Menstrual Cup: An Alternative to a Tampon?

Some women have discovered the menstrual cup as an environmentally friendly and inexpensive alternative to sanitary towels and tampons. How does it work?

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup, moon cup, moon cup, ladycup, dicacup, femmecup, menstrual cap, moon cup, menstrual cup or menstrual bell, is a goblet-like vessel made of medical soft silicone, natural rubber or the medical plastic TPE, which is used for monthly hygiene. It is inserted into the vagina during menstruation and collects the menstrual fluid there. However, the hygiene product is not a recent invention: the first models were already on the American market in the 1930s.

Unlike tampons or sanitary towels, menstrual cups do not absorb the secretion, but store the menstrual blood (up to 30 millilitres). When the cup is full, it is not thrown in the trash, but carefully removed, emptied, rinsed thoroughly under the tap and then replaced. Manufacturers like Me Luna, Ruby Cup or Lunette advertise with the advantage that it can be used for up to ten years. However, there are also disposable models.

What advantages does a menstrual cup offer?

• Most women who decide to have a menstrual cap do so for environmental and financial reasons. Since it can be reused for years with proper care and cleaning, there is no waste. In addition, menstrual caps are much cheaper than other products for monthly hygiene when calculated over the period of use.
• Since a menstrual cup has a capacity of up to 30 ml, it needs to be emptied less often than a tampon needs to be changed. It can remain in the vagina for up to 12 hours to absorb the menstrual secretion.
• According to the manufacturers, a menstrual bell is suitable for women who are prone to allergies, infections or fungi, as the vagina – unlike tampons – does not dry out.
• In places where it is difficult to obtain or dispose of a hygiene item such as sanitary towels – for example, when there is no rubbish bin or when travelling through areas that are not well developed – the reusable containers can be useful.
• Because the blood does not leave the body like bandages, less unpleasant odours develop during menstruation. According to the manufacturers, a Ladycup also keeps tight when it is full – unlike a fully soaked tampon.
• There are no reports of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) in connection with the menstrual cup. However, it is possible that the risk of shock syndrome is reduced.
• Even doing sports should not be a problem with the menstrual caps – which is difficult if you wear fabric bandages.

What are the disadvantages of a menstrual cup?

In public toilets, where the washbasin is usually located in a shared anteroom, washing out the menstrual cap is somewhat difficult. Manufacturers recommend that women carry a small water bottle in their handbag so that they can rinse the cap in the toilet cubicle. Alternatively, it can be wiped out with toilet paper.

A bit of effort and practice is needed to insert and check a menstrual cup. The sight of your own collected blood is also unfamiliar at first. Some people find proper cleaning and feminine hygiene to be time-consuming.

How do I insert the menstrual cup?

There are different folding techniques (e.g. the folding techniques “heart”, “shell”, “triangle”) for inserting the menstrual cup. The manufacturers offer detailed instructions on their websites. Every woman has to find out for herself which posture is the most comfortable. The best thing about it: there is no annoying thread play.

In addition to thorough hand washing, it is also important to leave some air in the menstrual cup so that it can unfold into the shape of a cup in the vagina. Moistening the cup with water or lubricant can make it easier to insert. You can feel with your fingers whether it fits properly. The vaginal muscles and the vacuum that is created prevent the cup from slipping and thus blood from leaking.

How do I remove the menstrual cup?

The easiest way to remove the menstrual cup is to squat slightly. With the help of the pelvic floor muscles, the menstrual cup can be “pressed” out of the vagina. At the same time, gently pull the end of the cup with your fingers.

How do I clean and care for the menstrual cup?

Before the first use, the menstrual cup should be sterilized in boiling water for a few minutes. Here too, manufacturers provide detailed instructions.

During your period, when you have emptied the menstrual cup and want to use it again, all you need to do is rinse it out thoroughly with clean water or wipe it out with toilet paper. The cup can also be cleaned with warm water and a mild soap (or a special intimate soap). If running water is not available, manufacturers also offer special cleaning cloths for when you are on the move. Every two days a basic cleaning should be carried out with boiling water or special cleaning agents.

