Blog: Teens
Menstrual Cup Q&A
Q: What is a menstrual cup and what are the advantages of using one?
A: There are two kinds of menstrual cups: the first is a soft, flexible cup that is worn internally, in the natural space under the cervix and behind the pubic bone where it conforms to your body. You can wear it for about 12 hours at a time, after which it is disposed and a new one is inserted.
Other menstrual cups are bell-shaped, and inserted internally to form a suction seal once inside the vagina. These are emptied, cleaned and re-inserted and the same one is used for each menstrual cycle. Both types of menstrual cups are designed to collect your menstrual flow rather than absorb it.
A study in the Journal of Women's Health showed that women prefer a soft menstrual cup to their current form of protection in terms of comfort, dryness, irritation, odor, length of wear, and interference with various activities.i
There are several advantage to both types of menstrual cups.
- Longer wear time. Many women prefer menstrual cups because they can be safely worn longer—up to 12 hours. Given the longer wear time, most women use fewer disposable cups than tampons, giving cups a potential environmental advantage as well.
- Comfortable and protective during activities. The design and duration of use also means that active women can continue their active lives. Menstrual cups can be worn while swimming, playing sports or doing vigorous exercise such as bicycling. The soft, flexible cup can be worn during intercourse when you have your period to reduce the messiness of sex during that time in your cycle.
- Strong safety profile. Another advantage of menstrual cups is the lack of odor because menstrual fluid is not exposed to air. Unlike tampons, menstrual cups do not change the pH balance of the vagina or increase the presence of harmful bacteria or excessive yeast in the vaginaii, so there is little risk of the type of infections that have been linked to tampons. Unlike tampons, menstrual cups are safe options for use just before your period, or if you're experiencing light spotting. You can also wear it while going to the bathroom.
- FDA approved. All menstrual cups currently marketed in the United States have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as safe, and most are made of hypoallergenic, nontoxic materials.
However, you should consult your doctor before using a menstrual cup if you have an IUD inserted, and menstrual cups should not be used with a diaphragm. If you've been told to avoid tampons after a surgical procedure or other medical condition, you should also avoid menstrual cups. Talk to your doctor before using menstrual cups if you have just had a baby, a miscarriage or an abortion. Women with a tilted uterus may require physician assistance to ensure proper fit of their menstrual cup.
Many women who try a menstrual cup choose it over other forms of feminine protection, and given the advantages, menstrual cups are an option worth considering for managing your period.
i North, B, Oldham, M. Preclinical, Clinical and Over-the-Counter Post Marketing Experience with a New Vaginal Cup: Menstrual Collection Journal of Women's Health. 2011; 20(2): 303-311
ii Ibid.
softcup_mary Says:
Yes, Softcup can be worn during intercourse, but it does not protect against pregnancy or STIs.
softcup_mary Says:
Softcup should not be in the way during sex, but it will depend on the position. Some positions may be more likely that your partner might feel the rim of the cup, but you'll just have to experiment. The cup may move around very slightly (it shouldn't become displaced though), therefore we recommend putting in a fresh cup before you have intercourse.
Anonymous Says:
I recently purchased the soft cups to try them out. I was excited to not worry about my period for 12 hours. However I was shocked that it leaked out after about 5 hours. Is my flow just too heavy or is it not placed properly?
softcup_mary Says:
It could be either, really. How long can you wear a tampon on your heaviest days? As an estimate, we usually say you can double your wear time with Softcup. However, it's not an exact science. Some women, myself included, can go 10-12 hours even on their heaviest days, whereas others need to change the cup more frequently.
If the Softcup is not in place properly it will leak. Sometimes the cup can become displaced from behind the pubic bone and leak if you've had a bowel movement or you engage in heavy physical activity where you "bear down" with certain pelvic muscles. If this happens just insert a clean finger and reposition the cup back behind the pubic bone and the leakage will subside. When you use the restroom, it's a good idea to check the position of the cup with your finger just be be sure it's in the proper position over the cervix and behind the pubic bone.
MLTLOCKE Says:
I am going to try the soft cup for the first time today. I am visiting my fiance next weekend. I have read that it is safe for sex while wearing, does this also include oral sex?
softcup_mary Says:
MLTLOCKE, yes, you can certainly wear Softcup during oral sex. Since Softcup is completely internal, your partner may not even know it's there! Just remember, even though Softcup is safe and comfortable to wear during sex, it does not protect against pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
Anonymous Says:
Really?? You can have oral sex, too, with Softcup? I guess if a clean cup is inserted you wouldn't have to worry about anything leaking. Still seems kinda weird. Strange question: there's no taste difference? I mean, when i remove my softcup, it seems like some fluid leaks or gets squished out....that wouldn't 'linger' so-to-speak? (sorry for being graphic, but it would be amazing to have a normal sex life with my husband during my period)
softcup_mary Says:
Since Softcup is completely internal and high up next to the cervix, it shouldn't be noticeable to your partner during oral sex. If Softcup is inserted properly you shouldn't experience leakage. It's hard to say whether there could be some residual menstrual fluid in the vaginal canal after you insert a clean cup, it's possible. You could certainly rinse off in the shower or wipe down there to try to remove any residual menstrual fluid.
