Menstrual Discs: More sustainable attitude towards a greener period
Table of Contents
How to find the best menstrual cup for you
How using a menstrual disc differs from using a menstrual cup
Is using menstrual discs risky?
5 reasons why using menstrual discs benefits you
People who get periods will discard hundreds of pounds of menstrual products over the course of their lifetimes. However, we may use sustainable tampons and pad substitutes (and reuse them), notably period discs and period cups. Menstrual discs are a lesser-known period product that is becoming increasingly commonplace in the monthly regimen of menstruating women. The menstrual disc is one of the most recent developments to enter the discourse about alternative period products, which have recently taken the internet by storm.
Discs are an alternative to conventional items like pads and tampons, much like menstrual cups, which are also becoming increasingly popular. They are spreading in popularity, partly because individuals seek more environmentally responsible methods of controlling their periods. Discs differ from other historical items on the market in a few significant ways.
You've come to the right site if you need to know what a menstrual disc is or if you just want to learn more. In this post, we'll go over all you need to know about menstruation discs, including how they function, when to use one, and how they compare to the famed menstrual cups. All we endeavor is to get you ready to step forward to a more sustainable and organic period.
What are menstrual discs?
For period care, a menstrual disc is a reusable option to the tampon. Menstruation discs sit near the cervix and are concealed below the pubic bone, unlike menstruation cups, which sit inside the vaginal canal to collect fluid. Many discs for period may actually be worn during intercourse because of where they are situated, but it's vital to keep in mind that they are not a means of contraception. The vaginal fornix, which is where it is located, is below the cervix and up against the pubic bone. It is where your period blood is collected. It is inserted by first folding it lengthwise, then tucking it in. Discs are made of medical-grade silicone and are safe to wear for 8 to 12 hours. They are safer for IUD users and have a more immense volume than menstruation cups, which are their benefits. The typical "regular" menstruation cup can carry less than the tiniest menstrual disc.
Menstruation discs and cups are commonly confused, but there are several important distinctions between these two flat, spherical period care devices. Similar to a menstrual cup, a menstrual disc is a period product. However, it features a shallower form, more like a disc, rather than the conventional "cup" shape. It is located in the region of the vagina known as the "vaginal fornix" right below the cervix and sits high up in the vaginal canal to collect menstrual blood.
Still, determining the distinction between discs and cups? Most discs fit into the fornix (where the canal and cervix meet), but a menstrual cup rests in the vaginal canal beneath the cervix. The menstrual disc often stores more fluids than other products, so even though it can be single-use (but we've found a reusable one!), this cuts down on the need for additional items by 60%. A genuine win-win, both are available in various sizes and shapes and are simple to insert, remove, and clean.
Menstrual discs, however, may be used longer than tampons or pads, and when worn correctly, they can be comfortable, much like their menstrual cup counterparts. Menstrual discs are an eco-friendlier option for monthly menstruation than tampons or disposable pads because many of them are also available in reusable versions. However, there is still a competition between choosing period discs or period underwear as the most environmentally-friendly period product.
Both reusable and disposable menstrual discs are available, and both may be used comfortably for up to 8 to 12 hours. Menstrual discs have the advantage of not creating "suction" in the vagina, which is one of their main advantages over menstrual cups. This is a significant benefit for those with intrauterine devices (IUDs) who worry that their menstrual cup will dislodge or pull out their IUD.
How to find the best menstrual cup for you
Different vaginas have different shapes, which makes selecting the best menstruation disc for you difficult. Before you locate the disc, disc fitting is sometimes a process of trial and error. This is not a minor issue because most discs cost between $20 and $40 and cannot be returned.
It could take some trying to find the perfect cup or disc for you, but it shouldn't hurt and shouldn't be particularly noticeable while it's inside of you. Here, we'll do our best to help you choose the appropriate size from the cup and disc suggestions we've included in this guide for a range of vaginal sizes.
