Of cervixes, menstrual bleeding, cups, and talks that make men leave the room.

 If the title didn't tip you off, I'll be talking about 'womanly stuff' right now. And I'm talking bout the heavy stuff- bleeding, cramps, tampons, insertion of foreign objects. If that makes you uncomfortable, skip this. If you're a grown woman, then I highly suggest you take a look. What you see or learn about your body may surprise you, and who knows, this might very well be beneficial to you.

 

 

Lunette Menstrual Cup, Size 2 in Coral/Aine

Menstrual cups. I was quite decided to start using menstrual cups since the year started. Why? Ultimately, it was because I felt a twinge of guilt one time I bragged about my cloth diapering child saving the world from mountains of trash, only to realize that I, myself, contribute to the pile each month. Mama Pads were the next step to my greener monthly upkeep, but I decided to skip that one and just go straight to Cups. Don't get me wrong, Mama Pads are a great thing! For me, though, menstrual cups seem like a more convenient choice. No overnight soaking of used pads, no changing of pads every few hours, and no wetbags for going out. I started googling about it last January, and woah the information about cups that one can find online can be overwhelming! I thought it'd be as easy as adding the item in my online cart, and checking out. (Living in the Philippines. Zero menstrual cups available in malls/stores.)

 

What's in the box?!

Apparently, these cups have sizes! What the what? Really? My size can be bigger than yours or vice versa? Yes. Figuring out my size caused me a month's delay. I didn't know anyone with first hand experience whom I can ask about, so I just followed the method by the book. Online sites would tell you that to know your cup size (down there, not up here), you'll have to size yourself up. Makes sense. How? Well, you have to stick a finger up inside you, and try to check if you can feel your cervix. Your cervix is that squishy little blob you're gonna feel. Other describe is as something similar to a dog's nose. Hmmm.. that was confusing. But I soon realized that it's the ONLY squishy thing you're bound to bump into in there, which made things much easier. It would be best to check your size while you have your period. I didn't wait for mine. I went to the loo and checked if I could feel the hidden squish. Yep, it was there. Now, don't panic if you don't feel yours. The only reason I felt mine was because my cervix was located quite low. That's not the case for everybody. And guess what, it rides even lower once you have your period- happens to everyone. So if you don't feel your cervix now, check again when you're on your period.

 

Since I felt my cervix quite easily, I was almost a shoe in for a Size 1- EXCEPT I'm a mom, and I've given birth the conventional way (ok, I'll say it, vaginal birth. There ya go) it means I could go both ways. Size 1 or 2. If I get relatively heavy bleeding, then I'm a size 2, that's that. I used to think I was a heavy bleeder, but now I think every woman thinks they're heavy bleeders when they get their cycle. It's just quite annoying that way. After 2 cycles on the cup, I'm now sure I'm not a heavy bleeder. For the record, I could wear a normal sanitary pad for 3-4 hours with no leaks. My friends who ARE heavy bleeders have to wear diapers. Or the most generous tampon, with a pad on as well.
 

CJ's Butter Sampler (left), Lunette Size 2 (right)

 

Low cervix, low-normal amount of bleeding = size 1. Yeah. I ordered a size 2, because like I said, I thought I was a heavy bleeder. Wrong size for me- but regardless, the cup still worked like a charm!

 

I overloaded myself with information in preparation for the switch. There's a whole lot of information about menstrual cups over the web, despite being a 'minority' in convention. I'm glad I took the time to learn more about it, and saw just how expansive my choices are, from brands to flexibility to sizes. Unfortunately, for every ten good reviews you read about them, there's bound to be one or two that talks about discomfort. And let's face it, when you read the words 'poke, pinch, or pop' used to depict something foreign lodged inside you, down there, you're bound to cringe away. I sure did. The thing is, I was comforted by three things; (a) that those women had lesser tolerance for pain that I, (b) that despite uncomfortable hiccups, they still went ahead with using cups and disregarded those initial discomforts, and (c) I've given birth, for crying out loud! If 14 year old virgins can do it, how bad can it be?

 

 

*Menstrual cup inserted and positioned (Wiki Commons)

 

I already had a parcel coming in from the US and decided to add the cup in it, a Lunette in Coral/Aine Size 2. Ten days time and I'd have it, ready for March!

