If you follow any female lifestyle bloggers online, you’ll have probably heard of the menstrual cup. And you’ll have probably heard that when it comes to periods, they’re changing the game. I recently gave the Intimina Lily Cup One a go, having never used a period cup before. Keep reading to learn what a menstrual cup is, what the benefits of them are, and how my first experience went.
What is a menstrual cup and how does it work?
A menstrual cup is a silicone or rubber cup that can be used to catch blood during your period. It’s an alternative to tampons or sanitary towels which can be used for up to 12 hours.
Due to their silicone nature, period cups can be folded up and inserted, much like a tampon. Once inside, they’ll open up and form a seal with the walls of your vagina, preventing leaks so all blood falls into the cup. To remove it, you just need to break the seal by squeezing the bottom of the cup gently, and slowly remove the cup. It can then be washed and reused again and again!
Why use a menstrual cup?
There are a lot of benefits to a menstrual cup. The most obvious is that it’s reusable, meaning it’s eco-friendly AND likely to save you a lot of money over the years. There are a few disposable cups out there, but most can be reused for up to ten years and cost between £20-40. I don’t know how much I spend on sanitary products each month, but I definitely feel like that money will make itself up within just a year or two.
The second benefit is the length of time you can use a cup. Depending on your flow, you can leave a cup in for up to 12 hours, meaning you can get on with your day without having to worry about anything. Cups hold 2-3 times more blood than a tampon or a sanitary towel, and they’re considered safer than tampons too.
My first experience of using Intimina Lily Cup One
I’m not going to lie, I was a bit terrified of using a period cup for the first time. I’d heard some horror stories – leakages, couldn’t get it out – the lot. This website has some funny tales if you fancy a giggle. But the pros definitely outweighed the cons here, and I was willing to give it a try.
The menstrual cup I used was the Intimina Lily Cup One – dubbed as ‘the perfect starter cup. According to Intimina, this is an easy and comfortable cup for beginners, leak-proof with the double rim, and ultra-hygienic with 100% medical grade silicone. This cup also collapses to fit in a little carrying case – ideal for if you’re out and about.
I first used the cup on the second day of my period, which is probably the heaviest day I have, though my periods are generally on the lighter side since going on the pill. I watched a YouTube video or two to understand how to fold and insert the cup and just went for it.
It can be a bit uncomfortable getting the cup in, but I’d imagine it gets easier the more used to it you become. I wasn’t quite sure if the cup had popped open when I first inserted it, and to put my mind at rest that I could definitely get this thing back out, I removed it and had a second go at inserting it. I also left a pad in for the day just in case of any leakages but didn’t really need it.
The cup was comfortable enough to wear, and I soon forgot I even had it in. I had some cramping – I’ve read online that some cups can cause cramping, but it’s hard to tell if it was my period causing this or the cup.
Removal of the cup was what I was most nervous about. Again, I followed a couple of videos I’d watched online and it really wasn’t bad at all. It was quite uncomfortable actually taking the cup out, but this was only momentary. I had left the cup in from around 9am until 6pm and it was about half full, so I know for me, using the cup for the most part of a day would probably be fine. I washed the cup thoroughly in the shower and left it to dry for my next use!
The verdict
My experience of the menstrual cup wasn’t half as bad as I was expecting, and I think I might just be converted. I definitely think I need to try this a few more times at home until I’m comfortable with it, but I could see myself using the Lily Cup One more regularly. Not only is it great for the environment and my purse, the concept of being able to go an entire day out and about and not have to worry about changing a tampon or worrying if my pads on wrong and causing leakage, is an absolute dream.
Have you tried a menstrual cup? Have I convinced you to give one a try?
Lucy x
