Menstrual cups have become popular over the years but doctors have raised concern over the improper placement of the silicone cups, as they can cause harm if misaligned
Doctors have urged women who use menstrual cups to make sure they are always fitted correctly – as they can cause serious health issues if placed wrongly.
Menstrual cups have become a popular choice for those who don’t want to use sanitary pads or tampons, but it’s crucial the reusable cups are always in the right position. As a sustainable alternative, they are made from soft, flexible silicone or rubber and can hold 20 to 30ml – around two tablespoons – of blood.
But the warning comes after one user had developed temporary kidney problems because the cup was misaligned. The patient, who’s in her 30’s, started to feel intermittent pelvic pain and noticed blood in her urine for months.
While this is extremely rare, a wrongly placed cup can press on other areas such as ureters – tubes carrying urine to the bladder, according to Danish doctors quoted in the British Medical Journal.
The patient hadn’t linked the unusual symptoms to her menstrual cup which she used to catch her monthly blood flow, but doctors warn it can happen. So it’s crucial it is placed and inserted right as well as selecting the right size cup. While she made a full recovery, doctors have warned: “Correct positioning, along with choosing the correct cup shape and size, is important to prevent negative effects on the upper urinary tract.
“Menstrual cups can be bought and used without clinical advice from a health professional, which emphasises the importance of detailed and clear patient information material,” reported BBC.
Menstrual cups can be quite tricky for those who have never worn one before, especially when it comes to removing them. A survey of 530 young people reported that they found it hard to remove, and some said they had to ask for help. The cups work by creating a suction seal to catch the blood.
When using one for the first time, it can be quite hard to figure out. “How to insert the cup is, on paper, as simple as folding it, and inserting it similarly to a tampon. However, all bodies are a little different and it can take some practice to get comfortable with how the cup fits you and which folding method works best, Amanda Hearn, menstrual health educator and advocate at PutACupInIt.com told Boots.
She said to experiment with a few different folding techniques to find one that works best for you and and advised that it’s best to do in the shower. When it comes to removal she said: “To remove the cup you’ll want to either be seated on the toilet or in the shower. Pinch the base of the cup and keep it squeezed as you gently pull the cup down – this helps prevent the cup from creating suction.
“Once the cup is nearly out, you want to sort of pull it straight down so that the rim of the cup is parallel to the floor. Once removed, tip it over to empty, wash thoroughly, and reinsert.”
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