MeLuna menstrualna čaša (Menstrual Cup) - šta, kako i zašto?

Da li ste ikada čuli za menstrualnu čašu? Verujem da će mnogi na ovo pitanje odgovoriti sa - NE. Ja sam pre možda pola godine poželela da nabavim i probam menstrulanu čašu i nedavno sam u tome i uspela. Ovaj post sam zamislila kao jedno veliko upoznavanje sa ovim proizvodom, njegovom namenom, načinom korišćenja, i da vam približim informacije zašto je dobar i kako ga nabaviti. Za početak šta je to menstrualna čaša?

Have you ever heard of a menstrual cup? I believe that many people will answer this question with - NO. I wanted to buy it for maybe half a year and recently I succeeded in doing so. I imagined this post as an introduction with the product, its purpose, method of use, and I wanted to give you the information why it is good and how to obtain it. Let's begin with a question: what is a menstrual cup?

Prve verzije menstrualnih čaša patentirane su čak 1932. godine, a kasnije je bilo još patenata u narednim godinama. Međutim one nisu uspele da postignu veći komercijalni uspeh. Tada su pravljene od gume. Danas se menstrualne čaše uglavnom prave od silikona ili gume. Većina proizvodi čaše koje se mogu koristiti godinama (na slici ispod s leve strane).

Postoje i proizvođači sa čašama za jednokratnu upotrebu ili upotrebu tokom jednog ciklusa (na slici ispod desno). Ove čaše imaju oblik sličan kontraceptivnoj dijafragmi, pa se zbog toga mogu nositi i tokom odnosa, mada moram da napomenem da naravno ne štite od začeća i nisu kontraceptivno sredstvo. Naprvljene su od poliuretana.

The first version of menstrual cup was patented in 1932. and in years that followed a few more patents were made. However, they failed to reach a larger commercial success. Back then, cups were made of rubber. Today menstrual cups are mostly made ​​of silicone or rubber. Most can be used for years (in the picture below, on the left). 

There are also manufacturers with disposable menstrual cups or those which should be used during one menstrual cycle (pictured below, to the right). These cups have a shape similar to contraceptive diaphragms, and therefore, can be worn during intercourse, although I have to mention that they won't protect you against pregnancy. They are made of polyurethane.

Prva komercijalno uspešna menstrualna čaša, The Keeper, bila je proizvedena u SAD 1987. i bila je naprvljena od lateksa (i dalje se proizvodi). Prva silikonska menstrualna čaša proizvedena je u Velikoj Brijatniji (Mooncup). Iako je većina menstrualnih čaša proizvedena od silikona, nemački brend MeLuna je jedina kompanija koja svoje čaše proizvodi od  TPE (thermoplastic elastomer).  Menstrualne čaše polako dobijaju na popularnosti širom sveta, što mene mnogo raduje. U neku ruku mi je jasno zašto nisu zaživele u početku, jer kako se ova čaša kupuje jednom u možda 10ak godina, ovo nije proizvod na kom kompanije mogu da zarade brdo para kao na ulošticma i tamponima.

The first commercially successful menstrual cup, The Keeper, was produced in the U.S. in 1987. and was made of latex (it is still produced). The first silicone menstrual cup was produced in the Great Britain (Mooncup). Although most of menstrual cups today are made ​​from silicone, German brand MeLuna is the only company that produces its cups out of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). Menstrual cups are slowly gaining in popularity around the world, which pleased me a lot. In a way, I understand why they haven't had much success in the beginning, since this is something you buy once in about a decade, so this is not a product which will bring companies large amount of money as cotton pads or tampons can.

Kao što vidite moja čaša je MeLuna. One su u Srbiji dostupne od kraja prošle godine. O čašama možete pročitati više i naručiti ih naravno putem njihovog sajta ili FB strane. Cena čaše je 2400 dinara, a čaša se šalje PostExpess-om koji ćete platiti još 280 dinara. Ova cena vam se može učiniti visoka, ali razmislite koliko para potrošite na uloške i tampone, a ova jedna čaša trajaće vam oko 10 godina. Na uloške bi ovoliko para potrošili za jednu godinu. :) Naravno ako želite da naručujete iz inostranstva dostupne su vam i čaše drugih proizvođača. Čaša dolazi kao što vidite u kartonskoj kutiji, a unutra se nalazi i mala platnena vrećica za odlaganje, kada času ne koristite ili želite da je ponesete sa sobom.

