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More and more women are changing from using clothes, pads, and tampons to using menstrual cups.
This trend has many good sides. Gift Oba from DAILY POST explains some hidden facts and how it can affect women’s health and the environment.
In the past, women didn’t have many choices for managing their periods. They often used thick cloths and sanitary pads.
But now, new technology has brought big changes in period care.
Today, there’s something new and exciting: the menstrual cup! For many, this is a big improvement. It’s cheaper in the long run and better for the environment because you can use it again and again.
Menstrual cups are different from pads and tampons because you don’t throw them away. You don’t have to keep buying new ones.
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What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is a small, soft cup made of medical-grade silicone. Women put it inside their vaginas to collect their period blood.
These cups come in different sizes to fit different women, making them more practical and convenient.
DAILY POST found that these cups, costing around N5,000 each, come in various brands like the Anytime Menstrual Cup, Keeper Cup, Moon Cup, DivaCup, Lena Cup, and Lily Cup. There are also throwaway options like the Instead Softcup.
Research shows these cups are reusable, friendly to your budget, can prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome (a rare infection linked to tampons), hold more blood, and can be used with an IUD (a birth control device in the uterus).
A woman shared her story: “I’ve been using menstrual cups for a few years now. I don’t have leaks all day since my period is light to medium, so I only need to clean it once a day.
“The container it comes with is very handy. Sometimes I leak a bit after lying down for a while, but that’s always been a problem for me.”
Menstrual Cup Advocate: It can last up to 10 years
Tojah Omorogbe, who promotes and sells menstrual cups, told DAILY POST that these medical grade silicone cups can last up to 10 years.
She said anyone can use them regardless of age, but there are safety rules to follow.
“I teach all women these safety rules: Sterilize the cup before each period, wash it with mild soap and clean water, and handle it with clean hands,” she explained.
How to use
“Wet your hand with water or water-based gel, fold the cup, and insert it into your vagina.
“Folding makes it smaller, and inside it creates a seal to stop leaks. The menstrual blood goes into the cup.
“You can leave the cup in for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow. To remove it, empty the blood, wash it with mild soap and water, and use it again,” she instructed.
When removing the cup, don’t pull it by the tip. Insert fingers a bit into the vagina, hold the base of the cup, and gently squeeze and pull it out.
Possible Issues
Even though menstrual cups can save money and help the environment, there are some health risks, Omorogbe revealed.
If not used properly, they can change the vaginal ph level, cause yeast infections, or weaken vaginal muscles.
Some women may find it hard to remove the cup, causing it to spill. Others might find it uncomfortable or even painful to insert or remove.
Younger women aged 19 to 25 are more curious to try it-
Omorogbe said younger women, ages 19-25, are more eager to try menstrual cups, but women aged 30 and above are more doubtful. Yet, many who tried it were happy and didn’t go back to pads.
Gynecologist: The cup won’t make the vagina loose
In Abeokuta, Ogun State, some women were worried that using the cup might make their vaginas wider.
However, Professor Ajenifuja Olusegun from Obafemi Awolowo University Hospital said that the vagina is elastic and goes back to normal size even after childbirth.
“Women only need to wear it during their period, and once it’s removed, the vagina returns to normal size,” he explained.
He also warned that some people might be allergic to the cup’s material. If it’s too tight, it might cause injury to the vaginal walls.
Public Health Specialist: Measure the length of your cervix
Tonia Shodunke, a public health expert from Ogun State, suggested that women measure their cervix length before using a cup. This helps them avoid discomfort by pushing it too deep.
“The cup doesn’t need to reach the cervix; it just needs to be in place to collect the blood. If you feel pain, it’s too deep, so pull it out a little,” she said.
She also advised women to think about their age and whether they’ve given birth. Younger women or those who haven’t given birth should use smaller cups, while women who’ve given birth vaginally might need larger ones.
Shodunke pointed out that menstrual cups might help with period poverty, especially in rural areas, but cleanliness is very important. “If you’re not clean, you might end up with an infection,” she warned.
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