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Menstrual cups are little reusable silicone cups that ‘catch’ your period, available for about $50. Menstrual cups are an alternative to tampons.
There are measurements on the side of the menstrual cup, allowing you to see how much blood has been collected. Some sizes are recommended for those aged 30 and over, and for those under 30 who have given birth vaginally, or for anyone under 30 who hasn’t given birth vaginally.1 Check the instructions for your preferred brand.1
How to put a menstrual cup into your vagina
The moon cup suctions onto the vaginal wall about halfway up into the vagina, not up against the cervix. Squeeze the cup together and push it inside your vagina, holding the body of the cup. It is in far enough when you hear it pop open.3 Ensure it is properly in place, and then proceed with your business as usual. Make sure you monitor, at least at first, when you should take it out, rinse it off with water, and reinsert.2
What not to do with menstrual cups
Don’t have sex with a moon cup in, simply because your period could go everywhere. Be careful when taking the cup out, as it has no lid. Blood may spill.
What can go wrong when using a menstrual cup?
You can have a hard time removing the moon cup if it goes too far up and you can’t reach the silicone stem. You need a good grip to pull it out, as it works via suction. The most common reason for leaks is the moon cup sitting too high up in the vagina.
Blood will come out the side if you have a heavy flow and don’t empty the cup often enough. Make sure to wash your hands before inserting or removing the moon cup, as you don’t want to introduce bacteria from your hands.
Period options besides menstrual cups include:
References
- 1.Hennegan J, Orozco A, Head A, Marino JL, Jayasinghe Y, Lim MSC. Menstrual cup acceptability and functionality in real‐world use: A cross‐sectional survey of young people in Australia. Aust NZ J Obst Gynaeco. Published online December 13, 2024. doi:10.1111/ajo.13910
- 2.Wunsch N, Green SJ, Adam S, Hampton J, Phillips-Howard PA, Mehta SD. In Vitro Study to Assess Effective Cleaning Techniques for Removing Staphylococcus aureus from Menstrual Cups. IJERPH. Published online January 27, 2022:1450. doi:10.3390/ijerph19031450
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