As you can see my cup is MeLuna. They can be found in Serbia since the end of last year. You can read more about these cups and order them from their web site or FB page. Price of these cups is 2400 RSD, and it will be sent by PostExpess which you will have to pay additional 280 RSD. This price might seem a bit high, but consider how much money you spend on cotton pads and tampons, and this one cup will last you about 10 years. For tampons you would spend this much in one year. :) Of course if you want to order from abroad there are other available brands. Cup comes, as you see, in a cardboard box, and inside you'll find a small cloth pouch, where you can keep it while not using it or if you want to bring it with yourself.

Zašto su menstrualne čaše dobar izbor:

- Štedite novac.

- Medicinski silikon je siguran i lako se čisti, hipoalergijski. TPE je pored svega toga i malo mekši i jeftiniji. Latex je takođe super, ali postoje osobe koje su na njega alergične.

- Jedna čaša traje godinama i smanjuju količinu otpada koju proizvodimo.

- Mogu se koristiti dok plivate ili se bavite sportom. Ovde moram da napomenem da ja lično tampone ne mogu da koristim dok plivam, natope se potpuno vodom. Čašu još nisam probala dok plivam, ali jesam na treningu, gde, em skačem na sve strane, em dižem noge i stojim u svakakvim pozicijama i čaša nije popustila. Sve je držala tamo gde i treba da ostane.

- Menstrualne čaše su mnogo više higijenske od tampona jer samo sakupljaju menstrualnu krv, a ne apsorbuju je kao tamponi. Tamponi zbog toga sadrže hemikalije. Npr. tamponi mogu sadržati dioksin, za koji se smatra da može biti kancerogen (mada se smatra da količine u tamponima nisu problematične). Naravno vlakna tampona mogu se i zadržati u vagini pri čemu mogu da sakupljaju bakterije. U svakom slučaju čaše ne remete pH vagine i nisu povezane sa sindromom toksičnog šoka, kao tamponi.

- Zapremina koju mogu da sakupe mnogo je veća od tampona i uložaka, pa se mogu menjati i na 12 sati, naravno u slučaju nekog prosečnog toka.

- Pošto sprečavaju izlazak krvi izvan vagine, a nema ni znojenja kao kod uložaka, nema ni neprijatnih mirisa koji mogu da se stvore. 

- Ako vam je zbog medicinskih razloga bitno koliko krvi vam curi, to mnogo lakše možete proceniti sa čašom, a neke čak na sebi imaju i obeležene crtice sa zapreminama.
- Neke žene imaju manje obilne menstruacije koje traju kraće i bole manje. Nije još dokazano zašto je tako, ali postoje mišljenja da neke hemikalije u tamponima podstiču kontrakcije materice i proizvođenje više krvi nego što je to prirodno. Ja sam vrlo srećna da kažem da sam ja jedna  od tih žena. Drastično me manje boli stomak dok je čaša unutra. A mislim da mi malo manje krvi ide. Npr. kad je izvadim osetim da kreće stomak malo jače da me boli, ali kad je vratim brzo se ponovo smiri.

- Kada se lepo stave apsolutno se ne osećaju.


Why are menstrual cups a good choice:
- You'll save money.
- Medical silicone is safe and easy to clean, hypoallergenic. TPE is in addition to all of this also a little softer and less expensive. Latex is also great, but there are people who are allergic to it.
- One cup lasts for years and reduces the amount of waste we produce.
- Can be used while swimming or playing sports. Here I have to mention that I personally cannot use tampons while swimming, they always soak up the water very fast. I haven't tried swimming with a cup yet, but I did wear it on my training, where I jump, lift my legs a lot and stand in all sorts of positions and this cup didn't move at all. Everything was kept where it was supposed to stay.
- Menstrual cups are much more hygienic than tampons because they only collect menstrual blood, and don't absorb it as tampons do. Tampons therefore contain chemicals. For example tampons may contain dioxin, which is considered to be a carcinogen (although it is believed that the amount that is present in tampons isn't problematic). Of course tampon fibers can stay in the vagina where they can collect bacteria. In any case, menstrual cups don't disturb the natural pH of the vagina and they aren't associated with toxic shock syndrome as tampons.
- The volume that they can collect is much larger than tampons or pads, and they can be cleaned every 12 hours, of course, in the case of an average flow.
- Since they stop blood flowing out of the vagina, and there is no sweating like with pads, there won't be any bad odors.
- If you have a medical reason to monitor your flow, it's much easier to assess that with a cup, and some even have marked dashes with volumes on them.
- Some women have less heavy periods that last shorter and are less painful. There are no proofs yet to why is this happening, but there are opinions that some chemicals in tampons stimulate contractions of the uterus and production of more blood than what would naturally happen. I am very happy to say that I am one of those women. My periods are drastically less painful while the cup inside. And I think there is also less blood. For example, when I remove it my stomach starts cramping but, but when I put it back in the pain quickly calms down.
- When nicely placed you cannot feel it at all.

