Toxic Shock Syndrome (Part 2) – Can Cups Protect You?

All of this information in part 1 is great, right? But however rare, we know that TSS does happen.

The good news is that there are measures we can take to protect ourselves. We've put together a useful checklist to help you understand how to properly care for your cup and when you should choose to take a break and temporarily use a sustainable alternative like period underwear instead of vaginally implanted products.

Maintaining Cup Hygiene

• Sanitize your cup by boiling it for 2-3 minutes (no longer than 5 minutes) and wiping it thoroughly in between periods.
• Throwing your storage bag in with a load of laundry to wash
• Before inserting or removing your cup, wash your hands thoroughly
•During your period, rinse and clean your cup with cold water

 If you want to take a detailed look at cup care, read our blog on Cleaning & Caring for your Femino Cup.

Using A Menstrual Cup Safely

Following proper cleaning procedures is important. Now, the next step is to remember to remove your cup every 8 hours and thoroughly wash it. If you're concerned about TSS or other illnesses, you can sterilise your cup by boiling it before or after each menstrual cycle. Despite the fact that it is not necessary, many manufacturers and medical professionals advise it.

Wearing a menstrual cup in the vaginal canal for more than 8 hours is not recommended, yet it has happened to numerous users who have reported no adverse effects other than the unpleasant stench of blood upon removal. We would like to stress that this is NOT a recommendation for anyone to wear their cups for more than 8 hours.

Take A Break From Your Menstrual Cup If

• You have the feeling that your cup is overly big. Overstretching your vaginal tissues when inserting and removing you cup can cause tears or bleeding that isn't related to your menstruation
  • Your vaginal tissue has a scrape, sore, or cut.
  • You have a sexually transmitted infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection.

 Why Menstrual Cups Are A Better Choice

In ways that make a difference to your everyday life and general comfort & well-being, menstrual cups are considerably healthier than tampons. Tampons absorb your body's natural moisture, leaving you feeling dry and possibly less satisfied with your sex life. They can also cause microabrasions in the vaginal canal if they're removed before they're fully saturated. Using tampons on light flow days is a risky choice for this reason, instead using a Femino cup is safer. The Femino Cup is also a more convenient solution because it may be worn for any quantity of flow - from little spotting to "changing a tampon every hour" days.

Lets Wrap Up Some Common Questions

And finally – let’s Just recap and conclude this series about TSS:

Is it true that menstrual cups are riskier to use than tampons?
No way! :)

Are menstruation cups effective in preventing TSS?
There is no such thing as a TSS-free period care product. However, with a clean, well used menstrual cup, the chances are slim.

Can I use my menstrual cup worry free at night?
Yes, of course! The recommended usage time is 8 hours in a row.

How can I ensure that my menstruation cup is clean?
For your own peace of mind, have a look at these handy instructions.

Is the Femino Cup safer to use compared to other menstrual cups?

Trust is most important when it comes to period care, and with Femino you’re in safe hands. Our cups are made from the highest medical grade silicone which is BPA free and has no harsh chemicals.