Menstrual cups are small, flexible, funnel-shaped cups made of silicon or rubber that are inserted inside the vagina to collect menstrual eco-friendly blood. They’ve been around since the 1930s but did not gain favour till recently when they’ve resurfaced as an eco-friendly method of feminine hygiene.

Why use menstrual cups?

If you’re interested in menstrual cups do speak to your gynaecologist.

-Menstrual cups are pocket friendly. They cost much less than the sanitary napkins and tampons you need to buy every month.

-They are safer to use compared to tampons as they collect rather than absorbing blood. They hold much more blood and need to be changed after 8-12 hours depending on the flow. Tampons, on the other hand, need to be changed 4-8 hourly.
Tampons can cause the Toxic Shock Syndrome; since cups don’t absorb blood they are less likely to be a source of infection by bacterial invasion.

-These menstrual cups cause less of odour unlike sanitary pads and tampons as they don’t absorb blood which comes in contact with environmental air that causes a bad smell.

-They are more eco-friendly. Most can be used for up to 1 year or longer ( though some are disposable too); that means less trees cut and less waste in landfills due to pads, cloths, and tampons.

-You can wear menstrual cups with an IUD in place though the thread of the IUD may need to be cut shorter so that it doesn’t get pulled out with the cup.

-You can use it during sex as well. Most well-fitted cups are not even felt by you or your partner during intercourse.

What are the disadvantages of using Menstrual Cups?

-They may be difficult to insert or remove initially till practice makes perfect.

-The removal of a cup may be messy, especially in public toilets and some people may be embarrassed doing the same. You need to carry bottles of water and tissue paper to clean them. Also, you may initially find it tough to pinch the base of the cup to release the vacuum and then pull at the stem.

-It may be tough to find the right fit.

-They may cause vaginal irritation if they are not cleaned or cared for properly.

How to use the menstrual cup?

Menstrual cups are available online and in different sizes. You need to get a size that’s appropriate for you. Please speak to your health care provider regarding the same.

You need to wash your hands, apply a water-based lube or water to the rim of the cup, fold the cup ( different styles of folding seen in the images), and insert it inside the vagina rim up. The cup is then rotated and it sits in the vagina just below the cervix after a vacuum is created.

Once it is properly placed it is very comfortable and you won’t feel it. The seal of the cup is such that leaks are prevented.

How to remove the cup?

You need to empty the cup 6-12 hours later depending on the flow. Wash your hands, insert the index finger and thumb inside the vagina, feel the stem of the cup, and reach up to the base. Pinch the base, release the vacuum and then pull at the stem bringing the cup out. This can now be emptied of blood, washed, and re-inserted inside.
Re-usable cups can be used from 6 months to 10 years while disposable ones can be thrown away after use.

Price of the menstrual cup?

Most menstrual cups available online come at a price of 200 Rs up to around 1000 Rs. They come with a cloth bag in which the cup can be stored when not in use.

So make an informed choice – your body, your choices! The menstrual cup is indeed a way of empowering yourself, of clean and safe periods, and a hygienic and more eco-friendly and sustainable way of life!

The time in a woman’s life when periods stop can be seamlessly simple or it may be fraught with many problems . Gone are the days when one had to endure them ; it’s time to now seek options that help you ease into menopause .

Phases of menopause :

1. Peri menopause: The few years preceding menopause when ovaries start producing less oestrogen hormones leading to irregular or scant / heavy periods , hot flashes , mood swings , weight issues , coarse skin and hair , vaginal dryness , sore breasts and increased frequency of urination.

2 Menopause: Natural menopause happens after the age of 40 years of life . If it happens before 40, it is called Premature Menopause. Menopause implies that there are no periods for one year.

3 Post menopause: The years following menopause are referred to as the post menopausal years .
With increased life expectancy and a better socio economic class and changed life style more and more women are grappling with menopausal and post menopausal symptoms .

Symptoms of menopause are hot flashes , sweating in the head and neck region , fatigue , irritability , depression , anxiety , breast heaviness, increasing weight which may be more difficult to lose , vaginal dryness, lack of interest in sex , often due to painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness,urge to urinate more frequently and urinary tract infections.

Later on in life there may be palpitations and heart disease, osteoporosis ( weak bones and joints ) and insomnia as well .

Diagnosis:

It is that phase of life that is inevitable and most women know their bodies and can make a diagnosis on their own with the advent of these symptoms.

Your doctor may do some blood tests like
S FSH
Estradiol
Thyroid tests
S AMH
Along with these they may get an ultrasound and DEXA scan for determining your bone strength .

Treatment for menopausal symptoms involves

Hormone replacement therapy
Topical hormonal creams
Non hormonal therapy to ease vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes
Medicines and supplements like Vitamin D and calcium .

The advantages of healthy lifestyle like exercise , clean eating and keeping your weight in check are multifold and are greatly needed . Also Kegel’s exercises to tighten pelvic floor muscles and staying socially active are extremely important . Yoga , pranayam and breathing exercises and alternate forms of exercise like Tai-chi and acupuncture also have a place in treatment . Avoidance of smoking and alcohol ( or drinking in moderation ) is strongly recommended .

Remember , this is an important phase in our life and is an inevitable part of our journey . May we empower each other in this stage of life ; may we have stronger , calmer , mentally , socially and emotionally equipped band of women – strong enough to understand and adapt to the changes in our bodies …. Strong and powerful !