 

So the cup is here, but my period is not. Poor me, nothing to sate my curiosity, what do I do? Well, I can prep it. What's that? Prep. Just like nappies. You sanitize it for first use. In the spirit of full discretion, I wasn't prepared for the prepping, LOL, so I used the baby bottle cleanser we had. I figured it's made for silicone, and has the gentlest ingredients, that there wouldn't be a problem using it. I did further research, and yup, they're A-OK for the job. I rinsed the cup squeaky clean. Then I boiled it. This was just as I opened the box. I'm not new to 'boiling' silicone materials (or otherwise) as a means of sterilizing, most moms wouldn't be. A good 15 minutes in a deep pot of boiling water did the job. Prepping done, time to wait for my period.

It took longer than expected, my period. I think it was kinda scared by the cup as well LOL. I was a week delayed last March. But of course it came, as I knew it would.

 

Dillydallying would only frighten me more. The longer I delay, the scarier it seems. Researching and finding which and where to order had already delayed me enough. So I sucked it in and took the leap. Figuratively, of course. Literally, you're better off keeping steady, relaxing breaths and ease the cup in as you exhale. :P

 

Had no chance of getting this in this way

It also helped that I found the right technique that suited me. There are different 'folds' of the cup to help ease it in. The first one I tried, the "C" fold (which is basically, folding the cup in the middle so the rim would form a letter C) didn't work. There I was, in the bathroom, on the first day of my period, and it just wouldn't go in. Not even a little bit. All the other folds flew out of my mind, maybe because I was a bit scared? I do admit that my heart wasn't totally in it that first day, so I grabbed a sanitary pad and gave up. Off to fight another day. And fight, I did!

 

The next day, I gave it another try using the 'Punch Down' fold. I've decided to call it the 'Rose' fold because the cup looks like a rose after, and honestly, 'Punch Down' sounds brunt and scary. To achieve the fold, you just have to push down one part of the rim towards the bottom of the cup, and hold it in place. Very simple! The cup now has a soft tip, that very gradually widens to its full girth. It slid in so easily, I couldn't believe it! I was even doubtful if I got it right because it went in so easily, so fuss free, and there were no pinching or poking or popping. I walked a bit (as you would with trying out shoes :P ) but honestly, I felt nothing weird inside me. I was sure I must've gotten it wrong, that I spent a couple of minutes just standing there and waiting for a sign! So I took the ultimate test- I went to the loo and peed. Sorry, TMI. It was the one thing I knew would confirm whether I got it right or not. Guess what? I peed clear. No sign of my period. And I didn't feel anything unusual as I peed. Took a deep breath, and yay! I entered the bathroom frightened and doubtful, and went out feeling so liberated and free! Giddy, even!

 

Punch Down Rose Fold. Winner!

 

Now, in between the use of the cup, I simply rinse it. No soaps, no alcohol. Some moms use wipes that are especially made for these cups, but I don't see them necessary. A simple rinsing would do between removing and re-inserting the cup. It's quite easy to rinse out, everything just slides out, so don't worry about that. This is MY personal preference, it doesn't have to be yours.

 

 So how was my first cycle on the cup? I didn't experience painful cramps, because most of the time I really did forget about the cup and my period- but I'm not the type who suffers unmanageable cramps. As for the intensity of the menstrual flow, well, I couldn't even tell because I didn't feel the flow. The blood never gets the chance to actually flow out since it goes directly in the cup. My cycle ended pretty much as long as they usually do.

 

    I must say that I was so baffled the first few days because I was expecting such a heavy flow, I thought I'd end up having to empty the cup within 4 hours! Now, I used Lunette Size 2 (bigger capacity than the Size 1) during the second day of my period. Most women would attest that their heaviest flows are during the second to the fourth day. That's how it is for me. For comparison, on my second and third day, a regular pad would last me 4 hours in the afternoon. I also use a regular pad overnight, and as I wake up on the morning, I hurry to the bathroom in a stick-up-your-ass kind of walk to avoid leaks from that 'morning surge'. I'm not ashamed to say so because I'm pretty sure you guys are guilty of the same penguin walk :P

 

Measurement (not a hundred percent sure bout this)

