Every female faces the common monthly issue of dealing with (several-day) periods. In this day and age, luckily, women have many opportunities to choose from when it comes to sanitary solutions of course, so the choice can be quite extensive.
Mainly, everyone chooses between the ‘default’ standard 2 options – pads or tampons. They both have pros and cons, so this could furthermore make it difficult to choose one. However, there is also another choice; between period cups and tampons. This is a bit different, and it might seem unusual to use cups, but as we mentioned, every such product has its pros and cons which can make the choice more complex. Let’s clarify it together, shall we?
How to use/apply Menstrual Cups (step by step)
The menstrual cup has more and more popularity by the day, and for the majority of women, it is a relatively ‘new thing’. Does it seem complicated to you? It doesn’t have to be if you follow the step-by-step application of cups.
1) Sterilization
Take the cup and make sure it is clean. Sterilize it in water that boils, not longer than 5 minutes. Put it aside and let it cool off, out of the boiling water.
2) Folding and insertion
Then, wash your hands, and take the cup, fold it and insert it inside. Hmm, easier said than done? Kinda. You can always look up or google various ways to fold a cup, but most women choose the ‘punch down’ or the ‘C-fold’. These two are the most practical and easiest (google them, your welcome!). Put the cup inside, and just let it open up by itself while inside. Let the cup pop.
3) Check the ‘fold’
Once the cup is inside, check around its base. It must feel perfectly round all over, oval, without folds remaining. In case some fold remained, touch the cup base, and swirl the cup to open it.
4) Cup removal
Gently pull the cup stem, and contract the abdomen muscles to kinda push the cup down. Then, slightly press the cup to empty it. Don’t JUST pull the stem for the removal – this can cause unpleasantness.
5) Clean and insert again
You will adjust to this after a few periods. Always make sure the cup is sterilized before you initially insert it. Also, don’t forget to empty it after a while, and reinsert it. There is no need to sterilize it for reinserting, but if you just bought the cup and unpacked it, putting it in boiling water is a must.
Cup product review:
Lena Menstrual Cup – Reusable Period Cup – Tampon and Pad Alternative – Regular Flow – Small – Pink
This product ensures you feel better and more comfortable during the period days. The cup is reusable, and the usage is simple. There is great protection from leakage, and there are much fewer odors during periods.
Also, the comfort with this cup is guaranteed; you canmove as much as you want, be active, do sports, and even swim. Very easy to remove and insert, and it can be worn for a maximum of 12 hours, which is excellent. It is made of good quality silicone and colors, so it is of course FDA-approved.
Your vaginal health will improve drastically, because all intimate health problems such as yeast infections and similar, are linked to usage of other menstrual products, but not cups. And, with using menstrual cups, you are using an eco-friendly product; because if you use this cup correctly, it can even be used for many years!
Pros:
– Comfort
– Reusable
– Less odors
– Usage of up to 12 hours
– Less yeast infections
– Eco-friendly
– Good for both adolescents, and adults
– Comes in both Small, and Large size
– FDA-approved
Cons:
– Possible slight discomfort (during heavy movements)
– Could give off a ‘strange feeling’, as a bad-placed tampon
– Slight pain during the removal (until you practice this untill perfection)
– Possible slight leakage (when not placed properly)
– Slippery (because of the material it is made of)
– Risky to use for very heavy flow (because of possible leakage)
– Lena Large cannot be used for any kind of cervix height
How to use/apply menstrual tampons (step by step)
Menstrual tampons gained their popularity after the menstrual pads were introduced and perfected. You can even say that the tampons could probbaly the most popular choice, simply because statistically, they are proven to give the most comfort during movements (and this goes especially for those with very active lifestyles during the period days).
Let’s see the tampon usage step by step:
1) Wash your hands
Before you unpack the tampons, wash your hands well with soap and water of course. Unwrap the plastic from the tampon, and check if the tampon is well rounded. The string of the tampon will unfold by itself, so it is ready to use.
2) Check the string
Then, gently straighten the string, and pull it a bit, to ensure it is firmly attached inside the tampon.
3) Squat
Do this in a comfortable position, because with a squat, it is simple to insert the tampon inside. Or, you can also put one leg on the toilet, and the other firm on the floor. Try both ways to see what are you most comfortable with.
4) Insertion
Use one hand to hold the string, and the other to hold the tampon. With the hand that holds the tampon, ‘push and press’ the tampon inside, and ‘feel’ whether the tampon is positioned straight inside (it should be straightened, otherwise, there could be blood leaking onto your clothes if not properly placed!). So, push the tampon inside with the middle finger, and try to get that 45 degrees angle inside.
5) Check the string on the outside
Once the tampon is placed, make sure the string is on the outside, touching your clothes. This is very important, because if the string is inside with the tampon, you will have troubles to take out the tampon when it is ‘tampon replacement’ time. If this is the case, you would have to scoop out the tampon with your fingers and hands, instead of simpy pulling the string.
6) Check the comfort
If you feel uncomfortable, it means the tampon is not well-placed inside, and it must be pushed more. In this case, quickly take out the tampon just a bit, and push it inside all over again. Or, if you do this later than the insertion, just throw out this tampon, and put another one.
7) Removal
Relax the muscles, and pull the string to take out the tampon. Easy as that! Wrap thetampon in toilet paper, and throw it in the bin, and never in the toilet!
Tampon product review:
Veeda Natural All-Cotton Tampons, Reguar, 90 count
The Veeda tampons are a 100% natural product, which is hypoallergenic, it doesn’t have GMO cotton material, and it is proven to reduce irritations and allergies, so all of this is confirmed by gynecologists and dermatologists. The Veeda tampons are not toxic, which means they do not have rayon, chlorine, dioxides, fragrances, dyes, chemicals, or pesticides.
They are compact and do not come with a plastic material applicator. The Veeda tampons are eco-friendly; they are biodegradable, and their packaging can be recycled.
Lastly, the Veeda fund cares for everyone in need! Every time you purchase the Veeda tampons, there are donations going out worldwide for those in need.
Pros:
– Special grooves in the tampons for better absorbing
– Hypoallergenic (no perfumes or toxins)
– No artificial dyes and materials
– Biodegradable
– FDA-approved
Cons:
– Possible incorrect packaging of the tampons inside (upon receiving the order)
– The applicator does not push the tampon all the way
– They last a maximum of 2 hours (which is slightly inconvenient)
– Leakage is possible
– Absorbance is not as good as with other types of tampons
– Their size is somewhat small
Conclusion
In the end, it depends on you what kind of product will you choose. Whether you choose tampons or cups, or something else, it all comes down to how heavy your periods are, what type of flow do you have, and what are you most comfortable with.
The period cups could be convenient if you don’t want to rush to the toilet every 2 hours, and if you are comfortable with the way they are placed inside.
On the other hand, the tampons could be a good choice for you if you have a lot of movements, a very active lifestyle, or if you are into sports, since the tampons are not felt at all while you wear them.
Whatever you choose, always weigh the pros and cons. Good luck!