Here’s a disclaimer: experiencing any kind of pain while using a menstrual cup is not normal. Even that “tad bit of discomfort” which you might dismiss as a “part” of your initial “cupversion” journey means that something is not quite right. Trust me, menstrual cups are genuinely as fabulous as they have been portrayed to be. Not only are they environment-friendly, they also provide leak-proof protection for eight hours straight and keep you super-comfy all day long. Having experienced the goodness of this reusable period aid for almost a year now, I almost forget I am on my period–thanks to the cup’s no-wear feel. So if it hurts to wear a menstrual cup, here are five pointers to you should check:
Fear
Biologically speaking, your vagina is made of mucosal and muscle tissue. It is flexible enough to expand and squeeze out a baby and regain its shape. So it most definitely can accommodate a small menstrual cup too. However, the tightness you may feel while inserting the cup could be due to vaginismus, i.e. your muscles’ response to the fear of inserting anything into the vagina. It can make your vaginal opening contract and feel tighter while inserting a menstrual cup.
Vaginal Dryness
Factors like hormonal imbalance and stress can sometimes lead to vaginal dryness which may make menstrual cup insertion a painful experience. While the vagina can still accommodate the cup in this case, the opening isn’t as flexible and may become stiffer during insertion. However, applying a lubricant on the opening can ease the process and save you a great deal of pain.
The Cup’s Stiffness
A menstrual cup is wider at the rim and needs to be folded into a C-shape before insertion. Once it’s inside the vagina, it expands into its original shape and creates a suction grip with your pelvic floor muscles. For this process to go on smoothly, you need to make sure that your menstrual cup is made of soft, flexible material. If it’s too stiff, you may face difficulty folding it properly or it might not open up easily once inside.
Wrong Cup Size
It can be painful to insert a menstrual cup that is bigger than the actual size you need. Once inside, it is likely to exert an outward force that can be felt by the vaginal walls and seem painful. Now, finding your perfect match comes with some trial and error. But you can take this quiz to get it right faster.
Cup Cleanliness
A menstrual cup has suction holes to create a firm grip with your pelvic floor muscles. If you don’t clean the cup thoroughly before each use, these holes may get clogged. As a result, the cup may get displaced and cause leakages and pain. So always make sure to use a mild cleanser and a soft bristle brush to unclog its holes.
Sirona Recommends Best Products For Smooth “Cupversion”
Sirona Menstrual Cup
The Sirona Menstrual Cup is ergonomically designed to make your transition from tampons or pads to a menstrual cup a smooth one. It is made with super-flexible, medical-grade silicone and can be folded easily into a ‘C’ or a ‘U’ shape for seamless insertion. The funnel-shaped device has suction holes that create a firm grip with the pelvic floor muscles once the cup opens up inside the vagina. It also comes with a grooved stem for easy access during its removal. With a whopping capacity of 28ml, the cup provides leak proof protection for eight hours straight, keeping you fresh and comfy all day long during that time of the month.
Sirona Moisuturising Lube Tube
Applying a pea-sized amount of the Sirona Moisturising Lube Tube on the vaginal opening can enable painless and seamless insertion of the menstrual cup. Packed with the goodness of natural ingredients like Tasmanaian pepper fruit and riberry fruit, it can help you a great deal during the initial phase of getting used to a menstrual cup. The best part? It doesn’t disturb the natural acidic pH down there and is safe to use multiple times in a day.
Sirona Menstrual Cup Wash
Your menstrual cup may not stay in place or open up properly inside if its suction holes are clogged. Enter: Sirona Menstrual Cup Wash. Made with mild and natural surfactants, it removes microbes and unclogs the holes without degrading the silicone of the menstrual cup. It also deodourises the cup and is super-safe for the skin.
Folks, I am not saying that your cup-version journey would be smooth from day one itself. It does take time. But if you keep at it, you’ll definitely get a hang of using a menstrual cup properly and will never look back, I promise.
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.
