Menstrual Cups

Shop the Best Menstrual Cups from Woovly

Menstrual cups are a safe and comfortable way to manage your menstrual bleeding. The best part about them is that they are environmentally friendly and durable, so you will not have to change them for at least a year. They are usually stored in a cloth bag that comes with the pack. Woovly has a wide range of best menstrual cup brands like The Woman's company, Sirona, PeeSafe, GynoCup, Avni, etc. People often worry about menstrual cup side effects, but you have nothing to worry about if you use it correctly. You can find many positive menstrual cup reviews for most of the brands sold at Woovly. They are made up of 100% medical grade silicone and are entirely safe for use. 

Benefits of Menstrual Cup

• No Odour: When your menstrual blood gets exposed to air, it can release a bad smell. The combination of blood, tissues and bacteria can make this a really unpleasant and rather embarrassing experience. But a menstrual cup does not let your blood get out and seals it airtight inside your vagina, which prevents such an unpleasant odour.
• Economical: Pads and tampons are expensive, especially when you stock them every month. A menstrual cup is an economical alternative to these since one cup can last for over 1 to 2 years. You don't have to spend a fortune to manage your periods with it. Most menstrual cups are available in the price range of 399 to 999 rupees, and you can get some great offers on them at Woovly. 

• Flexibility: Women often shy away from performing physical activities like swimming, dancing, exercises, hiking etc., when they are on their periods because of possible leakages and the frequency of changing pads or tampons. The chances of getting leakages while wearing a menstrual cup are way lesser than a pad or a tampon, enabling you to engage in physical activities with more comfort and confidence.

• Suitable for heavy flow: If you experience heavy flow during your periods, it can leak out of your pad and tampon, even if you use a large pad. But a menstrual cup can hold so much more blood than the others and can assist in smoothly handling those days with heavy bleeding. 
• Clean and dry: A menstrual cup leaves your intimate area completely clean and dry since it arrests the blood inside your vagina. But a pad can make it messy down there, and the prolonged moisture can even lead to infections.  

Menstrual Cup Disadvantages

• Trial and error: It can be confusing to select the right menstrual cup size that provides complete protection from leakage and discomfort. In this case, you will have to try out different sizes to choose the right one for you. 
• Vaginal irritations: People experience vaginal irritations while using a menstrual cup if they are allergic to materials like latex or silicone. It is important to understand if you are allergic to these materials or if you will have to face a lot of discomfort and even pain. 
• Maintenance: Unlike disposable pads and tampons, menstrual cups need regular maintenance or they could mess up your health. If you don't sterilise and clean your menstrual cups at regular intervals, you could catch infections in your vagina. 
• Difficult to insert and remove: It can be a hassle to take it off and put it in when you are just starting with a menstrual cup. But with a little bit of practice, it will be a cakewalk. 

What are the different sizes of the Menstrual Cup?

It is imperative to choose the right size of menstrual cup that is suitable for your cervix size.   Otherwise, it would lead to irritations and leakage. Because of the lack of standard sizes for these cups, the sizing varies across different brands, so it can be confusing to select the right one for you. Menstrual cups are sized based on the diameter of the cup and length. The height/ length of your menstrual cup can depend on the volume of your menstrual flow. The most common menstrual cup sizes are: 

These are the available sizes that most of the brands follow. Before buying it, make sure to check the menstrual cup size chart on the package of the product. This will give you a better idea of what fits you. 

How to choose a menstrual cup?

How to use a menstrual cup for beginners?

Although menstrual cups are relatively easy to use, it could take some time to get the hang of them. Let's look at the various steps involved in inserting and removing a menstrual cup. 

How to insert a menstrual cup?

• Sterilise the cup and remove any excess water. Make sure that the cup is clean, dry and free of germs.
• Fold your cup to shrink its size before inserting it. You can try out different types of menstrual cup folds. The easiest one is to fold it in half. This is also known as the ‘U’ fold or the ‘C’ fold because of the shape it creates.  You can also try the push-down fold if you find it difficult to insert it. It makes a small insertion point that helps in easy insertions, especially for beginners. Use your index finger to push down one side of your cup inside to create a pointed tip. 
• Once you have folded the cup according to your ease, it is time to insert it into your vagina. If you are a beginner, make sure that you are completely relaxed. One of the easiest ways to insert it is by mounting one leg on an elevated top like your commode and gently sliding it in. You can even sit in a squatting position or simply sit on the toilet seat during insertion. Most cups come with a stem, so hold it to rotate the cup gently. This will bring it back to its original shape and create an airtight seal inside your vagina. 

How to remove a menstrual cup?

• Ensure that your hands are completely clean and dry before removing your menstrual cup. It is best to rinse with soap to avoid any infections. 
• Hold the stem and move it around to remove the suction. You can easily slide it out once the suction is removed but be careful not to spill the cup's contents. 
• Empty the contents of the cup and rinse it thoroughly. Use a gentle, unscented and non-irritating soap to clean. You can also try out menstrual cup washes like the Avni Natural Menstrual Cup Wash and Gynocup Menstrual Cup Wash to remove odours and germs and make it squeaky clean.  

How do you sterilise menstrual cups?

It is imperative to sterilise your cups every time your period gets over to avoid any chance of infection. The best and the most effective way to sterilise it is by immersing it in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes. This will keep the germs away and make them safe for use. This should be done when you buy a new menstrual cup and before every period. You can wash it with a menstrual cup cleanser or a gentle, fragrance-free soap when you are on your period. You can use sanitising containers that are microwave safe. Simply put your menstrual cup in this, fill it with some water and microwave it for a few seconds. This is a more effortless and time-saving method than boiling it. You can find such products in Woovly like the GynoCup Menstrual Cup Container and the Sirona Collapsible Silicone Cup foldable Sterilising Container. Another way to easily sterilise your menstrual cup is by using devices like the Safecup Menstrual Cup Steriliser or Pee Safe Menstrual Cup Steam Steriliser. 

Do menstrual cups hurt virgins?

No, menstrual cups are not supposed to hurt. If you are a first time user or trying out different insertion methods, it could lead to slight temporary pain. If you are experiencing pain while using a cup, maybe you are using the wrong size or inserting it incorrectly. If your cup is too firm, it could cause some discomfort because of the pressure on your vaginal wall. You can also experience it if the menstrual cup creates a suction on your cervix.  To avoid such issues, make sure you use the proper technique to insert it and use the right side of the cup. If the pain persists, it is best to contact a medical practitioner to understand why. 

Is a menstrual cup safe to use?

Yes, menstrual cups are safe to use. But it is your responsibility to make sure that you use it correctly and sterilise it regularly to avoid any irritations or complications. 

Does a menstrual cup break the hymen?

There is a chance that menstrual cups or tampons could break the hymen. But a hymen can also break because of physical activities like dancing or sports. The hymen is a concept that many conservative people believe in, as a sign of virginity, because of social and patriarchal constructs. But in a modern world, where people prioritise practicality and comfort, such baseless thoughts and ideas have no place.