“Just bought 1 and I’m a convert! So comfortable, don’t even feel it there. Easy to use, got it first try. Plus helping the environment and other women!” – Desiree
“Convenient, clean, healthy and respectful to the environment. What more can you ask for in any product really?” – Clarabelle
“They work really well and even though I was a first timer, no leaks! The learning curve is tough but it’s worth it.” – Vivien
We are not lying. These are reviews taken directly from the customers of Freedom Cups, a brand that sells menstrual cups.
Over the past few years, you have probably come across the term – Menstrual cup. You might have even seen it being sold in stores, heard your friends rave about it, or even seen promotions run by other companies.
So, what’s so good about this cup that has made so many girls swear by it? How do you use it? What do you need to know about it?
Well, today we are going to explore the whole concept of what is a menstrual cup and how to use it. We know it might sound quite daunting initially. But who knows? Once you’ve tried it, you might never go back to those nasty disposable products anymore.
Why Use Menstrual Cups?
As a woman, you would likely use 11,000 disposable pads and/or tampons in your lifetime. That is 200,000 tonnes of waste each year and equivalent to the weight of 16,000 buses! So if you are looking for ways to reduce your waste, menstrual cups can play a crucial role in helping you to do so.
Each cup last 10-15 years if well taken care of. Not only does this save the environment, but you can also say yes to saving more money too!
Who Is Freedom Cups?
Freedom Cups is a homegrown Singapore brand that sells reusable menstrual cup made from silicone.
It was founded to help start the conversation around sustainable and hopefully even waste-free periods. Freedom Cups aim to make menstrual cups accessible to everyone, putting one into the hands of as many women and girls as possible.
They do this by spreading the word about menstrual cups, and through outreach projects to women in less developed countries.
Fun fact: Menstrual cups have been in existence since 1867!
Your Burning Questions About Freedom Cups
If you’re looking at making the swap but are nervous (as most of us are before trying them out for the first time), here are some tips we have for you:
1. How Do You Use Freedom Cups?
Here is a simple guide for you to follow!
If you are still unsure, check out this video for more tips on how to use it.
2. Which Size Is for Me?
We recommend women who are first-timers with the cups start with the Mini (25ml). It is smaller and easier to get a hang off.
The Grande (35ml) we introduced for women who are comfortable with menstrual cups, have heavier flows, and would like to change their cup out less often.
It should be said that most women are comfortable using both the Mini and the Grande, so do not worry if you get the ‘wrong’ size!
3. How Long Do Freedom Cups Last?
Freedom Cups are made in the USA, to FDA standards, and are 100% medical-grade silicone. This makes them hardy and long-lasting. Many customers are using the same cups they purchased from Freedom Cups 4 to 5 years ago when they first got started.
It is hard to say what are the precise factors that lead to how long a cup lasts. There are several individual factors including how well one follows instructions on cleaning if one uses cleaning agents like vinegar, peroxide, how one keeps their cup in between uses, etc. It is postulated that even things like vaginal pH might affect the longevity of it.
To get the most out of your freedom cup, we would recommend following the instructions laid out in the instruction booklet.
4. What to Expect When Wearing One for the First Time?
As you have seen in the customer reviews, w However, do not be afraid once inserted you should not feel anything at all. If you are even aware that it is there, it means that it is not ‘deep’ enough.
There are several things to learn when moving from pads to cups. You have to learn more about your body, your flow, what folds work best for insertion, low long you can use the cup, the mechanics of removal, etc.
It sounds very technical getting listed out this way, but once you start using it, it should be intuitive. By the time your first period is done, you will be a lot more comfortable having gotten more used to it!
5. How Long Does One Cup Last?
After the Freedom Cups has been inserted into the body, it sits in the vaginal canal collecting menstrual fluid.
We suggest that you insert the cup in the morning, then remove, clean, and insert again before bed. The average woman expels about 60 – 70 ml of fluid throughout the period so changing it every 10 – 12 hours should be sufficient. However only you will be able to tell for yourself on how long you need before changing so be sure to experiment with it yourself too.
6. How Do You Clean It?
For cleaning, use clean water and a fragrance-free soap. Make sure there is no crusted fluid in any of the holes or ridges. If you would like to sterilize it before and after your period, you can get a small porcelain bowl, place the cup inside, and pour boiling water over it for 1 – 2 minutes.
7. Can I Use Freedom Cups If I Have an IUD?
If you have any pre-existing health conditions or are using an IUD, we advise you to check with a doctor before use.
The good news is that research has shown that there is no increased risk of IUD expulsion with the use of menstrual cups. Unfortunately for some, after insertion, the body rejects the IUD naturally.
Since different women have different vaginas and anatomies, we recommend anyone using an IUD to check with their doctors before using a menstrual cup.
8. Can the Cup Get “Lost” Inside?
No, it cannot. Even though the cup does not have a string as a tampon does, it will not get lost. The rim of the cup opens up and forms a vacuum seal against the muscular walls of the vagina.
Once the walls of the vagina are contracted or squeezed, it then slides back down to the vaginal opening, and the stem of the cup should stick out from the body for easy removal.
9. How Do I Know I Can No Longer Use It Anymore?
When a slimy film forms, your cup starts emitting a strong odour, or the colour of the cup drastically differs from when you first receive it, it would be best to change your cup and get a new one.
10. What Do I Do When I Can No Longer Use The Cup?
To dispose of the cup, you can find a recycling agent that deals with silicone or you can simply dispose of it in a bin.
When Should I Try Using Freedom Cups?
The simple answer to this question that there is no better time than right now! With Covid-19 upending the world as we know it, many of us are spending more time working from home. This period could allow you to start using Freedom Cups and getting used to them from the comforts of home.
We have a unique opportunity now to rebuild it better, etch out life on our terms, and work toward a more sustainable future. Getting to know your body, producing no waste throughout our monthly bleeds, and realizing the health, beauty, and power present in a period, may just be a good first step in that direction.
Freedom Cups gets reusable menstrual cups to women.
We work on a buy-1, give-1 model where every cup purchased allows us to give a cup to a woman in an underprivileged community.
This allows for a win-win situation where women who can afford it decrease their use of non-biodegradable sanitary products and women in developing communities gain access to sanitation during their monthly bleeds.”