Menstrual cups are a great option for anyone with a period, especially if you want to cut back on the amount of waste created by period products. In a lifetime one can create about 300 pounds garbage from tampons and pads in their lifetime, with about 49% of these people experiencing having to worry about not having the menstrual products they need. The average cost over a lifetime averages around $7,000 dollars.
If you’re looking for the cup that is right for you https://nenefemhealth.com/ has several sustainable options for anyone looking to explore.
WHAT IS A MENSTRUAL CUP?
If you’re thinking of using a menstrual cup but aren’t decided yet, there are a few reasons it might convince you to cross over. Aside from being sustainable, menstrual cups are soft flexible and easily inserted just like a tampon, but better. Tampons absorb the moisture and sometimes can absorb more than you intend it too (Think Toxic Shock Syndrome) whereas cups catch the moisture, blood and shed uterine material.
HOW TO CLEAN & CARE FOR YOUR MENSTRUAL CUP
Now that you’ve decided to use a menstrual cup keeping it clean its really important to keeping your menstruating parts healthy.
Here are six ways to clean and care for your menstrual cup.
1. USE A CUP CLEANSER
Its important to understand which cleansers to use and not to use on your period cup. Mild soaps are best used , avoid soaps with oil or perfumes as these can irritate your vagina.
2. TRY A PH-BALANCED SOAP
If you decide to use a soap wash to wash your menstrual cup, it’s important to note that it has to be a pH-balanced soap. Try choosing a mild and fragrance-free cleanser, or a liquid Castile or glycerin soap.
If you’re not sure whether or not the soap you’ve chosen is safe for your vagina, you can conduct a pH (potential hydrogen) test at home to assess the acidity level of your vagina discharge. Ideally, you’d like to see a pH score between 5.3 and 7.0. If your pH seems high, you may want to book an appointment with your gynecologist. While pH levels can rise and fall for many reasons, a consistently high pH may be a sign of Bacterial Vaginosis, which is a condition that causes discharge, odor and irritation in your vagina.
3. DIY VINEGAR SOLUTION
Soaps aren’t your thing? Try a diluted vinegar solution instead. To make the solution, combine white vinegar with nine times as much water. Easy right?! Since vinegar is a natural sanitizing agent, it will clean out your cup without any of the artificial ingredients that may appear in store-bought soaps. Simply rinse the cup with your vinegar solution with cold water and you’re done. This is a very DIY low cost option. (Completely our style)
4. BOIL IT!!
Even if you’re washing your cup with soap between uses, you’ll want to boil it—yes, boil it!—at the end of each cycle. After washing your cup with hot water and soap, you can place it in boiling water to fully sanitize it before your next period. Be careful not to leave your cup in the boiling water too long though; boiling your cup too often may lead to the silicone softening or thinning over time. Some people have complained that they’ve accidentally melted their cup trying this step by letting it sit at the bottom of a pot. You could boil water and then pour it over your cup, or use a sterilization bag.
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5. DRY YOUR CUP COMPLETELY
Storing your cup seems like a simple and self explanatory step, especially if it comes with a cute storage bag or container. But don’t skim over this sections. Storing your cup with out letting it dry can cause some serious problems. Any leftover moisture on it can encourage bacteria to grow, this is nothing you want near your vagina, cervix, or uterus.
6. STORE IN A BREATHABLE, DRY CONTAINER
Rule #1 NO PLASTIC BAGS. Okay now that we have that out of the way, most cups come with a container. Cotton Cloth sack or anything that air can pass through is a great idea.
You should be ready to start using your cup. The freedom you are about to experience is indescribable. You won’t have to worry if you packed enough tampons, on a trip, at work your stowed away cup will always be ready. You may wonder why you didn’t make the switch sooner.