Large and small (commonly designated as A and B) are menstruation discs' standard sizes. These sizes are known by different names depending on the brand, but generally speaking, the bigger size is for women who have given birth, while the smaller size is for those who haven't yet. Go by that division and select the option that relates to you unless you already know whether you have a large or tiny vagina. (Some manuals define the difference between large and tiny at age 30. It is absurd. If you cannot decide, choose between A and B based on whether the baby was born vaginally.)
One thing to remember when choosing a disc size is that it's more crucial to select a disc that fits you well than one that can retain the most blood or be worn for the most prolonged period. Some people shop for a period disc to find something they won't need to change, even on their most challenging days. But using that disc can turn out to be really painful. You may have a small vagina and a heavy flow, for example, because the heaviness of your flow and the size of your vagina are not associated. Try to choose based on which disc will fit instead of considering the volume a disc can contain.
Discovering the length of your vagina should be the first factor you consider. Simply place a finger into your vagina to determine if you have a high, medium, or low cervix. Your cervix sits high if it is difficult to access and is not palpable with the tip of your finger. Your vagina is average length if you can reach your cervix by inserting a portion of your finger. A low cervix is indicated if a tiny amount of your finger can get it. Because your cervix shifts during menstruation, it is recommended to perform this test around that time of your cycle.
The next time you visit, you might inquire with your OB-GYN about your vagina if you think it could be unusually lengthy or short. The speculum they use for a Pap smear may be in various sizes. While most individuals only purchase the usual, middle-sized speculum, certain persons require the big or tiny size. Determine the extent that your gynecologist uses you. If it's the most enormous speculum you can get, select one of the more oversized discs; if it's the smallest one, you should probably go with one of the smaller discs or perhaps one of the "teen" discs.
Consider what else you can fit comfortably inside your vagina as a second technique to measure its shape. You probably already know what positions are most comfortable for you if you engage in vaginal intercourse or utilize penetrative sex toys. An extended, thin disc is generally not what you want if you want penetration that is not straight on. You naturally don't want a larger, shorter disc if you don't want penetration at an angle or when something is touching your vaginal walls. (Keep in mind that these are only general recommendations; vaginas are elastic.)
The stem of the majority of menstruation discs is long and slender. However, specific models provide additional alternatives. These include a ball design, a loop design, and the standard stem. The case in favor of ball and loop stems is that they can make a disc easier to remove since a ball provides you something more extensive to hold, or you can insert your finger into a loop and pull the disc out. However, our studies discovered little to no difference in the ease or difficulty of removing the discs depending on the stem's form. It is a recipe for spilling to draw a disc by looping your finger through a loop and tugging.
The most common method for removing a disc is to slide it out after gently squeezing it with two fingers. (More on how to place and remove discs later.) It isn't a deal breaker if a ball or loop stem is present because it doesn't prevent you from completing it that way; nevertheless, such forms won't be all that helpful. The size of ball and loop designs is also a little bit larger, and some individuals feel that they can irritate the vaginal canal more than a slim stem does.
Another consideration with ball, loop, or thin stem designs is whether you'll eventually adjust the disc. Most discs have lengthy stems, which many people shorten before using. Never allow the branch to irritate your vaginal canal; it should never protrude from your vagina. You are effectively undermining the purpose of the entire setup if you wind up cutting off a ball or loop.
How using a menstrual disc differs from using a menstrual cup
Discs do not occupy the same space in the vaginal canal as menstruation cups do. Alternatively, you insert them at an angle in the vaginal fornix, where your cervix and vaginal canal converge. To utilize a disc, you enter it into the vagina and push it back till the farthest section of the disc is tucked up behind your cervix. This is done by squeezing the disc's rim until it takes on a long, thin form (similar to a tampon). Then you press up and tuck the side of the disc closest to you behind your pubic bone. A disc is kept in place by tension rather than suction.
Taking out a disc is different from taking out a cup in another way: You stick a finger into your vaginal canal and hook it under the rim rather than squeezing the disc's bottom and yanking it out. The disc is then slowly removed, being cautious about maintaining it at an angle to prevent spilling menstrual fluid on you, the ground, or anything else. Menstrual disc users frequently advise removing the disc in the shower, at least the first few times, to get the hang of it. Learning to insert, position, and draw a menstrual disc takes time, just like with a menstrual cup.
