I want the Best Menstrual Cups that are suitable for beginners!
Have you ever wondered what a menstrual cup actually is and whether you should consider using one or not?
Like, are they even comfortable and what do they do? How do you find one that fits you and how do you get a menstrual cup in?
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We have all the details for you right here. Check it out below.
What is a Menstrual Cup?
Menstrual or ‘moon’ cups are reusable, bell-shaped devices made of silicone or rubber that are worn internally when you have your period.
They sit in the vaginal canal and collect, rather than absorb, your menstrual flow. Once it is in place, it forms a seal that prevents blood from leaking out. You then simply carefully remove the cup, empty, wash and reinsert.
Surprisingly, they have actually been around since the 1930s, they just aren’t widely known or advertised in Australia.
How to Choose the Right Menstrual Cup:
Body shape and size is very different for everyone so a general recommendation for one size fits all menstrual cup is near impossible. Check out the ‘Things to Consider’ below when choosing the right size.
It might take one or two tries for you to find the right cup that suits you perfectly as there are some differences between different brands.
Many menstrual cups make them for teenagers, young women and women who have given birth.
Things to consider before buying a menstrual cup:
Your Age
If you are a teenager, choose the very smallest menstrual cups (some brands even make menstrual cups just for teenagers). Young women under 30 years of age and have never given birth, then choose a smaller sized menstrual cup.
And those who are over 30 and have given birth should choose a larger size.
They Will Save You Money
A menstrual cup will last you up to ten years if it is looked after properly. That’s a lot of tampons and pads that you never have to buy!
If You Choose a Soft Flat Cup, You Can Have Sex with the Cup Inside
The flatter styles of menstrual cups such as the Ziggy Cup can be worn during sex. They don’t have a stem like other models of menstrual cup so are comfortable for sex. The only problem with the flatter styled menstrual cups is that they are a bit trickier to remove.
They Can be Tricky to Insert and Remove
Menstrual cups take a bit of practice to insert and remove without making a mess.
They Do Need to Be Properly Cleaned Regularly
Once per day (or preferably every time you remove the cup) you should wash it properly or it could cause discomfort and irritation. There are dedicated menstrual cup cleaners such as Diva Wash (pictured) available and even menstrual cup steam sterilizers.
Diva Wash is available from Nourished Life
How Do You Insert a Menstrual Cup?
First things first, after you sterilise your menstrual cup, thoroughly wash your hands and then find your preferred position ready for insertion. You might want to lie down, squat, sit on the toilet or simply stand up.
Then you need to fold the cup – folding the cup is pretty much the only way to go about inserting the cup. There are many different folding techniques, so experiment and find the one that works for you. Note – You might want to use water or a water-based lubricant to make insertion easier. A wet menstrual cup is much easier to insert than a dry one.
Keep the cup folded until it is firmly inside your vagina, and once the entire cup is inside, simply remove your fingers and let it pop open.
If the menstrual cup has been inserted correctly, you might hear a “pop” or a suction sound which means that the cup has folded out completely and created the necessary suction seal.
Once your menstrual cup is in place, try to pull the stem a bit, if you feel resistance, the suction seal has been created and the cup has been placed successfully.
To remove your cup, slightly pull on the stem (slowly) while using your abdominal muscles to push the cup downwards until you can reach its base. Give the base of the cup a gentle pinch to release the suction and slowly ease it out.
And How Do You Remove a Menstrual Cup (Without Spilling blood everywhere…)
To remove a menstrual cup, first, wash your hands thoroughly. Then insert your fingers into your vagina to reach the stem of the menstrual cup. Pull the stem until you can reach the cup, then pinch the cup together to break the seal (not all the way), and carefully pull the cup out.
Tip the blood down the toilet then wipe and clean your cup before reinserting.
Menstrual cups should be emptied at least twice per day.
7 Best Menstrual Cups in Australia
1. The Diva Cup (Model 0, Model 1 or Model 2)
DivaCup is one of the pioneering menstrual cup brands. They have forged a name for themselves as a high quality and reliable cup option. The Diva is particularly suited to women with a mid to high cervix position.
Their sizing is as follows:
- Model 0 for teenagers
- Model 1 for young women under 30 who haven’t given birth.
- Model 2 for women who have given birth.
2. Lunette
Developed in Finland, and made from high quality, silky soft, medical-grade silicone Team Lunette have created a quality, comfortable, and ecological feminine hygiene alternative.
Lunette comes in five different colours (Clear, Blue, Coral, Cynthia and Lemon) and has Model 1 (for light to medium flow) and Model 2 (for heavier periods)
Stockists:
- Catch (cheapest)
- Nourished Life