Menstrual Cup – this word has been heard frequently in the last two years. As per UNICEF, there are around 1.8 billion menstruators in the span of a month. With Menstruation being a biological process that comes with quite some pain, taking care of the menstruators is our duty. So, right from cotton cloth to sanitary pads and tampons, we have reached to the ultimate solution – a Menstrual Cup!

Let us go stepwise to learn about what actually is a Menstrual Cup, its Usage and its Pros and Cons!

What is a Menstrual Cup?

It is a feminine cleanliness gadget that is placed into the vagina during periods. It aims to gather the menstrual liquid (blood from the uterine lining along with different liquids). These cups are generally made of adaptable clinical grade silicone, latex/plastic, or a thermoplastic isomer. They are moulded like a ringer with a stem or a ring. Each 4-12 hours (subject to how much is the flow), the cup is taken out, drained, washed, and reinserted. After every period, the cup requires cleaning.

How to use a Menstrual Cup?

• Clean up completely.
• Apply water or water-based lube to the edge of the cup.
• Firmly fold the cup into equal parts, holding it in one hand with the edge looking up.
• Insert the cup, edge up, into your vagina like you would a tampon without a tool. It must set a couple of creeps below your cervix.
• When the cup is in your vagina, rotate it. It will spring open to make an impermeable seal that stops spills.

How to remove a Menstrual Cup?

To take out a cup, simply follow these means:

• Wash up thoroughly.
• Place your forefinger and thumb into your vagina. Pull the stem of the cup delicately until you can arrive at the base.
• Squeeze the base to release the seal and pull down to eliminate the cup.
• When it’s out, vacate the cup into the sink or latrine.
• Wash the cup thoroughly and only then reuse it.

Benefits of using a Menstruation Cup

• It is a one-time Investment as the cup is reusable
• The cups are safer as they are made of medically tested silicone 
• The cup holds more blood than a Pad or a tampon
• A Menstrual cup is eco-friendly for environment enthusiasts as you can use it longer, unlike sanitary pads.

One question that still remains is,

How long can we keep the Menstrual Cup inside the Vagina?

You can leave your cup in for as long as 12 hours, so, all in all, you should take it out (with perfect, washed hands), void it into the restroom, and wash it with a gentle, scent-free cleanser before re-inserting. It implies you just need to eliminate and discharge your cup double a day.

Indeed, you can keep it short-term. Likewise, you can wear it during activity and swimming (yet most cups can’t be utilized during sex). It feels pretty extraordinary to have the option to rest the entire evening with next to no concerns of spillage.

With Menstrual Cups being the future for menstruators, taking care of the cup is more than necessary as it is going to be reused. So take care of the Cup, and the cup will care for your vagina!

That’s all the knowledge about Menstrual Cups for now!