MeLuna menstrualna čaša dolazi u ja mislim 8 boja. Takođe možete da birate i tip drške za koju povlačite kada je vadite. Na slici ispod nastavci odozgo na dole su:

- Stem - ovaj nastavak je najduži i dobar je za osobe koje mogu da stave čašu dublje u vaginu i čiji je grlić dublje. Pri vađenju ju je lakše dohvatiti. Bitno je da se drška može skratiti pa ako vam je predugačka vi je isecite i dobijate Ball dršku.

- Ball - malena kuglica za koju se uhvati. Najveći broj žena uzima ovaj model.

- Ring -  Vrlo lagano vađenje i super je za početnike. Ja imam ovaj model kao što vidite po slikama. Meni je grlić vrlo nisko, i verujem da ću lako moći da se upgrade-ujem i na model bez nastavaka. Postavljanje i vađenje je zaista prelako iako na prvi pogled možda može da vam se učini komplikovano.

- Basic - Nema nikakav nastavak i ako ste iskusni sa čašom možete slobodno ovaj model da uzmete.

MeLuna menstrual cup comes in I think eight colours. Also you can choose the type of handle you use when removing it. In the picture below handles from top to bottom are: 

- Stem - this is the longest one and it is good for people who can not put their cup deeper in the vagina and their cervix is located deeper. When removing the cup it is easier to reach. It is important that the handle can be shortened so if it is too long, you cut it down there and get Ball handle. 

- Ball - small ball for grabbing. The largest number of women buy this model. 

- Ring - Very easy extraction and great for beginners. I have this model as you can see by the pictures. My cervix is very low, so I believe that I could easily upgrade to model for experts without any handles. Setting and removing the cup is really too easy, even though at first glance it might look a bit complicated. 

- Basic - There is no handle, and if you are experienced with these cups, you can feel free to buy this model.

Druga bitna stvar je izbor veličine. Jako bitno ovde je da se veličina bira po vašoj građi, a ne po tome koliko krvi vam ide. Ako ide više, praznite je češće, ali bitno je samo da vam je veličina taman kako bi čaša lepo legla i napravila vakum sa zidovima vagine kako ništa ne bi prolazilo. Na sajtu imate mali test preko kog odabirate pravi model čaše za vas. A evo i tabelice koja vam u tome pomaže (gornja oznaka sa kolicima deli kolone na devojke koje nisu i koje jesu rađale prirodnim putem):


Another important thing is to choose the correct size. Very important here is that the size should be chosen by your size and built and not by your blood flow. If you have larger flow, empty your cup more frequently, but it is important that you choose the size correctly so the cup can make ​a vacuum with the walls of the vagina so that nothing can leak. On the MeLuna web site you'll find a little test which will help you when choosing the right cup model for you. And here is the table that can also helps you (upper mark with baby carriage separates columns on girls that have had natural childbirth and those who didn't):

Ali to nije sve postoji i još jedna stvar koju možete da birate da biste našli savršenu čašicu za vas! Možete da birate između tri tvrdoće čaše:

- Soft - 25% mekša od Classic varijante. Za žene koje imaju jako slabe mišiće karlice ili koje osećaju bol prilikom korišćenja tampona (realno skoro niko ne spada u ovu grupu po meni).

- Classic - većina žena je u ovoj kategoriji. Za žene koje ne osećaju nelagodnost pri korišćenju tampona. 

- Sport - za osobe koje se bave sportom koji razvija mišiće donje karlice. Jahanje, pole dance, razne vrste plesa ili pilates i slične aktivnosti. Jako je bitno da se čaša pravilno otvori i napravi vakum, a ako su vam mišiće karlice jaki Classic varijanta to možda neće moći. Ova varijanta je 25% tvrđa od  Classic čaše. Ja sam u principu spadala u ovu grupu ljudi i razmišljala sam se da li da uzmem Sport. Na kraju sam ipak uzela Classic i skroz mi je dobra. Mada verujem da mi ni Sport ne bi pravila nikakav problem i da je ne bih osećala, jer su mi mišići ipak dosta jaki.

