Menstrual cup dangers: This period product may affect your kidneys

Menstrual cups, a reusable various to interval merchandise like tampons and sanitary pads, have grow to be fairly common over the previous years. You simply must insert the small, versatile, bell-shaped cup into your vagina and it collects all of the interval blood. These cups that are often made from medical-grade silicone or rubber can maintain the fluid till they’re emptied. You simply must observe easy steps to make use of this era product the best approach. Nevertheless, you might expertise menstrual cup risks in case you don’t insert it correctly. One of many issues is that it might block your urine circulation and have a damaging affect in your kidneys, medically often called ureterohydronephrosis.

Menstrual cup risks: Know the way it’s linked to kidney issues

In the event you use a menstrual cup, make certain to insert it correctly. When not completed within the right method, it could possibly result in swollen kidneys and ureter, which is the tube that carries your pee away from the kidneys. “The swelling of the kidney and ureter is called ureterohydronephrosis. It occurs as a consequence of urine buildup, which is usually attributable to an obstruction. Persistent obstruction might harm your kidneys,” says gynaecologist Dr Ritambhara Bhalla.

In uncommon circumstances, improper use of a menstrual cup can contribute to this situation, which makes it troublesome to urinate. A brand new examine printed in BMJ Case Experiences in February 2025, confirmed {that a} girl in her 30s had intermittent ache within the facet of her decrease again, and occasional blood in urine. It was a uncommon case of ureterohydronephrosis related to the interval product. A scan of the urinary system confirmed {that a} menstrual cup was not correctly positioned in her vagina. After removing of the interval product, researchers discovered that there was an entire regression of the signs.

One other examine, printed in Urology Case Experiences in 2020, confirmed {that a} younger girl skilled ache within the facet of her decrease again. It was discovered that she was utilizing a menstrual cup. When it was eliminated, the ache vanished in at some point. This was one other uncommon case of ureterohydronephrosis as a consequence of an improperly positioned menstrual cup.

Right here’s how utilizing this era product can have a damaging affect in your kidneys:

1. Compression of the urethra and bladder

A agency or giant cup can press in opposition to your bladder and urethra. “If the cup sits too excessive or is inserted at an incorrect angle, it might apply strain on the decrease urinary tract, affecting urine circulation,” shares Dr Bhalla. The obstruction can decelerate or block urine circulation, inflicting urine to again up into the ureters and kidneys. Over time, this strain results in swollen kidneys.

2. Elevated suction and vaginal wall rigidity

The interval product creates a vacuum seal to remain in place. Robust suction can pull on the vaginal partitions, not directly affecting close by constructions just like the bladder and ureters. “This rigidity can prohibit urine circulation, resulting in urinary retention and backflow into the ureters,” says the knowledgeable.

Different menstrual cup risks

When used accurately, menstrual cup is protected, and efficient. Nevertheless, there are menstrual cup risks when used improperly.

1. Suction-related accidents

Pulling the cup with out breaking the seal could cause vaginal soreness, one of many menstrual cup unwanted side effects. It may possibly trigger ache, cramping, or issue inserting the cup later. “At all times pinch the bottom or insert a finger to interrupt the seal earlier than eradicating the cup,” says Dr Bhalla.

2. Bacterial vaginosis

It’s an an infection that occurs when the degrees of micro organism in your vagina are out of steadiness. It results in vaginal discharge with a fishy scent, and causes discomfort down there. “It is among the menstrual cup risks, particularly in case you put on it for greater than 12 hours,” says the knowledgeable.

3. Poisonous Shock Syndrome

One of many menstrual cup risks is poisonous shock syndrome. It’s a life-threatening situation attributable to micro organism Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. In uncommon circumstances, menstrual cups may also result in poisonous shock syndrome, in keeping with analysis printed in IDCases in 2021. “You could expertise fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, and flu-like signs when you have Poisonous Shock Syndrome as a consequence of utilizing a menstrual cup for lengthy,” says Dr Bhalla.

4. Vaginal or cervical irritation

A big or improperly positioned cup could cause ache, cramping, or discomfort down there. Whether it is inserted too excessive, it might press in opposition to your cervix, and trigger recognizing or irritation,” says the knowledgeable. Select the best dimension based mostly in your cervix peak and circulation to keep away from menstrual cup risks.

Menstrual cup risks: Learn how to use it accurately?

You may keep away from menstrual cup risks through the use of it accurately.

1. Select the best cup

• Small cups are for youngsters, first-time customers, or ladies with gentle circulation.
• Giant cups are for ladies who’ve given beginning or have a heavy circulation.
• Comfortable cups are good for you when you have bladder sensitivity or discomfort with firmer cups.
• Agency cups have a tendency to remain in place higher and could also be simpler to insert.
• You probably have a low cervix, a shorter cup is best.

2. Inserting the cup accurately

• Wash your arms correctly then rinse the cup with heat water.
• Sterilise it by boiling it for 5 minutes earlier than first use and after every menstrual cycle.
• Sit on the bathroom, squat, or place one leg on an elevated floor.
• Loosen up your pelvic muscle tissue to make insertion simpler, and keep away from menstrual cup risks.
• Fold the interval product in half to create a “C” form.
• Push one facet of the rim into the cup for a smaller tip.
• Fold one facet down diagonally right into a “7” form.
• Maintain the folded cup and gently insert it into your vagina at a slight 45-degree angle in direction of your tailbone.
• Let it pop open inside and create a seal in opposition to your vaginal partitions.
• Run a finger across the rim to make sure it’s absolutely open.
• Gently rotate or wiggle the bottom to enhance the seal.
• If inserted accurately, you shouldn’t really feel the product.

3. Eradicating the cup

• Once more, wash your arms earlier than eradicating this era product.
• Pinch the bottom or insert a finger alongside the cup to launch the seal.
• Don’t pull it out by the stem alone to keep away from discomfort or suction harm.
• Empty, rinse, and reinsert in case you want to use it once more.

Menstrual cup risks could also be as a result of you aren’t utilizing it the best approach or sporting it for lengthy hours. “It may be worn for six to 12 hours, however you must empty each 4 to eight hours when you have a heavy interval circulation,” says the knowledgeable.

Ailing-fitting menstrual cups can result in ureterohydronephrosis by blocking your pee circulation. There are extra menstrual cup risks, together with Poisonous Shock Syndrome. So, select the best dimension, firmness, and form whereas shopping for these cups, and place them accurately to stop well being issues.