health
I
was equal parts shocked and impressed that menstrual cups have been around since the 1860 ’ s . I mean why was I not aware of this ? Why had this information fallen wayside ? Growing up , I don ’ t recall any adverts on TV or any sort of literature shared in school or outside of school pointing me in this direction . Why had I been duped into thinking that my only options were sanitary towels and tampons ?
What are menstrual cups ? A menstrual cup is a type of reusable , eco-friendly feminine hygiene product that is an alternative to tampons or pads . It is a small , flexible funnel-shaped cup made of silicone that you insert to catch and collect period fluid . The bell-shaped cup seals against the vaginal wall just below the cervix to collect menstrual fluid and prevent leakage . Approximately every 4 – 12 hours the cup is removed , emptied , rinsed , and reinserted .
When was the menstrual cup invented ? An American actor called Leona Chalmers was the first person to invent and patent her latex rubber cup in 1937 . Due to the concern over inserting the cups and also the discomfort ( and possible allergies ) of the material , the cups were not widely used or popular .
It wasn ’ t until 2002 that the first reusable silicone menstrual cup was invented in the UK called the Mooncup . The Mooncup was the first menstrual cup to be manufactured using medical grade silicone rather than latex rubber because of its durability and hypoallergenic properties . The new cups were more comfortable and easier to clean .
Today , there are loads of choices on the market and menstrual cups are becoming more widely used and advertised into our collective awareness . There are so many more options to choose from , and so many resources at our fingerprints to help get over any previous taboos , you can now even check YouTube for videos with clear instructions on how to use these cups .
Benefits of using a cup
• They don ’ t dry the vaginal area and preserve the healthy bacteria that protects from infections
• They do not contain harmful chemicals , which can be found in some tampons and pads , for example bleach and dioxin
• As the cup contains the fluid inside the body , there is less odour
• When inserted correctly you cannot feel the cup
• Menstrual cups can contain more fluid therefore they do not need to be cleaned for a longer period of time , unlike pads and tampons
• They are reusable and therefore more environmentally friendly
• You cannot get Toxic Shock Syndrome ( TSS ) which is linked to the usage of tampons
Are menstrual cups more environmentally friendly ? The environmental benefits of using cups are undeniable . Disposable pads and plastic tampon applicators typically end up in landfills or are incinerated . They can take 25 years or more to break down and cause a significant environmental impact . Most of the pads and tampons are made of cotton and / or plastic . Plastic can take 50 or more years and cotton starts degrading after 90 days if it ’ s composted . Biodegradable sanitary options are now available , and these decompose quicker , but they must be composted , and not disposed of in a landfill . Given that the menstrual cup is reusable , it decreases the amount of waste generated from menstrual products and also creates less discarded packaging .
Another option is investing in period underwear which can be washed and then reused . These are also environmentally friendly .