P I just read your comic thingy on menstrual cups (is that what they're called?) and was wondering how the heck do they work?
Oh I wouldn't have made the comic, but I probably added commentary underneath one!
Basically, they're soft little silicone cups. You can fold them various ways to make them smaller, and then you put them in the vagina like a tampon. The difference with a cup is that after insertion you have to spin it slowly so that it can re-open, and make sure the rim is around your cervix. That way, it collects any blood right after it exits the cervix, and the cup stays inside your vagina until you need to empty it. You just pull the short tab at the bottom of the cup until the rim is within reach, push it in to break the seal, and then remove it fully. You can empty it safely in a sink or toilet, and then rinse it if you like before reinserting!
The best thing about cups is that they're amazingly comfortable. I often forget I'm wearing one until I go to the loo, because no matter how I move I just can't feel it at all. They also don't have anything externally to be seen, like strings on tampons or wings on pads, so it's great if you're active or working out or swimming - no one would be able to see anything. I don't cramp with a cup the way I sometimes would with a tampon, they're re-usable for 5+ years, and they're much safer in that there's nothing to decay and no harsh chemicals like chlorine.
They're just all-around amazing. The waste and money you save is phenomenal. I used to wear pads and tampons simultaneously in case I leaked, and buying multiple boxes of those every year adds up, whereas I paid £35 or so for my cup 2-3 years ago and feel safe enough not to use pads at all. Heck, I can even wear my cutest pants and not worry.
The only thing I'd mention if you're considering a cup, is that there's no 'one brand fits all'. I use a Miacup and it's the first cup I bought. It fits perfectly. My ex once tried my Miacup (and also a Femmecup maybe?) and simply had no luck with it. His cervix is twisted, so that makes things a lot harder. Some people go through 3+ brands before they find one that suits them, but I'd encourage you to persevere if that happens because these things are the best thing that's ever happened to my menstrual cycle.
Hope that helps!! Feel free to pop back into my askbox if you need any help/advice/suggestions.
