Menstrual cup

A menstrual disc and mentrual bell are held next to each other. The disc is larger in diameter and flatter. It has a similarly thick rim and thinner material in the basin.
Left: blue bell-shaped thick-walled menstrual cup (also called a menstrual bell); right: pink bowl-shaped thin-walled cup (also called a menstrual disc or ring). Note crumpling of the ring-shaped cup.

A menstrual cup is a menstrual hygiene device which is inserted into the vagina during menstruation. Its purpose is to collect menstrual fluid (blood from the uterine lining mixed with other fluids). Menstrual cups are made of elastomers (silicone rubbers, latex rubbers, or thermoplastic rubbers).[1][2] A properly fitting menstrual cup seals against the vaginal walls, so tilting and inverting the body will not cause it to leak.[3] It is impermeable and collects menstrual fluid, unlike tampons and menstrual pads, which absorb it.[4][5]

Menstrual cups come in two types. The older type is bell-shaped, often with a stem, and has walls more than 2mm thick.[6] The second type has a springy rim, and attached to the rim, a bowl with thin, flexible walls. Bell-shaped cups sit over the cervix, like cervical caps,[7] but they are generally larger than cervical caps[10] and cannot be worn during vaginal sex. Ring-shaped cups sit in the same position as a contraceptive diaphragm; they do not block the vagina and can be worn during vaginal sex.[11][12] Menstrual cups are not meant to prevent pregnancy.

Every 4–12 hours (depending on capacity and the amount of flow), the cup is emptied (usually removed, rinsed, and reinserted). After each period, the cup requires cleaning.[13] One cup may be reusable for up to 10 years, making their long-term cost lower than that of disposable tampons or pads, though the initial cost is higher. As menstrual cups are reusable, they generate less solid waste than tampons and pads, both from the products themselves and from their packaging.[14] Bell-shaped cups have to fit fairly precisely; it is common for users to get a perfect fit from the second cup they buy, by judging the misfit of the first cup. Ring-shaped cups are one-size-fits-most, but some manufacturers sell multiple sizes.[15]

Reported leakage for menstrual cups is similar or rarer than for tampons and pads.[14] It is possible to urinate,[16] defecate, sleep, swim,[3] do gymnastics,[17] run, ride bicycles[18] or riding animals, weightlift, and do heavy exercise while wearing a menstrual cup.[17] Incorrect placement or cup size can cause leakage.[14] Most users initially find menstrual cups difficult, uncomfortable, and even painful to insert and remove. This generally gets better within 3–4 months of use; having friends who successfully use menstrual cups helps, but there is a shortage of research on factors that ease the learning curve. Menstrual cups are a safe alternative to other menstrual products; risk of toxic shock syndrome infection is similar or lower with menstrual cups than for pads or tampons.[14]

  1. ^ "Menstrual Cup Materials Explained : Silicone, Latex & Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)". MeLuna USA. 18 March 2021. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Menstrual Cups Made from Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)". MeLuna USA. 16 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b Ultimo C (16 November 2023). "Top Menstrual Cup Questions, Answered". Period Nirvana. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  4. ^ Elizabeth Gunther Stewart, Paula Spencer: The V Book: A Doctor's Guide to Complete Vulvovaginal Health, Bantam Books, 2002, Seiten 96 und 97, ISBN 0-553-38114-8.
  5. ^ Leslie Garrett, Peter Greenberg: The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide for a Better, Kinder and Healthier World, New World Library, 2007, Seiten 17 bis 19, ISBN 1-930722-74-5.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference UNspec was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference invivoMRI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Gallo MF, Grimes DA, Schulz KF (2002). "Cervical cap versus diaphragm for contraception". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2002 (4): CD003551. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003551. PMC 8719323. PMID 12519602.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference PNsizechart was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ text=Cervical caps come in internal diameters of 22-31mm,[8] while bell-shaped cups come in sizes of ~31-53mm external diameter and as long as the wearer's cervix height permits.[9]
  11. ^ Hendricks S (10 November 2021). "10 things I learned from testing every menstrual cup on the market". USA Today.
  12. ^ Ultimo C (28 December 2023). "All of the Menstrual Disc Questions You Have, Answered". Period Nirvana. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  13. ^ Hillard PJ, Hillard PA (2008). The 5-minute Obstetrics and Gynecology Consult. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 322. ISBN 978-0-7817-6942-6.
  14. ^ a b c d van Eijk AM, Zulaika G, Lenchner M, Mason L, Sivakami M, Nyothach E, et al. (August 2019). "Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis". The Lancet. Public Health. 4 (8): e376–e393. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30111-2. PMC 6669309. PMID 31324419. Text was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Archived 16 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  15. ^ Rosas K (5 October 2020). "Menstrual Cup or Disc - Which to choose?". Period Nirvana. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  16. ^ Shastry S (12 July 2018). "5 Frequent Questions of Cup-Curious Folks!". SochGreen. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  17. ^ a b "The Best Menstrual Cup for Sports Enthusiasts and Athletes". Ruby Cup. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lancet_review was invoked but never defined (see the help page).