Menstrual cups are amazing.

Talk to anyone who uses one and they’ll tell you how liberated they feel having been released from the shackles of tampons and pads.

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But researchers at a university hospital in Lyon claim to have found that they’re more likely than tampons to cause toxic shock syndrome.

Since last October, they’ve been collecting used tampons to try to understand exactly how the condition develops and the bacteria that causes it.

The study eventually examined over 700 used tampons and menstrual cups and found that none of the products actively encouraged the growth and production of bacterial toxins, apart from Rely tampons which were discontinued in the 1980s.

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However, they do claim that menstrual cups are more likely to increase the production of Staphylococcus aureus – the bacteria that causes toxic shock syndrome.

While tampons actually claim to protect against bacterial production, menstrual cups allow more air to enter the vagina which creates a more favourable environment for bacterial toxins to grow in.

But it’s important to point out that researchers don’t recommend giving up using menstrual cups.

They’re much more ecologically friendly than other sanitary options and they last longer.

All you’ve got to do is make sure that you’re being as hygienic as possible.

They don’t recommend sleeping with a menstrual cup in and during a day, they need to be cleaned every six hours. If possible, try emptying it every four hours.

It’s easier to remember with tampons because they don’t hold as much blood – so you’re forced to use a new one more often.

How to wash your menstrual cup properly Between periods Boil it for 5 to 7 minutes in a pan

Use sterilising tablets or solutions (you can get them for baby equipment) and then thoroughly rinse with clean water Cleaning during your period Wash your cup with water and/or mild non-perfumed soap. If you do use soap, make sure you rinse really well to get rid of any soap suds.

When you’re out and about, either take a bottle of water with you into the loo and rinse or wipe with toilet paper and reinsert. If you’ve got any stains on your menstrual cup, use bicarbonate of soda and a damp cloth and they should come off.

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But as long as you’re being rigorous about keeping your cups clean, there shouldn’t be an issue.

As well as giving it a clean during the day, remember to boil them every evening to kill off any remaining bacteria.

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