To the environmentally friendly replacement of tampons and gaskets, you must first get used to.
What is menstrual bowl
Menstrual bowl is a hygienic device for collecting menstrual blood. It is placed deep into the vagina and tightly adjacent to the walls, which protects against the course and unpleasant odor, which appears when blood contacts with air.
But such means of hygiene have disadvantages. For example, changing the bowl in the public toilet is quite troublesome. In addition, it may seem uncomfortable for some1. Some do not feel the device inside at all, others cause discomfort. It depends on whether the bowl is correctly selected and whether the woman was adapted to insert it and remove it. Experts note that several menstrual cycles are added to addiction.
When you should not use the menstrual bowl
It is used only to collect menstrual blood, so in other periods of the cycle it is not necessary to insert a bowl.
If the vaginal irritation arose due to the bowl, itching and burning concern, it is better to stop using it temporarily. But this happens only if you do not follow hygiene: for example, forget to wash your hands before the introduction.
There may be other contraindications. It is worth consulting with a gynecologist before you start using a menstrual bowl if a woman has:
- An intrauterine spiral is installed. There is a risk of accidentally extracting a contraceptive or violating its position when trying to get a bowl.
- Diagnosis of the vaginal or anomalies of the development of the genital organs is diagnosed. In such cases, the menstrual bowl can cause discomfort.
- Recently there were birth, gynecological operations or miscarriage.
- There is an allergy to latex or rubber.
- Someday there was a toxic shock syndrome. This is a dangerous complication of bacterial infections.
- There is a vaginal infection.
- There has never been sexual intercourse. Such girls do not always manage to install a menstrual bowl.
How to choose a menstrual bowl
These hygiene products are different. So that they bring only benefits, when choosing it is worth considering several parameters.
Form
Image: Elena Graham / Shutterstock
There are two types of bowls. The first is domed. They are deep enough to accumulate up to 30 ml of blood.
Another option is in the form of a disk with a small recess that is attached to the cervix. Their plus is that you can have sex with such models. Although the device will not protect from sexual infections.
The number of use
Menstrual bowls can be disposable and reusable.
As the name implies, the former must be thrown away after each use. These are additional expenses, but more hygienic. After all, such a tool will not have to be washed and sterilized, unlike reusable. But the latter serve up to 10 years, which allows you to spend less on gaskets and tampons, which also pollute the environment.
It is better to take reusable bowls at least in two copies, so that they can be sterilized and worn in turn. Especially if the product is needed to be changed outside the house.
Material
Disposable bowls are made of latex. It is soft and flexible, but can cause allergies.
Reusable hygiene products are produced from medical silicone or rubber. These materials are denser, so sometimes women have difficulties with the introduction and extraction of the bowl.
Size
This is an important indicator. To correctly determine it, it is better to consult your gynecologist. He must take into account the following parameters:
- The age of the woman. If she is younger than 30 years and did not give birth, then the bowl should be small.
- The length of the cervix.
- Abundance of blood loss. The more intensive menstruation, the greater the volume of the device.
- Pelvic pelvic muscles. If it is insufficient, then the capacity can be installed unessatically and will pass the blood out.
Sometimes it’s hard to find a suitable option: the bowls are not universal, and each woman has its own characteristics of the structure of the genitals.
Some manufacturers sell two sizes in one packaging so that the customer independently selects the appropriate.
The presence of a tail
He is not in the bowls in the form of a disk. And in the dome -shaped, it can have a different shape: triangular, round, flat. But whatever the tail, it helps to extract the bowl.
How to prepare for the use of menstrual bowl
At the beginning of the cycle, before introducing the bowl for the first time, it must be sterilized.
This can be done in two ways: boil for 5-7 minutes in a pan, in which you do not cook food, or cleaned using a sterilizer for children’s bottles not used for its intended purpose.
In the rest of the cycle, it is not necessary to sterilize the bowl, it is enough to wash it with soap.
For cleansing, these means cannot be used:
- antibacterial soap;
- oil soap or with flavors;
- soda;
- medical alcohol;
- bleach;
- dishwashing liquid;
- hydrogen peroxide;
- vinegar.
Right before the introduction you need to wash your hands with soap. And to make the bowl enter the edge, its edge can be moistened with water or lubricated with a water -based lubricant.
