup, menstrual cup, moon cup, menstrual cup or Menstruationsglöckchen called (menstrual cup), is a cup-like vessel made of medical, soft silicone, natural rubber or medical plastic TPE, the Monthly hygiene serves. It is introduced into the vagina during menstruation and catches the menstrual fluid there. However, the hygiene product is not an invention of recent years: as early as the 1930s, there were first models in the American market.
Unlike tampons or bandages, menstrual cups do not absorb the secretion but store the menstrual blood (up to 30 milliliters). If the cup is full, it is not thrown into the trash, but carefully removed, emptied, thoroughly rinsed under the tap and then reinstated. Manufacturers like Me Luna, Ruby Cup or Lunette advertise with the advantage that it can be used for up to ten years. However, there are also disposable models.
What are the advantages of a menstrual cup?
- Most women who choose a menstrual cap do so for environmental and financial reasons. Since it can be reused for years with proper care and cleaning, no garbage is produced. Calculated on the duration of use, menstruation caps are also much cheaper than other products for the monthly hygiene.
- Since a menstrual cup has a capacity of up to 30 ml, it must be emptied less often than a tampon must be changed. She can stay in the vagina for up to 12 hours to absorb the menstrual secretions.
- According to the manufacturers, a menstrual bell is suitable for women who are prone to allergies, infections or fungi, because the vagina does not dry out - unlike tampons.
- Wherever it is difficult to procure or dispose of a sanitary article, such as cloth, for example, when there is no trash can, or when traveling through under-developed areas, the reusable containers may be of use.
- Because the blood does not leave the body, as in the case of bandages, less unpleasant odors develop during menstruation. According to the manufacturers, a Ladycup also holds tight when it is full - unlike a fully-saturated tampon.
- There are no reports of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) related to the menstrual cup. But the risk of the shock syndrome may be reduced.
- Exercising is also not a problem with the menstrual caps - which is difficult when you wear cloth.
What are the disadvantages of having a menstrual cup?
In public toilets, where the sink is usually located in a shared vestibule, washing out the menstrual cup is a bit tricky. Manufacturers advise women to carry a small water bottle in their purse to rinse the cap in the toilet cubicle. Alternatively, it can be wiped out with toilet paper.
A bit of overcoming and practice requires the insertion and control of a menstrual cup already. Even the sight of one's own, collected blood is unusual at the beginning. The right cleaning and feminine hygiene feel some as consuming.
How do I introduce the menstrual cup?
There are different folding techniques (e.g., the folding techniques "heart", "shell", "triangle") for inserting the men's cup. Detailed instructions are provided by the manufacturers on their websites. Which posture is the most comfortable, every woman has to find out for herself. The nice thing about it: There is no annoying thread game.
In addition to the thorough hand washing is also important to leave some air in the menstrual cup, so that it can unfold in the vagina to the cup shape. Moistening with water or lubricant may make insertion easier. Whether he sits properly, can be felt with his fingers. Through the vaginal muscles as well as the resulting vacuum, the cup can not slip and therefore no blood leaking.
How do I remove the menstrual cup?
The easiest way to remove the menstrual cup in a slight squat. With the aid of the pelvic floor muscles, the menstrual cup can be "pressed out" of the vagina. At the same time, one carefully pulls with the fingers at the end of the cup.
How do I cleanse and care for the menstrual cup?
Before first use, the menstrual cup should be sterilized in boiling water for a few minutes. Again, manufacturers give an accurate guide.
During the period when you have emptied the menstrual cup and you want to use it again, first rinse thoroughly with clear water or wiping with toilet paper.The cup can also be cleaned with warm water and a mild soap (or a special intimate soap). If no running water is available, manufacturers also offer special cleaning wipes for on the way. Every two days a basic cleaning should be done with boiling water or special cleaners.
This also applies after the period before the menstrual cup is stored in the bag provided. The cup should not be cleaned in the dishwasher as the dishwashing detergents can adhere to the silicone and thus damage the vaginal flora.
