“I’m so looking forward to getting my period this month!” -No one, ever. Well, actually, that was me this. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit it. I actually looked forward to Aunt Flo’s visit this month, but not for obvious reasons. …Obvious reasons?? This month was the month I tried a period cup or a menstrual cup and naturally, I want to tell you all about it! This post does not contain any pictures of blood, but it does contain a whole lotta TMI!
I want to continue by sharing that I’m not typically a tampon user, so the idea of using a menstrual cup was a little offputting. I experienced leaks and discomfort with tampons and assumed that the cup would be similar. However, I constantly heard great things about the cup and thought I’d finally give it a try.
Pre-period Prep
I started my menstrual cup journey by consuming all of the videos and blog posts I could find on cups. I spoke with friends, I stalked message boards, you name it. On my journey, I came across this cute little quiz that helps match your vag to a cup. My results yielded the regular, Ocean Blue, Saalt cup and so the Saalt cup I bought.
I took this quiz a few months ago, placed it in my Amazon cart and just left it there. When I first heard about cups a few years ago, they were $15-20, so the $28 for the Saalt was baffling. It wasn’t until this month, March 2020, that I made my purchase. Now, I’m not sure if it’s the ‘Rona or what, but I ended up paying THIRTY-TWO DOLLARS for my cup. To know me is to know that I’m miserly, but the sustainability aspect of the cup ultimately led to my purchase.
Period Party 🩸
As I checked out, my male cashier asked, “Oh cool. What’s this?” Me, as nonchalant as ever, “A menstrual cup.”
Ben: Oh. *obviously disconcerted*
Me: No, it’s cool.
Ben: I just saw “Saalt” and was curious.
Me: I’ve been hearing a lot about them and wanted to give it a try. I took a quiz and the results said this cup would be a good fit! I literally just caught the pun right now, at this very moment.
Ben: I hope it works out.
Me: Yeah me too, since I don’t think I’ll be able to return it!
Days 1 & 2
I thought I lost the cup in me. What an excellent start. I knew there was only one way in and out, but still… For the remainder of this post, my experience will be summed up mostly in bullet points! Enjoy!
- It’s day one and my flow is super light. I have my cup inserted and Thinx period panties on! I’m ready to rock!
- The cup doesn’t have to be inserted as far up as a tampon, but it does move up when you stand up, at least it did for me
- I’d like to think that I’m especially acquainted with my vagina, but I thought I had a growth in my vagina the first time I went to remove my cup. Thankfully, it was just the tip of the stem of the cup
- It took me about 3 minutes to get it out the first time and it helped to bear down to remove it
- Sitting down to remove the cup was more helpful than standing up
Day 3
- My enthusiasm has been greatly reduced because I woke up this morning to my cup leaking! Thankful for my period panties.
- I read about the causes of leaks and decided to insert my cup differently
- With this new insertion method in place (again, a pun) I now feel the cup. I’m feeling pressure at the base of my vagina and it’s slightly uncomfortable
- Having a bowel movement provided some pressure relief
- From about 10am to 5pm I had no leakage. Big Yay! I did, however, supplement the cup with a pad
- Around 6pm, I noticed some (cup) leakage, but overall it was a good day. I experienced little to no discomfort
- An immediate con: Having to lean over the side of the sink to wash the cup is nettlesome, to say the least, but blessed to be able to do it
- I dropped the cup in the toilet *major facepalm*
Day 4
- Not too much has changed from day 3
- I changed my cup this afternoon and saw that I was still leaking significantly although I thought I placed the cup correctly *eye roll* 🙄
- Included in the packaging, I wish there was a small cloth I could place my cup on after I’ve washed it, while I clean myself, but before reinserting the cup. I use toilet paper, which does the job
- I’m not feeling any pressure or discomfort, which is good, but I need to figure out how to stop leaking. I thought I figured it out early on in Day 3, but I guess not
- I also wonder if the constant retrieval and insertion of the cup are stretching my vaginal muscles. My thought is yes, so Kegels are a must!
- I’m still not completely used to the cup popping into place or popping when I pull it out, but it’s less of a shock
- It’s amazing at how much blood is actually lost during menstruation, which isn’t that much
- I’m learning that it’s best for me to rinse my cup every eight hours. There’s comfort in knowing I can go up to 12 hours if necessary!
Days 5 & 6
- I didn’t use the cup for two reasons: I got really tired of digging in my vagina and my flow is pretty light the last few days. To be clear, I never had to dig for my cup, but I did have to insert my fingers to wiggle out the cup. I got tired of that.
- Today, day five, I rinsed my cup with 50% isopropyl alcohol and then boiled it for five minutes, per the instructions
Day 7/Wrap-up
Overall, considering my prior experience with feminine products and being a first-time cup user, I’m not in love with it, yet. Although I never experienced any pain, I did experience some discomfort at several points. I would like to try a different cup, one with a less rigid rim to figure out if that was a contributing factor.
I did appreciate the peace of mind the cup gave me, especially while sleeping. With my cup+pad combo, I slept like a baby knowing that no blood would end up on my sheets. I wouldn’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to change my pad. I typically don’t leak through my pads, but it’s only because I alter my sleeping and other behaviors.
I’d rate the Saalt cup a 7/10. A seven out of ten is considered to be passing, meaning I’ll likely use the cup again next month, but there’s definitely some learning to do!
WATCH THIS Before Switching to a #MenstrualCup
Jae Mommma 