Why Every Female Traveler Needs A Menstrual Cup

Ladies – this post is for you (sorry fellas). In fact, gents if you are still reading you might want to stop now and explore another post. This is going to get awkward for you really fast.

Now ladies, that ‘special' time of the month can be a nuisance and a drag even in the best of circumstances. When traveling, it can become even more of a bummer, especially when you forget to pack tampons or pads and have to rush out to get some when you discover – surprise! – Auntie Flo has paid you a visit. In some countries, just getting supplies can be a problem (such as Thailand where the majority of women wear pads. For tampon users, it is a nightmare). If you do have the foresight to know your period will come, you have to make sure you pack enough for the duration of your cycle, which takes up unnecessary space in luggage.

Enter the menstrual cup – a life-changing little device that honestly is the best thing I have ever experienced when it comes to menstruation. Keep reading if you want to learn how to not completely hate your period and deal with it in a safe and hygienic way!

What is it?

A menstrual cup is a small silicone or latex rubber cup that catches and collects your flow instead of absorbing it (like tampons and pads).

How does it work?

To insert the cup, you simply fold it and insert it the same way you would a tampon. Once it is fully inserted, the cup should pop open and create a seal against your cervix, therefore creating an area to catch your flow. Getting the insertion correct can take a little bit of practice. I recommend doing it in the shower the first few times so that if you do make a bit of a mess, it can easily be washed away. You might also want to wear a pantyliner the first time you use it, just in case you place it incorrectly and you have leakage.

I have never had a problem with placement and haven't had any accidents so far. My tips for placing it correctly are:

• Make sure once you place it inside, you give it a twirl so that the cup pops open.
• Give the stem a tug once you have place it. If it feels difficult to pull down, then it has created the airtight seal and isn't going anywhere. If you can easily pull it down, it has not created the seal and you should try again. Use your pelvic floor muscles to kind of pull it up into place.
• When properly placed, you should not feel it at all!

How do I remove it?

To remove the cup, use your pelvic floor muscles to push the cup down. Then, simply pull on the end of the stem, which you should easily be able to reach by feeling just inside your vagina. Once you begin to pull, pinch the bottom of the cup, thus breaking the airtight seal the cup has created. You should then easily be able to pull it out, rinse it, wash it with mild soap, and reinsert it. Some people recommend angling your menstrual cup back slightly to prevent it from spilling as you remove it.

Because you have to rinse the cup out after you remove it and before you reinsert, I recommend doing this in the shower. If you have to do it in a public restroom, some people recommend bringing a water bottle into the stall with you to rinse it.

How often should I change my menstrual cup?

I first heard about menstrual cups from one of my friends who is a doctor. She told me that she removes it once a day in the shower, washes it and reinserts it for the duration of her period. Because the cup forms an airtight seal inside your vagina, there is a very low risk of TSS or a bacterial infection (either of which could happen when you forget to change a tampon). Gone are the days of calculating how many hours you have until you must change! It really is quite liberating!

Some people have reported they feel more comfortable changing it once every twelve hours, and this is also the recommendation given by most menstrual cup manufacturers. The twelve hour rule makes the cup completely safe for overnight use. Personally, I follow my friend's recommendation and have never felt that once a day is too long to go without changing it. My cup has never been more than a little more than halfway full, so unless you have very heavy periods, there is a very small chance of it getting too full and leaking. In fact, menstrual cups hold about twice as much as the most absorbent tampons (1 ounce).

Another benefit to having an airtight seal is that you can insert the cup on days when you are expecting your period. Even if you don't get it, you can be assured you won't have the same discomfort that comes from a dry tampon (the worssssst).

I must note that I AM NOT A DOCTOR. You should follow the recommendation of a gynecologist or the menstrual cup manufacturer for how often to change it.

How do I take care of it?

Taking care of your menstrual cup is super easy. During your period, you simply remove it, wash it with soap and water and reinsert. Once your period is over, you should boil it in water for 5-10 minutes and then store it in a small bag that allows for some airflow (not airtight). Most companies will ship out the cup in a bag that can be used for storage in between periods.

How long will it last?

If cared for properly, a mesntrual cup can last years! Check the details with the specific manufacturer you purchase, but most can last at least 5 years and up to 10 with the proper care!

This is incredible when you think about the savings! Imagine you use half a box of tampons per period. That is 6 boxes you have to buy a year. A box of tampons cost on average between $7-$10. The average number of periods a woman will have in her lifetime is 450. So if you multiply $7-$10 by 450 you get… $3,150 – $4,500 over a lifetime!!! Thats a lot of money to spend on your period! With a menstural cup, you can pay as little as $15 and usually up to about $40. And that cup could last you between 5-10 years! Are you freaking out yet? Add in the bonus that you are helping the environment with less waste, and I just don't see any other way to go.

Where can I buy one?

Menstrual cups are available online through sites such as Amazon but should also be available in your local drugstore such as CVS or Walgreens in the USA. So convenient!

Which brand should I get? Is one better than the other?

There are many different brands online that sell menstrual cups. The two most popular are the Diva Cup and the Dutchess Cup. Both work great but have slight differences in how stiff the silicone of the cup is. I prefer the more flexible Dutchess Cup, which came in a two pack (perfect to keep one at home and one in your purse or at work).

Make sure when purchasing a cup that you pay attention to the sizing! Many brands have a smaller sized cup for younger women or those who have not had children; they also should have a slightly larger cup for older women or those who have had children.

Deciding on a brand really comes down to personal preference, as all menstrual cups essentially work the same way. Make sure to do your research and read lots of reviews before ultimately making your choice. There are tons of different brands for different prices. Click on the links below to read reviews for the most popular brands currently available:

Dutchess Cup

Diva Cup

Blossom

lena

Are you convinced?!

So, have I convinced you? If not, you can read the hundreds of reviews on Amazon from real women who have been using a menstrual cup and loving it! I am a convert and will never, ever go back to using tampons for as long as I live and get a period. And why would I, when I am saving money as well as the environment (!!). I also just feel cleaner and all around better with my cup. Seriously – make the switch. You will thank me later.

Still thinking about it? Pin this for later!

Do you use a menstrual cup? Share your experience in the comments below!

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