Table of Contents
This guide covers everything you need to know about menstrual cups. From choosing the right menstrual cup from for your body type to the best menstrual cups money can buy. Everything is explored. Why? ‘Cause knowledge is power!
Warning: If you are a prissy girl who is easily offended then stop reading here. This guide will discuss your vagina, your period, and other topics you may find disturbing.
For everyone else who is comfortable with their body and wants to learn everything there is to know about the most amazing feminine hygiene product available; keep reading!
Now when I say ultimate guide I don’t say it lightly. This guide is literally HUGE! Use the index below to jump to your desired section or keep reading through from top to bottom. By the time you have finished reading this guide you will be a menstrual cup expert. Cool, huh? With the introduction out of the way, lets jump right into the wonderful world of menstrual cups.
Our Top 3
Why have you never heard about menstrual cups?
I was oblivious to the fact that menstrual cups actually existed until one of my friends on a mission actually convinced me to give it a go. While researching menstrual cups I noticed there was no guide online that covered them and their benefits in great detail. As a now devout user, I have created the guide I would have wanted to read while when I first discovered menstrual cups and I hope that it helps you too.
Although menstrual cups may appear to be a new invention, they were actually patented in 1932 by a group of midwives (around the same time as commercial tampons were introduced). So why do you hear so little about them?
Well, it all comes down to funding. Pads and tampons are an ongoing cost that guarantee the manufacture repeated purchases. Guaranteed purchases equals guaranteed profits and these profits are HUGE (The tampon and pad industry is worth over $700 million in the US alone). The profits are then partially used by the manufacturers to fund monstrous advertising campaigns to promote more buying.
Since menstrual cups are a one off purchase that can last up to 10 years, the manufacturers do not see the same level of profit and as a result are unable to help raise awareness. To be fair, if you were a retailer, which would you stock on your shelf out of the following?
The obvious answer is product 1. Since retailers and manufacturers both want continued sales, despite being a potentially life changing product; the menstrual cup has never received the recognition that tampons and pads have received. You can change that!
Share this article. Tell your friends and family. Yell it from the rooftops! Let the world know just how amazing the menstrual cup actually is. With my long winded introduction out of the way, lets get on with the guide.
What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is an eco-friendly alternative to your typical type of feminine hygiene product (like tampons, pads and liners) constructed of a flexible material. It is inserted inside the vagina during menstruation to catch blood.
The menstrual cup gets it’s name from how it collects blood. Rather than being absorbed into the feminine hygiene product (like a tampon or pad) the blood pools inside a cup and is collected until the menstrual cup is removed and emptied. Unlike tampons and pads, menstrual cups are reusable.
If you have not heard of the term MENSTRUAL CUP before then you may have heard of by one of it’s other names:
You may have noticed that many of these are actual brand names of menstrual cups. When talking about menstrual cups, many women refer to them by their brand rather than the broad term “menstrual cup”.
Please note that I have moved the menstrual cup FAQ to the bottom of the article due to so many questions being asked and requiring an answer
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a menstrual cup?
It is amazing that menstrual cups are not more commonly used given that they have so many benefits. These benefits include convenience, health, cost and environmental. Lets look at each of these benefits in greater detail. If you are new to menstrual cups then you will definitely be surprised at all the positives.
Convenience Benefits
Longer wear – A menstrual cup can be worn up to 2 – 3 times longer than a tampon. This means that menstrual cups are great for overnight use or those times when you don’t have ready access to a bathroom.
No strings attached – Literally, menstrual cups have no strings or wings making them the perfect menstrual solution for women who lead physically active lifestyles. Running? Swimming? Yoga? Enjoy them all in comfort.
Travel light – Menstrual cups are perfect for holidays and road trips as you do not need to worry about buying or disposing of products. If you enjoy hiking, camping or travelling a menstrual cup should be your feminine hygiene product of choice.
Absorb more – Menstrual cups are capable of holding up to an ounce of liquid, that’s five times as much liquid than a tampon can hold. Lady’s with a heavy flow rejoice! A friend of mine recently converted to menstrual cups has a heavy flow. Previously she used BOTH a tampon AND pad because her tampon would always leak. She now only uses a menstrual cup without leaks.
Focus on your job – Menstrual cups allow you to focus on your job. Are you deployed? A firefighter? No need to pack the pads and tampons. A single menstrual cup will do.
Health Benefits
Nothing harmful – Unlike other feminine hygiene products, menstrual cups contain no harmful substances.
Nah, no, nope and definitely not. You wouldn’t put these chemicals inside you on their own, so why would you do the same when they are found in tampons or pads?
Shock free – Unlike tampons, menstrual cups have not been associated with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
Kiss the dry goodbye – You know that dryness that can come on from wearing tampons? That awful sensation is a thing of the past. Tampons absorb every bit of moisture around them. Unfortunately this includes healthy bodily fluids that are supposed to stay inside your body. Organic tampons still suffer from the same problem! Since menstrual cups collect blood rather than absorb it you will not experience a dryness down there.
Hypoallergenic – Sensitive skin? Dermatitis? Latex allergies? Menstrual cups will not trigger your allergies.