How to insert a menstrual bowl
Dome -shaped shape
- Take a convenient pose. For example, squatting or put one leg on the toilet or the edge of the bath.
- Fold the bowl in half. You can choose another method, focusing on the picture below.
- Enter the bowl in the vagina from the edge up, as if you were inserted by a swab without an applicator. The edge of the bowl should be located slightly below the cervix. You can understand this by feeling a dense rounded formation in the vagina.
- Turn the bowl slightly so that it opens into the vagina. In this case, it must be tightly pressed against the walls in order to prevent blood leakage.
- For additional protection of underwear, just in case, you can use a daily pad.
Image: Kseniia Fast / Shutterstock
Disk -shaped
- Take a convenient pose. For example, sit on the toilet or edge of the bath.
- Squeeze the sides of the disk so that it becomes the size of a swab.
- Insert it deep into the vagina so that it enters above the pubic b1.
- Make sure the disk has taken the correct position and completely closes the cervix.
How to remove a menstrual bowl
You can wear it for 6-12 hours. It is not recommended for longer, otherwise the risk of toxic shock syndrome increases.
Dome -shaped shape
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Place the thumb and index finger in the vagina and carefully pull the bowl of the bowl until the bottom appears out.
- Squeeze the base so as to free the dense edge of the bowl and pull it down.
- Pour the contents into the sink or toilet, and wash the bowl.
Disk -shaped
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Sit on the toilet, enter your fingers in the vagina and grab them a disk.
- Pull it. If the bowl does not want to go out, you can put out a little.
- Pour the contents of the disk into the toilet. If the product is disposable, wrap it in paper and throw it away. The reusable must be washed.
How to store a reusable menstrual bowl
At the end of the menstrual cycle, when you used the bowl for the last time, it needs to be washed, sterilized and dried. And then put in a cotton bag and leave in a dry place with air access.
It is impossible to store a bowl in a plastic bag or a sealed container: this environment helps to propagate bacteria and the growth of mold. Also, do not leave a tool for hygiene next to perfumes, cosmetics or other highly flavored objects.
What is menstrual bowl
Menstrual bowl is a hygienic device for collecting menstrual blood. It is placed deep into the vagina and tightly adjacent to the walls, which protects against the course and unpleasant odor, which appears when blood contacts with air.
But such means of hygiene have disadvantages. For example, changing the bowl in the public toilet is quite troublesome. In addition, it may seem uncomfortable for some1. Some do not feel the device inside at all, others cause discomfort. It depends on whether the bowl is correctly selected and whether the woman was adapted to insert it and remove it. Experts note that several menstrual cycles are added to addiction.
When you should not use the menstrual bowl
It is used only to collect menstrual blood, so in other periods of the cycle it is not necessary to insert a bowl.
If the vaginal irritation arose due to the bowl, itching and burning concern, it is better to stop using it temporarily. But this happens only if you do not follow hygiene: for example, forget to wash your hands before the introduction.
There may be other contraindications. It is worth consulting with a gynecologist before you start using a menstrual bowl if a woman has:
- An intrauterine spiral is installed. There is a risk of accidentally extracting a contraceptive or violating its position when trying to get a bowl.
- Diagnosis of the vaginal or anomalies of the development of the genital organs is diagnosed. In such cases, the menstrual bowl can cause discomfort.
- Recently there were birth, gynecological operations or miscarriage.
- There is an allergy to latex or rubber.
- Someday there was a toxic shock syndrome. This is a dangerous complication of bacterial infections.
- There is a vaginal infection.
- There has never been sexual intercourse. Such girls do not always manage to install a menstrual bowl.
How to choose a menstrual bowl
These hygiene products are different. So that they bring only benefits, when choosing it is worth considering several parameters.
Form
Image: Elena Graham / Shutterstock
There are two types of bowls. The first is domed. They are deep enough to accumulate up to 30 ml of blood.
Another option is in the form of a disk with a small recess that is attached to the cervix. Their plus is that you can have sex with such models. Although the device will not protect from sexual infections.
The number of use
Menstrual bowls can be disposable and reusable.
