Generally, when one starts their period, pads are the common starting point. They are sufficient in absorbing your flow, somewhat comfortable and straightforward to dispose of but as you grow older and become more aware of what is available on the market and versatile to your lifestyle, you begin to experiment a bit. This also means being comfortable enough with your body as well as giving room for trial & error and not writing off products on first attempt. This led to trialling tampons, being comfortable with insertion and removal but most importantly, ease and comfort level whilst it is inserted. For some, tampons are not a suitable option because of having an object physically inside their body as opposed to pads which are placed on underwear, hence outside the body. There are also valid concerns such as toxins in the tampon material as well as “Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) which is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into the body and releasing harmful toxins. It is often associated with tampon use in young women, but it can affect anyone of any age – including men and children.” NHS. Using tampons with a higher absorbency than necessary and leaving tampons in for longer than 8 hours is associated with a higher risk of TSS. Consider using organic tampons which are made from organic cotton — meaning cotton grown without pesticides or insecticides — and it's free of any chemical-y dyes or fragrances. Organic tampons can lighten your period, reduce cramps and other benefits. Sheba feminine, a local brand, produces and sells organic tampons from R55 and Lil-lets organic tampons can be purchased at Clicks or Takealot for about R65, as well as other brands on Faithful to Nature or Wellness Warehouse.

MyownCup is described as the following on the Wellness Warehouse website:

• Medium cup is the most versatile cup used for medium to heavy flow (capacity : 20ml, rim diameter : 47mm, length : 70mm).

• Virgin material is 100% medical grade silicone, non-absorbent and does not contain any plastics, proteins, PVC, latex, bleach, deodorant or absorbing gels.

• Reusable and lasts for 5 years. Biocompatible and hypoallergenic.

• Eco-friendly with zero waste to landfill.

• Does not disrupt the natural lubricating ability of the vagina or interfere with the natural process of shedding menstrual blood.

• South African Made.

Common questions and answers that will hopefully ease your mind and allow you to try a menstrual cup.

• What is a menstrual cup? How does the menstrual cup work? How is it different from a tampon?

  Unlike a tampon that absorbs blood, the menstrual cup catches and collects the flow in the cup. The menstrual cup is flexible due to the materials used and sits just below your cervix., in the vaginal canal. Menstrual cups are sometimes also referred to as a period cup or softcup. Note, the reference to softcup might actually mean menstrual disc, which is different from a menstrual cup.

  
  

• What are the benefits of using a menstrual cup?

  Due to being made of healthier materials for the body, free of toxins, they can ease period pain and could minimize the period duration. It is an eco-friendly alternative and can hold 3 - 5 times as much blood as a tampon. Internal PH balance and flora is maintained. The reusability is from 6 months - to a couple of years (some brands even claim up to 10 years!) with the appropriate care which means no longer spending money on monthly sanitary products AND reducing waste through disposal. It is however recommended to replace your period cup every 1-2 years as well as choose a cup made of materials you are not allergic to i.e non-latex. Note, this is not an exhaustive list of benefits.

  
  

• What material is the cup made of?

  Menstrual cups are made of medical-grade silicone, rubber, latex, or elastomer. The most common in South Africa is 100% medical-grade silicone or elastomer-based. Depending on the material it is made of, the cup will also have some of the following characteristics - latex-free, hypoallergenic, and contains no dyes, BPA, phthalates, plastic, bleaches, or toxins. Refer to the information provided by the brand you purchase from for these details.

  
  

• Where can I buy one and how much are they?

  There are now many brands of menstrual cups in South Africa including FloCup, PinkCup, MyownCup, Masmi, Ava, Mooncup etc that can be purchased at Takealot, Faithful to Nature, Wellness Warehouse or Clicks with prices ranging from R170 - R300 for the moderately priced ones. The cup currently in personal use is the locally made Mpower cup, standard size, purchased for R219. This is the second cup after looking for a rounded base (bell-shaped) as opposed to a tapered base (v-shaped) which is the shape of the first cup used. Reviews on the mentioned websites and ratings will help you assess which brand to use.
  
  
  

• How many do I need to buy?

  One is sufficient as the cup is reusable, with the recommendation to replace your cup every 1-2 years depending on maintenance.

  
  

• How do I know which size or shape to get?

  Cups can come in varied sizes with ranges of small, medium, large or light flow, and standard flow. The cup measurements are always provided as well as recommendations, including capacity, diameter, length and length including the stem. The Mpower cup standard flow cup has the following measurements - capacity: 27 ml, diameter: 42mm, length: 50 mm, length including stem: 65mm. This RubyCup article should help you identify which size to get, based on your flow or where your cervix is positioned, low or high.

  
  

  Most common shapes are bell-shaped and v-shaped. Bell-shaped cups tend to be shorter in length and great for those with a medium to a low cervix, whereas v-shaped cups are longer in length and ideal for those with a medium to high cervix.
  