This also applies after your period, before the menstrual cup is stored in the bag provided. The cup should not be washed in the dishwasher, as the dish detergents stick to the silicone and can damage the vaginal flora.

How do I find the right size for me?

A menstrual cup must seal well, must not slip and should also be easy to insert and remove again. If you have a rather small and dainty build or have strong pelvic floor muscles due to sports, you should try it with a small cup. For women who have already given birth to a child, the larger models are usually suitable. More important than the strength of the menstrual flow is that the menstrual cup fits the body. On their websites, manufacturers give detailed tips on choosing the right size.

What do specialists think of the menstrual cup?

Opinions differ even among experts. “Some of my patients use such menstrual cups and are very happy with them. They cope well with inserting and emptying them,” reports gynaecologist Yasmin Sabri, who practices in Hamburg. “I have not yet been able to find out how often a change is necessary for a heavier period and to what extent the blood actually remains in the cup. However, she says that women who use a menstrual cup are still real pioneers (and by no means flower children who rely solely on natural cosmetics): “It’s a pity, because from an ecological point of view I would very much welcome it,” says Yasmin Sabri.

Kai Bühling, a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics and President of the German Society for Women’s Health, is more critical of the menstrual cups: “This cap is so unhygienic that probably the vast majority of colleagues do not have it in their range of products. In addition, infections could be caused by the backwater in the funnel. “The cleaning is not very easy and the benefit compared to a tampon is not really obvious in my opinion”, says Bühling.

As is so often the case, in the end every woman must decide for herself whether a menstrual cup is a good alternative to sanitary towels or tampons. And simply try it out.

Where can I buy a menstrual cup?

Although the patent on menstrual cups was applied for as early as 1937, they are still quite unknown compared to sanitary towels or tampons. But in the meantime you can even buy them at dm and also in some organic food stores. You can also order them in the online shops of manufacturers like MeLuna, Lunette, LadyCup, Yuuki or Ruby Cup. They cost between 15 and 30 Euros. New on the market is the Looncup – a men’s cup with a corresponding app. Also new is the “Lily Cup Compact”, a foldable Mooncup that fits in every handbag!

The pale pink-coloured silicone cup “Lily Cup” can be folded up into a tiny size and stored in a flat tin to save space. In its compact state, the menstrual cup is almost as small as a tampon – and can be taken anywhere at any time! When folded out, it offers the same leakage protection as a normal menstrual cup – it can be worn in the body for up to ten hours before rinsing with water or a cleaning solution.

Still not convinced? These 4 facts will change your mind!

1. Menstrual cups are good for the environment

Each period also produces a lot of waste: products such as tampons and bandages are used by the ton per year and are therefore a problem for the environment. In concrete terms, it is said that women in England alone use around 4.3 billion disposable hygiene products every year. Given this figure, it is not surprising that a menstrual cup is much more environmentally friendly because, once purchased, it can be used over and over again.

2. Ladycups are unbeatable in price

Since you do not have to throw the menstrual cup away after each use, but can use it for three to four years according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it is worth the purchase. A so-called moon cup costs between 15 and 30 Euros. In comparison: On average, women spend between 30 and 100 euros a year on tampons and sanitary towels. This represents a minimum saving of 60 euros and a maximum saving of 385 euros.

3. Different sizes are available for cups

The menstrual cup is available in different sizes. If you are rather small and dainty built, you should be content with a smaller cup. Larger women prefer a larger version. It also plays a role whether you have already had a child – and how heavy your bleeding is. If you decide to buy a cup, the manufacturer will give you detailed tips on choosing the right size.

4. Practice makes perfect – even with the menstrual cup

In the beginning the menstrual cup is certainly unfamiliar. You can introduce it while sitting or standing – whichever you prefer. For it to fit perfectly, it must be completely unfolded. Only then can it offer the maximum capacity and be tight. The application needs at least as much practice as the first insertion of a tampon. A little tip: it makes sense to moisten the cup with water or water-soluble lubricant.