The period choice I’ll never regret: my review of the Asan cup

The Asan cup vs other cups in India

I was a dancer growing up, which meant dealing with rashes, five days of discomfort, and an insane amount of non-biodegradable waste. I knew this wasn’t something I could keep doing. I decided to try out a menstrual cup for the first time around 2020. 

My first experience was not the best, as I struggled to insert and remove it with the stem, which would also poke me during the day.

My sister then suggested I try the Asan cup because of its unique removal ring and I decided to give menstrual cups another chance, and purchased the Asan cup.

Making the switch

Switching to a menstrual cup was definitely a learning curve, and the first time felt intimidating. As someone who had only ever used pads before, it was a completely new and honestly terrifying experience.

The first few times, the cup leaked a little; figuring out its placement took some trial and error. But once I got the hang of it, my period experience completely changed.

I’ve now been using the Asan Cup for about four years now, and my menstrual cup experience has been nothing but amazing! I barely remember what it was like being on my period before that. The removal ring, and the bell shaped body made insertion and removal extremely easy.

Using a menstrual cup as a college student in India

Moving to college was overwhelming, as it is for many people - new friends, a new environment, and a new city far from home. One of my biggest concerns was something many people might not think about: how would I manage my menstrual cup in a bathroom that wasn’t mine? Would it be safe? Would it be hygienic? 

Soon enough, I realised menstrual cups are such a smart financial and environmental choice, especially in college. It was perfect for long days of class, and I didn’t have to spend tons of money on  buying period products or run around trying to find them in a new city.

How do you manage a menstrual cup in hostel bathrooms as a college student?

Here’s your quick guide to a safe and stress-free period, even in a shared space!

  1. Investing in good quality period care products which don’t harm you or the environment. The comfort level and 12-hour long wear is perfect for your busy days.
  2. Ensure you clean your hands, and your period product is sterilised, and stored safely. You can use various cup cleaning methods without boiling, and still have an easy, safe period.
  3. Dispose your menstrual waste cautiously, and appropriately.

How did I know which size to go for?

I started off using the light/medium flow cup throughout my cycle. But over time, I realised my second-day flow was heavier than the others. That’s when I added the heavy flow cup to my routine for my second and third days. 

Asan’s Heavy Flow cup is slightly larger and firmer which was perfect for my heavy flow.

This simple change reduced my stress about leaks and made my period so much easier to manage. With the Asan Cup, the freedom to adjust your products based on your body and flow is seamless, you won’t even notice the difference.

Why I love using the Asan cup and how it’s changed my life

Since I started using the Asan Cup, I haven’t had to worry about buying period products every month. Even more importantly, I never have to let my period stop me from doing the things I want to do.

What’s unique about Asan is also their impact work - for each cup that you buy, they donate a cup to someone who cannot afford it. Their impact on eradicating period poverty in India is truly incredible.

Using a menstrual cup has helped me get to know my body and cycle more closely. I’ve told all my friends to make the switch, and I stand by the fact that Asan is the best menstrual cup for college students in India.