- With Mayo Clinic gynecologist and obstetrician
Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D.
Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D.
Dr. Mary Gallenberg is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine and medical oncology.
An Antigo, Wis., native, Dr. Gallenberg is a consultant in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and an assistant professor at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Gallenberg has been with Mayo Clinic since 1990. She was on the Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource editorial board and has been honored for excellence in teaching. She also won a Mayo Clinic Excellence Through Teamwork award.
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Breast health (4)
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- Asthma: Why are symptoms worse during my period?
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Question
Menstrual cup: Good alternative to tampons?
I'm curious about the menstrual cup. What can you tell me about this device?
Answer
from Mary M. Gallenberg, M.D.
A menstrual cup is a bell-shaped device worn inside the vagina during menstruation to collect menstrual fluid. Menstrual cups are typically made of polyethylene, silicone or other nonlatex materials. Some menstrual cups are reusable, such as The DivaCup, and others are intended for one-time use, such as Instead. Although not widely used, menstrual cups provide a viable alternative to pads and tampons.
During your period, you insert the menstrual cup into your vagina. If you're using a reusable menstrual cup, you empty the cup when it's full, wash it and then place it back in your vagina. If you're using a disposable menstrual cup, you empty the cup when it's full, place it in the trash and replace it with another cup. How often you need to empty or replace the menstrual cup depends on the size of the cup and your menstrual flow. Generally, a menstrual cup can be worn about twice as long as a tampon — up to 12 hours at a time.
A menstrual cup can be left in place during urination or a bowel movement. Some menstrual cups must be removed before sex, however. A menstrual cup doesn't offer protection from pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. Menstrual cups generally aren't recommended for women who use an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control or those who've experienced toxic shock syndrome.
Some women find menstrual cups to be more comfortable and convenient than tampons or pads, but others find menstrual cups uncomfortable or messy to insert and remove.
Menstrual cups are available over-the-counter in pharmacies. Menstrual cups can also be purchased online. If you decide to try a menstrual cup, read and follow the product directions carefully.
Next questionAsthma: Why are symptoms worse during my period?
- Stewart K, et al. An alternative to conventional sanitary protection: Would women use a menstrual cup? Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2009;29:49.
- Koks CA, et al. Evaluation of a menstrual cup to collect shed endometrium for in vitro studies. Fertility and Sterility. 1997;68:560.
- Instead. Instead Inc. http://www.softcup.com. Accessed Oct. 12, 2009.
- DivaCup. Diva International Inc. http://www.divacup.com. Accessed Oct. 12, 2009.
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