How do I find the right size for me?
A menstrual cup must seal well, must not slip and should also be easy to insert and remove. Who is rather small and dainty built or has a strong pelvic floor muscles through sports, it should try with a small cup. For women who have already born a child, usually the larger models are suitable. More important than the strength of the menstrual period is that the menstrual cup fits the body. On their websites manufacturers give detailed tips for sizing.
And what do specialists from the menstrual cup think?
Even among experts, the ghosts are different. "Some of my patients use such menstrual cups and are very satisfied with it, they are coping well with the insertion and emptying," reports gynecologist Yasmin Sabri, who practices in Hamburg. "How often with a stronger rule a change is required and to what extent the blood actually remains only in the cup, I could not find out yet." Women who use a menstrual cup, however, are still true pioneers (and by no means flower children, who rely solely on natural cosmetics): "Too bad, because from an ecological point of view, I would very much welcome," says Yasmin Sabri.
Kai Bühling, specialist in gynecology and obstetrics and president of the German Society for Women's Health e.V., is more critical of the menstrual cups: "This cap is so unhygienic that probably the vast majority of colleagues do not have it in their offer." In addition, it could come to infections by the backwater in the funnel. "The cleaning is not easy and the benefits compared to a tampon in my opinion, not really recognizable," said Bühling.
It's like so often: In the end, every woman has to decide for herself whether a menstrual cup is a good alternative to tying or tampons. And just try it.
Where can I buy a menstrual cup?
Although the patent was registered for the menstrual cup as early as 1937, they are still relatively unknown in comparison to sanitary napkins or tampons. Meanwhile, you can even buy them at dm and in some health food stores. You can also order them in the online shops of manufacturers like MeLuna, Lunette, LadyCup, Yuuki or Ruby Cup. They cost between 15 and 30 euros. New on the market is the Looncup - a men's cup with an app. Also new is the "Lily Cup Compact", a foldable Mooncup that fits in any handbag!
Small and always with you: The foldable menstrual cup.
© GynialThe soft pink "Lily Cup" silicone cup can be folded up tiny and stored in a flat box to save space. In a compact state, the menstrual cup is almost as small as a tampon - and can be taken anywhere at any time! Unfolded, it offers the same leakage protection as a normal menstrual cup - it can be worn in the body for up to ten hours before it needs to be rinsed with water or a cleaning solution.
Not convinced yet? These 4 facts will change your mind!
1. Menstrual cups are good for the environment
With every period you also produce a lot of garbage: Products such as tampons and sanitary napkins are used by the tons of tons per year and are thus a problem for the environment. To put it concretely, women in England alone claim to use around 4.3 billion disposable hygiene products each year. Given this number, it is not surprising that a menstrual cup is much more environmentally friendly because it can be used again and again - once purchased.
2. Ladycups are unbeatable in price
Since you do not have to throw away the menstrual cup after each use, but according to the manufacturer can use three to four years, worth the purchase. A so-called moon cup costs between 15 and 30 euros. By comparison, on average, women spend between 30 and 100 euros a year on tampons and sanitary napkins. That makes a minimum saving of 60 euros and a maximum saving of 385 euros.
3. Different sizes are available for mugs
The menstrual cup is available in different sizes. If you are rather small and daintily built, you should make do with a smaller cup. Larger women are better off to a larger version. It also matters whether you have already had a child - and how strong your bleeding is. If you decide to buy, the manufacturer gives detailed tips for the size choice.
4. Practice makes perfect - even with the menstrual cup
In the beginning, the menstrual cup is certainly unfamiliar.You can introduce them sitting or standing, depending on what you prefer. For her to fit perfectly, she must be completely unfolded. Only in this way can it offer the maximum capacity and be tight. The application takes at least as much practice as the initial introduction of a tampon. A little tip: It makes sense to moisten the cup with water or water-soluble lubricant.
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