As the name implies, the former must be thrown away after each use. These are additional expenses, but more hygienic. After all, such a tool will not have to be washed and sterilized, unlike reusable. But the latter serve up to 10 years, which allows you to spend less on gaskets and tampons, which also pollute the environment.
It is better to take reusable bowls at least in two copies, so that they can be sterilized and worn in turn. Especially if the product is needed to be changed outside the house.
Material
Disposable bowls are made of latex. It is soft and flexible, but can cause allergies.
Reusable hygiene products are produced from medical silicone or rubber. These materials are denser, so sometimes women have difficulties with the introduction and extraction of the bowl.
Size
This is an important indicator. To correctly determine it, it is better to consult your gynecologist. He must take into account the following parameters:
- The age of the woman. If she is younger than 30 years and did not give birth, then the bowl should be small.
- The length of the cervix.
- Abundance of blood loss. The more intensive menstruation, the greater the volume of the device.
- Pelvic pelvic muscles. If it is insufficient, then the capacity can be installed unessatically and will pass the blood out.
Sometimes it’s hard to find a suitable option: the bowls are not universal, and each woman has its own characteristics of the structure of the genitals.
Some manufacturers sell two sizes in one packaging so that the customer independently selects the appropriate.
The presence of a tail
He is not in the bowls in the form of a disk. And in the dome -shaped, it can have a different shape: triangular, round, flat. But whatever the tail, it helps to extract the bowl.
How to prepare for the use of menstrual bowl
At the beginning of the cycle, before introducing the bowl for the first time, it must be sterilized.
This can be done in two ways: boil for 5-7 minutes in a pan, in which you do not cook food, or cleaned using a sterilizer for children’s bottles not used for its intended purpose.
In the rest of the cycle, it is not necessary to sterilize the bowl, it is enough to wash it with soap.
For cleansing, these means cannot be used:
- antibacterial soap;
- oil soap or with flavors;
- soda;
- medical alcohol;
- bleach;
- dishwashing liquid;
- hydrogen peroxide;
- vinegar.
Right before the introduction you need to wash your hands with soap. And to make the bowl enter the edge, its edge can be moistened with water or lubricated with a water -based lubricant.
How to insert a menstrual bowl
Dome -shaped shape
- Take a convenient pose. For example, squatting or put one leg on the toilet or the edge of the bath.
- Fold the bowl in half. You can choose another method, focusing on the picture below.
- Enter the bowl in the vagina from the edge up, as if you were inserted by a swab without an applicator. The edge of the bowl should be located slightly below the cervix. You can understand this by feeling a dense rounded formation in the vagina.
- Turn the bowl slightly so that it opens into the vagina. In this case, it must be tightly pressed against the walls in order to prevent blood leakage.
- For additional protection of underwear, just in case, you can use a daily pad.
Image: Kseniia Fast / Shutterstock
Disk -shaped
- Take a convenient pose. For example, sit on the toilet or edge of the bath.
- Squeeze the sides of the disk so that it becomes the size of a swab.
- Insert it deep into the vagina so that it enters above the pubic b1.
- Make sure the disk has taken the correct position and completely closes the cervix.
How to remove a menstrual bowl
You can wear it for 6-12 hours. It is not recommended for longer, otherwise the risk of toxic shock syndrome increases.
Dome -shaped shape
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Place the thumb and index finger in the vagina and carefully pull the bowl of the bowl until the bottom appears out.
- Squeeze the base so as to free the dense edge of the bowl and pull it down.
- Pour the contents into the sink or toilet, and wash the bowl.
Disk -shaped
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap.
- Sit on the toilet, enter your fingers in the vagina and grab them a disk.
- Pull it. If the bowl does not want to go out, you can put out a little.
- Pour the contents of the disk into the toilet. If the product is disposable, wrap it in paper and throw it away. The reusable must be washed.
How to store a reusable menstrual bowl
At the end of the menstrual cycle, when you used the bowl for the last time, it needs to be washed, sterilized and dried. And then put in a cotton bag and leave in a dry place with air access.
It is impossible to store a bowl in a plastic bag or a sealed container: this environment helps to propagate bacteria and the growth of mold. Also, do not leave a tool for hygiene next to perfumes, cosmetics or other highly flavored objects.