Sustainable, pocket-friendly, and leak-free—a menstrual cup is surely the period aid of everyone’s dreams. It is made with medical-grade silicone and can be folded and inserted into the vagina to collect period blood instead of absorbing it. Post eight hours of leak proof protection, the cup can be emptied, washed, and used again. The best part? One cup lasts for about a decade if maintained well and reduces sanitary waste drastically. However, despite its myriad advantages, many people still have their doubts about making the sustainable switch. If you’re one of them, we’ve got you covered! We’re here to clear the air on the hymen-cup connection and for all so that you can overcome your doubts and begin your cup journey for good. Read on.
Why Should You Use A Menstrual Cup?
Before we go on to answer the big cup-query–can a virgin use a menstrual cup–let’s understand the importance of making the sustainable switch in the first place. More than one billion sanitary pads and tampons are disposed of every month in our country. According to a 2018 report, these period aids are carelessly discarded and take 500-800 years to decompose. Additionally, their improper disposal leads to clogging of drains and infections, especially in animals. Apart from their adverse impact on the environment, they can be quite uncomfortable and cause leakages and rashes in the intimate area. Not to mention, stacking up on these period products isn’t exactly easy on the pockets either.
Enter: menstrual cups—the one-stop solution to all period woes ever. These funnel-shaped reusable devices last for years and provide leak-proof protection for the entire day and night. Unlike their disposable counterparts, they don’t cause irritation or rashes in the intimate area as they’re made of inert, skin-friendly medical-grade silicone. In fact, several cup-veterans report that their cup-version has led to a drastic reduction in the intensity of their period pain. With so many advantages to offer, menstrual cups are definitely the need of the hour and worth switching to.
Cup-Hymen Connection: Hymen & Its Types
Unlike sanitary pads, menstrual cups are worn internally and they collect your catamenia instead of absorbing it. Now, this gives rise to the biggest cup conundrum ever: does using a menstrual cup break the hymen. For the unversed, the hymen is a thin membrane that surrounds the opening to the vagina. Now, it’s shape may differ from person to person and that can lead to different comfort level during cup insertion and usage. According to the Center For Young Women’s Health, the four main types of hymens are as follows:
The Half-Moon Hymen
This is the most common type of hymen in young women and is shaped like a half moon. This allows the menstrual blood to flow out of the vagina and maintains enough room for easy menstrual cup insertion.
The Imperforated Hymen
An imperforated hymen is a thin membrane that completely covers the opening to the vagina. Menstrual blood cannot flow out of the vagina and this often leads to its back flow into the vaginal canal. This in turn causes abdominal and back pain. Also, there isn’t enough space for the cup to be inserted in this case. However, it can be managed with a minor surgery to remove the extra tissue and create room for menstrual blood to flow out of the vagina.
Microperforated Hymen
A microperforated hymen is a thin membrane that almost completely covers the opening to the vagina. Menstrual blood is usually able to flow out of the vagina via a very small opening. A young woman with a microperforated hymen experiences pain while inserting a cup or a tampon or during sexual intercourse. Again, a minor surgery to increase the size of the opening is recommended.
Septate Hymen
A septate hymen has a band of extra tissue in the middle that causes two small vaginal openings instead of one. This can lead to painful intercourse and menstrual cup insertion. However, this too can be rectified with a minor surgery.
Can Using A Menstrual Cup Break The Hymen?
Your hymen isn’t a seal that can be broken. In most cases, it won’t cover the entire opening of the vagina and allow for enough room to insert a menstrual cup–gently. However, for those with a septate, microperforated or imperforated, inserting a menstrual cup or tampon may be extremely painful and can lead to bleeding—unless appropriate treatment is taken.
Can A Virgin Use A Menstrual Cup?
Your hymen isn’t a proof of your virginity. More often than not, this thin membrane can be broken easily during teenage years while indulging in any rigorous physical activity like stretching and horse riding. So chances are that it may be already broken even before you start using a menstrual cup or indulge in a sexual intercourse for the first time.
If your hymen is still intact and doesn’t cover the entire opening of the vagina, it will have enough room for the cup without getting damaged. Just remember to be gentle while inserting the cup. In case you’re unable to find any room for inserting the cup, then you must consult your gynae and check for a septate, microperforated or imperforated hymen.
How To Use A Menstrual Cup If You’re A Virgin
Whether you’re a virgin or not, using a menstrual cup is a great move for a comfy, sustainable, and pocket-friendly period. But if you’re wondering how to use a menstrual cup, all you need to do is to keep these five points in mind:
Don’t Take The Pressure
You must not switch to a menstrual cup worrying about your hymen or your virginity status. A. It’s not a proof of your virginity. B. You don’t have to prove your virginity to anyone. The only thing on your mind while using a cup should be to make your period comfortable, leak-proof, and sustainable.
Be Gentle
Never insert a menstrual cup with a jerk. Always be gentle during insertion and go slow.
Fold The Cup Properly
Always fold the cup into a ‘C’ or a ‘U’ shape for easily inserting the cup.
Use A Lube
Applying a pea-sized amount of a Menstrual lubricant made with natural ingredients on the vaginal opening can help the cup slide in easily.
Be Patient
If you’re a cup newbie, it may take time for you to get used to handling the menstrual cup. So always start by wearing the cup at home so that leakages can be managed easily. Once you get a hang of it, you will never look back.
Sirona Recommends Best Menstrual Cup: Sirona Menstrual Cup
Made with soft medical-grade, skin-friendly silicone, Sirona’s Menstrual Cup is super-flexible. It can be folded easily and inserted minus any hassle. With a capacity of up to 28 ml, it offers leak-proof protection for eight hours straight and keeps you super-comfy all day. Available in three different sizes (small, medium, and large), this cup will fit you like a glove and is sure to change your period experience forever.
Sirona Recommends Best Lube: Sirona Moisturising Lube Tube
This product from Sirona’s period care range can come to your rescue. Packed with the goodness of Tasmanian pepper fruit and riberry, this one helps the cup glide in easily. Additionally, you can also use it for a sensual massage every now and then.
All in all, a menstrual cup is a super-safe period product that can change your period experience forever. So it’s time to brush aside questions like “can a virgin use a menstrual cup” and simply take the plunge. Trust us, once you get a hang of handling the cup, you’ll thank us for all the motivation.
Featured Image: Pexels
Also Read
How to Use a Menstrual Cup: Here’s a full-fledged guide to using menstrual cup like a pro.
Period Essentials: My Top 5 Period Must-Haves!: These period products are sure to make shark week easier to survive.
Busting Myths About Menstrual Cups: It’s time to clear the air and bust all the myths surrounding menstrual cups–the best period aid ever!
How to prepare your Daughter for her First Period: Here’s everything you need to make your daughter’s first period smooth and easy.
