From good-old kapdas to sanitary pads and tampons, we’ve come a long way in making period products safer and comfier. But now it’s time for yet another revolutionary change in our regular period stack! One that’s better for our pocket, comfort, and well, the environment. Make way for menstrual cups! You might have already heard about these reusable wonders. However, we’re here to give you an in-depth view on menstrual cups and the many benefits of replacing disposable period products with cups. Scroll down for all the deets:
What Is A Menstrual Cup?
For the unversed, a menstrual cup is a sustainable period aid made with flexible, skin-friendly material (usually medical-grade silicone). This funnel-shaped device can be folded easily into a ‘C’ or a ‘U’ shape and inserted into the vagina. Unlike pads and tampons, it creates a suction grip with the vaginal walls and sits there to collect period blood instead of absorbing it. One can pinch and remove the cup using its stem to empty and clean it every five-eight hours (depending on your period flow) and reuse it post a simple water rinse.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Menstrual Cup?
We’re sure that by now your cup-curiosity is at its peak. So here are seven benefits of using a menstrual cup to give you more info on the matter and help you make the sustainable switch ASAP:
They’re What The Environment Needs
According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board, approximately 113,000 tonnes of menstrual waste was dumped in India’s landfills in the year 2018-19. 90% of this waste was plastic that takes centuries to degrade! However, using a menstrual cup can help take the load off our landfills as they’re reusable. In fact, a single cup can last for ten-15 years if maintained properly. Imagine the amount of waste generation from disposable pads and tampons you’d be preventing in all those years!
They’re Pocket-Friendly
Menstrual cups may seem expensive at first. But in the long run, they prove to be way cheaper than packs and packs of single-use period products as they’re reusable and last for almost a decade.
They’re better For Your Vagina
The synthetic materials and toxic substances present in most pads and tampons available in the market can irritate your sensitive genital skin and disturb the acidic pH of the vagina. The skin in these areas is also more porous and tends to absorb the chemicals and toxins allowing them to enter your body. This can lead to a host of health complications like hormonal dysfunction, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and even cancer in the long run. Menstrual cups on the other hand, are made with non-reactive, medical-grade silicone and don’t disturb the natural pH of the vagina or irritate the sensitive genital skin.
They Keep You Covered & Comfy
While pads and tampons need to be changed every three-four hours, a menstrual cup can provide leak proof protection for eight hours straight. They also keep dampness, skin irritation and itching in the intimate area at bay as they don’t come in contact with the genital skin, keeping the area fresh and moisture-free all day long.
They Boost Body Confidence
Using a menstrual cup requires you to get up, close, and personal with your body and well–its fluids. It helps you understand the anatomy of the vagina during insertion and removal and once you get a hold of it, you tend to feel more confident about your body. This in turn can also make you feel more confident while having sex and guess what? You might be more open for experimentation in bed once you’re at ease with your bod.
They Can Tone Up Your Vag Muscles
Childbirth and aging can render your vaginal muscles weaker. But wearing a menstrual cup is like an auto-toning workout for those muscles. This is because a cup creates a suction grip with your vaginal muscles to sit inside the vagina. In turn, these muscles exert all their power to hold the cup in place. The result? Stronger vaginal muscles and wait for it–better sex. After all, those buff muscles can contract and lead to a more intense orgasm.
They Count For Super Hot Period Sex
Using absorbent materials during your periods can make your vagina dry. But a menstrual cup can keep you hot and wet as it collects blood instead of absorbing it. You know what all that natural lube down there means, right? Hotter, more pleasurable sex! Additionally, you can also count on a cup to enjoy a mess-free solo sesh. The cardinal rule of doing it safely is to stick to clitoris stimulation and anal play and avoid vigorous movements.
Sirona Recommends Best Menstrual Cup: Sirona Menstrual Cup
Made with soft medical-grade, skin-friendly silicone, the Sirona Menstrual Cup is just what you need for a mess-free and eco-friendly period. It can be folded into any shape of your choice and inserted minus any hassle. With a whopping capacity of up to 28 mL, it offers leak proof protection for eight hours straight and keeps you super-comfy all day. Additionally, the cup’s got a stem at the base that makes it easily-accessible during removal. 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.
All in all, making the sustainable switch to a menstrual cup can prove to be the best decision of your life. Surely, it’ll take some time for you to get used to handling the cup correctly. But once you get a hang of it, you will thoroughly enjoy using this period product.
