Before this begins, we need to acknowledge something: There is nothing dirty, taboo, shameful, or disgusting about periods. Periods are a natural and normal part of our female cycle. You wouldn’t be on this earth if it wasn’t for a period.

Yes I am going to use words like vagina and menstrual fluid. If that is too “icky” for you, then you need to shift the way you think in order to be comfortable with and love your body. Society’s period shame can suck it.

Getting my period used to mean digging through cupboards to make sure I had enough pads or tampons to get me through the week and dreading sleeping because of ruining the sheets and pajamas. It now means grabbing my little pouch with my menstrual cup and not worrying about a thing.

I also track my entire cycle so I know when I will be getting my period using the MyFlo App. If you have not heard of cycle syncing, read Alisa Vitti’s book Womancode and make a change for the better!

What is a Menstrual Cup?

A menstrual cup is a small reusable cup made of flexible silicone that is inserted into the vagina and collects the uterine lining. It is used in place of pads or tampons during your period. Menstrual cups only need to be changed once every 8-12 hours or more depending on your flow.

Why Switch to a Menstrual Cup

Better for your body.

Regular pads and tampons have toxic ingredients. It’s not just absorbent fluff. Many commercial pads and tampons are full of chlorine bleach, pesticides, fragrance, odour neutralizers, and more. These toxins are absorbed by the vaginal wall and into the bloodstream they go. These toxic chemicals can cause hormone disruption, abnormal cell growth, cancers, and infertility. Use of tampons can also cause TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome). (Here is an article by Dr. Mercola about Feminine Hygiene Products)

Less cramps, dryness, and irritation. Tampons absorb more fluid than necessary which results in dryness, irritation and an imbalanced pH. This can lead to yeast infections, odour, and discomfort. Menstrual cups do not absorb, they collect fluid which means none of the above symptoms! Many people, including myself have noticed a reduction in cramping after switching to a menstrual cup. Still looking for some kind of scientific explanation for this. Some say it is the light pressure from the cup inside the vagina that helps menstrual fluid flow.

Better for the environment.

Landfills and waterways are full of pads and tampons. Think about how many disposable products you use during your period: pads, tampons, and all of their packaging (one week per month, twelve months per year…). There are many different statistics (obviously depending on flow) that women use on average 250-400 feminine hygiene products PER YEAR. You can have your own landfill with a lifetime of disposable products! Menstrual cups are washable, reusable, and one can last for many years.

Better for your peace of mind.

Menstrual cups will save you money. One menstrual cup costs about $25 – $30 and will last for many years. One package of pads/tampons costs about $5 – $10 and lasts for one to two periods.

How to Use a Menstrual Cup

Get comfortable and fold your menstrual cup to make it smaller for insertion. There are many different ways to fold the cup. The easiest are the C-fold and punch-down-fold which easily pop open after insertion.

Insert the folded menstrual cup angled towards your tailbone (similar to how you insert a tampon). Allow the menstrual cup to pop open and unfold. To make sure it is fully open, run your finger along the side. While you are doing this, you can make sure your cervix is not outside the cup and readjust. It needs to have a good seal to prevent leaks. Some say to rotate it, but this has not worked for me. If it hurts or feels uncomfortable, remove it and try again.

Go about your day. Dance, play sports, go swimming, or lay on the couch in any position you want because the cup will not leak.

Check on it after 8-12 hours – or sooner if first time using or heavy flow. The length of time you can wear the cup depends on your flow.

Finally, remove the menstrual cup with clean hands. Reach in, grab the stem of the cup, pinch the bottom to release suction and then pull it out. If the cup has travelled too far to reach, push down with your pelvic muscles and it will come down. Empty, wash with warm water and mild water-based soap, and reinsert. If you are in a public washroom and feel uncomfortable washing your cup in the sink, empty it in the toilet, clean out with toilet paper or a wipe, and reinsert. You can wash it out properly when you get home.

Sanitize in boiling water between periods. Let cup sit in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. After water cools, remove cup, dry, and store inside the pouch it comes in.

**For first time users, I recommend using a liner or cloth pad as backup for the first few periods. Give yourself time to feel comfortable using a menstrual cup and preventing leaks. You should have the hang of it by the 2nd or 3rd period.**

Which Menstrual Cup should you try?

Everyone’s body is unique and menstrual cups are not a “one-size-fits-all”. Cup sizes can be determined by whether or not you have given vaginal birth, are under/over 30 years old, and how low/high your cervix is during menstruation.

Personally, I started out with the Diva Cup and now use the MeLuna Shorty. (The MeLuna Shorty is not available for purchase in Canada – if you are interested in one, send me a message and I will tell you where I purchased from.)

Amanda at The Eco-Friendly Family wrote a very detailed post about What Menstrual Cup Is Right For You to help you find your perfect size menstrual cup.

If you have an IUD inserted, you need to speak to your doctor before using a menstrual cup.

Happy Menstrual Cupping 🙂

What feminine hygiene products do you currently use? Do you use a menstrual cup? If not, will you try one?