In Brief: Possible Issues Using a Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups may cause irritation and infection if proper hygiene levels are not maintained. Some individuals find it challenging to insert, find the right size, maintain properly, and remove without spilling. It may interfere with IUD, and very extreme cases cause toxic shock syndrome. Rubber menstrual cup cannot be used if having latex allergies.
Although a menstrual cup has several advantages like reusability, long-lasting, convenience, it has some disadvantages. This article will discuss the disadvantages of using a menstrual cup.
Possible Issues Using a Menstrual Cup
The menstrual cup is used as an alternative to conventional sanitary pads.
It uses the principle of collection of menstrual blood instead of the absorption used in pads. It can be used multiple times, but some women find the first-time cost very expensive.
The usage of the menstrual cup can pose some challenges, in some situations, including –
It may cause irritation
Menstrual cups may sometimes cause more irritation than those who wore tampons.
It may be because of inserting a menstrual cup without proper lubrication. The unclean and incorrect menstrual cups may also irritate.
It may cause infections
Improper washing of hands or inadequate cleaning of menstrual cups may cause vaginal infections. It is advisable to wash the hands with fragrance-free soap and clean the menstrual cup in hot water before using it.
It could interfere with IUD
Some manufacturers say that menstrual cups may pull string or dislodge the fitted IUD.
But a study indicated that the use of menstrual cups was not involved with the expulsion of IUD devices.
If the menstrual cup is appropriately positioned and strings attached to IUD are shortened, it may prevent the IUD from dislocating.
It can be challenging to select the right size
Finding the right size and correctly placing it can be challenging as the cups comes in different sizes. It depends on the age, menstrual flow, and whether the women had a child.
A small cup may be appropriate for women under 30 and those who have not given birth, whereas a large size would be ideal for women over 30 and who have given birth.
The wrong size may cause leakage and discomfort.
It can be difficult to remove in public places
Removing the menstrual cup without spilling can be tricky.
It can be challenging to do in public places where there is lack of water and clean bathrooms. It has to be sterilized every time before and after using it, which can be time-consuming, especially when on the go.
It may cause toxic shock syndrome
The toxic shock syndrome occurs very rarely while using a menstrual cup.
To date, there is one case study of toxic shock syndrome reported with the use of a menstrual cup in a 37-year older woman. It was because of small abrasions that she used for her initial insertions, which allowed the growth of S.auerus.
It can be avoided by properly washing the hands and cleaning the menstrual cup.
Avoid using a menstrual cup if allergic to rubber, had recent gynecological surgery, just given birth, have a vaginal infection, and uterine prolapse.
Consult your doctor before switching to menstrual cup if having uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and uterine position variations.
Summary
The use of menstrual cups may cause irritation, infection, and interfere with IUD.
It can be challenging to find the right size and time-consuming to maintain.
However, with practice, these challenges can be overcome. Be sure to consult a doctor if experiencing any health issues while using a menstrual cup.