Menstrual cups - one of the hygiene products, it is clear for what periods. In Russia, for various reasons, they are not popular, and few people know about them. We decided to find out with the doctor whether these mouthguards are really better than other means and whether it is worth switching to them completely.
Tamara Kvaraya
obstetrician-gynecologist of the Atlas Medical Center
Each girl chooses for herself what hygiene products to use, whether it be menstrual cups (trays), pads or tampons. A bowl holds more blood than a tampon (30 ml versus 18 ml). They are reusable and disposable, they have the same principle of operation, but disposable are made of soft material, so they can theoretically break. Such cases are rare, but they do happen. But in them, unlike reusable ones, you can have sex.
The main advantage of bowls is economy. A reusable mouthguard costs a lot less than hundreds of tampons. They are also more environmentally friendly: they require less material to produce. Personally, I don't see any other special advantages. The issue of convenience is individual, someone likes that the cup does not increase in volume while wearing and does not press. As for the toxic shock syndrome, it does not depend on the hygiene product and can also occur when using cups.
It's easy to learn how to install a mouthguard, if it's done incorrectly, a woman will immediately feel discomfort. The cup is selected based on the size of the vagina and the volume of menstrual flow. In principle, if you have a little discharge, you can put the bowl in the morning and take it off in the evening. Mouth guards are made from different materials, including anti-allergenic ones.
A reusable bowl costs much less than hundreds of tampons
There are no contraindications, except that the cups cannot be used by virgins. Many people believe that mouthguards can only be worn by those who have given birth, but this is not the case. I find that for hygiene reasons it is best to use disposable bowls, and you should always wash your hands during your shift. Likewise, I recommend tampons with applicators or pads for use. Another thing is that gaskets may not always be convenient, for example, in summer.
In Russia, menstrual cups are not popular. In my opinion, this is due to the fact that Russian brands do not produce them, and they are not available for free sale in pharmacies, and there is no advertising of these products either. In my entire practice, I have met only two patients who use them. In doing so, they combine bowls with tampons and pads and use them irregularly. Apparently, they are not comfortable enough to replace everything else.