Can fix health problems – The fit of the menstrual cup means that you may no longer experience menstrual cramping. Goodbye Tylenol and Midol! Many women report that they no longer suffer from dryness, infections and vaginal itching since swapping over from tampons and pads to the menstrual cup. Some women even report they bleed less when using a menstrual cup instead of a tampon!
Odor free – Have you ever wondered what that smell was only to discover that it is actually you? When exposed to air, menstrual fluid can give off a unique and somewhat unpleasant odor. Menstrual cups prevent air from reaching the blood preventing bad smells from occurring.
Double is not a problem – If you have the rare condition known as uterus didelphis ( having two cervixes) then menstrual cups are still a viable period solution. Because the cup sits below the cervix it is will still collect blood and fit right.
Cost Benefits
The average woman spends approximately $120 a year or on pads, tampons and liners. This works out to be approximately a whopping $5600 over your lifetime. While many women consider tampons and pads a necessary monthly expense, buying these products can still be a major struggle for low income households.
Menstrual cups are a one time purchase that saves big in the long run. A menstrual cup is a one off cost that will last many years if properly cared for. Now you can skip the tampon and pad section at the grocery store!
Environmental Benefits
Lets say that you are on your period. If you were to use 5 disposable feminine hygiene products a day for 5 days you will use 300 disposable pads or tampons across a year. This grows to over 10,000 disposable products across your lifetime! Seriously, if you were to line up that many tampons they would end up to be twice as tall as the empire state building. That’s a LOT of waste.
Menstrual cups will help to reduce landfill because they are reusable and last for many years if you care for them properly. Using a menstrual cup means being more environmentally friendly and makes for a greener period (although, if you ACTUALLY have a green period, you should definitely see your doctor).
But There Are Disadvantages…
After reading all those benefits menstrual cups sound too good to be true, don’t they? I’ll be honest with you; despite all the benefits, there are some disadvantages to menstrual cups. This guide is designed to inform you about every possible aspect of menstrual cups. While I do want to convert you, I want you to be sure they are right for you. Menstrual cup disadvantages include:
Learning curve – Unlike other feminine hygiene products, practice is required to perfect the technique of inserting and removing the menstrual cup.
More mess – While using menstrual cups you will be washing your hands more than usual. Particularly when you are just learning how to correctly use a menstrual cup.
Difficult if young If you are a younger girl who is yet to have intercourse then you may find inserting a menstrual cup difficult. A menstrual cup can also break the hymen, which is used as the evidence of virginity in some cultures. This can discourage young women who have been brought up in those cultures from using menstrual cups.
Fit problems – Menstrual cups will not fit everyone. If you have fibroids (benign tumors that develop on the walls of the uterus) or a dropped uterus (the uterus sags into the vagina itself) then you may find a menstrual cup will not fit correctly.
Maintenance – After each cycle it is recommended that you sterilize the menstrual cup before storing it away. While a minor inconvenience, it is still a step that is not required with pads or tampons.
So as you can see, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Despite this, menstrual cups are not for everyone.
The Anatomy of a Menstrual Cup
As you can see, the design of a menstrual cup is quite basic. Despite numerous brands being available, the vast majority resemble the bell like shape above.
The only real exception to this look are disposable menstrual cups, which closely resemble a contraceptive diaphragm .
How to choose the right menstrual cup for your body
Unlike tampons and pads, menstrual cups are a bit more difficult to fit. It may take you a few cups before you find the perfect one for you. Below are all the things to consider when choosing a menstrual cup. It’s not a perfect science but by taking the following into consideration you will be able to make an educated guess. Chances are you will love your new menstrual cup!
What is your age and have you given birth?
The majority of menstrual cup brands come in two different sizes. Manufacturers recommend that women under the age of 30 who have never given birth vaginally should choose a smaller size menstrual cup. On the flipside women over 30 or who have had a vaginal birth should wear the larger size.
How does age affect the required menstrual cup size? As you age your hips will naturally widen. With this widening your vaginal muscles will lose some of their elasticity. As a result a larger menstrual cup is recommended. This is just a general rule
Every woman is different. For instance, some woman are over 30, have children but still have incredibly strong pelvic floor muscles due to being very physically active. If this is you then you may still feel more comfortable with a smaller cup. You will be able to make the best decision if you know your own body and use that information alongside manufacturers suggestions.
How high does your cervix sit?
Did you know that the position of your cervix rises and falls according to your menstrual cycle? Knowing where your cervix sits during menstruation can also play a role in determining the right menstrual cup for you.
Cervix Positions
You can determine where your cervix sits by inserting a clean finger inside your vagina to find it. Slowly move your finger to the back of your vagina, past the pelvic bone and what can only be described as an “empty space”. The cervix is a round nub with a decline in the middle.
During menstrual bleeding the cervix should feel like the tip of your nose. You many wish to measure your cervix height a couple of days across your period as it may not sit in exactly the same location each day.
How heavy is your flow?
