What Are Menstrual Cups?

What’s with menstrual cups anyway?? Are they just for adults? Should/can my teen use one at summer camp?

Cups can be a great option at summer camp. They’re light, small, and are more discreet than packing pads or tampons. Cups can be used for many hours, letting your child spend more time doing camp activities and less time managing their period. However, menstrual cups require practice and patience. Read on to learn how to use them and the advantages and quirks to be aware of. For more general tips on menstruation at camp, see my article in the last issue.

How do cups work?

Invented in the mid-1930s, menstrual cups, originally made of rubber, were very unpopular. Today, bell-shaped menstrual cups are made of silicone. These small cups collect menstrual blood rather than absorb it (like tampons or pads). To use, fold or pinch, then insert into the vagina. It must unfold to make a seal against the vaginal wall. This may require the user to rotate the cup or smooth with a finger to ensure an adequate seal. When properly inserted, it shouldn’t leak nor should not cause any discomfort.

Menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours (versus 8 hours for tampons), and they often hold more blood than tampons or pads. To empty, break the seal first, then grip the cup at the base with two fingers and remove.  Avoid pulling directly on the stem (at the base of each cup). After removal, empty the cup into a toilet or sink, rinse with clean water, and re-insert. In a pinch, wiping the cup with toilet paper is acceptable. Between periods, sanitize according to the manufacturer’s instructions – usually by boiling the cup or washing it with a mild, fragrance-free soap. Store cups in a cotton bag to allow airflow.

Considerations:

Menstrual cups are tricky at first. They require practice, intimacy with one’s body, and tend to leak if not inserted properly. For some teens, this steep learning curve is not worth it, but for others, the benefits outweigh the initial awkwardness. Liners can supplement a leaky cup while learning. Your teen should definitely practice for a few cycles before heading to camp. The camp may lack privacy for your teen to clean their cup. Single occupancy bathrooms are ideal, so check out their camp facilities ahead of time.

There are multiple sizes (mostly width). If your teen’s cup is too big, it will be uncomfortable. Additionally, the stem of the cup shouldn’t extend beyond the opening of the vagina. Stems can be trimmed. Use a small amount of water-based lubricant or try different folding techniques if insertion is difficult or uncomfortable.

Menstrual cups’ (due to the absence of absorbent materials) lower your teen’s risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare bacterial infection associated with tampons. Clean hands also minimize the possibility of infection. Let’s be real, some of our kids’ hygiene takes a plunge when we aren’t looking. If your child is especially neglectful about hand hygiene in everyday life, a cup might not the best option.

Menstrual cups are reusable and eco-friendly. According to Clarkson University, the major environmental benefit comes from reducing raw materials and less manufacturing. One cup has the same production impact as 20 pads and some menstrual cups last for 10 years! Plus, almost zero trash.

They are also a smart investment. Despite the initial high price ($20-$40), they save people money after the first year with the average person currently spending $50-$150 on menstrual products annually.

And of course, for our summer camp kiddos, an important benefit is swimming, mess-free, and without that pesky tampon string trying to hang out of their swimsuit.

Backpacking

Help your teen follow Leave No Trace (LNT) guidelines and take care of waste properly. With cups, there is no trash to pack out!  All menstrual blood needs to be buried 6-8” deep and at least 200ft from water, campsites, and trails to protect animals. Teach your teen to bring water and soap to their cathole for hand washing and cup cleaning. They can put water, their menstrual cup, and a drop of soap into a larger cup with a lid and then just shake or pour directly from their water bottle. If they prefer wipes, make sure they’re safe for genitals, and remind them to pack them out instead of burying them.

Menstrual cups aren’t for everyone, but they are gaining traction, and more young people are trying them without ever using tampons. If your teen is considering a menstrual cup, now is the time to practice. After all, summer camp is just around the corner.

Bio: Morgan Comey is the Education Specialist at Bridgercare in Bozeman and a NOLS field instructor. She loves education, winter camping, riding bikes, funky ceramic mugs, a good book, and the color yellow.