Manufacturers of the menstrual cup promise that with its regular use, a woman can forever forget about monthly spending on intimate hygiene products. As another bonus, the ability to wear any type of clothing, even the most tight-fitting, without fear of leaving stains on it. So what is a menstrual cup, and how do you use it in your daily life? More on this later in the article.
What do you need?
Today, this intimate hygiene item has several names - a menstrual cap, a cap, a bowl. First of all, those who come across it for the first time should study the instructions on how to use the menstrual cup correctly. The main purpose of the cap is to replace pads and tampons during monthly female bleeding. It is installed deep into the vagina and does not require frequent changes. From this it immediately becomes clear that when asked if a menstrual cup can be used for virgins, the answer will be no.
Benefits of using
The main positive feature of the mouth guard is that it does not absorb discharge. Unlike pads or tampons, there is no need to change the cup every time you go to the toilet. The manufacturer claims that the maximum amount of time the cap is inside the vagina from insertion to removal can be twelve hours. With heavy menstrual bleeding, it is recommended to adhere to the change interval every 2-3 hours.
Those who are worried about whether it is possible to use the menstrual cup at night, you can be assured that there are no difficulties when it is installed correctly. Moreover, a woman does not have to interrupt her plans (for example, swimming in the pool, active sports, running) during critical days. Secure cap closure eliminates the risk of leakage.
Doctors recommend using a menstrual cup for those who are used to using tampons. The cap does not have a tail of thread, like a tampon, which can be outside. This is especially frustrating when you have to change clothes, for example, in the common locker room of the gym. A menstrual cup for maintaining intimate hygiene is considered a more hygienic way. In some cases, it is noted that the discharge during the onset of critical days becomes less abundant, pain spasms disappear during critical days.
Product composition
The menstrual cup was invented back in 1932, but in those days, the moral education of women did not allow the product to gain popularity. In the 80s of the last century to himthey tried to return again, but the composition of the material (the bowl was made of latex) caused an allergic reaction in many. Almost 30 years later, the product is back on the market. But now the manufacturers have taken into account the shortcomings of their predecessors and offer the consumer a menstrual cup made of medical silicone or thermoplastic elastomers. This is an indisputable advantage, since the material is hypoallergenic, has an antibacterial effect, and does not cause skin irritation.
Latex products are still on sale, for example, at the Keeper trademark. True, this is already a higher quality and safer raw material than the one from which the menstrual cups of the last century were produced.
Different in shape
In order to understand how to use a menstrual cup and how to choose it for yourself, you should first decide on the size and shape. On sale there are mouthguards in the form of a diaphragm and bell-shaped. As for the first option, such a menstrual cup can be designed for single use or designed for one menstrual cycle. The second type is more versatile and is replaced once a year - it is suitable for regular use.
Since there are a lot of manufacturers of this newfangled gadget for women, they offer different mouthguards not only in the shape of the bowl itself, but also in the shape of the tail. It can be flat, pointed, in the form of a ring or ball, hollow.
Choice of cap size and density
Menstrual cupis selected depending on the length of the woman's vagina. Available in three sizes: small, medium and large. The Meluna brand has four of them. They differ in size not only in diameter, but also in volume. This makes the product more versatile and allows you to choose a cap based on the structural features of the vagina. Some manufacturers are completely limited to two (for example, Lunette): for young women who have not yet given birth (up to 30 years old) and for those who already have children (over 30 years old).
The volume of the menstrual cup is selected depending on how abundant the discharge is during critical days. Cap sizes can be from 38 mm to 47 mm, volume - from 23 ml to 42 ml. The total length along with the tail varies, and each manufacturer offers its own models. In general terms, this length varies from 42mm to 78mm.
Also, mouthguards differ in density: soft and firmer. For example, the cap manufacturer Meluna has three caps:
- "Sport" is the toughest;
- "Classic" - medium degree;
- "Soft" - softer material.
The more active a woman's lifestyle, the less it is worth choosing the size of the cap. In practice, it is noted that with regular physical activity and sexual activity, the muscles of the vagina are in good shape and more elastic. This explains the recommendations for choosing the right size.
How to apply?
If this way of maintaining hygiene is new for a woman, it is necessary to study howuse the menstrual cup as instructed. Before inserting into the vagina, it is important to sterilize it and wash your hands thoroughly. The cap should be bent so that it resembles two letters "C". To do this, the bowl is placed in the left hand, and with the index finger of the right one is pressed on its front wall and folded in half.