Despite many women believing that they have a heavy flow this simply isn’t the reality. Studies have shown that the average woman’s flow is only moderate. So what is moderate? 1 – 4 oz of menstrual blood (2 – 8 tablespoons if you are having a hard time picturing it in your head) over then course of the entire period. The average sized menstrual cup is designed to satisfactorily cope with the average flow.
If you do have a heavy flow then you should choose a cup with a higher capacity. A menstrual cup with a higher capacity will need to be emptied less frequently. When in doubt of your flow it is always best to overestimate. This way you will not be changing your menstrual cup too often.
Menstrual Cup Buyers Guide
Now you know what a menstrual cup is. Check. You know how to measure your body for a suitable cup. Check. Okay, now for the final step before you buy. It’s time to take a look some questions you should ask when comparing one menstrual cup to another.
What material is the menstrual cup made of?
By and large, reusable menstrual cups are made from one of three different materials:
Silicone menstrual cups are currently longer lasting of the three material choices. Latex and TPE will start to break down earlier than silicone but still have an incredibly long shelf life. The majority of menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone. In choosing a menstrual cup, it is essential that you consider your allergies.
Latex allergies are common and can be fatal to some. Natural gum rubber, for example, is known to trigger latex allergies. That said, be very careful in choosing a menstrual cup. If the label does not clearly state the material used, then there’s a big chance that it’s not made from a medical-grade silicone. There is one exception to the rule and that is the Softcup. The Softcup is made from polyethylene.
Does the menstrual cup have a stem?
Some menstrual cups have a stem or handle on the base. The stem is designed to assist with inserting and removing the menstrual cup.
There are numerous types of stems used on menstrual cups including:
A stem is not a necessary feature. Some women even find the stem uncomfortable. You will still be able to insert and remove your menstrual cup without it. Fortunately you can easily remove the stem from their menstrual cup by neatly cutting through it with a sharp knife. Some women leave ¼ of an inch of the stem remaining when cutting it, claiming it makes removal easier.
Don’t want to cut your menstrual cup? You can also invert most brands of menstrual cups, meaning the stem will be on the inside. The only downside to this method is that it will reduce the holding capacity of the menstrual cup.
How firm is the menstrual cup?
Certain brands of menstrual cups are firmer than others and can vary according to the size of the cup itself. A firmer menstrual cup will pop open after being inserted easier than a softer cup. A firmer cup may press tighter against the vaginal wall which can result in a tighter seal which in turn prevents leaking.
The downside is that some women find a firmer menstrual cup less comfortable to wear than a softer cup. That said, aside from effectivity, also take into consideration how comfortable you are with the menstrual cup you are using. If it feels too tight in your vaginal canal, you might want to consider getting a softer cup that can still do the job effectively.
What color is the menstrual cup?
While looking around you may have noticed that menstrual cups come in either a colored (made from food safe grade dye) or clear silicon option. What you may not have realized is that the color serves a greater purpose than just looking pretty. As you are no doubt aware, blood is great at staining anything it touches.
Since menstrual cups constantly come into contact with blood they will eventually start to stain. Clear menstrual cups tend to lose their initial appearance faster than the colored variety and get yellowish stains. While the shade of colored cups may change over time, stains are not as noticeable; particularly on darker colored cups like blue or purple.
Stains do not affect the performance and should not be used as an indicator of whether a menstrual cup is clean or not. If you really like a particular colored menstrual cup over the others then just go with it!
Does the menstrual cup have measuring lines?
Some brands of menstrual cups have measuring lines on the side of them (similar to a measuring cup you would use when cooking). These markers are useful in determining exactly how much menstrual fluid is collected over a period of time or if you want to know how heavy your menstrual flow is. Not all menstrual cups have measurements so if this is a feature that appeals to you then be sure to shop around.
Does the menstrual cup contain suction holes?
You may have noticed that some menstrual cups contain tiny little holes just below the rim. These holes allow air to flow inside the cup, preventing a vacuum like seal from forming. Essentially, these holes allow the menstrual cup to be removed easier than a cup that does not feature them.
While these holes are a benefit, they can get dried blood stuck in them if you do not properly rinse your menstrual cup. This isn’t the biggest issue as you can easily remove it with toothbrush bristles. The larger the suction holes on the menstrual cup, the easier they will be to clean.
Is the menstrual cup ribbed?
You may notice that some menstrual cups feature ribs or a textured surface towards the base of the cup. No, it is not ribbed for your pleasure (there isn’t that much pleasurable about a period), the textured section allows you to better grip your menstrual cup when inserting and removing it. These textured areas are particularly handy if you have removed the stem or handle from your cup.
Does the menstrual cup have FDA approval?
The sales of menstrual cups is strictly regulated by government health agencies. It is vital that you check that the particular brand has approval from the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to buying .
Brand name menstrual cups will all have FDA approval however there have been reports of rogue importers selling low quality menstrual cups from china at a cheap price. This object is going to be sitting in your vagina on a monthly basis. You do not want to run the risk of infection or other health conditions for the sake of saving a few dollars.
The Best Menstrual Cups
Now that you know what to look for when comparing cups its time to review some of the most best menstrual cups available. These cups are the favorites of women the world over. Lets take a look at what makes them so great.
