Wait...menstrual cups actually have a history!?
While it may appear as menstruation cups sprang out of nowhere, they have been present in some form since the 1800s. In 1867, the first patent for a menstruation cup was granted, and the prototype was just a rubber bag connected to a ring. This prototype was designed to be placed into the vaginal canal to collect blood. A cord linked to the menstrual cup may then be used to draw it out.
Leona Chalmers invented one of the first commercial menstruation cups in 1937 and stated that it made her monthly struggle more manageable. During this period, however, women preferred menstrual pads over tampons and menstrual cups were considered taboo at the time.
Menstrual cups were available in the 1950s and 1960s, but they were not widely accepted. As a result, until the late 1980s, the menstrual cup category as a whole fell into the background.
Menstrual cups are being used by an increasing number of women nowadays. They have been shown to be both effective and safe.
A brief introduction to menstrual cups
Menstrual cups have become all the rage ever since they made a blast from the past. But what are they?
Menstrual cups are a reusable female hygiene product. You insert a small, flexible funnel-shaped cup made of rubber or silicone into your vagina to capture and collect period fluid. Many women use cups as an eco-friendly alternative to tampons since they may contain more blood than other techniques.
Your cup will pop open (you may have to twist it first) and rest against the vaginal walls. To prevent leaks, it forms a seal. After that, the blood just drops into the cup. To remove it, pull the stem that protrudes from the bottom and pinches the base to break the seal. Then you simply have to drain it, wash it with soap and water, and reinstall it. You may clean and disinfect your cup in hot water at the conclusion of your cycle.
You may buy them online or over the counter in supermarkets and drugstores, just like any other period product.
Benefits of using this product
1. Lower expenses and less trash in landfills
Some cups are meant to be used for months or even years, saving you money over tampons and pads. Because they may be reused, there is less trash in our landfills, and fewer trees are cut down to produce paper-based alternatives. Remember that some cups are meant to be thrown away. If you wish to buy a reusable one, make sure you read the label carefully before purchasing.
2. There is no unpleasant odor
Because the fluid isn't exposed to air as it is with pads and tampons, you won't have to worry about unsightly stench drifting out at inconvenient times with menstruation cups.
3. Longer intervals between changes
Depending on your flow, you should replace tampons every four to eight hours. A menstrual cup can last up to 12 hours before needing to be emptied.