Another thing to remember concerning discs is that they can "auto-dump" or "self-empty" when you use the restroom or any other time you bear down on your lower abdominal muscles because of how they are positioned next to the pubic bone. In the workplace, you may not have to physically empty your disc in the middle of the day because of this. However, you might need to reach in and check that the disc is still in its proper spot after that. But because it might occur when you sneeze or laugh too loudly, this emptying can also be challenging.
Is using menstrual discs risky?
No significant dangers have been linked to discs specifically. However, menstrual cups have been linked to a risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), with a few cases reported Trusted Source.
A bacterial infection that causes abrupt symptoms, including fever, low blood pressure, and rash, is the cause of the uncommon but deadly illness known as TSS.
Wash your hands before inserting and withdrawing discs to lower your risk of TSS, and always use the product as instructed.
No more so than with any other insertable menstruation product, is there a risk of becoming "lost" in it? You should stop or try alternative postures if there isn't a string or loop to grip onto in order to get to it.
5 reasons why using menstrual discs benefits you
1. Up to 64% lessening of menstrual cramps
A menstrual disc can really induce Irish emancipation from cramping. Actually, no. There are many variables at work here, but a large portion of it has to do with the fact that a disc lies in the vaginal fornix rather than the vaginal canal and that it moves with your body as your uterus contracts (instead of being stiff, like a tampon).
Your vaginal walls experience pressure from tampons as they expand and absorb more blood. Existing uterine cramps may become more severe or aggravated by this pressure. On the other hand, a disc bends to fit your particular anatomy while maintaining the same size, which results in no change in pressure.
2. Due to sex
A menstrual disc does not restrict the vaginal canal since it is located in the vaginal fornix, the broadest region of the vagina right below the cervix. This means you may indulge in as much mess-free period sex as you like.
Better still? The disc doesn't obstruct your body's regular lubrication. The Bartholin's glands and the Skene's glands, situated close to the opening of the vagina and next to the urethra, respectively, provide the majority of the lubricant your body produces when aroused, even though they are placed below the cervix. Additionally, part of the lubrication is directly produced by the epithelial lining of the vagina.
Translation? When you use a menstruation disc, you won't have to deal with the troublesome soiled sheets afterward. You may have full-on penetrative intercourse, WAP, and all.
3. Less plastic will be discarded by you
The fact that discs have a longer wear time—a total of 12 hours per disc—than pads, the majority of which are made of plastic, or tampons with plastic applicators, means that even though you'll still throw them out in the trash after use, you'll use less plastic than you would if you were using those products. You might reduce your plastic waste by two-thirds by using period discs (of course some particular menstrual disc brands follow sustainable formula to produce their products!), which has roughly the same volume as three super tampons (depending on how heavy your flow is and the items you generally use).
4. Farewell, soaked tampon string
Nothing is more frustrating than rushing to the restroom, urinating, and remembering to hold your tampon string out of the way. Either you have to replace your tampon before your period is due (which requires you to grip the pee string with your fingers), or you have to put up with the itchy, uncomfortable feeling of having the string cling to your labia for the rest of the day.
Use a menstrual disc? No problem if there is no string.
5. You won't even notice it
Menstrual discs have the advantage of being so easily forgotten that they are actually inside your body. This is because, as we just discussed, a disc rests in the vaginal fornix, which has a far smaller number of nerve endings than the vaginal canal. It moves with your body and adapts to your structure for a snug, leak-free fit.
Pro tip: Set a reminder or alarm on your phone at the 12-hour mark every time you insert a new disc to help you remember it instead of forgetting about it (it happens!).
Last but not least…
Menstrual discs are just one of the many period items that appear to grow better and better, from menstrual cups to period-proof underwear. Menstrual discs could be a good option if you're searching for something that manages high flows, feels like nothing, and enables penetrating intercourse.