Remember, your vagina is unique. What works for one may not necessarily work for another. You may have to try a few different types of menstrual cups before you find the perfect one for you.
Most Popular Menstrual Cup
DivaCup
- Reusable Period Cup: Say goodbye to tampons and pads with comfortable, eco-friendly protection
- Silicone Menstrual Cup: Made of 100% medical grade silicone with no chemicals, plastic or dyes
- Made For You: Ideal for anyone between the ages of 19 and 34, who haven't given birth vaginally
- 100% Silicone
- Award Winning
- Free cotton carry bag
Hands down the most popular menstrual cup in America. The Diva Cup does its job and does it well. Made in Canada, the diva cup is constructed from 100% medical grade silicon. Definitely no skimping on quality there. The Diva cup is available in two sizes:
Size 1 (small) For pre-childbirth and under the age of 30.
- Length: 2.25”
- Diameter: 1.69”
- Stem: Hollow Round
Size 2 (large) If you have birthed a child or are over the age of 30.
- Length: 2.25”
- Diameter: 1.81”
- Stem: Hollow Round
Since size 2 is bigger it is also more suited to those with a heavier than normal flow. The cup features measuring lines of 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz respectively, great for those of you who want to learn how heavy your flow actually is or need to record it for medical reasons.
Also included in the Diva Cups packaging is a cotton carry bag. Perfect for storing your menstrual cup in at the end of your cycle. Many people use the diva cup as it is the cheapest entry in the quality menstrual cup market. This makes the diva cup a great starting point if you wanted to test a menstrual cup out for yourself.
Best Smaller Sized Menstrual Cup
Lunette Menstrual Cup
- One Model 1 Lunette Reusable Menstrual Cup for light to moderate flow in violet with storage pouch and instructions...
- Comfortable, easy-to-use menstrual cup is an eco-friendly alternative to tampons and pads
- Lunette menstrual cup that's made from medical-grade silicone for safe, comfortable wear to help maintain vaginal health
Style: 6 colors available
Brand: Lunette
- 100% medical grade silicone
- Made in Finland
- Free storage pouch
Another popular choice for menstrual cups is the Lunette. While the main appeal of the Lunette menstrual cup is its smaller size; it is still a very effective menstrual cup. This is the menstrual cup I use and could not be happier with it’s performance. The Lunette Menstrual Cup is available in two sizes:
Model 1 For light to normal flow.
- Length: 1.9”
- Diameter: 1.6”
- Stem: Flat
Model 2 If you have birthed a child or are over the age of 30.
- Length: 2”
- Diameter: 1.8”
- Stem: Stem: Flat
As you can see, the sizing of the Lunette Menstrual Cup runs considerably smaller than the Diva. If you had trouble inserting the Diva Cup because it was too big then you should definitely give the Lunette a try.
As you can see below, the lunette menstrual cup is available in many different colors. Made from food and medical grade dyes, the darker colored cups are a little more resistant to stains than the clear version. That said, a clear option is also available if you prefer. Lunette is one of the highest quality menstrual cups available, so it’s a really good choice.
The suction holes on the Lunette menstrual cup are larger than that of the diva. The larger holes make the Lunette a much easier to clean menstrual cup. The Lunette is also made from firmer silicone than the Diva cup, allowing it to pop open once it is inserted easily. Like the Diva Cup, the Lunette also comes with a storage pouch.
The suction holes on the lunette menstrual cup are larger than that of the diva. The larger holes make the lunette a much easier to clean menstrual cup. The lunette is also made from a firmer silicon than the diva cup, allowing it to easily pop open once it is inserted. Like the Diva Cup, the Lunette also comes with a storage pouch.
Best disposable menstrual cup
The Softcup
- DESIGNED FOR YOUR BODY: Softdisc is the result of 10 years of Research and Development by scientists. It is...
- FOR HEAVY OR LIGHT PERIODS: Use menstrual soft rings instead of tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. Unlike other...
- COMFORTABLE: Softdisc is the most comfortable period product on the market. It prevents menstrual odor, irritation, and...
- Disposable
- Comfortable
- Tampon or pad alternative
A Softcup is a disposable menstrual cup. You may be thinking “Isn’t the benefit of menstrual cups the fact that they are reusable for years?” You would be correct, however, the soft cup offers some advantages over the traditional menstrual cup.
The softcup can be worn during sex. Yep. You read that right. This menstrual cup can be worn during sex. You know what that means don’t you? All pleasure with none of the mess. There is nothing worse than destroying a set of sheets just because you got caught up in a moment of passion just because its that time. Simply insert a Softcup and no more worry.
Despite being worn during sex, the Softcup is not a contraceptive. Instead, think as a mess retainer. The Softcup can also be worn as a replacement for a standard menstrual cup, pad or tampon as well.
An interesting thing about the soft cup is that there are two separate varieties:
- Softcup – Your standard disposable menstrual cup. Wear it once. When full, simply remove the cup and dispose of it.
- Reusable Softcup – This soft cup can be reused. A single reusuable Softcup lasts a single menstrual cycle. It is then disposed of.
