Debunking the Infamous Myths Surrounding Menstrual Cup

Posted by Sophia Loren on January 21st, 2021

Women have come a long way in terms of options in menstrual hygiene products. Once stuck with the only choice of reusable cloth, women today have sanitary napkins and menstrual cups at their disposal to have a safe, hygienic, and comfortable period. While we all are well acquainted with the sanitary napkins and tampons, period menstrual cup or shecup is a new concept for most women, though it was invented a little shy of a century ago. Why such late acknowledgment from the female population? Well, that owes to the stigma surrounding menstruation, not to mention the severe lack of commercialization compared to sanitary pads and tampons.

Even after 90 years of finally getting acceptance among its intended target audience, there are ludicrous myths that prevent women from using menstrual cups to this day. Did something similar stop you from buying a menstrual cup online or from a store? Not to worry, as we are here to debunk all the fiction, and present you with nothing but facts. 

Myth 1: Menstrual cup can break the hymen

This has to be the most widely circulated and false rumour regarding menstrual cups that it breaks the hymen and can affect one’s virginity. Just because it is inserted inside the vaginal canal, does not mean that it will deflower a person. The hymen is an elastic and hence stretchable tissue cannot be broken or affected in any way by the menstrual cup. Moreover, the cup remains in the outer part of the vagina, which is a long way from the hymen.  

Myth 2: Shecup can get stuck inside the vagina

Don’t worry, as a shecup will neither get stuck inside the vaginal canal nor move up and get lost inside the uterus. Human anatomy and the design of the menstrual cup don’t allow that to happen. The vaginal canal leads to the cervix in about 3 – 4 inches, preventing the cup from moving any further than the outer side. 

Myth 3: You cannot use the washroom while wearing the shecup

Menstruation is a vaginal discharge and has nothing to do with the urinary tract. Since the shecup is inserted inside the vagina, it causes zero obstruction for urine. You can urinate and excrete as well while wearing a menstrual cup, as other than collecting the flow it does not interfere with any other body functions. 

Myth 4: Menstrual cups can slip out during exercise

The shecup is designed to create suction, hence preventing any movement upwards or downwards unless it is being removed. If you have inserted it properly, then there is no chance for it to come out, even if you are exercising, hiking, running, jumping on the trampoline, or swimming. You can do all of the above and more while wearing a menstrual cup. 

Myth 5: Wearing shecups can cause infections

Many think that since the cup collects the menstrual discharge for a longer time than the sanitary pad or tampon, it leads to the building of infection-causing bacteria. This is not true at all. Shecup is made from health grade non-toxic and non-allergic silicone that is much safer for internal use. However, you need to clean and use it every time to stay hygienic. Menstrual cups do not make you feel wet, give out an odour, or cause rash or itchiness, attesting to it being safe. 

Myth 6: Menstrual cup cannot suffice heavy flow

A menstrual cup can collect the flow on heavy days for about 8 to 10 hours, so there is no preventing a person with the heavy period flow from wearing the shecup. Even the best quality pad or tampon can only hold up for 4 – 6 hours, after which once has to change. That’s not the case with a period menstrual cup, as it allows a person to even sleep for long hours peacefully without any stain worries.  

Myth 7: If the cup is full the discharge flows back to the uterus

Another baseless claim, the engineering of the menstrual cup does not allow any amount of discharge to flow back inside the uterus. That is anatomically impossible.  

To summarize it, shecups are completely safe, hygienic, and healthy for women to wear them for a long time to collect menstrual discharge without affecting the uterus or one’s virginity. You can easily get menstrual cup online as well as in offline stores. So buy yours today, for a carefree period.

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Sophia Loren

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Sophia Loren
Joined: December 22nd, 2020
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