What is a Menstrual Cup?

Learn what a menstrual cup is and how it can help you

Not quite long ago I was intrigued by this product and read numerous articles to find out what it was and how it worked. So if you have no idea what a menstrual cup is, I’ve got your back! (I think we owe it our society where talking about menstruation makes aunties go ‘haw-haye’).

A menstrual cup is a feminine hygiene product just like sanitary pads and tampons are. It’s is a bell-shaped cup that has to be folded and inserted in your vagina, sitting just below your cervix. You boil it before use, empty after it’s full (up to 12 hours), then wash and reinsert it. It is made of medical grade silicone, making it re-usable and an environment-friendly option.

Here is a picture of Recircle Cup.

Recircle Cup

You might think a menstrual cup is similar to a tampon, but there are two main differences between a tampon and a menstrual cup.

1) Menstrual cups are re-usable while tampons are not.

2) Tampons absorb menstrual fluid with the help of a chemical absorbent, while menstrual cups collect menstrual fluid inside them. This is also why it is advised to change a tampon every 4 hours, as the absorbent can be harmful. Menstrual cups can be left inside for up to 12 hours.

The best thing about a menstrual cup is that it seals inside your vagina, so you can even swim with it! Menstrual cups come in different sizes and designs so you can select the one that fits your vagina best, as every vagina is different.

Read more about how I started using menstrual cups and why I thought it was time to rethink menstrual products.