Menstrual cups are a form of menstrual flow management systems which help women to deal with their periods. Using a menstrual cup is an alternative to using pads and tampons. These are available in two main varieties-disposal and reusable ones. They come in different sizes, shapes, and degrees of flexibility, colors, lengths, widths and materials.
It is important to choose the most suitable variety for yourself to make the best use out of menstrual cups. If it is your first time at using a menstrual cup, then you must select the right size for yourself. The following are a few tips and suggestions which will help you choose the correct menstrual cup size.
- It is important to know that there is no standard way of using the right menstrual cup size like choosing a shoe or a piece of clothing. This means that a ‘small’ size cup provided by one menstrual cup manufacturer may be different from the ‘small’ size provided by another manufacturer.
- Cups generally come in two main sizes-small and large. In order to pick the more suitable size for yourself, go through the guidelines given. This could be a good starting point for you. After that, you will need to tweak your choice of brand and the size in order to find the cup which perfectly fits you and your requirements.
- If you are a teenager, a person under the age of 30 or someone who has not had sexual intercourse, then you may want to start out with a small size. This size is also recommended for those who have never delivered a baby vaginally and those who exercise often.
- It is important to remember that the size must be chosen on the basis of the fit and not the flow of blood during periods.
- A large size is more suitable and hence suggested for women over the age of 30, those who have had a delivery vaginally and those who may have a very heavy menstrual flow.
- It is a good idea to follow these guidelines first and pick a menstrual cup size. Try using it for 2-3 cycles and see if you are comfortable using it. If yes, then you can continue with it. But in case the cup doesn’t fit right then you may want to try the other size as well.
- Make sure that you use a cup which has a smaller rim width and is more flexible in the part of it which collects the fluid.
- If you are unsure of the size of the cup, then it is best to go with a disposable cup which is relatively cheaper and in case the size is wrong, you can easily dispose it off and try the other size.
- You will also need to consider the length and it is best to start off by using one with a medium length. If the medium length cannot hold too much fluid, then switch to a larger length.