Both varieties of Softcup are purchased in packets containing multiple cups. So if you are tired of your pads and tampons but are not ready to switch over to a full blown menstrual cup then try Softcups.
Menstrual Cup Users Guide
This section covers everything you need to know about how to use a menstrual cup; from inserting and removal to cleaning and maintenance. I even look at how you can get your head around using the menstrual cup for the first time.
Use the below links to jump to your preferred section. If you are a menstrual cup beginner I strongly recommend reading through so you know exactly what to expect when it comes to using a menstrual cup.
- 1. How to fold a menstrual cup
- 2. How to insert a menstrual cup
- 3. How to remove a menstrual cup
- 4. How to clean your menstrual cup
- 5. How to maintain and store your menstrual cup
Before You Use Your Menstrual Cup for the First Time
Okay, so you have purchased your brand new menstrual cup and are now cant wait to get started (or like me and looking for reasons not to start using it). Let’s take a look at some things you will need to overcome before you get started.
The stare off – I know what you are thinking because I thought it too. How on earth is that thing going to fit in my hoo-ha? Yes, menstrual cups do look intimidating but when folded it is only just larger than a regular tampon. Your vagina is a magical place. If it can make room for a baby coming out it can definitely handles a squishy piece of silicon barely two inches in diameter.
Reassuring words: You have already bought the thing, it would be silly to turn back now. At least give it a go!
Take your time – You will need practice inserting a menstrual cup (and if you nail it first time then lucky you, you are much more coordinated than me). Using the correct folding technique and angling your body correctly are skills that you will soon perfect. It just takes time. This is a normal part of learning any new skill.
Reassuring words: It’s like learning bike, you don’t just hop on and do it!
You may leak – Even if you think you inserted the menstrual cup perfectly on your first it is worth wearing a disposable liner. After the first cycle or two and you are feeling confident then you can skip the liner.
Reassuring words: It’s still like learning to ride a bike, you need training wheels before you are confident to ride on your own! Okay, stop trying to talk yourself out of it you big baby. Lets look at how you can fold menstrual cups to a less scary size.
How to Fold a Menstrual Cup
My first thought when I saw the size of a menstrual cup is “how on earth is that thing going to fit into my hoo-ha?”. Yes menstrual cups do look intimidating but they fold down to a fraction of their size.
Learning the folding technique that works best for you is a vital part of owning a menstrual cup. Menstrual cups are folded up before “popping” into place after being inserted.
The C fold
The most basic and commonly used fold is the C fold. The C fold gets it’s name by the shape left when the fold is completed (it looks like the letter C. Or the Letter U, depending on how you hold it). This fold is commonly found in the instructions on menstrual cup packaging. It is also one of the thicker folds you could use.
How you do it:
The punch-down fold
This fold is much easier to insert due because the width is decreased. So why doesn’t everyone use this fold? Depending on the menstrual cup you use, you may have difficulty with the menstrual cup popping open when inserted.
How you do it:
The 7 Fold
Another fold that helps reduce the width of the menstrual cup. Try this fold if you are having trouble getting the punch-down fold to pop open with your brand of menstrual cup. The name comes from the shape of the rim resembling the number 7.
How you do it:
The triangle fold
The triangle fold is a variation of the 7 fold above. While it will not work with all cups, it makes the fold slimmer again for easy insertion.
How you do it:
The labia fold
The labia fold is aptly named because it resembles a labia (well it does on menstrual cups with a thinner rim. A thicker rim will distort the look somewhat but the fold will still work). This fold can be a little tricky to get the hang of and will require practice.
How you do it:
Do not be afraid to experiment with different folds until you find the perfect one for you! Okay, so now you know how to fold your menstrual cup it’s time to insert it.
Easily Insert a Menstrual Cup
Do not use OIL BASED or SILICON BASED lubricants to insert a menstrual cup. These ingredients in lubricant can actually break down and damage the silicon in your menstrual cup. If a lubricant is needed, use a water based one.
The key to inserting any menstrual cup is relaxing. If you are tense then you will find it much more difficult to insert your cup.
1. Prepare – Wash your hands with soap and rinse your menstrual cup with water to remove any dust that may have accumulated. Do not use soap on the menstrual cup.
2. Take your position – Get into a comfortable position:
3. Whatever you find comfortable. If you are having difficulty inserting the cup then try changing positions.
4. Relax – I’ll say it again; relax. Let go of all your troubles, even if just for a moment. Try not to tense your pelvic muscles (the muscles you use to stop and start peeing), keeping your pelvic muscles relaxed will make inserting the menstrual cup a much easier task.
5. Get ready – Hold the base of your folded menstrual cup in one hand (use a fold from the previous section) and with your free hand gently separate your labia.
6. Insertion – Slowly insert the menstrual cup into your vagina; aiming it horizontally towards your tailbone (the very bottom of your spine). Your cup will pop open before it is completely inserted. Despite this continue to insert towards the tailbone until the stem or base of the cup (if the cup has no stem) is even with the vaginal opening and does not protrude.
