Everything You Need to Know About Using Menstrual Cups

It’s something we’ve been hearing more and more about, but what on earth is a menstrual cup? A menstrual cup is a small, flexible funnel-shaped cup that’s designed to be inserted inside the vagina to catch menstrual blood. It is usually made of either rubber or silicon. So what are the benefits of a menstrual cup, and why on earth would we use it? We spoke once again with Madeline Calfas RN, Nat. Nutritionist and founder of The Wellness Group so keep reading to learn more about how to use a menstrual cup, how to insert and remove it, aftercare and more.

You’ll also like this:

Emma Lewisham is Releasing a Seriously Special Day Crème

The New Facial Trend: What is Skin Icing and Why Is it Good for the Face?

What is SNS and How does it Compare to Gel and Acrylic Nails?

What is a menstrual cup?

It can either be reusable or single use.

It’s able to hold more fluid than other methods of period management,

They are considered to be more eco-friendly than tampons or pads

It can be left in for up to 12hours (flow dependent)

It reduces the risk of you developing Toxic Shock Syndrome that is often associated with tampon use

It can be used during sex (the soft disposable cups – not the reusable ones)

How to use a menstrual cup?

So, you’re ready to invest in a menstrual cup. Now what? The first step is to have a chat with your doctor about your decision. Why? Because you’ll need to know what size to order. Yes, most brands come in 2 different sizes small and large.

The size you will need will depend on the following:

The length of your cervix

Your age (smaller sizes are generally recommended for women under 30 and who haven’t given birth vaginally)

The heaviness of your flow

The strength of your pelvic floor muscles

Whether you have had a vaginal birth

The firmness, flexibility and capacity of your chosen cup

What do we do before we put a cup in, and how do we do it?

Your cup has been carefully selected, and now it’s time to give it a try. Where to from here?

The very first time you go to use your cup, you will want to put a little bit of water or water-based lubricant around the rim to soften and grease it. It’s much easier to insert if it is a little bit wet.

Feeling intimidated? Don’t be. If you can use a tampon, then a menstrual cup should be relatively straightforward.

First things first – hand hygiene. Then apply the water-based lubricant to the rim. Fold the cup tightly in half, with the rim side up, then insert the cup into your vagina, rim side up. It should sit just below your cervix. Once it is in place, gently twist it so that it springs open. It will create a vacuum-tight seal.

The test to know it’s in the right place is that you should be able to run, jump, swim, cough, sneeze etc without falling out, or spilling. You also shouldn’t be able to feel it if it’s in correctly.

Things we need to consider when taking the cup out?

When do you remove it? The cup can stay in for anywhere between 6-12 hours. Irrespective of your flow, it should also be removed by the 12hr mark, if not sooner.

To remove your cup, hand hygiene is number one again. Then gently insert your thumb and forefinger, and gently pull the stem of the cup until you reach the base. Once you have it, pinch the base to break the vacuum seal and pull down to remove the cup. Empty the contents into the sink or toilet, wash the cup and your hands, and you’re done.

Menstrual cup aftercare?

Keep your cup clean and dry in between uses. A reusable cup should last you anywhere from 6months to 10 years (disposable cups are supposed to be exactly that – disposed of. Never try to reuse a single-use cup). It’s often a good idea to have 2 cups that you rotate in use.