Menstrual Cups: An Environmentally Friendly Alternative to Pads and Tampons
History and Development
Menstrual cups have been around since the late 1930s but did not gain widespread popularity and availability until the past 15-20 years. The first commercially available period cup was created in 1937 by Leona Chalmers Wahl, a registered nurse. However, it was not until the 1980s and 1990s that other period cup designs emerged and the products began to be more widely marketed and sold. Some of the early innovators and manufacturers of period cup included DameCup, DivaCup, Lunette, MoonCup, and FemmyCycle. These brands helped introduce period cup to more consumers and increased production and distribution around the world.
Menstrual cups are typically made of medical-grade silicone, latex, or rubber. The cups are flexible and foldable so they can be compressed to insert inside the vagina. Once inside, the Menstrual Cup will unfold and form a seal around the cervix to collect menstrual fluid. Most brands and styles hold between 20-30ml of flow, meaning emptying only needs to be done 2-4 times per day depending on an individual's flow. Different sizes, shapes, and folds have been developed to accommodate anatomical differences among users. Today, period cup remain an innovative, eco-friendly period care alternative.
Some users may experience initial discomfort during insertion or removal as their body adjusts to having a foreign object inside. But withpractice, it becomes effortless. Proper hygiene and regular emptying areessential for comfortable long term wear and to prevent leaks. With time and experience, menstrual cups can provide a simpler period solution.
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