On WoMENS Cycle: Pads vs. Menstrual Cup

Pad vs. menstrual cup? What should you use? 

Monthly periods depict women’s biological makeup as bearers of succeeding generations. On the contrary, periods are their burden which they resolve by using pads, menstrual cups, or the classic tampon.

However, modern opinion from women suggests that napkins or pads contribute to a large production of waste. Hence, western women today prefer using menstrual cups.  

The popularization of menstrual cups is not noble, it was already known in 1932. Some Filipino women are in the silent debate about using either pad or menstrual cup. 

Fear, confusion, and lack of accessible women’s health education are some of the reasons women do not use menstrual cups. 

What can we suggest, therefore? This will be your pocket guide on the debate of pad vs. menstrual cup.

Different narratives on the use of pad vs. menstrual cup

Studies and opinions are evident in the concept of whether to use pad vs menstrual cup during this period. However, researchers from most western countries warn the public of the inconsistencies of the said research on the use of menstrual cups.

Moreover, there is a push for more sensible and closed research on the use of cups to differentiate them from pads in regards to women’s health. 

Safety of use

The undetermined number of participants made the available research on the adverse effects of using cups an ambiguous comparison to the other disposable menstrual products. 

But according to other accounts, the safety of using cups depends on how the user sanitizes her product.

When talking about safety, in the recent opinion of Filipino women, the safety of using cups comes with the knowledge of using them. 

The fear of using the product and choosing pads instead may reflect the lack of education in the public in terms of women’s health.

This may suggest that the government can possibly initiate research in determining the possible reasons why women use either the pads or cups and how to introduce the use of different alternatives.

The alternative use of menstrual products could be suggested to women with different health situations. 

Leakage rates

Prof. Penelope Phillips-Howard accounts that even though we have an enormous number of menstruating populations that have a menstrual cycle over time, the statistics do not reciprocate the number of studies on the quality of sanitary products. 

Prof. Howard’s team’s research presented that there is a bigger probability of similarity in the leakage rates of menstrual cups to other menstrual products. Yet one research found a significantly less leakage rate of cups. 

Focusing on the possibility of leakage during the use of a menstrual cup happens if there is unique uterus anatomy, a hormonal state with abnormal bleeding, using inappropriate sizes of cups, incorrect placement of cups, or not emptying the cup when full. 

Being eco-friendly

The popularity of using menstrual cups in the recent era can be related to their reusability for up to 10 years. Due to its reusability, this has become one of the advantages of cups against classic tampons and pads.

Classic sanitary pads need to be changed twice, thrice, or more a day. Frequent change of pads not only gives discomfort and hassle, but it is also result of more non-biodegradable wastes.

Menstrual cup users also consider this bigger effect on switching from pads.

Knowing this comparison between the two sanitary products, it is difficult to undermine the disadvantage on health of using pads.

Menstrual Cup 101

The fear of using menstrual cups or the lack of knowledge about it is not a problem. Maybe some of you have started to use mugs, or have tried to use them. 

This portion is not to exclude women who still don’t use cups but to give some information and a beginner’s guide on what a menstrual cup is and how to use it.

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup is a reusable feminine sanitary product. It is a small, rubberized, or silicone funnel-shaped cup that needs to be inserted into your vagina to collect the bleeding. 

Cups have the capacity to hold more blood than other sanitary products. Its eco-friendly factor is why most women in western countries chose to use cups instead of pads and tampons. 

You can actually wear your menstrual cup for up to 12 hours depending on your menstrual flow.  

How to use your menstrual cup? 

Want to start using a menstrual cup? Start by talking to your gynecologist. It is better to know your definite size before buying one. Most brands have both small and large sizes available.

How would you know what kind of menstrual cup is suitable for you? Better ask your gynecologist with the following classifications to consider:

• Age

Age should be considered because your size is proportional to your age. It is also considered if you are having deficiencies on a monthly period.

• Length of your cervix

The inappropriate size of the menstrual cup may affect your cervix when the cup is being pushed inside. That is why it is better to know your definite size.

• Whether or not having a heavy flow

Even if cups hold more bleeding than other sanitary products, cups also have a threshold in collecting the blood.

• Firmness and flexibility of the product

 Quality and good menstrual cups can also mean comfortable and efficient sanitation. 

• Cup capacity

Considering if you have a heavy flow, we should be reminded that a product like this also has its limits. 

• Strength of your pelvic floor muscles

Strong and practized pelvic floor muscles may also help in pushing in and getting your cup out of your vagina. Weak or no good control of your pelvic floor muscles will result in your fear of misusing the sanitary cup.

• If you labored or gave birth vaginally

It is possible that when you gave birth vaginally, you would have a flexible vaginal canal. An appropriate-size menstrual cup will be less likely to be efficient. 

How to put your menstrual cup?

Before starting putting your cup inside your vagina, it is better to “grease” the cup. It is recommended to use lubricant or water-based lube for greasing to avoid uncomfortably.

Look at these step-by-step processes on how to put in your menstrual cup correctly:

1. Wash your hands
2. Apply lubricant to the tip of the cup
3. Tightly fold the cup in half, hold it in one hand with the ran
4. Insert the cup. Sit it a few inches below your cervix.
5. .When the cup is successfully inserted, rotate it. It will spring open creating an airtight seal that will stop the leak.

When and how to take your menstrual cup?

You can wear your menstrual cup from 6-12 hours whether you have your period heavy or not. You must remove your menstrual cup after the 12 hours limit. If it was full ahead of the time limit, you should empty it earlier to avoid a leak.

How to take your menstrual cup out?

1. Wash your hands.
2. Put your index finger and thumb into your vagina.
3. Pull the stem of the cup slowly until you can reach the base.
4.   Pinch the base to release the seal and pull down to remove the cup.
5. Once the cup is out, empty it into the sink or toilet bowl.

Advantages

For your last guide on what to know about the menstrual cups, you may want to consider these popular gynecologist’s commendations:

• Affordability
• Much safer than tampons because it collects rather than absorb. It helps reduce the chance of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) or rare bacterial infection when using tampons.
• Able to hold more blood than other sanitary products
• Eco-friendly use
• You can have sex while using the soft disposable menstrual cup variant.
•  You can simultaneously wear both a menstrual cup and an Intrauterine device (IUD)

Gynecologists say on pads vs. menstrual cups

Gynecologists did not happen to debate pads vs. menstrual cups but instead explained the advantages and guidance in using menstrual cups as a popular choice in sanitary product use.

Use of cups while having the installed IUD may not always be a good option and it is better to consult your nearest gynecologist.

In addition, gynecologists also suggest measuring your cervical height before purchasing a certain size of menstrual cup. The best way to do it is by squatting.

Now that we have introduced the concept of using menstrual cups vs. pads and other sanitary products, maybe it is time to bust the myths and fears about using cups. Also, consulting your gynecologist is the best way for a beginner in using such a product.

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.