Well, yes. To be honest, not everyone who tries a menstrual cup falls in love with it, or even with the idea of it. And that’s fine. That’s the nice thing about alternative options – you’re free to choose!
Here are some things that people might not like about menstrual cups:
1. Learning Curve
Like almost everything else we do, there is a learning curve. For some people, inserting, using and removing their menstrual cup came easy. For others, it took some time to get the hang of it. Practice will help! Once you do get the hang of it, it’ll become second nature and you won’t need to think about what to do or how to do it.
2. May Seem Messier
It may seem messier in the beginning when you’re first learning. Again, this is part of the learning curve and practice will help! Remember, you most likely won’t need to empty your cup as often as changing a tampon or pad, so you’ll be dealing with your period a lot less throughout the day. When you learn how to insert and remove your cup, you’ll also learn in what position your body needs to be and also how to hold the cup just right so that it doesn’t spill.
3. Fit Problems
A specific menstrual cup might not fit you well. Most of us have heard of the Diva Cup: it’s very popular and can even be found at the local supermarket. However, it doesn’t feel comfortable for everyone who tries it. A chief complaint is that it’s too long. Others find it too soft or too firm. A great thing about menstrual cups is that you have options; the Diva Cup is certainly not the only cup out there!
4. Initial Cost
It may seem that menstrual cups are expensive. Most reputable cups on the market cost anywhere from 15-40 USD, and it may take a couple – or even a few – different cups to find the one that fits you perfectly. However, once you find a cup that is comfortable and meets your needs, you won’t have to spend anything else for your period for (approximately) the next TEN YEARS!
There are some groups (on Facebook and forums) that allow “de-stashing” of cups, or selling gently-used cups. Even if you don’t feel comfortable purchasing a used cup and sanitizing it to wear, yourself, you can still use the service to sell the cups that didn’t work for you and recoup some of your funds.
5. Maintenance
Some people feel that the maintenance of a cup has to be a big chore. Some menstrual cup companies even recommend that cups be boiled before being stored away. In reality, a good rinse with water or a mild soap wash is sufficient.
* How to store your menstrual cup.
* How to clean your menstrual cup.
6. Public Bathrooms
Yes, it may be much easier for some to change their tampon or pad in a public bathroom, but remember that you probably won’t need to empty your cup as often. Some people can go several hours more using a menstrual cup than a tampon or a pad before needing to visit a bathroom. If your period is light, you might even be able to hold off for up to 12 hours! If you do need to empty your cup in a public facility, there are some tips that might help you out.
Red Herring has been sharing her experience and knowledge of menstrual cups on YouTube since 2015. She has worked on or with several menstrual cup companies but chooses not to be credited.
"I want to help people find the right menstrualcup for their situation.Not pressure them to buy a menstrual cup [that I might have helped with] for the sake of sales."
- 21 Concerns You May Have Before Getting a Menstrual Cup - July 5, 2021
- FemaCup Menstrual cup – Full Review - March 14, 2021
- HannahCup Menstrual Cup – Full Review - March 14, 2021
