#GirlTalk: Everything You Need to Know About Menstrual Cups

Let’s be honest, periods suck. Every single thing about them suck, unless you just found out you’re not pregnant! Then good for you sister! But every other thing about them, does, from PMS to discomfort and also cost. When it comes to periods, there aren’t a lot of options, whether you buy tampons or pads. Or at least that’s how it used to be, now there is a third option: menstrual cups. It is surprising not everyone knows about menstrual cups, since they were patented on 1930. Anyways, I decided to try it out and share my experience with you!

Why should you switch to menstrual cups?

There are a few reasons why menstrual cups are better than tampons and pads. Probably one of the most important, is that it is eco-friendly. While tampons and pads aren’t reusable, you can use a menstrual cup several times, and by several I mean even years. Can you even imagine how much waste every women produces because of tampons and pads? That would be dramatically reduced by switching to menstrual cups.

Another reason is that menstrual cups are way cheaper. I got mine from Peach Life Inc and it is about $19 while 36 tampons are about $7 dollars. The price depends on the brand, I know some cups are also like $30 or even $40. But even if you buy the most expensive one, you will save money long-term.

PS. You can find Peach Life menstrual cups on Amazon, and their Instagram is @PeachLifeInc.

Aside of that, I personally find menstrual cups way more comfortable than pads or tampons. And they’re also more convenient, since they can be worn overnight or up to 12 hours. Wearing a menstrual cup is is similar to wearing a tampon, at first, it feels weird and uncomfortable but then you forget it is even there.

Another thing is that as you can already imagine, menstrual cups are leak free, just like tampons.

How do you insert it?

When I first started using tampons I was not a big fan because I didn’t feel comfortable wearing them. So, when I decided to try menstrual cups, I was a little but scared they’d be as uncomfortable as tampons at first. But I was wrong, I’m not going to lie the first time was a struggle… but I got used to it pretty quickly.

First of all, it doesn’t hurt at all. It might feel uncomfortable the first couple times, but you’ll eventually get used to it and it is way less uncomfortable than tampons. I’m not going to lie, in order to start using a menstrual cup you have to be comfortable with yourslef, since it isn’t as simple as inserting a tampon, it involves more interaction with your body. You really have to get in there and it can get messy sometimes, especially the first couple times.

Anyways, I’m pretty sure there are different ways to insert it and to fold it, but it is simple. I think the easiest way to insert it, is folding it in a U form. The way you fold it, will serve as suction, which is one of the reasons why menstrual cups work. If you don’t get it in the first time, just relax and keep trying. Remember your first time using a tampon, you probably struggled a bit, but then it worked. It may feel weird at the beginning but trust me, you’re doing it just fine. The way to know you inserted it well, it’s when it doesn’t feel uncomfortable, but then again it might take you a couple times to get used to it.

How do you take it out? Can it get lost up there?

Okay people, it won’t get lost up there, it’s not like your vagina is an endless black tunnel. So, don’t be scared, it won’t stay stuck up there. First of all, just as you have to wash your hands before inserting it, you have to wash your hands before taking it out. If you struggle taking it out the first couple times, don’t freak out, everything will be fine. As you can see in the picture, my menstrual cup has a ring on it, so I try to just pull it, and then I pinch the bottom to make it come out easier.

While you are taking it out, you should be extra careful because you could spill the blood. So, take your time to do it. After that just empty the cup and rinse it with water and you can put it back in. Some people say you should wash it with soap, but some say you shouldn’t because it can affect your PH balance, so that step is pretty much up to you.

When your period is over, you just have to clean it and then store it in a non-humid place. To clean it you basically have to boil it. Click here to read how to clean it.

Choosing a menstrual cup

Just like pads and tampons, there are also different sizes when it comes to menstrual cups. Each brand has chart and you can always email them and ask which size you should get. There are two models of menstrual cups. One of them comes with a string-like thing in the bottom. I recommend menstrual cups that have a ring at the bottom, just like mine. That makes it a thousand times easier to take off.