7. Ensure the cup is open – You may have heard or felt a “pop” as your menstrual cup unfolds. You now want to make sure that the cup is firmly in place, if you touch the base of the cup it should feel round. Rotating the cup 360 degrees in either direction will ensure that the cup is fully open and positioned towards the tailbone. Alternatively you can swirl your finger around the outside of the cup to ensure you have a good seal.
If the cup has not completely opened; insert a a clean finger vagina and press against the vaginal wall just below the cup. This will make space for the cup to fully open if it has not already. Failing that, remove the cup, refold it and try again.
Note that vaginal walls can vary among women. Some women have tighter or stronger vaginal walls than others. Hence, if you choose a menstrual cup that is too firm or too soft for your vaginal canal, that can also affect how difficult or easy it would be to insert the menstrual cup.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Although it may take what seems like forever to insert your menstrual cup the first time you will soon perfect the technique. Once you get the hang of it you will be able to insert your menstrual cup in seconds.
So now that you have properly inserted your menstrual cup you are free to continue with your day’s activities.
Wearing Your Menstrual Cup
Whether or not you can feel the menstrual cup inside you will vary from woman to woman. Some women report not being able to feel it all unless they really focus while others declare that they can slightly feel it but it is in no way uncomfortable.
If your menstrual cup causes discomfort try reinserting it using a different fold. It is possible that you are using the incorrect size and may need to try a different one. If discomfort persists it is best that you discontinue use.
You can now wear your menstrual cup for up to 12 hours before you need to remove and empty it. By monitoring how full your cup is you will quickly learn how often it will need to be emptied. You will be pleased to know that you continue wearing your menstrual cup even when going to the toilet to urinate or empty your bowels.
How to Easily Remove a Menstrual Cup
So while you have been working, playing or simply hanging out and chilling; your menstrual cup has been busy collecting blood and will have to be emptied. Let’s take a look at the steps to take to easily remove your menstrual cup.
Congratulations, you have successfully removed the menstrual cup from inside of you. If you found it difficult or made a mess; do not despair. With practice, removing a menstrual cup will take mere seconds.
Emptying Your Menstrual Cup
So you have removed your menstrual cup and it is now balancing precariously in your in you hand. The next step is emptying it. Simply empty the menstrual cup into the toilet or sink. Be careful not to pour the cup out from too high up or you risk the blood splattering everywhere. The lower the height you empty your cup from, the less chance of mess.
Cleaning Your Menstrual Cup
Once your cup is empty you will need to clean it before you reinsert it. A menstrual cup should be washed at least twice a day ( a minimum of once every 12 hours, aligning with how often you need to empty it). Regularly washing your menstrual cup will prevent bad smells from occurring.
Ignore what menstrual cup companies recommend; you do NOT need to use their specific brand of wash/tablets in order to effectively clean your cup. While there is nothing wrong with using these products, they work just as well as any mild soap but are generally more expensive.
There are five ways you can wash your menstrual cup
You may find that blood gets stuck in the suction holes. When washing fill the cup with water, cover the opening with your hand and squirt the water out the suction holes. If any blood remains in the holes, simply stretch and bend the suction holes under water. By regularly cleaning your menstrual cup you will prevent any odors from building up. There is nothing worse than a bad smelling menstrual cup!
But how do you clean your cup in public restrooms? You don’t want to freak out other people in the restroom cleaning your bloody menstrual cup under the sink, they would assume you had been stabbed! Below are two techniques you can use to effectively clean your cup in public restrooms:
So as you can see, whether you are at home or out and about; cleaning your menstrual cup is not a big deal.
Do not use the following cleaners on your menstrual cup
These cleaners can either damage the silicon in your menstrual cup, causing it to wear more quickly or worse; irritate your hoo-ha (trust me, you do NOT want a burning sensation own there).
Remember, that you should still refer to the instructions of your menstrual cup. Each brand will have it’s own instructions on how to effectively clean their particular menstrual cup. When your period has finished (Yay!) you will need to clean and sterilize your menstrual cup prior to storing it away until your next period (Boo!).
Menstrual Cup Maintenance and Storage
before you put your menstrual cup into storage it is important that you give your cup a good clean and sterilization. It is important that you follow your menstrual cups instructions regarding the sterilization process (some cups are not recommended to be boiled).
The most common way to sterilize your menstrual cup is in a pot of boiling water. Simply add water to a saucepan and bring to the boil before adding your cup. The boiling time varies from cup to cup so be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions. If your cup can be boiled, use a deep pot. This will allow your menstrual cup to float. Try to avoid your menstrual cup from touching the bottom of the pot as this will very likely result in your cup turning into a melted mess.
Once your menstrual cup is sterilized store it in a fabric drawstring bag. Many menstrual cups come with their own storage bag. If your menstrual cup did not come with a bag then they are fairly inexpensive to buy. With your menstrual cup tucked safely away you can now store it in a drawer or cabinet. Do not store your menstrual cup in an airtight container or plastic bag.
You run the risk of mold growing if you use these storage options. You don’t want mold growing on anything that you are going to insert into your vagina! During the sterilization and storage process you should inspect your menstrual cup for signs of wear. While discoloration is normal, keep a look out for a thin white film on the surface of the cup or areas where the smooth surface has turned coarse.