At first, it is recommended to insert the cap in the prone position, while the muscles of the vagina should be relaxed. It is more difficult to do this while sitting, and some skill is required. The further process is practically no different from the use of tampons. The menstrual cup should be placed directly at the cervix. When the mouth guard is inserted correctly, you can hear a click, which indicates that it has straightened and taken its position.
Extraction method
The second most asked question after using a menstrual cup is how to remove it? Many women speak negatively about this process, emphasizing that it is unhygienic and difficult to implement in a public place. We are talking about cleanliness and the inability to disinfect the bowl. Experienced users suggest having a second shift. This will allow you to replace the mouthguard in case of emergency and not leave marks on your clothes.
The process of removing the menstrual cup is quite simple, the main thing is not to rush. A woman is recommended to squat down and with clean hands reach the tip of the cap tail, press it lightly against the wall of the vagina and pull it down. Since there is blood inside, sudden movements should be avoided so as not to spill it past or ontoyourself.
How to take care of the bowl?
In addition to knowing how to use a silicone menstrual cup, it is important to follow the rules for caring for it. There are several ways:
- Sterilize the mouth guard in a special container, which can be purchased separately. It can be a cup or just a microwave container. As a matter of fact, the sterilization process takes place in them.
- Purchase a special liquid for disinfection: "Chlorhexidine" or "Miramistin", as well as solutions based on chlorhexidine. They have a small drawback, which is expressed in the need to keep the bowl in the solution for several hours.
- Some manufacturers offer special sterilization tablets. They are easy to use and are suitable when there is no way to disinfect the mouthguard in other ways.
Contraindications for use
The presence of diseases of the vagina, including infectious diseases, tumors or other neoplasms can become an obstacle in order to use the described intimate hygiene item. Therefore, it is recommended to first consult with a gynecologist about whether it is possible to use a menstrual cup. Most likely, the doctor will suggest alternative methods of hygiene. However, after the restoration of he alth or getting rid of the neoplasm, the possibility of using a cap will be quite likely.
There is one more contraindication that concerns young girls more. Since the instructions for use provide for a deep insertion of the capinside the vagina, then you can definitely answer the question in the negative: is it possible to use a menstrual cup for virgins. In order to avoid damage to the hymen, it is recommended to use other feminine hygiene items, in particular, pads, until the onset of sexual activity.
How to use it so it doesn't leak?
Many women worry that the menstrual cap may simply leak at the most inopportune moment. Therefore, it is important to understand how to use a menstrual cup. Its size is of great importance, and you can determine it at home. If a woman can reach the cervix with her index finger, then the vagina is considered to be short. In the case when it is difficult to do this or the finger does not reach the neck, it is deep or long. You can ask your gynecologist for help with choosing the right cap size or determining the depth of the vagina.
Skills to correctly install the mouthguard inside also do not come immediately. Experienced women in this matter recommend trying to install it before the onset of menstruation. Since the first use may take far from 5 minutes, it is best to do this in a relaxed home environment. Usually by the second or third cycle, this skill becomes a habit, and the insertion and fixation of the cap takes only a minute.
Is color important?
Having de alt with the principles of operation and how to use the menstrual cup, as well as with other aspects, the question may arise: what colorchoose a device? It would seem that there is no difference, but in the process of using women pay attention to the fact that transparent caps allow you to assess the degree of its purity, fullness. It turns out to be very convenient in everyday life. However, transparent menstrual cups show yellowing on the walls after repeated sterilization.
Those who are sensitive about the presence of dyes also prefer to choose caps without color. Even the fact that certified paint is used for such products does not stop skeptics.
Use safety
Having figured out what this newfangled device is for, some women are starting to puzzle over how else to use a menstrual cup. You can find many different recommendations on the Internet. But do not forget about what it is intended for. Despite the fact that the cap collects and keeps menstrual blood well inside, it is not recommended to use it immediately after childbirth. This is due to the fact that the muscles have already undergone severe stretching and do not immediately return to normal.
Doctors recommend not using tampons or cups until you have your regular period. As a rule, this takes up to six months after childbirth.
Reviews from women
Studying reviews on how to use a menstrual cup at work, many fear that they will not be able to change it in hygienic conditions. Only experienced users can dispel fears. Women who spend most of their time at work recommend taking specialsterilization tablets or a replaceable cap, wet wipes for intimate hygiene. This simple kit will keep your vagina clean and free of dirt.
In medical practice, there have been cases when, with prolonged use of the cap, a woman developed endometriosis. Do not lose sight of the fact that during sleep or active sports, part of the discharge may spill back. The ingress of blood into the uterus and provokes the development of the disease. This is because during critical days the cervix opens slightly and becomes available for microbes and viruses to enter.