Odličan klip koji demonstrira razliku u mekoći ovih čaša:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_j00LDwI90

Razliku u tvrdoći čaša jako lepo ilustruje i sledeća slika:


But that's not all, there is another thing that you may choose to find the perfect cup for you! You may choose between three types of softness:
- Soft - 25% softer than Classic type. For women who have very weak pelvic muscles or feel pain when using tampons (in reality almost nobody falls into this group in my opinion).
- Classic - most of the women are in this category. For women who don't feel discomfort while using tampons.
- Sport - for people who engage in sports that develop their muscles of the lower pelvis. Horseback riding, pole dance, various types of dance or pilates and similar activities. It is very important that the cup is properly open and can create a vacuum, and if your pelvic muscles are strong Classic version may not be able to. This type is 25% harder than the Classic cups. I'm basically in this group of people and I was thinking whether to take the Sport cup. At the end I bought the Classic one and it is totally good for me. Although I believe that I wouldn't mind even the Sport one and that I wouldn't feel it, because my muscles are still quite strong.


A great clip that demonstrates the difference in the softness of the cups:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_j00LDwI90

Difference in the cup softness is also very nicely illustrated by the following picture:

A sad da pređem na to kako se koristi. Vrlo je lako. Pre početka menstruacije i na samom kraju možete je dezinfikovati, a u među vremenu ne morate već je samo pri svakom vađenju operite pod mlazom vode i vratite je na mesto. Ovo naravno stvara problem menjanja u javnom toaletu gde vam lavabo nije dostupan pored toaleta, ali uvek možete sa sobom poneti flašicu. Takođe kako čašica može da stoji satima a da se ne napuni zaista ćete retko uopšte dolaziti u situaciju da nemate lavabo pored sebe. Ja sam satima na poslu, ali srećom imam lavabo u WC-u. :)))

Sterilizacija se može raditi na više načina. Najlakše je prokuvati je u vodi 2 do 3 minuta (nikako duže jer je MeLuna naprvljena od TPE, silikonske mogu i duže). Bitno je samo da čaša ne pipa zidove vrele šerpe da se ne bi otopila. Možete staviti i postudu sa vodom i čašicom i u mikrotalasnu. Naravno postoji mnogo varijacija na temu i detalje pročitajte ovde na MeLuna sajtu. Dezinfekcija se može raditi i npr. Corega tabletama za čišćenje zubnih proteza.

Now lets see how to use one. It is very easy. Prior to the beginning of menstruation and your first use for that cycle and at the end you can disinfect it. In the mean time while using it you don't have to. You can only rinse it with water any time you extract it, and then put it back in. This of course creates a problem of doing this in the public restrooms where you don't have a sink near the toilet, but you can always take a bottle of water with you. Also the cup won't fill for hours so you probably won't ever be in this situation. I'm at work for hours, but luckily I have a sink in the bathroom. :)))

Sterilization can be done in several ways. The easiest one is to boil it in the water for 2 to 3 minutes (not longer since MeLuna is made of TPE, silicone ones can be boiled longer). It is only important that the cup doesn't touch hot pot since it will melt. A bowl with water and your cup you can also put in the microwave. Of course there are many variations to all of this and you can read it all here on the MeLuna web site. You can, for example, disinfect it using Corega tabs for cleaning dental braces.

Postoji zaista mnogooo načina presavijanja. Na sledećim slikama sam vam demonstrirala neke od njih. Naravno sami ćete već videti koji vam je najbolji. C preklop mi se najbolje pokazao, jer npr. zgužvani preklop je odličan za ubacivanje, ali mi se po nekad čaša ne otvori lako sa njim pa moram da je malo mrdam.

There really are so many ways of folding. On the following pictures I've demonstrated some of them. Of course you will also find the best one for you. C fold is the best one for me. Wrinkled fold is great for inserting, but sometimes the cup cannot open easily when I use it so I have to wiggle it around.

