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I’m a very recent convert to this awesome phenomena known as Menstrual Cups. I came across this term over Facebook while looking for environment friendly and sustainable products we use in our day-to-day lives.

So, menstrual cups are basically medical-grade silicone cups that are designed to fill the vaginal cavity, in a way to work like tampons, but just reusable and doesn’t leave the Earth’s surface with hard-to-recycle material. Read on to find out more.

Pros:

• Recyclable and sustainable
• Lasts you for a longer duration that disposable pads, you can take up to 12 hours before you empty the cup, of course, depending on your flow
• Cost effective, lasts you for about 10 years
• No impact on vaginal flora, i.e. no toxic shock syndrome
• Keeps you dry
• Enables you to indulge in physical activities without the fear of leakage
• Saves you money
• No itchy, annoying rashes (especially in the summers)
• Sleep in whichever position comfortable to you
• No awkward shadows or lines on clothes

Cons:

• Gets a little messy while cleaning up
• Needs to be sterilized pre and post use
• Inserting and Removing may take some getting used to
• Fit issues. Some sizes may or may not suit the body shape and size.

Coming to getting used to wearing them. Well, they say wait for a 2-3 cycles to get used to the cup, well, I got used to it in the first cycle only, what needs actual practice, is the removal of the cup when you need to empty it.

Taking care of the cup. Well, apart from sterilizing it before and after use and keeping away in a light cotton pouch. Rinse it with warm water each time you empty it. While rinsing, wash with pH balanced soap (if you have access to it) with warm water.

These genuinely feel like what companies selling disposable pads say, it feels like nothing.