What’s the deal with menstrual cups?

By Kendall @ Planned Parenthood | June 26, 2020, 1:13 p.m.

What is the deal with menstrual cups? They are becoming more popular and people say they’re healthier to use and cheaper in the long run than pads and tampons. Can any girl use them?

Anyone can use menstrual cups. Menstrual cups work by collecting menstrual blood in a small plastic cup. Like tampons, menstrual cups fit inside the vagina, and are held in place by the vaginal walls. Unlike tampons, some menstrual cups can be emptied, washed, and reused. You can insert and remove a menstrual cup with your fingers, and some cups have a little “stem” at the bottom for easy removal. Learning how to efficiently put in and take out a menstrual cup can take some practice.

Like tampons, menstrual cups need to be removed multiple times per day. Using a menstrual cup that can be washed and reinserted can be more cost effective than tampons or pads in the long run. Some people also use menstrual cups because they can be more environmentally friendly. But menstrual cups aren’t any safer or healthier than pads or tampons. Learn how to safely use pads, tampons, and menstrual cups.

Serious problems with a menstrual cup are really rare. However, don’t use a menstrual cup if you have an IUD. Using a menstrual cup can cause your IUD to move out of place. If this happens, you can get pregnant. If you have an IUD, you can use pads, tampons, or period underwear instead.

Tags: menstruation, menstrual cups