These features can cause vaginal irritation. If present it is best that you dispose of your menstrual cup and buy a new one. It is important that you correctly care for your menstrual cup. A properly cared for menstrual cup can last up to 10 years. Some women even report that with proper care they have had their menstrual cup for over 15 years and is still going strong.
Menstrual Cup FAQ
Below I will answer commonly asked questions surrounding menstrual cups. If you have a question regarding menstrual cups not covered in this guide; ask it in the comments below and it may even be added to this section.
How long can you wear a menstrual cup for?
menstrual cups can be worn for twice as long as tampons. Use the chart below to determine how long you would wear a menstrual cup vs. your tampon use.
|
Tampon |
Menstrual cup |
|
1 – 2 hours |
2 – 4 hours |
|
3 – 6 hours |
6 – 8 hours |
|
5 – 6 hours |
10 – 12 hours |
Can you feel the menstrual cup inside you?
It may shock you how large a menstrual cup looks. But don’t worry; if used correctly you cannot feel a menstrual cup once it has been inserted into your vagina. While menstrual cups sit low in your vagina they are still high enough that you will not feel it.
Do menstrual cups hurt to remove?
No, absolutely not. Since menstrual cups do not dry out the body like disposable tampons there is not uncomfortable feeling when removed.
Do menstrual cups prevent you from playing sport?
Once you are used to your new menstrual cup you will be able to perform all forms of physical activity as normal. Even doing the splits and headstands! In fact, menstrual cups are more comfortable for swimming than tampons since they do not get waterlogged.
Can menstrual cups be worn overnight?
Menstrual cups can safely be worn through the night. The best practice is to empty your menstrual cup before going to bed and empty it again as soon as you wake.
Featured Image via: Pexels
Resources
Below you will find some other amazing resources on menstrual cups.
Phew, you made it to the end one giant guide on menstrual cups. Do you have any further questions regarding this amazing feminine hygiene product? Let me know below. If you found this guide helpful then please share it with your friends! Lets convert the world to menstrual cups!
Please note: I do not recommend menstrual cups specific to you and your situation; so please don’t ask. Every woman is unique and what works for some may not for others. An unfortunate part of menstrual cup usage is trial and error. Some find the perfect cup on their first try while others will need to purchase a few before they find the right fit.
For the sizing information, if a girl is under 30 and hasn’t had babies, does her overall size matter? If a woman is larger/obese, has wide hips already, and has to use larger sized EVERYTHING, would she still use a small size cup? Or is that something she would have to trial and error? Also, if a woman is petite, has had 4 kids, and uses small EVERYTHING, would she still use the larger cup size? Basically, does a woman’s general size matter at all?
Thanks!
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
As I touched on in the article, menstrual cup sizing should only be used as general guidelines if you have no idea where to start. Ultimately you know your body better than anyone else. If you already use larger or smaller products then I would stick with similar sizing.
For the record I’m over 30 and have kids and went with a larger cup only to find it was a fraction to big. If I wasn’t to follow those guidelines I would have definitely choose a smaller size and guessed correctly first go.
Keep being awesome!
Nope I’m a big girl thought the same thing it was way to big and uncomfortable and I have a child! Prebirth size fits well!
Hi! Just a quick question-I have been using the fleur cup for a few years now and I have always boiled it for a few minutes at the end of my period.
I am currently traveling and don’t have access to a stove. Is it possible to sterilize it using a diluted vinegar solution? If so, how many parts water to vinegar, and for how long? Would you recommend soaking it or simply rinsing it to sterilize it in this way?
Thank you so much!
Hi Nora,
1 part vinegar to 9 parts water solution should be sufficient. I would swirl the solution around, rubbing at areas of concern for a minute or two.
Alternately denture tablets absolutely rock at sanitizing menstrual cups.
Keep being awesome!
Hey,
Thank you SO much for this. I wish I had seen this before I went and bought me a cup. It’s the first time I’ve used a menstural cup (If only I had gotten my hands on this in my 20s!) I don’t know if it’s the right one for me. But I think the cup may be too big. It’s a bit of a problem putting it in and taking it out. I’m using ‘Shecup’ in India.
My problem is that I made the mistake of using anti bacterial soap 3-4 times on my cup but saw that so far nothing has happened. I was naive enough (more like didn’t bother doing enough research) – How would I know if something HAS happened to the cup? I did feel a bit of a tingling down there after washing the cup with that harsh soap and reinserting but haven’t used any soap after that. Am on the second day now. Back to my question, how can you tell if your cup is ‘damaged’?
Thanks a bunch!
Hi Saba,
Thanks for your question. Welcome to the wonderful menstrual cup club!
Menstrual cup damage is generally pretty obvious and can identified using your eyes and hands.
Look closely for irregularities in the silicone surface (like small holes and dents) that were not there before. Also run your fingers around the cup. You may notice smooth areas that have turned rough. These areas can trap bacteria if you are not super careful with your cleaning.
