Why Pads are NOT the RIGHT choice for you: The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Menstrual Cups

Raheela Asad
5 min readOct 25, 2020

Menstrual cups brought a revolution in every women’s world! Everything changed! And I can finally go swimming in “those” days too.

I have always been eager to tell the world about anything extra-ordinary that I have experienced in my life. A product, which every woman is scared to use, needs such a review and a proper beginner’s guide. They must know how this life-changing product can literally “change your life and your life style”.

First of all, let me tell you want a menstrual cup is. It is a silicon cup that can be bent in an appropriate way to insert in the vagaina, (I know it sounds scary but wait till the end) and it will collect the discharge you get during your periods. It can be easily removed and cleaned and put back in right away after giving it a thorough wash with soap and water. But make sure to steralize it after your periods are over.

My experience with this cup changed my life completely. I was skeptical at first so I did my research. Trust me it was one hell of a research. I scratched all websites and all visual and written content as well as all the relevant YouTube videos. I made up my mind to give it a try after learning the comfort that comes with using it. All my life revolved around pads and tampoons, but reading about this urged in me to give it a try. It doesn’t cost an arm or a leg so it was worth it.

The first time I followed the instruction, which obviously are not rocket science, I folded and slipped it inside, managed to be in a comfortable position pretty quickly, to my surprise! That day I roamed around and about the house. I did not want an accidental leakage to the back of mydress red and make me want to die off the embarrassment.

Honestly speaking, I had for the first time forgotten that I was having periods. There was that cup collecting the residue but half the day went by and being a housewife and a freelancer, I got busy with work of home and from home. But there was no discomfort, that I usually get while using pads and tampons.

Here are some of the benefits of using these magical cups!

Benefits of using Cups over Pads and Tampons

  1. You don't not, I repeat, do not have to worry about leakage and stains on your garments.
  2. You do not have to worry about taking it out when you go for other businesses in the lavatory. Yes, that is true!
  3. Go for a swim! yes, you can swim too. The cups are locked inside your vaginal cavity and will not come out until pulled out. Just make sure you wash and re-insert them just before you enter the water.
  4. This is a one time cost for years!! Unless you want to change it due to discoloration. You can still continue it but make sure steralization is done everytime your periods are over.
  5. You do not need to carry extra pads with you. Just take it out, while seated on the toilet seat, clean it with water (and soap) and reuse it then and there.
  6. There is literally no smell. Since everything is vacuum sealed inside, there is no way the discharged liquid is oxidized that can give away the nasty smell. You will be amazed at this! I was always bothered with that but not anymore.
  7. You are helping in saving the environment. Seems weird but it is true. When you are using pads which is made from the wood pulp that is chlorinated. Polyacrylate gel is used to absorb and hold the liquid. We are avoiding all this and turning towards silicon material and the one that lasts for years.
  8. This one-time investment is really a great deal considering how much pads would cost you over the years. (Considering a regular pad is of 10 cents and you use 5 pads per month- you will spend on $1 in two month and $6 in one year. However, menstrual cups will cost you anythings from $9.99 to $39.95) I am not promoting any brand- I would rather ask you to invest in the lowest price ones if you are skeptical.
  9. Steralization can be done at home, with boiling water and putting the cup in it for 4–5 minutes. (doesn't cost a penny so no need to buy the steralizer)
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There are literally no drawbacks or disadvantages of using a menstrual cup. All you need to do is to follow instructions and insert this within.

Fold the top circular part in four and once inside, it will pop open and fix itself in the right position. You might need to get used to it but it will not take more than a few minutes. The tail end can stay out, this will help you in pulling the cup out.

Holes on the sides of the cup are important to create a suction on the walls so it will not slip down until pulled out.

The hole gives a grip and doesn’t let it slip, (on both sides)

Make sure you are of proper age, I do not recommend little girls using it because it has to be inserted and they just might not be ready for it.

There are, in general two sizes, small and large. Small ones are good for low flow, and younger ladies but large ones are good for the older-ones who have had kids with normal delivery.

I can say alot about these menstrual cups. As I said they didn't only change my life, they changed my lifestyle. I do not fear about stains while I go riding a bike, or swimming. The pain, yes it is still there but minus the discomfort.

I love it, if you are scared to use it, it is ok. I was too. But my fears flew away the first time only and a secret prayer for the inventor of this cup came out from my heart.

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Raheela Asad

Hi there!!! I love to write, especially about life experiences. Love laughter and love spreading laughter especially in such unpresidented times.