By: Linda Li'24
Earlier this year, I became fed up with pads and the sensation of going about my life in a pool of vaginal fluids during that time of the month. So, I looked to tampons as the obvious alternative. On my first go, I fumbled the application and writhed in pain for hours as a semi-inserted stick of cotton ceaselessly rubbed against my vaginal walls. I ended up calling a friend who provided much-needed emotional support before I could remove it.
Then, I turned my sights to a much more elusive product: menstrual cups. They’re made of medical-grade silicone or rubber, designed to collect menstrual blood in your vaginal canal, and can be worn for up to twelve hours. My nightmarish tampon experience caused me to dismiss the thought of ever inserting another foreign object up my nether region. Still, I couldn’t completely pass up the opportunity because menstrual cups produce less waste and are reusable for up to ten years.
Consider the 5.8 billion tampons sold in the U.S. in 2018 alone. That’s an incredible amount of plastic garbage, and over time, the costs of period products add up. To illustrate the growing popularity of menstrual cups, a clinical study found that ninety-one percent of women “said they would continue to use the cup and recommend it to others.”
Two cycles and lots of poking around my vulva later, it’s safe to say that I’m never going back to disposable period products.
I definitely panicked a lot in the beginning. Because I viewed my menstruation as an enemy, it only occurred to me after I started using a cup that I knew very little about how my body works. Ironically, my most intimate parts had always felt foreign to me. So, when finessing the cup forced me to confront my body in all its bloody and icky glory, I completely abandoned any leftover feelings of embarrassment. It got me involved in my period. From using my fingers to check the position of my cup to examining my actual flow and practicing insertion and removal in the shower (I highly recommend doing this), I learned to respect my body’s structure and abilities.
Besides the boost to self-esteem, menstrual cups can alleviate many period inconveniences. As busy college students, we don’t need these bloody problems occupying our precious time. Since cups effectively prevent blood from getting exposed to the air, the unpleasant period smell is practically nonexistent. And if you’ve ever experienced cramps, many cup users have reported reduced intensities of cramps—though no formal studies have been conducted yet.
Menstrual cups are also ideal for those who lead an active lifestyle; you can run, dance, swim, hike, do yoga—you name it—with less hassle and less pain. On lighter days, I can get away with emptying the cup just once in the morning and once more at night. Oh, did I mention that you can sleep with the cup? Yes, you can!
Of course, your first cup may not be the perfect one. You might be frustrated with the tricky insertion or find that it leaks. You might accidentally spill the contents. The good news: some popular brands have satisfaction guarantees that allow for free exchanges or refunds.
Most, if not all, menstrual cups should come with instructions on cleaning them before use, insertion folds and positions, removal tricks, and other useful tips. Nonetheless, getting used to the cup can be a steep learning curve. To give you a rundown of how it works, first, compress the cup into a shape that allows it to squeeze past your vaginal opening (check out this video for the different folds). It will “pop” open below the cervix, which is where it collects blood. The rim of the cup will create a suction force that keeps it in place. Rest assured, inserting a cup will not cause you to lose your “virginity.”
To remove it, gently pull on the stem of the cup until it meets resistance at your vaginal opening. Press your thumb against the front side and two other fingers against the back of the cup to flatten it—this will release the suction. With your fingers pressed against the cup, slowly wiggle it out and dump the fluids into the toilet bowl. Some people prefer to squat while doing this, as your pelvic muscles will help push it out. After each removal, simply rinse the cup with cold or warm water, paying extra attention to the tiny air holes. What about washing a cup in public restrooms, you ask? Here is a useful list of tips.
There are now roughly one hundred cup brands available to suit most people’s needs. Before you buy a cup, definitely do some research. From blogs like Put a Cup In It to YouTube channels, you can find plenty of resources to take you through each step of the way. Wirecutter, a product review site owned by the New York Times Company, also published a detailed comparison guide.
I previously thought there was no way around my period obstructing my daily routine. The smell, blood clots, dirty underwear, and cramps were unglamorous, to say the least. With a leap of faith, though, it seems that menstrual cups paved a path for less bothersome periods down the road. Although I’m no expert at using a cup—and it could take longer for some people to learn—it’s very reassuring to know that I wouldn’t get bogged down by period concerns every month. Not only is my body happier, but the absence of applicators, strings, and wrappers also makes me feel like a more responsible consumer.
The best part? I removed the cup without needing my friend over the phone to tell me to imitate muscle contractions during labor.
*Note: The article was republished due to website maintenance and grammatical issues. The original publication date is November 11th, 2020.
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