Why menstrual cup IS NOT the right product for you?

The recent rise in ‘sustainable’ and environment friendly products has not left the feminine hygiene industry much behind. Reusable products, especially menstrual cups, are gaining in popularity but they might not be, pardon the pun, everyone’s cup of tea. 

As an avid Menstrual Cup user and someone guilty of team Cup to the extreme, I believe there are certain situations where the trusty menstrual cup may not be the right product for you. 

1. Lack of sanitising, proper space and hygiene

Using or inserting a menstrual cup is a whole ritual in itself. One of the most important things with a reusable product is to ensure cleanliness and sanitization. While the cups themselves are harmless, pathogens can fester on its surface. Unclean hands can also lead to infection. Therefore, a lack of clean water or cup wash or sterilising resources can make using menstrual cups difficult. 

Inserting a cup can also require squatting or a temporary contortion of the body in positions that require a bit more space, which many bathrooms are not equipped for.

2. While traveling

This might seem contradictory to all the information out there calling menstrual cups a boon for women who want to travel on their period. While, yes, cups have the largest holding capacity and can be worn for the longest time (upto 10 – 12 hours), going back to my first point, if you’re traveling in an area which might not have clean toilets and running water available, emptying and inserting your cup can be a problem. 

I recently faced this problem, when I had to visit Chandni Chowk on Day 2 and knew the cup would run over in 6 hours or so. The solution I came up with, and one you could try as well, was using Avni cloth pads along with the cup, to catch any stray leakage. 

3. Abortion/Miscarriage

If you’ve recently had an abortion or suffered a miscarriage, a cup is a strict no. Doctors recommend nothing be inserted inside the vagina for at least 6 months as the risk of infection is much greater. Both the process might cause heavy bleeding or prolonged spotting and conventional cup users might feel tempted to use a cup, it is important to follow medical advice and use pads (reusable or single use) for the entire duration.

4. Endometriosis/ Vaginismus and other medical conditions

Endometriosis is a condition where cells that are similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus. It can cause heavy periods and intense cramps. People with endometriosis often report difficulty with inserting, removing or wearing menstrual cups. 

Vaginismus is a condition where the vaginal muscles contract too tightly for an object to penetrate. In such a situation, inserting a menstrual cup can be difficult or painful. 

Many other medical problems can cause difficulty and it's always best to consult a doctor if you experience any pain or discomfort while trying to use cups.  

While cups are made of medical grade silicone, which is a relatively Hypoallergenic material (unlikely to cause allergies), silicone allergies aren’t exactly unheard of. If you’re suffering from swelling or rashes, consult a doctor immediately and stop using cups. 

There are cups on the market that are silicone free (ensure you’re not allergic to those materials) but they can be hard to come by, especially in the Indian market, and or be very expensive. 

Having an IUD (Intravenous Uterine Device) can also be a deterrent as the insertion and removal of cups can dislodge the device.

5. Extremely low cervix 

Having an extremely low hanging cervix can make it difficult to insert a cup or might require special shaped cups for comfort. As someone who’s cervix hangs low, especially while I’m on my period, I have noticed that my cup always runs over when its half full, essentially reducing the duration for which I can use the cup in one go, and its capacity. 

Apart from the above, as a user of menstrual cups for 5+ years, I can say, from personal experience, that sometimes the removal and insertion of cups irritate me. Its easy to simply peel off a pad and stick a new one. Even when it comes to reusable pads, you can put it in a mug of water to soak and scrub it later, however cups require immediate cleaning and squatting, which in your irritable, period fuelled mood is sometimes not something you feel like doing. It is also especially a hassle if you’re forced to empty it out in the middle of the night or when you’re sleepy. Menstrual cups also sometimes make me feel like peeing a lot. While there are tips to avoid that, getting used to the proper positioning is difficult, given everybody’s body is different. On a few rare occasions, I have felt that the cup intensified my cramps or the feeling of a heavy lower abdomen and removing it was relieving. 

In conclusion, like everything else, when it comes to feminine hygiene products, what works for me, might not work for you, and that is why Avni has a range of products, which you can mix and match to suit your needs!