  

  
  

• Can a virgin or a woman who has not given birth vaginally use it?

  Yes definitely! It may feel slightly uncomfortable at first (or not at all). Make use of the size guides provided by the brand to select the appropriate cup.

  
  

• I have a heavy flow or get lots of clots, will this work for me?

  Yes, it can, it may mean you empty, clean and reinsert more frequently. Regarding clots, the cup will catch these, or they will drop as the cup is being removed for the larger clots. The size and shape used is also important to accommodate your flow.
  
  

  
  

• How do I make sure I have inserted the cup properly and do not leak?

  This is where the trial and error will come into play. Ideally, have your first attempt somewhere comfortable such as home. There are various insertion techniques. which involves folding the cup. The easiest folds are folding the cup in half (c-fold) or bending the rim (punch down fold). Squatting or having a leg raised and balanced on the toilet or stool can ease insertion and removal. When inserting, it is key to ensure the cup is properly positioned and fully opens when inside the vagina whilst pushing towards the cervix (imagine pushing towards your tailbone), twist the cup when you have positioned it to create a full seal (hence the 2 holes on the side of the cup). You can check the seal by giving the cup a slight tug once inserted, it should stay in position. Just to be on the safer side, wearing a pantyliner is an option. If you do experience leaks and often, it could be the incorrect cup size and shape as well as the cup filling up quickly and therefore the need to empty it more frequently.

  
  

• How long can I have the cup inserted for and can I sleep with it inserted?

  Yes, you can sleep with the cup inserted and can have the cup inserted for up to 12 hours or as per your flow permits.

  
  

• How do I remove it?

  Ensure your hands are thoroughly washed and clean before you do this. Menstrual cups come with a stem at the bottom which you can pull to dislodge the suction on the cup. Another method is using your index finger to touch the top rim, dislodge the cup and pull down. It is recommended you do this whilst sitting on the toilet or in the shower in case of spillage whilst removing. Empty the blood in the cup into the toilet bowl, shower drain or sink and rinse thoroughly. You also need to be in a relaxed state including your muscles to ease the removal.

  
  

• How do I clean it?

  During your period, in between insertion and removal, you need to rinse the cup with just water, wet wipes such as Clicks baby wipes & intimate wipes, or water and a mild, unscented, oil free soap. When you first receive the cup and at the end of your period, sterilize the cup by boiling in hot water for about 3-10 minutes, ensuring it does not touch the bottom of the pot or burn. After sterilizing and drying the cup, store away in the bag provided and in a cool, dry area. Make use of the care instructions provided by the brand of the cup you purchase.

• Do I need to take it out to pee? Is it safe for sports?

  No, you do not need to remove it to pee and it can be used during athletic sports including swimming.

  
  

• Can I have sex with the cup inserted?

  No, because the cup sits in the vaginal canal. You can have sex with a menstrual disc inserted. This is another type of product and is positioned differently in the vagina.

  
  

• Can I use the cup if I have an IUD (intrauterine device)?

  Yes, but there is an increased chance of IUD displacement. Extra care would need to be given during insertion and removal. Consult with your doctor first before using the cup. A study done in the USA noted that around one-third of menstrual cup users who experienced expulsion said their IUD was dislodged during cup removal. Read more on this study conducted.

  
  

• Is it comfortable?

  Yes, it is! It can take a slight adjustment to get used to the feeling of an object in your vagina. The stem can be a cause of the discomfort, you can cut this to a length you are comfortable with. If the discomfort persists, the cup may not be inserted correctly, or you are using the incorrect shape or size for you.

  
  

• What happens if I need to use a public restroom?

  Try to use a bathroom with a sink in the stall, if not possible, bathrooms for the disabled or baby changing rooms will have a sink. Last option is to go in with a bottle of water, that way you can rinse the cup over the toilet bowl and pat it dry with tissue paper. You can also make use of wet wipes as mentioned in the cleaning section.

  
  

• What are other alternatives?

  Organic pads and tampons - made from 100% organic cotton or bamboo, free from dioxins, bleach, fragrances and other chemicals. Available at Sheba Feminine, pads R60 and tampons R49,50 or Faithful to Nature, pads starting price R25.95, tampons starting price R49.95.

  Period pants - leakproof underwear made from a fabric that is designed to absorb and wick away liquid to keep you dry and comfortable whilst also being reusable. Available at Mr Price from R150.and Faithful to Nature, starting price R390.

  Menstrual discs - sit in the vaginal fornix, the widest part of your vagina, and the base of your cervix. Be sure to look for reusable ones. Available at Takealot, starting price R120/R150.

Hopefully, with you reaching the end of this post, your uncertainties have been converted into confidence to try the menstrual cup or other reusable and sustainable alternatives. Your body and environment will thank you!