We spoke to one of our newest users and Asan team member, Ishita Jain about her experience of first trying the Asan cup. In this blog, she shares why she decided to switch, her challenges, insights and why she recommends this to anyone who gets a period.
Tell us a little about yourself….
I am Ishita, a 21-year old recent graduate from Monash University, Australia. I am a martial arts player and enjoy travelling. I have always been passionate about women’s empowerment and their rights.
What pushed you to try menstrual cups?
I have been a regular sanitary pad user since I first got my period. So using a menstrual cup for the first time was extremely intimidating for me. I came across menstrual cups while reading an article about period care and innovations in the industry. After thorough research, I chose the Asan cup.
Why did you choose the Asan cup?
The Asan website had multiple blogs answering common queries like, can we use menstrual cups before period, can we use menstrual cups before marriage, etc. This made me really curious and I decided to try it.
One of my biggest fears was that this was an insertable object. It made me question, does using a menstrual cup hurt, are menstrual cups easy to insert, etc. Thankfully the team at Asan was there to guide me throughout the process.
They made me aware of the advantages of using a menstrual cup; and how adopting the Asan cup would actually help me contribute to the environment and society overall.
They gave me tips for first time menstrual cup insertion, like taking deep breaths and being very calm and that I have to boil the menstrual cup before use.
This small cup is not just a solution to your period care but is also a significant step towards maintaining a sustainable lifestyle.
Can you describe your first time using the Asan cup?
When I used the Asan cup for the first time, it was really tricky to actually figure out where to insert the cup, which angle to insert it in, etc.
That’s when the user guide came to my rescue - it had all the first time using menstrual cup guidelines plus pictures that helped me visualise the right areas.
Once I was confident enough I tried the C-fold technique and inserted the cup. It was tricky to insert at first but it went in after the second time.
I waited for it to pop open in my vagina and then I got up. I went to sleep right after and almost forgot that I was on my period the next morning! I didn’t feel anything while walking or exercising at all.
Have you noticed a difference in cramps after trying a menstrual cup?
I have had the recurrent issue of blood clots being stuck in the vaginal canal for days at a stretch. This made my cramps worse. When I tried the Asan cup for the first time, I couldn’t believe how this problem just disappeared.
My doctor explained this to me, most of the pain that I thought were stomach cramps, actually was the discomfort I felt when a clot was stuck in my vaginal canal. Now, because the Asan cup is lodged into the canal, the clot gets collected without providing me with any discomfort.
This is how the menstrual cup has saved me one painful day every month. Earlier I used to dread the day I got my period but now, I am un-bothered as that week is just like any other day of the month.
Why would you recommend the Asan cup to other users?
I would definitely recommend the Asan cup to anyone who gets a period. The cup is so convenient even while travelling, it is such a relief for me personally! I now don’t have to awkwardly ask people where to discard my used pads. I can do my business discreetly without having to bother others for the same.
While the Asan cup is reusable for 10 years, we can also stop worrying about how it would react with the body as it is made with completely safe medical-grade silicone!
Before switching to the Asan cup I used to question myself, why? But now I think to myself, why didn’t I do this earlier? The Asan cup has just made my life so much easier.
What changes have you noticed in your period after using a menstrual cup?
I have noticed a positive change in my lifestyle. We often make periods an excuse to get out of commitments, I am guilty of this too! However, the cup has just pushed me to be more proactive and mindful of things in my daily routine.
I don’t skip workouts as often, I have significantly reduced binge-eating ice cream while getting cramps and started eating healthier on my period!
Noticing these small lifestyle changes has just made me more optimistic. I have never left a public review online, but it felt extremely necessary to tell the world about my experience and how this small cup has changed my life.
Why do you think it is important to advocate for menstrual cups?
The usage of disposable sanitary products is so normalised for us that we do not spare a second to think about the amount of waste we are generating every month.
I strongly believe that we should educate younger girls on starting off with period cups instead of other sanitary products so that they inculcate the habit of healthy and sustainable living right from the moment they get their period - eliminating the question, can you use a menstrual cup on your first period.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a menstrual cup in before your period?
No, it is not recommended to insert the cup before your period as it is likely to hurt due to inadequate lubrication.
Can you use a menstrual cup on your first period?
Yes, definitely! You can use menstrual cups right from your first period, they are perfectly safe. You can try the Asan Lube for smooth insertion.
Are there any disadvantages of using a menstrual cup?
You might feel some discomfort at the beginning but using a cup just gets better with each cycle.
Does using a menstrual cup break hymen?
The hymen is a tissue often associated with virginity. However, we at Asan believe that virginity is just a social concept. In fact, the hymen can easily be broken through physical activity at a young age. It is completely normal if using a menstrual cup for the first time breaks your hymen.
