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A bell-shaped menstrual cup, about 2 inches (5 cm) long not including the tab

A disposable menstrual cup that looks similar to a contraceptive diaphragm, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter

A menstrual cup is a type of cup or barrier worn inside the vagina during menstruation to collect menstrual fluid. Unlike more common methods, such as tampons and pads, the cup neither absorbs the flow nor catches it outside the body.

There are two types of menstrual cup currently available. The first is a soft, flexible, disposable cup called the "Instead Softcup," which is made of latex-free polyethylene and resembles the contraceptive diaphragm (although it is not a contraceptive device). The second type is a bell-shaped cup made of rubber (latex) or silicone. It is reusable and designed to last for up to 10 years. Current brands include "Mooncup" (manufactured in the United Kingdom), "DivaCup" (Canada), "Keeper" (USA), "LadyCup" (Czech Republic), "Lunette" (Finland), "Moon Cup" (USA), "Miacup" (South Africa), and "Femmecup" (Far East).

The majority of women in Western countries do not use menstrual cups, but rather disposable tampons or disposable sanitary napkins (also known as pads) to handle their menstrual flow. A number of different companies have attempted to promote the use of menstrual cups during the 20th century; many of these products were withdrawn when they failed to gain enough market share.

Safety

They are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States^[1], and have been used for decades. No reported cases of toxic shock syndrome have been attributed to the use of menstrual cups^{citation needed}, though some doctors believe that one reported case of endometriosis may have been partially attributable to use of the Keeper. There have been instances where women have experienced yeast infections due to lack of cleanliness of their cup. In such cases an appropriate health care provider should be consulted.

History

The first bell-shaped menstrual cup was patented in 1932, and sold under the name Daintette. The Chalmer's Cup (patented 1937), Foldene (undetermined date) and Tasette (post World War II) were all early versions of this bell shaped cup. In 1970 a disposable version of the Tassette (called Tassaway) was brought out.

None of the early cups stayed in production for long^{citation needed}. With advertising restrictions, social taboos on discussing menstruation^{citation needed}, the reluctance of women to use an internal device and the fact these products required washing and reuse (in a time when disposable products were becoming available), all had a role in the products not becoming successful^{citation needed}.

Commercial tampons that started production at this time tackled the problem of touching the body for insertion by inventing the applicator, which greatly improved their market position. They also brought out a new marketing strategy that allowed women to take a box of tampons off the counter themselves (placing the money in a tin beside the display), rather than asking the pharmacist for them.

In 1987, another rubber menstrual cup, The Keeper, was manufactured in the USA. This proved to be the first commercially viable menstrual cup, as it is still in manufacture today. The first silicone menstrual cup, the Mooncup (UK manufactured), opened the way for future cups^{dubious – discuss}. Most menstrual cups are now manufactured from silicone because of its hypoallergenic properties.

Size Chart for Reusable Cups

The DivaCup (Size 2), a silicone menstrual cup

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Menstrual cup

• menstrual cycle, endometrium
• Kegel exercises
• tampons, sanitary napkins (UK: towels), sponge
• hygiene, toxic shock syndrome, candidiasis, cystitis, E. coli
• pollution, environmental movement, ecology movement

References

1. ^ FDA > CDRH > Database Super Search

External links

• The History of Menstrual Cups from the Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health - including many photographs of menstrual cups available today, and those from earlier in the 20th century, and comments from those who have worn them
• Menstrual Cup Support
• Tampaction - the Tampaction campaign of the Student Environmental Action Coalition
• Go Ask Alice! - The Ins and Outs of Menstrual Cups
• Menstruation Products: A Compare-And-Contrast - explaining how to use tampons, pads, and menstrual cups
• www.ecomenses.com - Menstrual cup photos, history and information