Menstrual Cups? Pro Tips, Which Brand to Buy and More…

6 minute
Read

HighlightsGot apprehensions about Menstrual Cups and confused which brand you can trust? Get all your answers here!

Disclaimer This post may contain affiliate links. If you use any of these links to buy something we could earn a commission. We are a reader supported website and we thank you for your patronage.

By Ruchi Sharma

Gone are the days when talking about ‘periods’ used to be a taboo. And why should it be so hush hush? Like it is the most natural thing in the world for any woman. Thankfully we now have a good variety of things available to choose from to make ‘those days’ as easy as possible. Your own list for those special days might include a hot water pack, a bottle of pain killers and some sanitary napkins. Right? But now there is quite a buzz in the market about tampons, period panties and even Menstrual Cups. Women are slowly switching to menstrual cups for ease they provide and also because they are a sustainable and are a budget friendly option, but are you still in two minds about it? These flexible, soft and reusable cups are sustainable and work mostly in similar manner like a tampon but there are many apprehensions around it. It is not a new product, in fact there are theories that suggest first menstrual cup dates back to 1930s! So, here we have some tips for you and also addressing some myths that you might have heard of! Lastly we list a few brands who are offering this amazing product.

a menstrual cup and sanitary napkin in a box

Common Myths Busted

One size fits all- No that’s not true at all. You might need to try out a few brands before you actually find one that suits you the best. A few brands even offer two-three different sizes as per need but even then, finding the most comfortable one might be totally different.
It’s uncomfortable- You might feel uncomfortable during first few uses but once you find that perfect one for you, you won’t even feel you are actually using something like a menstrual cup. Almost as if it is not even there!
Messy- For first few uses it might be a little messy but once you work around your way of using it, they almost guarantee zero leaks!
It needs to be emptied very often- That completely depends on the flow and even the anatomy. For some of you might not even need to bother about it for 12 hours while typically even for heavy flow it works for up to 6 hours.
Not reusable- Majority of menstrual cups are reusable and can even last long upto a few years if taken care of properly.
Costly- Compared to single use products like Sanitary napkins and tampoons, they are quite cost effective as they are reusable.
Can’t be used overnight- They can actually be used overnight as they are safe to be worn for upto 12 hours.

Why you should try it?

It’s Sustainable- You do your bit towards being eco-friendly as you stop contributing towards the ever-piling plastic waste. Moreover, it’s easy, cost effective and saves you trouble of running off to grocery store every month to stock up on your sanitary napkins or tampoons! You can check with your gynecologist if you still feel it’s not the correct option for you.

Pro Tips

Wash the menstrual cup properly with soap and water. And after one cycle you can even use hot water to sterilize it.
Always ensure its completely dry before using it.
To maintain the hygiene, always keep the cup in a clean dry bag when not in use.
Check the material to ensure it is safe to be used medically (Check for FDA approval too)
Keep a check on any signs of deterioration and dispose it off immediately.
If you feel irritation post it’s use or while using it, stop using it immediately and consult a gynecologist if required!
The trick is in the way you fold it, check out some videos that will guide you on how to do it!

Which one should you buy?

Now there are many brands even in India that offer them but finding that right one for you might not be that easy. You should consider your age and flow before buying one. Sizes can also vary according to whether you are a teen or have given birth naturally or via C-section. The preference to a brand is more around the comfort level you feel with their product so here’s some from which you can choose:

1. Sirona Reusable Menstrual Cup

They are one of the most popular ones and come in three different sizes- small, medium and large. Offering a protection of 8- 10 hours, it is made from medical grade silicone and comes with a pouch. It’s affordably priced at Rs. 399, though you can easily get it below Rs. 299 in deals.

2. The Women’s Company

Once again available in three different sizes, they offer upto 8 hours protection and claims to maintain natural moisture and be odour free. The MRP for Women’s Company menstrual cup is Rs. 550.

3. PeeSafe

Offering upto 12 hours protection, and available in three sizes- large, small and extra small, they are priced at Rs. 349. The same brand offers menstrual cup steam sterilizers too, so that you can ensure hassle-free hygiene for your cup.

4. She Cup

Claiming to be Asia’s first menstrual cup brand, their menstrual cups are neither too soft nor too hard. They also claim that their cups can last upto 10 years! Their cupsvary according to stem size- L for Longer Stem and C for Classic Knob Stem. A bitpricey, you can buy it between Rs. 1,320 to Rs. 1,500.

5. Asan Cup

Instead of a stem at the end, they actually have a ring, making it relatively easier for beginners and qualifying as one of the best mestrual cup for beginners. Available in two sizes basis light/medium flow or heavy flow, they are available for Rs. 1800.

6. Gaaia

Priced at Rs. 699, their Gaaia Cup Sensitive is specially one of the best menstrual cup for women with sensitive anatomies, while the regular cups are available in small and large sizes.

7. Gyno Cup

Offering protection from leaks for upto 10-12 hours, they claim to be reusable upto 5 years and are available in three sizes- S, M and L. You can buy them at a price of Rs. 599.

8. Naamya

Available in three different sizes- Small, Medium and Large and priced at Rs. 499, you can buy it on leading websites like Amazon, Flipkart and Purplle apart from their own website. It comes along with a disinfecting menstrual cup wash too.

9. Sanfe

Good for use upto 10 hours, they claim to be made without latex, dye or any other harmful material. Once again available in three different sizes, they come with a bag and are moderately priced at Rs. 499.

10. Lunette

Approved by US FDA, they have two models based on flow and are available in different colors. It has a comfortable rim and superior shape as well as ridges for easy removal. Being on the pricey side, it is available around Rs. 2999 on online platforms like Amazon.

Though at the end of the day it is all about your comfort and preference. Whether you prefer a menstrual cup over a sanitary napking or tampoon, what is utmost important is you should be comfortable with it!