Menstrual Cups
Product 2018
Lady
This test will no doubt be surprising for some to read…but not for all!
Sportswomen, most notably those who participate in endurance sports like ultra trail running, cycling or triathlon, know only too well the problems of having a menstrual cycle during long sporting endeavors. Training and alimentation are focused on performance, “that time of the month” is never talked about and is limiting and uncomfortable. The TEST4OUTSIDE testers wanted to be up front and honest, breaking down taboos and deal with a subject that is present once a month, every month. Menstrual cups are a unique well-designed product that is only now really starting to make headlines…
MENSTRUAL CUP VS TAMPON
Using a tampon can sometimes be uncomfortable when doing sports; it can slip (sometimes whilst trail running) and even slightly slide out of the vagina in some cases creating leaks, pain and embarrassment and necessitating immediate action as fast as possible. In races this isn’t always easy and of course timewasting, the clock is always turning…
Tampons need relatively frequent changing (which is a real pain on long endurance races) and now with the latest polemic about chemical products that can be passed through the vaginal wall making it unsafe for health. It’s a shame to do a sport and have a healthy diet and then let contaminating agents into your system.
We tested the Mooncup, which is a brand name; there are numerous other brands that make the same type of product, for example:
https://dansmaculotte.com/en/6-menstrual-cups
HOW DOES A MENSTRUAL CUP WORK?
It is a flexible silicone cup (medical quality silicone), with a small tab that you take between your fingertips to pull it out. This little cup sits inside your vagina, a little lower down than a tampon. You just need to fold it in half with your fingers, and slide it inside. Once the correct depth is reached it opens out to fit your anatomy and is now ready to collect the menstrual cycle. The cup doesn’t dry the vaginal mucus like a tampon does.
THE INTIMATE TEST
The menstrual cup is a must for sportswomen who don’t want to worry about their periods. The cup is quite easy to put in place and gets easier with practice. Sometimes you might not put in exactly right and it will leak slightly. The cup can stay in place for up to 8hours then it is necessary to take it out and empty it. To remove it you just pull gently on the little tab and to cancel the suction effect you may have to squeeze the base gently to enable it to come out more easily, then you can remove it and empty it. The tab can be a little annoying when cycling, but you can cut it a bit shorter. For trail running, swimming and cycling the menstrual cup is very comfortable, it stays in place and doesn’t impede your movements and the best of all; you are free to do what you like for 8hours!
We only had one little scare once when it wouldn’t come out, it had risen a bit too high in the vagina and couldn’t grab hold of the tab. But with a bit of patience and contortions it came out no problem.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ONE
Brands have different methods for choosing the correct size: either the menstrual cup can be chosen depending on how heavy your periods are, or according to size and age (for example Mooncup use this latter method): Size A, if you are older than 30 and have given birth normally, size B if less than 30 years old and no birth by natural means.
All that’s left is washing the menstrual cup after emptying. At the beginning of your cycle you must sterilize it. This is easy to do, just boil in a pan of water for seven minutes. During use when you empty it you need to wash it with hot water and soap: not in a dishwasher or other antimicrobial gels to avoid impregnating the rubber with chemical products. There are “washing bottles” that exist that we also tested:
https://dansmaculotte.com/en/accessoires/115-la-mini-gobi-gourde-personnalisable
After sports the best solution is removing it in the shower.
JUST ADVANTAGES
The cup that we tested over several months was in white/transparent silicone. After a while it yellows in color, which gives it an aspect a bit aged and could leave you with the feeling that it isn’t cleaned properly, which isn’t the case. So buying one in a different color may be a good idea, they have them in fuchsia pink now.
The cups collect three times more than a simple tampon and therefore ensure protection a lot longer. This of course is very welcome especially if you suffer from heavy periods. Without latex, hypo allergens, menstrual cups do not have any BPA Phthalates, colorings and perfumes (unlike tampons). They are also usable for up to five years.
We highly recommend using menstrual cups, easy to use, reliable, efficient and respect your body. We could also add that they are extremely ecological because sustainable and you subsequently stop throwing away tons of tampons every year. We couldn’t find one reason not to use the menstrual cup! Get out there and get yourself one!
To round up here’s a short and informative video to explain and compare the advantages and inconveniences of the menstrual cup versus the tampon:
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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