As I approached the last leg of 2020 and after long hours
of Youtube-suggested streams, I found myself inserting trying out a Menstrual
Cup. I had been struggling with skin irritation down there for more than
a year and it was just last November that I figured googling my condition while
eliminating the option for an OB check as that would require me going to a lab
or a hospital – slightly increasing the risk of SARS-COV-2 exposure. So after a
few clicks from Google search results and what felt like Masters Degree-level
literature review forever of reading through different MC articles and
streaming annoying Youtube ads with no SKIP button hours of MC vlogs (I
was particularly obsessed with Pinoy vloggers whose overall humor has “cupped
off” my personal research with a random but life-changing bid),
I bought my first Sinaya Cup – I had just to be specific about the brand (see influencer-in-the-making my Facebook screenshot below). Am-Am, a close friend who turns out to be a Sinaya Cup user as well – was a significant factor of this switch considering that I trust her and her preferences plus I get to receive free MC tips, right?
Before I proceed, I feel the ever-*flowing* need to be
censor-free from this point because...why not? So if you do not and cannot welcome
anything that is taboo, please press ALT+F4 or click BACK or just find your way
out besides, Google analytics had already logged your 2 to 3-minute session, and hey,
thanks for visiting glaycuamag.com.
LEVEL 00: Terrified. I had so much but reasonable
fear when I tried inserting the MC into my vagina for the first time. I had
mental and physical preparation prior to that moment but I guess no amount of planning
can entirely eliminate anything that is uncharted, although I must say the
cup is slightly smaller than what I thought it would be – yes, girls, it shall fit and few resources say that virginity is a social construct so do not let tradition keep you from exploring better options!
While performing a punch-down fold – the easiest fold of them all, it
took me few minutes before it *popped* inside which was oddly satisfying (would later
find it an important indicator that during my 2nd cycle, I had
endured the first (and only) uncomfy MC experience that I felt like I was about to poop just because I had ignored the *pop* sign – realized that MC has not opened the entire 5 hours and I was even leaking. (LEVEL 99: You
must ensure that the whole rim has opened up by running along your finger
around the bottom part of the cup inside your vagina.)
LEVEL 01: Initially, I left the stem from my LARGE cup uncut
(if I had known it beforehand, SMALL size would actually be just fine given my low-cervix
anatomy), but it was protruding that the unofficial MC tagline - “free as a bird” did feel
more like a little bird stuck in a tree – it was sooo weird that I had to get
Am-am’s advice before trimming...and I did – I had overcome another fear that I
might not be able to reach for it later because srsly, the only way for the MC to go is down and out. LEVEL 98: I had my stem cut off at most 1cm from the base – if not for my sloppy-hand history, I would have completely gotten rid of
the stem.
LEVEL 02: The removal process was a lot more frightening
than the inserting part especially that it had taken me like 5 minutes or
longer (honestly, it felt like an hour inside the bathroom – I was sweating
a lot and thinking about getting it stuck inside F.O.R.E.V.E.R.!) before I
had awkwardly and painfully removed the MC. Painful because the vacuum was
still sealing the cup at the time of pulling (even after all of those
instructions gathered online, I still failed to execute the proper removal) –
finally cracked the painless technique by the end of the first cycle so imagine
how thrilled I was for my next cycle so I can validate this resumé-worthy new skill – I might include Painless Menstrual Cup
Removal or basic pole dancing with my cup on as a new hobby in my resumé, perhaps? LEVEL 100: In my case where my flow
is as not as heavy as the others’ (not even reaching beyond the 7.5 ML line every 12
hours), during the removal process, I would reach for the base and make a
slight pinch using my thumb and index fingers to release the vacuum seal or in
any way I can. As soon as the suction is released, I would bear down using my abdominal muscles much like pooping (or as a mom of one, I would slightly push like giving birth)
while at the same time, I would try to reach for the upper rim so I could
slightly fold the cup and move it sideways and by the time it would reach the
sensitive part of my vagina where I get the immediate pressure of the rim against the sweet spot wall, I would slowly and carefully get it
out (still partly folded moving from an angle) and behold, I would be DONE in 10 seconds or less that I would consider myself a pro after 2 cycles. LEVEL
97: I mostly use C-fold when inserting–allowing the cup to easily slide all the
way in. The fact that I can do it perfectly well while some MC users find
C-fold a bit tricky—is another resumé skill addition. Oh btw, when I remove my cup, I usually stand on one leg while my other foot is lifted up onto the edge of the toilet, but feel free to experiment with other positions.
LEVEL 10: There are still few origami folds things
that I need to improve in the next cycle. For instance – the sanitation after
every removal, I tend to be sooooo obsessed with the cleaning part that
I might as well have MC cleaning as part-time job have been using more
water than should-be – defeating the eco-friendliness aspect of using MC. The
next key performance indicator milestone would be simulating MC handling
in public because well, refer to the sanitation dilemma – what could be an OC remedy? Future
LEVEL up: I might consider using Hydrogen Peroxide in the next MC cleaning
before safekeeping to prevent it from turning yellowish as suggested by someone from the Sinaya Tribe (a Facebook community where I get and take part in the solid support system from and to equally-brave women). LEVEL 49: I know some
users are inclined to buy Sinaya Wash to clean their cups, but I use a much-accessible product - Safeguard Gentle Micellar
Unscented Wash.
LEVEL 101: My research had gotten me to the point of devising a control just in case I'd be in a medical emergency while I have my cup on – you know, I gotta save myself from Toxic Shock Syndrome or TSS even at almost-zero probability. I opened up this paranoia discussion at the Sinaya Tribe to collect thoughts...and there it is...the story of my lock wallpaper (also shown below):
ULTIMATE LEVEL UP: I would not have stumbled across this wild
experiment if 2020 did not happen because I believe that while the year has rendered a global experience–pandemic, it delivered unique circumstances to every individual like how it eventually led me to that very moment of getting rid of non-biodegradable
napkins in this lifetime.
Check out my punny post shared to few Facebook friends:
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The
stem has been cut off almost entirely after trying the MC on first
use--considering how low my cervix is. It is important to know your
anatomy. This pic is taken before use soooo don't get too icky about
seeing it.  and oh it looks big on the pic but trust me it isn't in real life... do not worry, it should fit.  |
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LOKAL Pride. The Abaca pouch is sewn in Bicol while the Sinaya metal label is handcrafted in Quezon.  |
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I
love this eco-friendly, recycled box packaging as it has been carefully
made to present detailed instructions on Sinaya cup use and
sanitation...in such creative way.   |
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The SELLING point to my husband.
You see, I had been using 3 to 4 pads a day during menstruation, only
to find out that I do not release blood that much...I mean, when I had
the MC, it made me realize (visually) that all the pads were such
double-waste (money and trash)...I had to change several times due to
skin irritation after few hours of use..also, I had been using up at
most 2 pantyliners everyday when I could have invested in cloth liners
instead... so yeah...basically, I get to save money  and Mother Earth.  |
https://youtu.be/qMd8Ix4H5Rs (my fave Youtube MC vlog)