   Back to the cup. The Lunette cup I have has markings on the side for measuring the amount it held in milliliters (ml). My Size 2 can hold 30ml of fluid. A heavy period is capped at 80ml- that's the peak. I never thought I was SUCH a heavy bleeder, but I knew the second and third day was my heaviest, and thought I'd probably have about 60ml total. Total guesstimate, but enough for me to worry about filling my 30ml cup. After 6 1/2 hours of wearing the cup (daytime), I decided to check it. I would have checked earlier, but I absolutely forgot about it- no kidding! So in I went to the bathroom, and took the cup out. Apart from worrying about over-filling the cup, I was also a bit scared of removing it. Technically, I knew how to do it, but taking it out the first time was tricky, and just as scary as sliding it in the first time. I reached for the cup easily, as it was quite low, and I pinched the bottom of the cup and slightly folded it between itself so it's a bit slimmer going out. It helps a LOT to bear down and push it out with your muscles, just hold your breath and push. I didn't have to pull so much because I was able to push it out from inside me. Am I explaining this right? I hope I am. I just had to make sure I have a tight hold on the cup and kept the bottom folded. I was surprised how it slid out as I pulled and pushed. I should say that keeping it folded makes it easier- please don't forget if you decided to use menstrual cups.

 

   I was so careful handling the cup as it went out, worried that it might spill. It's really no big deal if it did, as I was in the bathroom. On the toilet, even. Sorry, overshare again! I didn't want the cup to spill anything out because I was quite curious as to how much it held already. I was expecting a lot, at least half full. Pffft! It wasn't even a quarter way full. I laughed at myself a bit. I was expecting such a bloody mess- literally! Again, I scared myself for nothing. The cup was clean and the outside, and so was my hand. Added that bit for good measure, because I'm sure you're imagining a scene that would fit a slasher film or a crappy horror movie. I was.
 

Size comparision, CJ's Butter Sampler (left) Lunette Size 2 (right)

 

   I was surprised to see how little blood it had, I thought it was a fluke. I rinsed the cup, reinserted it, and used it overnight. I had never slept feeling as secure as I did that night, on my period. I was 90% sure there'd be no leaks, but since it was the first time I'd be sleeping, and waking up, wearing the cup, I had a hint of doubt. The next day, I woke up and I was not paranoid about leaks, nor was I conscious about the cup. I played with my daughter a bit. Steeped tea. Went into the bathroom, and checked. Wow. I still wasn't able to fill the cup, not even half way full.  Maybe a third of the way full? I'd say so. I'm not very sure, all I know was that I was totally psyched, and knew that there was no turning back from that moment on. I'm in this, for life. What do you think?

 

Lunette Size 2 over CJ's Butter Sampler

Give it a chance, that's all. I have been in your shoes. Probably in the same exact 'shoes' you're in right now as you read this post. Yes, the first time I discovered menstrual cups, I wasn't even remotely interested. I shut the thought down in a jiffy. I was like, 'are you kidding me?'. The idea softens on you, you'll see. Eventually, I gave it a chance. Wow! I'm so glad I did. My experience may not be exactly the same as yours would be- we each have different bodies. You may have a heavier flow than I, or a lighter one. A lower cervix or a higher one. Whatever your case may be, you should give this idea a chance. I like to think I'm quite lucky that my switch to menstrual cups happened so smoothly, but there are thousands of other women who think the same way. For others, there might be a few hiccups, here and there, but check and see what the general consensus of those who tried menstrual cups is. You don't even have to do it because it's the "green" thing to do, if that's not your thing. Just think of the convenience this brings. I honestly have never had such an easy period as I had when I used the cup. So give it a chance, read about it. Learn about it. Do the research. Ask questions. Don't just buy the most expensive brand you see, or the most popular ones. Read about the experiences of other women. Consider your options, from brands to sizes. And sure, even colors! Read about the techniques, and understand them. Don't stick to tables and words alone, look for pictures. Videos. Diagrams. Check out the usual road blocks that the other women came across with as they switched to menstrual cups, and how they troubleshooted (I know, not a word, but it fits) their way through.

 

   And when you do decide to give the cups a try, remember to relax. And that I won't judge you if you brought Google with you in the bathroom. Despite knowing what I had to do, I needed that safety blanket, too. 

 

*Photo licensed under Wiki Commons, drawn by fabiform, and can be found here: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Menstrual_cup_inserted.png