Did you know that a single woman can generate up to 125 kgs of non-biodegradable waste during her menstruating years? Yes, those seemingly-harmless, use-and-throw sanitary napkins and tampons actually wreak havoc on the environment.
Enter: Menstrual cups–a great option for every menstruating human being on the planet. Not only do they address the discomfort from friction-generating pads, or vagina-drying tampons, but they are also easy on the pocket and the planet too. This is because menstrual cups are reusable and can last up to 10 years.
However, unlike tampons and pads, the process of finding the right menstrual cup size can be a tad bit confusing, because there are so many options in the market. Once you find your match though, trust us, there’s no looking back. You’ll have the most comfortable period with no leaking, staining, mess, discomfort, and vaginal infections– pinky promise.
In fact, we spoke to Dr. Uma Vaidyanathan, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, to gain an insight on the matter. And she listed these pointers to help you find your perfect menstrual-cup match:
Cervix Height
Nope, you don’t have to schedule a doctor’s appointment just to measure your cervix height. You can DIY! For the uninitiated, the cervix is a cylindrical tissue at the end of the uterus. It connects it to the vaginal opening via the vaginal canal. To measure its height, you have to determine the length of this canal. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Wash your hands thoroughly.
Step 2: Insert your index finger into your vaginal opening.
Step 3: Try to reach for a thick, rough wall at the end of your vaginal canal. (That’s your cervix)
Step 4: On your finger, just mark the point where the vaginal opening falls.
Step 5: Now, pull it out because we have some math to do.
Medium-Height Cervix
The average cervix height ranges from 1.8-2.25 inches. You can use a ruler to measure the distance between your fingertip and the marked point for a more accurate estimation. For a rough idea, if the point lies between the middle and the third knuckle of your index finger, your cervix height is medium.
The Right Cup Size: Small/medium.
High Cervix
According to Dr. Vaidyanathan, if your finger goes all the way into your vagina before it reaches the end point, you have a high cervix. Just to be sure, you can use a ruler to measure this length on your finger and if it turns out to be more than 2.25 inches, you know your cervix is high.
The Right Cup Size: Large
Low Cervix
“If the cervix falls at or before the middle knuckle of your finger and measures 1.4 inches or less, then you have a short cervix,” says Dr. Vaidyanathan.
The Right Cup Size: Small
Strength Of Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
It won’t be wrong to say that this is THE most crucial factor to be considered when choosing the appropriate menstrual cup size.
Your pelvic floor muscles constitute a group of muscles that run from the pubic bone in the front to the tailbone at the back. They encircle the urethra, anus, and the vagina. Their basic job is to support your bowel and urinary bladder, and in this case—to hold the menstrual cup in place. The logic is simple: Stronger the pelvic floor muscles, firmer their grip on the menstrual cup.
Now, their strength depends on these factors:
Childbirth And Age
“The pelvic floor muscles of an adolescent or a woman in her 20’s are assumed to be strong. So, a small menstrual cup will fit them well,” says Dr Vaidyanathan.
“If you are below 30 years of age and haven’t had children, your pelvic floor muscles are unlikely to have been stretched out too much. Hence, you can easily hold a small or a medium size cup well,” she adds.
However, if you are above 30 years of age and have given birth through vaginal delivery, your pelvic floor muscles might have stretched out because of labour. Dr. Vaidyanthan suggests you opt for a large-size menstrual cup.
Physical Activity
Athletes and gym freaks are likely to have stronger pelvic floor muscles that can easily hold a small or a medium size menstrual cup.
Another tip offered by Dr Vaidyanathan for athletic people is to opt for cups made of harder material instead of softer ones. This can decrease the probability of the cup getting displaced even during heavy physical activity.
Blood Flow
The blood flow might not be the same on all five days of your period. So, Dr. Vaidyanathan suggests using a large-size menstrual cup on days when the flow’s heavy and a small/medium size cup for the lighter-flow days.
There may be some trial and error before you zero in on the perfect menstrual cup for yourself. But for more accuracy, you can weigh in all the factors relevant to your case before buying a cup. Let’s help you understand this with an example: If your blood flow is heavy and your pelvic floor muscles are strong, you might get confused and get yourself a large-sized cup. However, a small or medium size cup would fit you better because of your ability to hold it firmly. Just empty it more frequently, say, every 3-4 hours when the bleeding is heavy.
Similarly, if your cervix is high and you have strong pelvic floor muscles, you can opt for a cup with a smaller diameter for a better fit and a longer length for ease of locating the cup during removal.
Looking for more clarity? Click here to take this quiz and find your match.
Now that you have a fair understanding of menstrual-cup sizing, we urge you to go ahead and get one. We assure you that the hunt is going to be worth the effort, and the planet and your wallet will also thank you for it.
Featured Image: Pexels/Instagram
