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Menstrual cups aren’t new to feminine hygiene. However, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, although first released in the 1930s, menstrual cups have only recently begun to get widespread attention.
Q: What is a menstrual cup?
Marla Ahlgrimm: A menstrual cup is an alternative to traditional pads and tampons. They are small devices that look like an inverted bell, which are inserted into the vagina opening side up. They work by collecting blood and forming an airtight seal to prevent it from leaking into a woman’s underwear.
Q: Do they work?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Women who use menstrual cups report that they work very well after a trial and error period (no pun intended). They can be slightly difficult to insert and remove until you fully get the hang of it. Menstrual cups may be superior to tampons for women with heavy flows as they can hold more than twice the amount of blood and, when used correctly, eliminate the possibility of leaks and stains.
Q: Other than holding more blood, what are the benefits?
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Marla Ahlgrimm: A menstrual cup is reusable, so women who use them are not contributing to landfills with tampon wrappers, used pads, or plastic applicators. Further, they are more economical, and a $30 cup can replace 10 years’ worth of other blood collection means. Some cups are also designed to be used during sex, eliminating a potential mess.
Q: What are the downsides?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Women with a low cervix or tilted uterus may have extreme difficulty finding a menstrual cup that fits correctly. There are many different sizes, and finding the right fit sometimes takes three or four options. Women who currently have an IUD should not use a menstrual cup as it may interfere with this birth control’s ability to stay in place.
