Have you heard about the menstrual cup? I've been using it for 7 months - this is my experience with the menstrual cup, the most common questions I'm asked and everything you need to know.
Right away: This experience with the menstrual cup is not for the faint of heart. :)
But absolutely worth reading and recommending. Once you've made the switch, you can't imagine doing anything else. But let's start from the beginning.
Because I know you have a lot of questions about it. I felt the same way at the beginning.
Table of contents
What is a menstrual cup?
Menstrual cups (also called menstrual cups or menstrual caps) are small cups made of soft plastic (made of TPE) or medical silicone (BTPE).
They are inserted during menstruation and collect the blood that flows from the cervix.
They are emptied as needed, rinsed with water and then reinserted. This not only protects the environment, but also your wallet.
One cup costs about 20 euros and can be used for 10 years.
If you compare that to the cost of pads or tampons, you can treat yourself to an extensive spa day every year :)
And let's face it, we could all use a lot more of that.
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The advantages of menstrual cups
After 7 months of testing, I can say something with certainty: I can't imagine myself using anything else. And that has several reasons.
- You save a lot of money, which is certainly better invested elsewhere :)
- They have no return thread dangling around - just gorgeous
- No unpleasant odors
- Menstrual cups are very comfortable to wear - even on light days. You do not "dry out
- Hardly any cases of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) known
- Your handbags are not full of tampons and pads
- Men's cups are easy to clean
- You do not feel them - not even during sports
- They last much longer than tampons
- Tampons and pads can contain chemicals
The small cups retain the blood and secretion almost airtight. Compared to tampons or pads, this means no unpleasant odors. Even if you haven't changed for a while.
On light days, the vaginal mucosa does not dry out. Removal and insertion is therefore not unpleasant. You can use the same cup from the first to the last day.
Your purse isn't stuffed full of tampons that tumble out at inopportune moments. Plus, you don't have to worry about forgetting your period products at home while you're on your period. You always have the cup with you during your period.
You need to change them less often than tampons. Even on heavy days it can be up to 8 hours depending on cup size. I change every 3-4 hours on strong days and every 6 hours otherwise.
When they are full, the secretion can flow out - there is no backlog. There is also no need to constantly watch out for the tampon's retrieval thread getting soaked when peeing.
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By the way, the cups made of hypoallergenic plastic come in many colors and different sizes. They are very flexible and soft. This makes the menstrual cups adapt to every woman. The color is mostly just a matter of taste. :)
Choosing the right menstrual cup
The men's cups are in trend. There are more and more dealers and manufacturers.
But the bottom line is that they are very similar. They are all made of hypoallergenic plastic. The sizes range from S to XL.
The choice of size depends on several factors
- Cervical position during the period
- The size of the tampons you use and strength of bleeding
- Your physical fitness and therefore the pelvic floor muscles
- Your age
- And whether you have already given birth to children
Most homepages have their own page where you can calculate the size. Many manufacturers have also set up hotlines where you can simply get advice on the phone. Don't be afraid to call!
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Once you have found the color and size, you can very often choose from different handles. The most common are stem, ball, ring or basic.
Personally I have the Lunette menstrual cup in use and am very happy with her. It is very tight, fits well and is not felt.
It's also particularly easy to remove because you can grip it really well with your fingers. By the way, in the photos this is the purple cup.
If you want, you can make a Order menstrual cup online*. However, they are now also available in drugstores.
The 5 most frequent questions from my girlfriends
First of all: You don't feel the menstrual cup at all after insertion. You can think of it as a tampon, except that you don't have an annoying string dangling around.
Many of my friends always ask me questions about it. These I have collected here for you :) Because I know that you still have questions about it.
1. how does the handling of the cup work at work?
Before you go to work, you empty the Menstasse at home. On the strong days it is full after about 4 to 6 hours.
Ideally, you have a sink by the toilet. You empty the contents into the toilet and rinse the cup with water.
Then simply reinsert it and you're done. As an alternative, you can also buy a second one and let the first one disappear in the small bag - which is included - after wiping it out.
On weak days you only need to change the menstasse every 8 hours.
2. what do I do when I'm on the road and don't have a sink to rinse out?
Take a small bottle of water with you to the bathroom. If you don't want to, you can just use toilet paper to wipe it out.
At home, rinse the cup with water. Blood stains on the cup are best cleaned with cold water. If you want to avoid discoloration, rinse the cup first with cold water and then with warm water.
However, since you rarely need to change the menstrual cup anyway, the problem is much smaller than you might think now.
3. do menstrual cups leak?
Only if they do not fit properly or you have the wrong size. With me it was leaking at the beginning. After changing the size, everything is tight.
