The menstrual cup: materials and reuse

The menstrual cup is a container that is placed in the vagina to collect the menstrual flow (Rule). It is an alternative to the classic tampons and pads. As we will see, it is manufactured in three types of materials basic. We explain the differences between them, and other characteristics of this method.

The basic advantage of the menstrual cup is ecology since it is reusable and therefore does not produce waste that must be disposed of. It is estimated that each woman, on average, discards about six kilos of pads and tampons year. In addition, the manufacturing process is more environmentally friendly as packaging is only used once and then recycled. We must also count the packaging of each pad or tampon (with applicator) that is discarded in each use. Although initially it may seem more expensive, over time it is more economically profitable than tampons or pads because it lasts over time. Another advantage is that, as it is not absorbent, it does not dry out the vaginal walls as tampons do on days with less menstrual flow. They also do not leave a trace of fibers in the vagina as they are compact.

Menstrual Cup Materials

There are three basic types of menstrual cup materials:

• Silicone: it is a special silicone like the one used in some surgeries and therefore absolutely safe and compatible with the human body. Is he most used material in menstrual cups since it is soft and at the same time firm and without changing according to temperature. It is also very little allergenic so reactions to this silicone are very rare.
• Latex: it is an ecological material, elastic and soft, which adapts very well. It does not let air or humidity pass. The problem is that some people have reactions allergic to latex They can range from a little irritation in the area in contact with the latex to anaphylactic shock, which is very serious and endangers the life of the person.
• Surgical plastic or TPE: is a recyclable material that is used in medical material such as catheters, or in utensils such as bottle nipples, pacifiers ... It produces very few allergic reactions.

Those, both silicone and surgical plastic, can have different colors that are achieved with food dyes so that they are not dangerous to health.

How to use: put on and take off the cup

exist various extraction systems. At the end of the menstrual cup, (in its narrowest part that is the one that is in the outer zone of the vagina) the cup has a handle to be able to pull and extract it. Most handles are a long, narrow tube with some kind of roughness so that you can pull it easily. In addition, they can usually be trimmed in case it bothers and is too long. Although some menstrual cups have a ball or ring-shaped handle to be able to pull it better.

Recommended size for each woman

All women can use the menstrual cup. It is true that some will feel discomfort at first, but most women adapt very quickly to it. Partly because they exist diferents sizes to suit different women. In fact, most brands have two different sizes: the little for women under 30 years of age and who have not given birth vaginally (since her vagina is usually somewhat narrower) and the size big for women older than 30 years or with vaginal deliveries. Specialist in gynecology and obstetrics