What Happens If You Don’t Boil Your Menstrual Cup?
Menstrual cups offer an effective solution for having clean, comfortable periods with minimal mess and fuss. However, they require special care during use and sterilization procedures to stay hygienic and safe for reuse.
To properly clean your menstrual cup, the most efficient way is to boil it; however, if this option is unavailable to you there are alternative means of keeping it clean.
1. Softening of the silicone
Boiled menstrual cups provide an easy way to sanitize them before and after each cycle, as well as remove any odors. You should do this both before and after using your cup; in addition, wash your hands prior to inserting or removing it as this helps ensure germs won’t transfer to it from your hands.
Alternatively, microwave sterilization of menstrual cups may also work just as effectively. A large enough mug or pot will need to be filled up until its entirety can accommodate your menstrual cup; once boiling starts, add your menstrual cup into it and allow it to simmer for approximately five minutes.
Once your timer goes off, take out your cup and allow it to cool before cleaning with soap and water or using wet wipes to eliminate any residue lingering from ovulation. However, be careful that they are fragrance- and alcohol-free since these could potentially disrupt vaginal pH balance causing irritation.
Once you’ve cleaned and disinfected your menstrual cup, it’s important to dry it completely before putting it away between cycles. Any moisture left inside could encourage bacteria growth which could result in infections; you can either let it air dry naturally or store it in an airtight container or pouch to ensure full drying time.
Sanitizing your menstrual cup regularly is vital to ensure its cleanliness and hygiene during use, as well as to warding off infections that could arise from its misuse. While menstrual cup infections are uncommon, improper cleaning and sterilization could increase their likelihood. Boiling is usually considered the best method, though other approaches such as steamering or taking sterilising tablets could be used too – just follow any applicable directions carefully for each method!
2. Discoloration
If you don’t boil your menstrual cup, over time it may develop some slight discoloration that won’t impact how it works or its safety; this is normal and easily preventable by following proper cleaning and sterilisation guidelines. Regular rinsing with water will also help avoid staining caused by blood and debris sticking to silicone surfaces; you could even try scrubbing it using an old toothbrush dipped in fresh lemon juice to get rid of stains more effectively.
If your menstrual cup has become darker over time, you can lighten its hue by either boiling it again or using a sterilising tablet. Make sure to follow all instructions on its packaging regarding how long and where you should boil before letting it air-dry completely before storing in cotton pouch or dish rack breathable environments – children or animals might mistake it for plaything! It is also wise to store out of reach from young ones or pets who could mistake it as an appealing plaything!
Clean your menstrual cup using warm water mixed with mild soap to ensure an irritation-free experience for vaginal areas. Rinsing it off with hydrogen peroxide disinfects it as well – however rubbing alcohol could damage its silicone material and should be avoided as an option for cleaning menstrual cups.
Once your period is over, it’s wise to sanitize your cup again by boiling it fully submerged in water for 3 to 5 minutes in a pot large enough. Be careful when doing this so your menstrual cup doesn’t burn or break!
Steamer or microwave are also viable ways to sanitize a menstrual cup; just ensure it doesn’t touch any objects while in your pot and that there is enough space.
3. Bacteria growth
Menstrual cups offer convenience and health benefits that many women are turning to them for, including less storage space needs and potential leakage protection. Like other reusable feminine products, however, menstrual cups must be sterilized after each use in order to keep bacteria at bay in your vaginal canal.
Menstrual cups can be sterilized by immersing them in boiling water for approximately 10 minutes, after which you should thoroughly clean its exterior with mild, fragrance-free soap before inserting the cup for the first time. After that, add a small amount of water-based lubricant (following manufacturer’s recommendations) for easier insertion.
Researchers recently conducted a study demonstrating how both tampons and menstrual cups provide ideal conditions for Staphylococcus aureus to grow, potentially leading to Toxic Shock Syndrome or TSS when it reaches high concentrations and releases toxic toxin into the body. TSS is often linked with too long of use or those exceeding recommended absorbency ratings of their tampons; air between fibers in tampons encourage growth while the design of menstrual cups promote oxygen flow as well.
Although TSS can be caused by any infection, its prevalence is most frequently linked to an overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus caused by using tampons. An estimated 30-50% of people carry Staph bacteria in their vagina, although most bacteria keep its numbers under control. Therefore, when first using your menstrual cup for the first time it is crucial that it is first boiled then washed with fragrance-free soap prior to reinserting it back in your system.
Consider purchasing a menstrual cup steamer, which can sterilize your cup without needing to use heat from a stovetop. This device resembles a humidifier or diffuser and plugs directly into an electrical outlet in your bathroom, making it particularly helpful if you live in shared housing, don’t have access to sink or running water at your disposal where you use your menstrual cup, are camping out or using public restrooms without facilities where cleaning your cup beforehand isn’t possible.
4. Burning
Menstrual cups can become hot inside when improperly cleaned. To prevent this, it’s essential that the appropriate steps for cleaning your cup are followed – from using gentle soap on hands before cleaning the cup to boiling it after initial and subsequent uses (and reinserts). This process helps remove bacteria that build up on its interior which could cause infection as well as help avoid stains and odors that could form within it.
Although some may dislike having to boil their menstrual cup, doing so is the best way to ensure sanitization and ensure it remains free of toxins. Most brands recommend first rinsing your cup with water before placing it into boiling water for no more than 10 minutes – an especially essential step if this will be your first experience using one!
If you don’t have access to a sink (or stove), menstrual cup wipes can help clean and disinfect your cup safely while on-the-go, and help avoid potential infections caused by bacteria. These specially made wipes help keep bacteria at bay while simultaneously cleaning it up nicely!
Maintaining a wash kit in your bag or home is an effective way to give your menstrual cup an appropriate clean on an ongoing basis. There are kits with wash, cleanser and towel included; or alternatively you can purchase soap specifically made for menstrual cups cleaning – either way make sure you always choose fragrance- and oil-free soaps to maintain pH balance and prevent irritation of your vulva and reduce any potential irritation issues.
Menstrual cups do carry some risk of toxic shock syndrome; however, this complication is very uncommon and only appears if left in for longer than 12 hours or when used by those suffering from IBS which causes bloating. Still, all products carry the risk of bacterial infections, so be sure to change tampons/pads at least every 6-12 hours and sanitize between uses.
