What Are Reusable Menstrual Cups & How Do You Use Them?

Reduce waste and embrace comfort with reusable menstrual cups. Get usage tips in our Brown Living blog.

A menstrual cup is one of the reusable period products. This tool requires you to insert a tiny, flexible cup into your vagina to catch and collect menstrual fluid. Usually constructed of silicone or rubber, it has a funnel-like form. As a menstrual cup can store more blood than other sanitary care products, a menstrual cup is frequently used by women as an eco-friendly alternative to tampons or other sustainable sanitary products.

How to use a menstrual cup?

If you can insert a tampon, you should have no trouble using a menstrual cup. To use a cup, simply follow these steps:

• Clean your hands thoroughly.
• Wash the cup's rim with water or water-based lube.
• Holding the menstrual cup with the rim facing up in one hand, tightly fold it in half.
• Similar to how you would use a tampon without an applicator, place the cup in your vagina with the rim pointing up. The distance between the cup and your cervix should be a few inches.
• Once the cup is inside your vagina, you can rotate it slightly to ensure a proper seal and a comfortable fit.

How to remove a menstrual cup?

• Hand-wash to remove bacteria.

• Pinching the base will allow you to remove the cup. Squeeze the cup with your index and thumb while reaching inside your vagina.

• Put the cup's contents in the bathroom sink.
• Wash the cup in clean, fragrant-free water and mild soap.

Why use a menstrual cup?

• Menstrual cups are more cost-effective than tampons and pads since they can be used for a longer period, approximately 10 years. They are reusable, resulting in less waste in landfills and fewer trees being cut down.
• Depending on your flow, you can wear a menstrual cup for up to 12 hours before emptying, while tampons need to be changed every four to eight hours.
• If you've used tampons without applicators, you should have no trouble inserting a menstrual cup.
• Menstrual cups prevent odour since the fluid is not exposed to the air like with pads and tampons.
• Menstrual cups are a sustainable sanitary product that can last a long time, reducing environmental waste.

Why not to use a menstrual cup?

• The main drawback is that emptying the cup can be messy.
• It may be challenging for younger individuals or those who haven't engaged in sexual activity to insert the cup.
• Cleaning the cup after each cycle requires the use of hot water or a sterilizing solution designed for baby bottles.

Summary