Menstrual cups are reusable feminine hygiene products. Unlike a tampon or sanitary pad, women can wash and reuse their cup. This saves both money and the environment. What’s not to like about that?
The Benefits of Using a Menstrual Cup
Data from 2019 revealed that women spend, on average, $13.25 each month on products for their period, typically tampons and pads. Not only is that a significant expense (in poorer communities, period poverty can cause girls to miss school every month because they can’t afford to buy feminine hygiene products), but most used tampons and sanitary pads end up in landfill sites.
Switching to a menstrual makes a lot of sense. But with so many brands to choose from, how can women be certain they are making the right choice?
Let’s find out.
Size Matters
As with many things in life, size matters when choosing a menstrual cup.
Menstrual cups come in different sizes. No two women have the same body, so it stands to reason that a one-size-fits-all approach is never going to work. Manufacturers have designed menstrual cups in a range of different sizes to accommodate all women.
Check the Height of Your Cervix
Some women have a high cervix, some have a low one. Look for a menstrual cup that suits your cervix height. Some cups are longer than others. In addition, the shape of the cup is relevant, as a V-shaped cup tends to be longer.
This link tells you how to check the height of your cervix; experts recommend you do this at different points in your cycle and buy more than one menstrual cup if there is a big difference between the start of your period and the end.
As well as the length of the cup, some cups are wider than others. Older women and those who have had a vaginal birth tend to have a wider vaginal canal. For them, a larger menstrual cup is more likely to stay in place better.
Generally speaking, younger women (aged 30 and under) will be fine with a smaller cup. If you have never used a tampon or had sex, go with the smallest cup.
If you’re not sure which size of menstrual cup is right for you, try taking a menstrual cup quiz – it asks a series of questions to narrow down the available brands. This will help you make an informed decision before you buy.
Check What the Cup is Made Of
Do you have any allergies? If you are allergic to latex, which some women are, it’s best to pay close attention to what materials are used in the manufacture of a menstrual cup. If a cup contains rubber or latex, avoid. Instead, go for a hypoallergenic brand that is made from medical-grade silicone and doesn’t contain any BPA.
Flow Rate
Most women lose around 6-8 teaspoons of blood when they have their period, although it often feels like a whole lot more.
However, flow rate can be much heavier, especially in peri-menopausal women. Because of this, it is important to factor in your flow rate when choosing a menstrual cup. Different brands of cup have different capacities. If you have heavy periods, look for a menstrual cup that can cope with a higher capacity.
Cup Softness
Do you have a sensitive bladder? Lots of women do and any pressure against their bladder is uncomfortable. For this reason, a softer cup may be more comfortable, as it won’t exert as much outward pressure on the bladder. Women who suffer from bad period cramps will also prefer using a softer menstrual cup.
Choose a firmer menstrual cup if you have good pelvic floor tone and you like to work out a lot. A firmer cup will form a stronger seal and is less likely to leak when you jump around.
Brand Reviews
Reading reviews is a useful way of gauging how responsive a brand is when the buyer has problems. Whilst it is important to buy a menstrual cup that fits, you also need to be sure a brand has good customer service in the event you have issues with your order. Avoid any brands with a low customer service rating – it’s not worth the risk, especially if you place an online order.
Once you have switched to a menstrual cup, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it ages ago. They really are an amazing invention!
