HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MENSTRUAL CUP

INTRODUCTION 

Menstrual cup is used for collecting blood flow during menstruation, this cup can be used in place of disposable pads, it’s made up of silicon or rubber, more like of a U-shaped baby cup with small tube at the tip end also like a bell that is inverted.

HOW TO HANDLE MENSTRUAL CUP 

In handling the menstrual cups, we will be looking at several cleaning methods 

1. Cleaning new set of cups 

2. Cleaning during periods 

3. Cleaning after each cycle 

4. Cleaning before each cycle 

5. Cleaning old sets of cups

New sets: newly purchased menstrual cups need to be clean before use to be assured of the hygienic state.

PROCEDURE 

• Preheat the water in a pot designed for the procedure.
• Put the inside the boiling water and leave for 10 -12 minutes, off the heat source
• Drain the water out of the pot carefully without exposing the cup to another surface.
• Allow the cool down to at least room temperature.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and dry with clean towel
• Pick the cup and its ready for immediate use.

During periods: infections are rare with menstrual cups but can be introduced into the vaginal when cups are handled with dirty hands. 

When removing cups for a change during intervals of the day this procedure should be considered. 

• Wash hands thoroughly with mild soap and rinse well before removing the cup from the vagina
• Pour the fluid [blood] into your closet and flush well
• Rinse the cup under running tap water or warm water 3-5 times if available
• Ensure no blood stain is left on the cup
• Carefully fold and insert back into the vagina

NB: 

• do not leave cup lying on any surface such as sink toilet floors e.t.c.this might introduce bacteria or any form of pathogen into the vaginal. 

• Mild soaps should be used only as harsh ones with high concentration of chemicals might change the vaginal P.H causing irritations. 

After each cycle: this is done using the moist heat sterilization method that is the boiling method. You can also 

• wash with mild soap
• scrub gently with soft tooth brush to remove any form of debris
• rinse in several changes of warm or cold water.
• Wipe dry with clean towel
• Keep in a cotton pouch [not air tight container] for next cycle, airtight containers will shorten the life span of the silicon, it needs to breath.

Before each cycle: this procedure is the same with after each cycle but should not be stored.

How to handle old sets of menstrual cups: old sets of menstrual cups need to be examined from time to time by looking out for the following

• Look out for color changes: you can get rid of color changes or discoloration by rinsing cup more often in cold water as warm water often causes staining. Cup can be exposed to sunlight for about 30mins to 1hour, re wash before use.
• Look out for debris at the edge of the cup: wash under running tap water with soft toothbrush designed for it, gently scrub out the debris and rinse well.

KNOWING WHEN TO DISPOSE OR REPLACE CUP. 

• When cup falls inside the toilet
• When there are tears, folds, cracks or leaking.
• Bad smell or foul odor 
• Flaking or rough surfaces.

DISPOSAL OPTIONS 

• Wash well with strong disinfectant, cut into tiny pieces and dispose on soil [it is degradable]
• Incinerate.

CONCLUSION 

MENSTRUAL CUP WILL SERVE MORE HEALTHY PURPOSES WHEN USED APPROIPRIATELY BEARING IN MIND ADEQUATE HYGIENE. 

Peace