Q and A: Menstrual cups—why the recent increase in popularity?
Credit score: Vulvani, CC BY-SA 4.0 , by way of Wikimedia Commons

Whereas on a stroll not too long ago, a buddy instructed me how handy she finds it to make use of a menstrual cup quite than tampons or pads. I have been utilizing tampons for years and am unfamiliar with a menstrual cup. Is it secure to make use of?

ANSWER: Not fairly certain what a menstrual cup is or the way it works? You are not alone. Menstrual cups have been round for the reason that early Thirties, however use solely not too long ago has gained recognition.

Menstrual cups are versatile and product of silicone, pure rubber, latex or thermoplastic elastomers. A menstrual cup is inserted into your vagina throughout your interval to catch and accumulate menstrual circulate.

How typically you empty the menstrual cup is dependent upon the dimensions of the cup and your menstrual circulate. The cup can maintain as much as thrice as a lot fluid as a daily tampon.

With the elevated recognition of the menstrual cup, extra choices can be found. A wide range of cup styles and sizes accommodate every lady’s physique sort and desires.

Ladies have reported a choice for the menstrual cup over different merchandise for:

  • Elevated consolation
  • Much less interference with actions
  • Much less irritation
  • Decreased odor
  • Potential to put on the cup for longer intervals of time than a pad or tampon

Value financial savings could also be a consideration when you’re price range aware. The common lady spends between $50-$150 per yr on tampons or pads. On common, a menstrual cup prices between $20-$40, lasting from six months to 10 years. Relying on which model of cup is chosen and the way typically replacements are required, this will add as much as important monetary financial savings.

A menstrual cup might be worn as much as 12 hours. Sometimes, tampons or pads ought to be modified each 4 to 6 hours. The cup permits for extra time between emptying, particularly on gentle days.

Utilizing a menstrual cup prevents the necessity to carry additional pads or tampons, which some ladies discover burdensome and even embarrassing.

In contrast to tampons, the menstrual cup might be inserted across the time of an anticipated interval, to keep away from first-day leakage. Ladies of any age can use a menstrual cup, no matter if she has had a baby. As a result of menstrual circulate is saved internally, there’s a lower in odor.

Folks typically attribute disposable diapers to filling landfills, however tampons and pads additionally accumulate in landfills. The menstrual cup is reusable and considerably reduces the environmental influence.

Though the Meals and Drug Administration doesn’t require tampons and pads to checklist substances on packaging, you could have issues about reviews of tampons containing bleached cotton, rayon or viscose fibers, and poisonous chemical compounds. The menstrual cup is product of medical-grade supplies, assuaging issues of fibers left within the vagina from tampons.

Ladies could discover that emptying the cup might be messy, significantly if altering the cup in a public restroom. Rinsing the cup after eradicating is most popular, which might be tough in a public restroom.

Disposable menstrual cups can be found, which will increase the price of use of the product and reduces the sustainability for the surroundings. Disposable manufacturers might be worn throughout intercourse.

Some ladies discover it difficult to control the menstrual cup out and in of the vagina. The cups usually are not one-size-fits-all. Till you discover the correct match, the cup could really feel uncomfortable, or there could also be leakage.

The menstrual cup ought to be sterilized between intervals. This usually is finished by inserting the cup in boiling water.

Though uncommon, poisonous shock syndrome has been related to tampon use. Menstrual cups additionally could also be a reason for this uncommon situation. The precise threat is unknown for menstrual cup use, however it’s believed to be lower than with tampon use.

Ladies with an intrauterine gadget, or IUD, for contraception can put on a menstrual cup. It’s best to guarantee to not pull on the IUD strings when eradicating the menstrual cup. This may increasingly dislodge the IUD.

General, the menstrual cup seems to be a secure possibility for ladies throughout their interval with many potential advantages. Particular person preferences could range, however when you’ve got issues or questions, talk about them along with your well being care workforce.

2022 Mayo Clinic Information Community.
Distributed by Tribune Content material Company, LLC.

Quotation:
Q&A: Menstrual cups—why the latest enhance in recognition? (2022, November 9)
retrieved 9 November 2022
from https://medicalxpress.com/information/2022-11-qa-menstrual-cupswhy-popularity.html

This doc is topic to copyright. Aside from any truthful dealing for the aim of personal examine or analysis, no
half could also be reproduced with out the written permission. The content material is offered for info functions solely.





Supply hyperlink