Menstrual Cup Users’ Experiences
Cover Image by Thais Andersen
The menstrual cup: An item that’s loved by its users and a curiosity to those you don’t. This period product is made of body-safe silicone designed to sit comfortably at the base of the vaginal canal without damaging and drying it. The tampon alternative holds about 1 oz of blood and can be left in for up to 12 hours, depending on the heaviness of your flow. When it’s filled you dump it, clean it with fragrance-free soap and submerge it into a pot of boiling water for 5-10 mins or use a designated cleaner if you’re out. It’s an environmentally friendly option that leads to less plastic going into landfills and switches up the typical single-use items we see with periods. Just like any product though, it’s not going to be right for everyone so if you are inserting for the first time, be gentle with yourself and watch an instructional video if you need to.
We know it can be helpful to hear a friend’s story so we asked Age of Lapin’s Instagram followers to anonymously tell us their experience with using menstrual cups. Here’s what they had to say:
One: “Yes! Love it! I love that I can have it in all day and just forget about it. It’s so comfortable.”
Two: “Yes. Currently using a Diva Cup. Overall, it works well but sometimes leaks.”
Three: “Yes! Love it, don’t know how I ever lived without it. Changed my flows and period for good.”
Four: “Used to use a cup & LOVED it. After using it for about 2 years, it wouldn’t sit & always leaked. I’m guessing it might have something to do with some uterine polyps I recently discovered I have. It’s so frustrating because I absolutely loved the cup. Loved the freedom, the lesser environmental impact and less chemicals coming into contact with my body. It just got to the point where the leaking needed me to be wearing a pad…which is counterproductive.”
Five: “At first, I was a bit hesitant to try the product, not knowing how easy or difficult it would be to use. A few friends of mine had told me it was a great change and once you’ve put it in you couldn’t feel it. After using a menstrual cup for about a year now I definitely agree. It’s a lot easier and smoother than I thought it would be. As of now, with covid, I’ve only used the product at home, but since sustainability is so important to me, I want to continue using the product in everyday circumstances. It takes a bit of getting used to, but after a few tries I would highly recommend it!”
Menstrual cups created in Canada:
