I have been hearing about menstrual cups for a long time. And have been researching it for years. So I finely gathered some courage to try it out by myself. And here is my menstrual cup experience, for the first time.
Ps: TMI alert
How it all began
I ordered my menstrual cup of a brand called ![""]("//ir-in.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=astralambrosi-21&l=am2&o=31&a=B08FBCX4Y3")
First attempt
So right when I got it, I decided to try it on, remember I was not on my period then (I think was in the luteal phase of my cycle). I kept the cup in boiling water for a while to sterilize it, then washed my hands and got ready. I tried out a few folds by using this video guide. And as the punch down fold had the narrowest entry point I decided to try it out. Trying to relax ( wasn’t successful cause I was very anxious) I tried to put it into my vaginal canal, but it was so hard and it kinda hurt my vagina. So I decided to postpone my attempt to my period days so there is natural lubrication.
My tips:
- Don’t use the menstrual cup on non-period days
- Relax yourself
Period day
I was having very bad cramps as usual. So I didn’t try it right when I got my periods. So after a while, once my cramps subsided I decided to use my menstrual cup.
Inserting
Just as before I boiled my cup and washed my hands. This time I was far more relaxed than before (thanks to all the great articles I read and the videos I watched, I felt prepared ). I tried the punch down fold, where I punched down the rim of my cup to the bottom. I tried inserting and thanks to mucus in the menstrual blood, it went right in. But right when I put it in I got very concerned if the cup had popped open. Cause it was easy to insert than I expected. So I tried removing and I as couldn’t feel any pressure it confirmed my assumption. Was kinda hurting at this point, not bad though. I wasn’t ready to give up yet so I tried it on again. It was easy and I also did the rotating thingy to make sure the cup did open. I was still a bit unsure, but I was staying home, I decided to let it be and fix if it leaks.
While wearing
For my first time, I almost wore it for 6 hours ( you can wear up to 12 hours though). For a while, the stem of my cup was kinda poking my labia, and I kinda hurt. Now I know it was because the cup was placed too low. But after a while, the poking stopped cause the cup moved further up. Then it was heavenly cause I couldn’t feel the cup in me at all. And I kinda felt like I wasn’t on my periods. Not gonna lie I wasn’t very carefree, because I was scared it might leak. But nothing happened and I felt liberated.
Removal
By this time I was over my fear to touch my vulva, so I felt calmer. To remove I inserted my fingers into my vaginal canal and got hold of the stem and wiggled it out. Once I got the grip of the base of the cup I punched it in to release the suction and pulled it out. It was fairly very easy than the inserting process.
I was only filled up to the very base And it didn’t even spill a bit. It was kinda gross (not as gross as a bloody pad) but I was fascinated to see the color of actual menstrual blood. I had some cramping after removal, don’t know if it was my usual cramping or due to the cup.
sleeping with the cup
The second time inserting was easier. And wore it while sleeping. Everything was fine until I woke up from my sleep cause I could feel some leak, thank god I woke up before it stained my sheets. I feel like it was due to my sleeping positions Not bad cause pads always stain the sheets at night. I really need to get used to it.
conclusion
Anyway, it was my first experience using a menstrual cup here are some pros and cons from a first-time user (remember I have always heard it gets better with practice).
Pros:
- Couldn’t feel the cup in me
- No rashes on the skin
- Very comfortable if worn right
- Eco friendly
- Not as gross as pads
- Doesn’t stinks
- An opportunity to learn more about vagina
Cons
- take time for inserting and removal
- Kinda hurt on the first try
- Feel very anxious about leaking
- hard to know if placed right
- Need to keep it Sterilized after every use
As you can see more pros than cons. So the question is will o use it again? Definitely, because the merits outweigh the demerits.
That’s all for my first attempt with menstrual cup. I really encourage you guys to give it a try cause the benefits for the environment and yourself is a lot. If you give menstrual cups a try let me know about your experience in the comment section below.
To the moon and never back, nidha
check out my last post on my morning routine
