Is it Protected for Your Teen to Put on a Menstrual Cup?

When your teen first will get their interval, you wish to ensure that they’re empowered with good info and help, in order that they will navigate with new chapter of their lives safely and hygienically. One space they might want help with is choosing a interval product they really feel comfy utilizing and that works for his or her way of life.

As of late, there are extra choices than ever for menstrual merchandise, together with many alternative sized pads, and tampons with various kinds of applicators. There are additionally menstrual cups, that are gadgets which can be inserted into the vagina to gather interval blood. Menstrual cups have risen in reputation over the previous few years, in all probability as a result of they create much less disposable waste than conventional interval merchandise.

In case your teen expresses curiosity is utilizing a menstrual cups, chances are you’ll be questioning if these merchandise are okay for teenagers to make use of. Right here, we’ll go over all the pieces it’s essential to find out about menstrual cups and teenagers.

What Is a Menstrual Cup and How Does It Work?

 Menstrual cups are related in design to diaphragms and cervical cups (that are each contraception strategies). They’re small cups made of fabric like silicone, latex, or rubber. They’ve a versatile rim and a few menstrual cups have a stem on the backside to make them simpler to take away.

To insert a menstrual cup, you fold it up, after which gently push it up towards the again of your vaginal canal. As soon as its been inserted, it expands contained in the canal.

Menstrual fluid is collected contained in the cup, which might usually maintain about 10 to twenty-eight mL of liquid at a time. Relying in your stream, menstrual cups may be left inside for 12 hours; tampons ought to by no means be left unchanged for greater than 8 hours.

After being emptied, menstrual cups have to be washed and sanitized between makes use of, in response to producer’s directions.

How Is a Menstrual Cup Completely different From a Pad Or a Tampon?

 Most individuals who’ve a interval are conversant in a pad or tampon. So how does a menstrual cup evaluate to extra generally used interval merchandise?

 To start with, “not like pads or tampons, menstrual cups are usually reusable,” says Anne Smith, MD, a Yale Drugs OB-GYN who focuses on adolescents and is an assistant professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at Yale College of Drugs.

Moreover, she explains, versus pads or tampons, “menstrual cups gather blood, however don’t soak up it.” After utilizing a menstrual cup, the consumer disposes of the menstrual blood in the bathroom and clear the cup.

As well as, says Jillian LoPiano, MD, OB-GYN and chief well being officer at Wisp, menstrual cups can have a steeper studying curve than pads, and even tampons.

“Insertion and elimination may be tough, particularly for newbies,” she says. Particularly, they could be messier to take away than a pad or tampon whenever you’re first studying how you can use it.

When Can Teenagers Safely Use Menstrual Cups?

 As a result of many people are much less conversant in menstrual cups—and since they’re somewhat more durable to make use of than merchandise like pads—many mother and father surprise if teenagers can safely use menstrual cups.

The truth is, typically mother and father or teenagers are involved about utilizing interval merchandise that have to be inserted inside their physique—like tampons or menstrual cups—earlier than they’ve been sexually lively, says Dr. Smith. “It’s completely protected to make use of tampons or menstrual cups even in those that have by no means been sexually lively,” she assures.

And if whereas individuals assume they may have to begin out with a pad earlier than shifting on a distinct merchandise, Suzanne Bovone, MD, board-certified OB-GYN at Pediatrix Medical Group in San Jose, CA says that “teenagers can safely use menstrual cups from their first interval if they need.”

Advantages to Utilizing a Menstrual Cup

One main profit to utilizing a menstrual cup that its merely extra handy than different interval merchandise.

“Menstrual cups can typically keep in place longer than tampons, typically solely needing alternative and cleansing each 8 to 12 hours,” Dr. Smith says. Menstrual cups additionally maintain extra blood than different interval merchandise. “This can be an enormous profit for teenagers with heavier durations, permitting them to vary their product much less regularly and take part in class or sports activities with out as a lot fear about leaks,” says Dr. Smith.

Many teenagers discover menstrual cups extra comfy than different interval merchandise, says Dr. Bovone. “Many report much less cramping in addition to much less odor,” she shares. However that’s not all. Different advantages of menstrual cups for teenagers embrace:

• Price-effectiveness, as you solely should buy the menstrual cup as soon as and it will possibly final for a number of years
• Eco-friendly as a result of it produces much less plastic packaging, like wrappers and containers that have to be bought repeatedly
• When used appropriately, can supply extra leak safety and must be changed much less regularly
• Some customers report larger ranges of consolation than different merchandise
• Doesn’t disrupt your pH stability or result in vaginal irritation or dryness

Potential Dangers or Considerations

 Whereas menstrual cups are largely protected, there are a few security issues to remember, in response to Dr. Bovone. Right here’s what to know:

• Just like tampons, if left in too lengthy, there’s the chance of poisonous shock syndrome, so ensure that to take away the cup after 12 hours at most, or if the cup is full with blood.
• Preserving the cup clear is essential for decreasing your danger of an infection, so clear the cup after every use, and sterilize the cup after your menstrual cycle.
• Ensure that the cup is inserted correctly and that it feels comfy; if it’s not inserted correctly, it will possibly put strain in your urethra and result in urinary discomfort.
• As with all medical machine, chances are you’ll be allergic to the fabric of the cup, reminiscent of latex or silicone, so remember to decide interval merchandise to which you don’t have any allergic reactions. In the event you do discover redness, swelling or irritation, cease utilizing the product and focus on along with your healthcare supplier.

Suggestions for Teenagers Simply Beginning Out

As with a tampon, the sensation of a menstrual cup can take time to get used to, and you’ll guarantee your teen that that is regular. “There’s a studying curve when beginning use of menstrual cups,” says Dr. Smith. “It could take a bit longer than with tampons for teenagers to turn out to be comfy with use.”

Menstrual cups usually include detailed directions and there are additionally on-line sources your teen can benefit from as they’re studying how you can use this new product.

“Utilizing on-line sources and manufactures pointers to point out your teen correct use not solely makes them protected and simpler to make use of, however creates a tradition of physique consciousness and literacy which can be crucial to teen well being,” Dr. LoPiano notes.

As Dr. Smith explains, menstrual cups are available in a number of completely different sizes and every model is somewhat completely different when it comes to form and different options.

“Contemplate beginning with a small measurement to start with and rising if wanted for heavier flows,” she recommends. Your teen may additionally wish to strive completely different shapes and types to seek out one which feels best to insert and most comfy to make use of.

In case you are making an attempt the cup when your menstrual stream is mild or practising when not menstruating, somewhat lube can go a good distance. “You could want some water or water-based lubricant to ease insertion if menstrual stream may be very mild in order to not trigger irritation to the vaginal partitions,” Dr. Bovone suggests.

Lastly, in case your teen continues to have hassle with their cup, they need to completely attain out to a gynecologist for assist, or experiment with different interval merchandise that could be higher suited.