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Karolina has been using only pads for over thirty years, and less often tampons. Two years ago, however, she put on a menstrual cup. The beginnings were not easy, because the application is a kind of acrobatics, but it gave itself time to learn. Now, the advantages outweigh a certain disadvantage that may actually discourage some women, especially those who work in offices or travel.
- The period is a time of challenges for women, especially those who lead an active lifestyle. Karolina is one of them
- She wondered for a long time whether to replace the pads with a menstrual cup. Curiosity, however, prevailed. She gave herself three months to study. Now I have no regrets
- As he claims, “these days” there are no perfect solutions, but he leaves sanitary pads for emergency situations, because such – let’s face it – happen to all of us
- You can find more up-to-date information on the TvoiLokony home page
Why did I choose the cup?
Let me start by saying that – probably like most women – I’m not very fond of menstruation. One of the reasons is the limitations associated with physical activity and the need to use hygiene products. The thing about the sanitary napkin is that it usually requires replacement when it is not possible. Without mincing words – it reminds me of a slaughterhouse. Besides, the exchange itself is like a plaster on the butt – it’s like putting a new bandage on a dirty, uncleaned wound.
Tampons give much more freedom, although I have always had resistance to wearing them for more than 3-4 hours. Their main disadvantage is that one day I reach into the box and there is an empty space, because, for example, I forgot to replenish the stock.
Internet advertising convinced me to use the menstrual cup. It was from her that I found out about his existence. But I did not dare to buy this “device” right away, especially as one cost over PLN 100. You could say that the ad intrigued me and my curiosity pushed me further.
The rest of the article below the video material.
Follow the thread to the cup
I decided to find out more first. Promotional items showed that menstrual cups were literally flawless.
I dug further. I was interested in whether they could be used extensively throughout the period, or only occasionally. In gynecological blogs I read that they can be used throughout the menstruation, even at night.
The cup is made of silicone. For today, it is probably still relatively uncontroversial material.
As with tampons, the use of cups is associated with a low risk of toxic shock syndrome.
In addition, I read on the forums that the fit, and therefore the effectiveness of these products, is different. Efficiency understood as tightness, of course.
I looked through the alternatives available on the market and it turned out that I can buy something similar in one of the drugstores, and three times cheaper. And I figured I’d try.
A menstrual cup can replace a pad or a tampon. You can find it in Medonet Market.
The difficult art of donning
The menstrual cup is placed over the cervix. I got the concept only when, during a routine visit, my gynecologist showed me a drawing showing the shape of the cervix and explained that it somehow “enters” a cup that should tightly hold it. All of this takes place inside the vagina, out of sight, and therefore correct insertion requires a specific technique and some practice.
So I was prepared for about three study cycles, so I decided to be patient for the first three months.
Three steps – position, flatten, press
I learned the technique of putting on thanks to the instructional video, which, however, concerned putting on a… contraceptive cap. In any case, the acrobatics suggested there turned out to be useful for me as well. The most important of them are:
- Position – preferably squatting
- Flattening the cap and folding it in half before inserting it into the vagina – takes the shape of a flattened letter C
- After palpating that he has stretched to a round shape, press down on the top (the one with the extraction handle) for about 10 seconds to let the air out.
The procedure is quite complicated and, in fact, initially the tightness was different. Therefore, for the first three months, I used sanitary pads at the same time.
And then I got pregnant …
Fact – it’s easier to get rid of than to put on
Removing the cup is easy. It has the shape of a cone with a small appendage at its apex, which you have to grab and just pull it out.
After that, it should be washed with a mild detergent and can be used again.
After the end of the period, it requires a 15-minute boil.
The stick has two ends, that is, with advantages and disadvantages
Let me start with the advantages. It is clean, hygienic, odorless, reusable, small size compared to the packaging of pads or tampons.
On the other hand, the cup also has some obvious disadvantages. There aren’t many of them, but they’re pretty prohibitive.
You will not arrange it discreetly in the woods, an outhouse or behind a roadside bush, because the contents should be poured out and the hood itself should be washed with soapy water. So I would suggest using a normal bathroom, with a wash basin in addition.
If the emptying takes place in harsh, “scout” conditions, you still need to have a sanitary napkin or a tampon with an applicator, because with dirty hands we can do nothing. You should also have at least water with you to wash your hands and rinse the hood.
Even with a normal toilet, the wash basin is usually outside. Leaving the cabin with bloody hands, or at best with a stained undefined object in your hands, is unlikely to be approved by anyone (and if so, it’s probably time for a quick evacuation).
It happens that it leaks
From time to time it happens to me that the cup leaks. Then I just “fasten” it again.
The use of a cup is a very individual matter. The balance is clearly not a plus, compared to, for example, tampons. However, for me, the reusability, no smell and the feeling of cleanliness that I feel beats everything else.
We encourage you to listen to the latest episode of the RESET podcast. This time, Dr. Agnieszka Bolikowska – the founder of Linguistics, creator of the 6oMethod® method, will tell us about what slow learning is. How to break the language barrier? How to learn to make mistakes? You will learn about this and other aspects of language learning in today’s episode. Listen!