Anonymous Says:
This product is a disposable version of the diva cup, except the diva cup is made off 100% surgical silicon and is guaranteed for 25 years. id rather us a 40 dollar product i only have to buy twice in the life of my menstrual cycle.
softcup_mary Says:
The Diva Cup is not guaranteed to last for any specific length of time. The lifespan of the Diva Cup, as recommended on their website, is one year. http://www.divacup.com/en/home/faqs/
Anonymous Says:
A murder scene without question! Sorry for the TMI - I am sadly extremely disappointed in this product! It does not hold up to what it claims at all! I am using it properly, I know that for sure, it leaks (I had a baby via Csection in Sept. and have been advised to stay clear of tampons for a period of time. Well, that meant using pads (so gross) and I just couldn't handle it any more. So, did some research to hopefully find another alternative & found a couple different products but chose the Softcup (mainly for is apparent ease of use & it's pretty decent price).
Anyway, I started using one & it wasn't 2 hours & I had a mess on my hands (Yes it was put in properly- I could feel it pop in place right behind my pelvic bone) so I tried another one & same situation. Through the night, it did ok, but I don't move much when I sleep so not much could really happen. Well....... when I went to the rest room this morning, OMG, I got scared. It had moved & moved a lot! After some disgusting trying to locate it, I had a HUGE mess that about made me vomit! I'll spare the details but surely I'd much rather deal with a pad than the mess I had then!
Well, "Try again, don't give up" is what's said... so I tried another today & still leaking - Ugh, really??? Although you can't feel them which so nice, they sadly shift around (pop out of place) & yet again, I had a disgusting mess.
So, conclusion of my use of this product, NO WAY-Not going to bother any more (especially when it is being inserted properly - exactly as shown in your instructions)!
I am now looking into the Keeper or Divacup. I really feel the stems will help tremendously with holding such a product in place. I sadly can not recommend this product to anyone! And if asked, I would have to share my horrible experience because I surely don't wish that mess on anyone else!
Anonymous Says:
I'm eager to hear the response for this matter, at least the softcup is not for everyone.
Cassi Soule Says:
Would me and my partner be able to have foreplay while I wear softcup on my period and have sex without feeling it ?
softcup_mary Says:
Cassi, yes, you can certainly have foreplay with the Softcup in, and it is also perfectly fine to have sex while wearing Softcup. Many couples report that their partner cannot feel the presence of the cup. Some partners may feel it but it is not uncomfortable. It depends on each couples' unique anatomies, style, and positioning. We do recommend that you insert a fresh cup prior to foreplay and sex, to minimize the chance of leakage.
Suzy Says:
I tried them for the first time today, on a day where my flow was very very light. It leaked. I couldn't feel it, it was in place properly behind the pelvic bone, but it still leaked. I'm glad I found out on a light day, would hate to deal with leaking on a heavy one! What a disappointment.
softcup_mary Says:
Hi Suzy, I'm sorry you experienced leakage with Softcup. Did the leakage occur right away or after several hours? If it occurred right away it's a good sign that the cup wasn't properly covering your cervix. Or, the Softcup could have become displaced from behind the pubic bone if you used the restroom, which would cause leakage. I'd encourage you to try Softcup again a few more times before giving up on it. It can often take women 2-3 cycles to truly get comfortable with using Softcup.
Anonymous Says:
Started using Soft Cup 3 days ago. So far, so good. Tampons hurt & pads cause a horrible rash, like the new choice of Soft Cup!
T.W. Says:
This is my first cycle using the Softcup and I must say: even with some leaks I am pleasantly surprised. I understand that it may take some time to get it right completely. Even still, I can see that it is much better than tampons or pads. My husband was very relieved to find that the Softcup can be worn during sex. Finally! An alternative to the mess with everything else on a regular basis. I will be very pleased when I get used to it 100%.
As for the messy fingers, I keeps wipes on me because I have kids but, I would reccomend for everyone else to do so as well. It's a very small price to pay. I also see how this small obstacle will get better with time. I would definitely reccomend Softcup to all of my friends just as it was to me.
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