Fact: a single sanitary pad contains plastic that takes up to 250-800 years to decompose. In fact, there’s a possibility that it may never decompose at all! In India, 113,000 tonnes of such plastic-laden sanitary waste is generated annually, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment.
This staggering number calls for a sustainable approach to periods. Enter menstrual cups. The funnel-shaped devices are inserted in the vagina to collect period blood instead of absorbing it. They are silicone-based, reusable, and can last for a decade. They’re also pocket and environment-friendly and provide leakproof protection for up to 8 hours straight. But despite all the good they have to offer, they’re still not the mainstream period products.
You can blame it on the hesitation to try something new and a few myths surrounding menstrual cups. But we’re here to bust the biggest one of them all–can your vagina be “too tight” for a menstrual cup? We got in touch with Dr Manzer Altamash Shaikh, Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Masina Hospital, Mumbai, to shed light on the matter. Here’s everything you need to know about this product’s compatibility with your vajayjay:
Can A Menstrual Cup Fit Into The Vagina?
If you’re second-guessing your vagina’s capacity to accommodate a menstrual cup, there’s something that’ll give you perspective. “The vagina or the birth canal is made of mucosal and muscle tissue. They’re flexible in nature and have an expandable-collapsible structure which is subject to your body’s need,” says Dr Manzer. “These tissues can expand to accommodate a baby during childbirth and regain their original form after. Hence, the vagina can easily accommodate a menstrual cup without causing any pain,” he adds.
Why Then, Does The Vagina ‘Feel’ Too Tight?
Believe it or not, this “tightness” could be all in your head. “If it feels like your vagina is extremely tight while trying to insert your menstrual cup or a tampon, it could be a sign of vaginismus,” points out Dr Manzer. For the uninitiated, vaginismus is your muscles’ response to the fear of inserting anything into the vagina. It can make your vaginal opening contract and feel tighter while inserting a menstrual cup.
Secondly, the tightness has more to do with the vaginal opening than the vagina. “Even though the vaginal canal is flexible, the vaginal opening, which is a ring-shaped muscle, can feel stiffer. This could be particularly experienced by women, who’ve not given birth or those who aren’t sexually active,” explains Dr Manzer.
However, we can assure you that regardless of these factors, a menstrual cup can fit into your vagina seamlessly. All you need to do is keep these pointers in mind:
Stay Calm
“It’s important to stay calm and relaxed during insertion to avoid tightening of muscles due to vaginismus,” says Dr Mamzer. So, relax! Take a deep breath! And just know that once you overcome your reluctance, you will never look back at your disposable period aids. That’s because menstrual cups keep you way more comfortable on your period. They’re also more reliable and don’t need to be changed every 3-4 hours, unlike pads and tampons. And of course, you’re doing the planet a great service too!
Choose A Flexible Cup
“Since this cup-shaped device has a wide rim, it needs to be folded into a C-shape before insertion. Once it’s inside the vagina, it expands into its original shape and creates a suction grip with your pelvic floor muscles,” explains Dr Manzer.
For this process to go smoothly, you need to make sure that your menstrual cup is made of soft, flexible material. Sirona’s Menstrual Cup fits the bill here. Made with medical-grade silicone, it’s easy to fold and insert. Additionally, it can provide leakproof protection for 8 hours and can be washed easily and worn again.
Pick The Right Size
If you experience pain during cup insertion, chances are that you’re using one that’s too big for you. If you’re a menstrual cup newbie, you can start with a small or a medium-sized cup. For a more precise size estimation, click here to take this size-guide quiz by Sirona.
Use A Lubricant
Lube can make sex way more pleasurable. But it certainly has more to offer. Applying a pea-sized amount of it on the vaginal opening can enable painless and seamless insertion of the menstrual cup. You can count on Sirona’s Moisturising Lube Tube. Packed with the goodness of natural ingredients like Tasmanian pepper fruit and riberry fruit, it can relieve vaginal dryness instantly. The best part? It doesn’t disturb the natural acidic pH down there and is safe to use multiple times in a day.
Now that we’ve cleared the air, we encourage you to use a cup and insert it painlessly. However, we suggest you take this period survey to get more clarity on your period-related woes. Cheers to a happy, sustainable period!
Featured Image: Pexels
