Menstrual cups are small cups made of medical-grade silicone that prevent bacterial growth and work by catching blood.
Menstrual cups need emptying 2-3 times a day, far less frequently than a tampon or pad and you only need one.
How they work and how to use them.
To use a menstrual cup, you need to start with clean hands. There are many kinds of folds for inserting a menstrual cup, and you can experiment with different folds that works for you. ‘Put A Cup In It’ is a great resource for the various folds that you can use. We recommend the c fold which involves folding the cup in half, so that when viewed from above the cup makes a ‘c’.For a first-time cup user, the most important thing to do is relax. A good place to start would be to try practising inserting a cup when you’re off your period rather than pressuring yourself to use it when you’ve just started it, however, note that it may be easier to insert on your period due to the extra lubrication from the blood, so if you have any lube lying around this would be a good use for it. Try inserting your cup after a hot shower when your muscles feel relaxed, a lot of people find inserting the cup whilst squatting easier or sitting on the toilet seat. Menstrual cups tend to work best when they are sat lower in the vagina, and a good way to tell if the cup is open is to twist the stem after it is inserted, if it is open properly the cup should turn easily, if not you may need to try inserting a finger and feeling the rim of the cup to get it to open.
To remove a cup, first pinch the base of the cup to break the suction. After this, you can remove the cup by gently pulling it out from the base of the cup, please do not pull out your cup without breaking the seal first. Rather than pulling the cup out just from the stem, try to grab the cup by the base, which is the area surrounding the stem, which in most cup brands have slight ridges around. If you are struggling to remove it, the best thing to do is to breathe and make sure you are fully relaxed. You may need to try feeling around for the rim of the cup again and hooking your finger over the top of the cup whilst pinching the base if you are having difficulty with removing it.There is no need to boil your cup whilst emptying it, just dump the blood in the sink or toilet, wash it with water and re-insert. A good trick is to fill the cup with water, place your palm over the top and squeeze the cup so water comes out of the small holes around the top of the cup, this helps clean them out to improve the suction of the cup and prevent leakage.
You should not be able to feel the menstrual cup when it is inserted properly, if you can feel it then you should try different menstrual cup positions, a higher or lower placement will work better for different anatomies. Some menstrual cups come with a particularly long stem, if it is poking out of the vagina this can cause irritation and can be avoided by trimming the stem once the menstrual cup is removed from your vagina. If repositioning the cup and trimming the stem both do not work, please do not feel entirely put off by cups. There are plenty of options to choose from and ‘Put a cup in it’ is a great source of information for a different softness or size if you’d like to try a different brand. For your first few periods, whilst you’re getting used to using a menstrual cup, you may need to wear your cup alongside a pad to prevent leakage.
You should not be able to feel the menstrual cup when it is inserted properly, if you can feel it then you should try different menstrual cup positions, a higher or lower placement will work better for different anatomies. Some menstrual cups come with a particularly long stem, if it is poking out of the vagina this can cause irritation and can be avoided by trimming the stem once the menstrual cup is removed from your vagina. If repositioning the cup and trimming the stem both do not work, please do not feel entirely put off by cups. There are plenty of options to choose from and ‘Put a cup in it’ is a great source of information for a different softness or size if you’d like to try a different brand. For your first few periods, whilst you’re getting used to using a menstrual cup, you may need to wear your cup alongside a pad to prevent leakage.
Caring for your cup.
You will only need one cup to last you a long time if you care for it properly. You will need to boil your cup for 10 minutes before you use it, after storing the cup and between periods. You can get sanitising pods that will allow you to do this in the microwave, alternatively, use a pot on the hob. Simply place the cup in boiling water and allow this to kill off bacteria.
Be sure to clean the tiny suction holes or the cup will not work properly. You can do this by filling the cup with water, placing your palm over the mouth, and squeezing to get the water out the side holes. If your cup becomes discoloured over time, do not worry, this does not mean it is dirty or not fit for use, it’s just the result of blood being such a deep colour, especially when white or clear cups are used. Most cups come with a little storage box or bag, be sure to keep your cup safe between periods so you know where it is when you need it.
Choosing a cup
You could go to your local Boots and pick up the first menstrual cup available, but there are many other factors to consider in choosing a cup. It’s straightforward, the main factor being whether you’ve had children in the past determining if you need a slightly larger cup.
Other things to take note of could be whether you have bladder sensitivities so you may require a slightly softer cup, a great resource to check out is ‘Put A Cup In It’ with a short quiz to determine which cup is for you and an endless choice of cups to compare on their menstrual cup comparison chart.
Who Can Use Cups and Is It Safe?
There are different reasons why individuals may not want to or be able to use menstrual cups. Because cups require insertion, they may not be the right choice for everyone, it is a personal decision and that is important.
Cups are a brilliant option for active people as they can be used while swimming and exercising without causing problems.
Longevity
Cups last for 5+ years, saving a person on average £1,200 over their lifetime, periods are enough of a hassle without the added uterus tax.
Remember to keep your cup sterilised and the suction holes clear and you should only need one cup.