The average woman uses a mind-boggling 11,000 pads and tampons in her life. As a result, approximately 20 billion disposable menstrual products?most of which contain plastic that won?t biodegrade for hundreds of years?get dumped into landfills annually. If the idea of your period products outliving you makes you queasy, we have good news: menstrual cups are environmentally friendly, just as safe and effective as pads and tampons, and less expensive in the long run.
What is a menstrual cup, and how the heck do I get it in there"
?The bell-shaped cup is folded and inserted into the vaginal canal to collect menstrual blood,? says Yolanda Kirkham, an ob-gyn at Women?s College Hospital and St. Joseph?s Health Centre in Toronto. ?It can be changed less often than pads or tampons and can be reused during each cycle and over many years.? While today?s versions are typically made of medical-grade silicone, the very first menstrual cup?invented by American actor Leona Chalmers in 1937?was latex rubber. How do I know which size to use"
?Every vagina and cervix is vagina and cervix is different,? says Kirkham. ?But in general, try a smaller size if you?re under the age of 30, have never had a baby, have a low cervix or are just intimidated. If your flow is heavy, you?re taller or heavy-set, and have frequent leakage issues, you may want to consider a bigger size or a different brand.?
Any advice for my first time"
Tampon users tend to have an easier time transitioning ...