In recent years we hear about it more and more frequently. Many women now make constant use of it and some are fully satisfied, so much so that they speak of a "revolution". We are talking about the menstrual cup, and in this article we will give you all the information you need.

What is the menstrual cup?

Let's start with the basics.

The menstrual cup is a bell-shaped medical device that is inserted into the vagina to collect the menstrual flow.

Which certified and safe are always produced in medical silicone, which is why they very rarely cause allergies or have contraindications.

One always thinks - wrongly! - whether it is a relatively recent "fashion" but only because the advent of the internet and social networks have favored word of mouth and knowledge.

Just think that the first menstrual cup was invented as early as 1930!

Menstrual cup in your hands

In those years in America the Taxes, a small cup designed and produced by Leona Chalmers and made mainly of rubber. The production was then interrupted by the war and, even when it was resumed, it did not have such a great diffusion.

The reasons may be various, but certainly the cultural taboo affected a lot: the woman did not feel at ease and "morally" calm to insert a foreign body inside the body, especially since it was even considered scandalous to even use the word "vagina".

The history of this American company continues until the 60s, when, despite various failures and changes of names, it managed to make itself known in Holland and to create a second type of cup: disposable and in a material called polymer elastomer.

But the real revolution only happened in the 80s.

In fact, the always American cup was made Keeper, in natural rubber that still holds the record as the best known menstrual cup in the States.

As for Europe, in 2000 the UK played a major role with the production and marketing of mooncup, still the most famous cup of the Old Continent.

I am currently over 20 brands of cups on the market and suitable for any type of woman. Need solo knowing how to choose between the dozens and dozens of cups available!

How to use?

Having understood what it is and made a brief mention of its history, it is now essential to understand how to use the menstrual cup.

Buying it online or directly at the pharmacy makes no difference (as long as it has all the certifications required by the European Union or the United States).

In any case, before being used for the first time, it is recommended to boil the cup (on the stove or in the microwave, as you like) for at least 5 minutes.

Only then will it be possible to use it: insert it into the vagina and position it to collect the menstrual flow.

According to the producers, it is possible to keep it for a period ranging from 6 up to a maximum of 12 consecutive hours, depending on the extent of the flow. "Change the cup”Means emptying it, rinsing it rigorously with cold water and without aggressive soaps and then repositioning it.

There are numerous videos on the web on how to insert the menstrual cup correctly. We recommend that you take a look to find out more!

At the end of menstruation, the cup is then washed, boiled and put back in a cotton bag so that it is ready to be used the following month.

How do you choose?

As mentioned above, the menstrual cup offering is now really wide.

Menstrual cup in your hands

The one your friend loves may not necessarily be the right cup for you. Nor, on the contrary, that the one with which your friend has found herself very badly is not made for you.

The answer to this question is: it depends!

The characteristics to consider and to evaluate for the choice of the cup are different:

  • Age
  • Pregnancies and types of childbirth
  • Entity of the flow
  • State of the pelvic floor
  • Height of the cervix
  • Any sensitivities (infections, cystitis, scars, pains, etc.)

The last three factors can be measurable alone or you can enlist the help of a gynecologist and a professional in pelvic floor rehabilitation.

Based on these details, you can then choose the cup that exactly matches your characteristics.

Generally speaking, it can be stated that:

  • Women who have never had children and who are under 30 can use one size S.
  • Women who have had children or who are over 30 can use the size M.

This simplification, however, is only purely indicative since to understand the tone of the right cup (soft, semitonic, tonic) it is also and above all necessary to consider the factors mentioned above.

What do gynecologists think?

Gynecologists agree and recommend the menstrual cup.

The reasons are different:

The cup collects menstrual flow, it does not absorb it unlike tampons, so it avoids the feeling of vaginal dryness.

It can also be used - and above all - in the case of abundant menstruation since it collects up to 3 times more menstrual blood than other classic devices;

At the moment there are no contraindications o certain cases of TSS linked to the use of the menstrual cup;

It can be used by those suffering from latex allergy (present in traditional tampons and sanitary pads) because they are made entirely of surgical silicone and also those who suffer from allergy to medical silicone because there is the MeLuna cup, made of TPE;

Women withretroverted uterus and those who suffer from endometriosis;

The cup it is more hygienic tampons and sanitary pads e it is not a vehicle for bacterial proliferation and infections IF the most basic hygiene rules are followed:

  • wash your hands before touching it,
  • empty it within a maximum of 12 hours,
  • clean it as per the instructions on the package.

How many years can it be used?

The duration of the menstrual cup varies by brand.

Each producer indicates a range of time that goes from 1 to 10 years consecutively; in general it is advisable to buy another one every 2-3 years since this is the period in which the quality of the material of the cup is guaranteed.

In any case, it depends on each cup, it can take on a darker color or lighten, or it can lose elasticity or damage, so it must be replaced.

But it also depends on the change in the personal characteristics of each woman.

A woman who has given birth will not be able to use the cup for at least 6 weeks after the end of the pregnancy and in most of the times the one used before will no longer work. It will therefore be necessary to repeat the evaluation procedure for choosing the right menstrual cup.

How much?

Menstrual cup - costs and savingsThe prices of these devices vary from 10 to 40 euro.

Whereas one woman spends much more a year on sanitary pads and tampons, the cost it's not that high! Furthermore, it it will be amortized with use of the cup within a few months.

Another factor to consider and which somehow justifies the price is that it is absolutely ecological. Its use significantly reduces waste that would otherwise end up in landfills and which are considered very polluting and difficult to dispose of.

Final houghts

Considering an increasingly strong attention to the environment and to respect and knowledge of one's body, and overcoming any taboo that is still more or less marked, the cup seems to be the best solution that we all expected.

The menstrual cup gives the woman that freedom and practicality that was unthinkable until recently.

Personally I can bring my positive testimony in the use of this device and I really recommend it to everyone!

And you, are you ready to experience your period in a more peaceful way?

Menstrual cup - woman

Menstrual cup: everything you need to know to better live your femininity last edit: 2018-02-16T11:18:27+01:00 da Sabrina Fury

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