C preklop:


C fold:

S preklop:

S fold:

Kako se dolazi do zgužvanog preklopa:

How do you do the wrinkled fold:

Evo jednog odličnog videa koji pokazuje razne načine preklapanja:

Here's a great video that shows various ways of folding the cup:

Prilikom stavljanja ja prstom proverim da se čašica lepo otvorila i da je grlić materice iznad i da ga je čaša lepo odvojila od okoline. Prilikom vađenja samo je malo povučem za dršku i blago savijem (mada čak ni to ne moram) i vrlo se lako izvuče i nema nikakvog prosipanja. Ne brinite. :D

When I put it in I use my finger to investigate did the cup nicely open and is the cervix on the other side of it, so that the cup nicely separates it from the environment. When removing it I just pull a little on the handle and gently bend (even though it does not have to be done) and very easily pull it out without any spilling. Don't worry. :D

Moji utisci:

Mene je ova čaša oduševila. Prsto želim da se smejem i skačem od sreće. Valjam se po podu i pevam. Eto toliko mi je divna. Stavim je i osećam se kao da nisam dobila. Potpunooo isto. Smanjuje mi bol, a mene inače baš jako boli stomak. Nema grčenja, jecanja i lekova. Nema krvi, znojenja i osvrtanja da vidim da li je nešto procurelo. Nema nošenja uložaka za džabe jer treba da dobijem danas pa neću da mislim i osvrćem se da li sam dobila ili ne. I da na kraju za džabe nosim uloške po dva dana. Mirno i spavam i ništa ne procuri. Savršeno. Kako da se osećate kao da niste dobili i kad jeste - odgovor je sada vrlo lak.

Nadam se da niste gadljivi na ovakve teme i proizvode, a mislim da ni jedna žena ne bi trebalo da bude, jer to je vaše telo i treba da ga prihvatite. Moj vam je savet da ovo probate jer velike su šanse da ćete se osećati preporođeno kao i ja.

Svaka vam čast ako ste izdržali do kraja ovog posta. Ali mislila sam da je jako bitno da ovo sve napišem i upoznam vas sa ovom temom. Za one koji ne žele da čitaju sve kao i uvek evo ga sumirano sve:

Šta mi se sviđa kod ove čaše:

- štedi pare,

- higijenski izbor,

- ekološki izbor,

- veliki izbor modela, veličina, boja i tvrdoće,

- ne oseća se i ne curi,

- ne curi ni u vodi, na spavanju i treningu,

- može da izdrži i do 12 sati a da se ne napuni,

- smanjila mi je bol i grčeve.

Šta mi se ne sviđa:

- jedino dostupnost, volela bih da je ima svuda ali za sada u Srbiji tek polako kreće sa prodajom tako da se nadam da ćemo uskoro videti procvat ove divne čašice.

P.S. iako se naručuje preko sajta ako želite (i iz Beograda ste) možete se uvek naći sa devojkom koja to uvozi i da pogledate čašicu i uživo.

Informacije i ocene:

CENA: 2400 dinara
GDE IH NABAVITI: MeLuna sajt i FB strana
DA LI BIH JE PONOVO KUPILA: Da!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PAKOVANJE: 5/5
CENA: 5/5
DOSTUPNOST: 4/5
EFIKASNOST: 5/5
UGODNOST: 5/5
UKUPNA OCENA: 5/5

My impressions:

I was delighted with this cup. I want to laugh and jump for joy. To roll on the floor and sing. That is how much I love it. I put it and I feel like I don't have my period. Completely same. It reduces pain and I usually have very painful periods. No convulsions, sobbing and drugs. No blood, sweat, and looking back to see it something leaked. No more wearing cotton pads just in case I get my period today, so I wont worry if something leaked. And at the end I wear them for two days in vain. Now I also sleep peacefully and without leaking. Perfect. How can you feel as if you didn't get your period even when you did - the answer is now very easy.

I hope you're not squeamish on these topics and product, and I think no woman should be, because it's your body and you should accept it. My advice to you is to try it, because chances are that you will feel reborn as I do.

I applaud to all of you who endured to the end of this post. But I thought it was very important that I write all of this and introduce you to this topic. For those who don't want to read everything, as always, here it is all summed up :

What I like about these cups:

- Saves money,

- Hygienic choice,

- Environmental choice,

- Large selection of models, sizes, colours and softness,

- You don't feel it at all and it won't leak,

- No leaks in water, while sleeping and training,

- Can withstand up to 12 hours without being emptied,

- Reduces my pain and cramps.

What I don't like:

- Only availability, I would love to have it everywhere, but for now it's only starting to spread in Serbia, so I hope that these cups will flourish soon.

P.S. Although it can be ordered through their web site if you want to (and you are from Belgrade) you can always meet the girl who imports them and see these cups in person.

Information and scores:

PRICE: 2400 RSD

WHERE TO BUY: MeLuna web site and FB page

WOULD I BUY IT AGAIN: Yes!!!!!!!!

PACKAGING: 5/5

PRICE: 5/5

AVAILABILITY: 4/5

EFFICIENCY: 5/5

COMFORT: 5/5

OVERALL SCORE: 5/5