Also when running or other sports that are very movement-intensive. If you have used them correctly, the Menstasse also does not slip.
4. can you go swimming with the menstasse?
Yes, if you feel fit enough, you can do any sport. Especially on the lighter days, it's absolutely no problem.
You can also visit the sauna without any problems. No one will notice that you are having your period.
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5. how time-consuming is the change?
Granted: At first very. Until you have found the right technique. You just must not give up!
With me it also took 2 cycles until I got it right. Now it goes as fast as with a tampon. With your thumb and index finger you press the bottom of the cup together.
This releases the vacuum. Then you simply grab the ring, stem or ball and pull on it. Done.
If you can't grasp the cup with your fingers, just squeeze a little.
When changing, you will notice that the blood is not like normal blood, but pulls threads. This is quite normal.
You just don't notice it with tampons. Here you should have a toilet paper at hand, so that you do not stick.
My menstrual cups experience
I read about Menstassen by chance over half a year ago and immediately ordered one from Amazon. Manufacturers are now a dime a dozen. The Lunette seemed the most trustworthy and I was not disappointed.
In a few days, the menstrual cup was also already in the mailbox, waiting to be tested.
What a luck that day 1 is a Saturday was. The ideal test conditions. By the way, I recommend this to everyone: Start the first test run on a day when you don't have to work and also don't have to be out of the house for a short time or at all.
Help. What really helps against PMS?
Until you find the Technology Once you've got the cup in the right place, it can take a while.
Granted: The first two cycles were not the hammer. The menstrual cup was leaking and somehow I was a little clumsy. What's the saying? Practice makes perfect. Don't give up! Once you figure it out, you'll never want anything else.
At the beginning, I emptied the small cup every 2 hours. On the one hand because I did not know how full it was and on the other hand because it was not completely tight.
Which menstasse is the best?
It is difficult to say. Because it depends entirely on your body.
Among other things, from whether you
- have already given birth to a child,
- Virgin are,
- you have a heavy or light menstrual period,
- have a low or high cervix during the days.
And age also plays a role.
If you order a menstrual cup, you will receive a lot of useful information about cups and periods in the package.
Also, with very many, a small cloth pouch or case in which you can store the cup.
What's also important to me is that many manufacturers advertise that the Menstasse is "healthier" for the body and have it made overseas. So mega cheap. That's why you can often get two pieces online for just 12 euros - but I'd keep my hands off of them.
Somehow it doesn't fit together, does it? Cups can be made of TPE, medical grade silicone or rubber. Make sure your cup is made of medical grade silicone (BTPE).
The difference between BTPE and TPE cups is the material property. Plastic (TPE) cups lose strength after time, they react to body heat and become soft.
That's why they often don't seal so well. The properties of medical silicone, on the other hand, remain unchanged.
And yes, admittedly: The great colors have also influenced me a little. I like it colorful :) But it's purely a matter of taste.
The menstrual cup during sports
Many women worry that their menstrual cup will slip during sports. I was also afraid of that at first. But I can reassure you.
If you have inserted the cup correctly, it will lie perfectly under the cervix. The vacuum holds it firmly and tightly.
For sports, the cup is really great. You don't feel it, it keeps tight, there is no annoying thread and you rarely need to change it.
I have also been swimming with it. Everything no problem :)
These are possible reasons for a leaking menstrual cup
- The cup is too big
- Your menstrual cup is too small
- It has not opened properly
- You pushed it past the cervix (portio)
The first few nights I slept anything but relaxed. But I never left a mess behind. Because somehow I always woke up instinctively when something went wrong.
The first two times, a bad feeling accompanied me throughout. The fear that I had not used them properly was great.
A washable cloth bandage can save you from surprises. You can simply put it in the washing machine at 60°.
My Tip: Try the different folding techniques. For me, the C-fold works best. And take plenty of time!
After the third time, I had the hang of it. Nevertheless, I used an additional sanitary napkin at the beginning. Just in case, you should be prepared. Especially at work.
From the fourth time I used only the cup. The change itself now takes Only a few minutes. On strong days I change after 3-4 hours and on weak after about 6 hours. But you can wear the cup purely theoretically for 8 hours.
My conclusion
I can hardly imagine life without a menstrual cup. Yes, you have to learn how to use it, but it goes relatively quickly. With the money you save, you can treat yourself to a spa day or do other great things.
Tampons and sanitary towels can contain chemicals. Bleaching agents and the like are harmful to the body and have no place in us. And you're not doing the environment any favors either. Did you know that you can replace 2000 tampons with one menstrual cup?
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