If everything seems normal then it looks like you are in the clear. Also, If you suspect that the cup is a little big then you won’t know yourself when you try a smaller one that fits properly. I went to the Lunette after tying the Divacup and would never look back.
At the end of the day if you are happy with the cup and it doesn’t leak then keep rocking it!
Keep being awesome!
Hi,
I have a super high cervix where I can’t even touch it with my longest finger. I recently purchased the lunette cup, which has a quite long stem. I was wondering if it will be uncomfortable because I cannot cut any of it off or I won’t be able to remove the cup?
Also, should the cup touch the cervix when inserted?
Thanks!
Another really useful link you could add to your Resources section is the menstrual cup map that shows all the stores in the world that stock menstrual cups, because lots of people don’t like buying online.
Hi Jane,
Awesome resource.
I have added it to the guide, thanks for pointing it out.
Keep being awesome!
Is Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Unscented Baby Mild Soap mild enough to wash my Diva Cup??
Hi Summer,
I have personally used Dr. Bronner’s in the past and have not had an issue. Just be sure to not go overboard with the amount used and rinse your menstrual cup very thoroughly. Soap loves to hide in the small suction holes in the rim so stretch these out while you are rinsing.
Keep being awesome!
I can’t speak from my own experience, but from the Diva Cup’s instructions in the box and on their website:
“When cleaning your DivaCup be sure to avoid using: vinegar, tea tree oil, scented/fragranced soap, castile/peppermint soap or any other oil based soap…”
Hi Amanda,
From personal experience I believe DivaCup uses these warnings just to protect themselves. While I cannot comment on the other cleaning agents, very diluted vinegar and castile soap do little to the silicone and rinsing thoroughly (remember, a cup does go inside you) has caused no damage to my ex-DivaCup and my current Lunette. I definitely wouldn’t use any of these undiluted mind you.
Remember – It is in DivaCups interest for you to continue to buy their DivaWash (menstrual cup cleaner). A menstrual cup is basically a one time purchase while their cleaner will see repeat buys from customers and is a good business model.
Keep being awesome.
Thanks for the article Jess. As a “minimalist”, I consider the mestrual cup and the e-reader the best inventions EVER. I’ve been using mine for about four months now and I have read many articles about it since I do have an issue which I haven’t seen addressed yet. I feel like my anatomy is a little different. My cervix is average BUT my cup never opens fully. It’s as if you put the cup in the middle of a very heavy book. I’ve tried different kinds of folds and I can feel that it’s not folded. It’s just squooshed by the interior walls of my vagina and I have bought the smaller size. The consequence of it never opening fully – I think – is that it fills up more quickly and that I always need to use a pantyliner as I experience minor leakage. Any thoughts anyone? Even so, I’m 100% behind you on converting the world to menstrual cups :) Thank you.
Hi Sandra,
I completely agree, I am a sucker for my Kindle when I can find 5 minutes to sit down. One of my hobbies includes buying ebooks that I will never have time to read. Maybe when the kids are older.
Regarding your issue, have you tried a smaller cup? I originally used the Diva cup and it was a little awkward to use (I honestly didn’t see what the fuss was about and thought menstrual cups were a passing fad after trying it) While I could get it to open fully, it was sometimes a mission. When I swapped over to the Lunette (which is a little smaller) I found it opened without any drama whatsoever and loved it so much that it prompted me to write up this entire guide.
The problem is, all Vaginas are unique. Based on my experience I could only suggest finding out what size the brand of cup you wear is and trying a smaller one? Remember that the size across the cup does vary a lot from brand to brand. The smaller size of one brand can be bigger than the larger size of another.
Keep being awesome!
Has anyone else had a similar experience to Sandra? Would love to hear how you solved this problem.
Thank you for your feedback Jess. I will take your advice on trying a different maker and seeing if perhaps a smaller model might actually open. Like I said, even this “problem” hasn’t kept me from absolutely loving menstrual cups as something that significantly improved my life during menstruation.
I’m glad you like your e-reader too and since the books won’t expire, they can wait to be read after your kids grow up :)
I hope it’s as simple a fix as trying a different menstrual cup. I would love to hear that you had the same success as me.
Keep Being awesome!
Hi I know this is a year old thread but I found this after searching because I am having the same issue. Only on day 3 of using – I bought Me Luna Sport in L & XL because I’m over 30, 2 bubs, 2 Csections, but v intact pelvic floor and they are great but they are coming out looking like an oblong shape instead of a circle after a few hours of use (so they’ve obviously been a bit squashed the whole time). I reckon it’s from strong kegels. The research I did led me to buy the Sport version because they are firmer & are able to open more fully against harder muscles ;) I haven’t tried a softer cup but I would be hesitant as I’m worried it would just never open. Is this right? I try to insert it the opposite way alternating so that it gets squashed back into a circle every second time ;) any other suggestions?
I have this problem with my Keeper sometimes. For me it sometimes takes some adjustments. I find that sometimes after insertion it won’t open correctly so I will either pull it down or push it up a little further (I feel like sometimes it’s not in the correct spot). Also for a better “seal” I will insert, get it seated then do a half twist so that it is “sealed” against the vaginal wall. I make sure I always have some moisture before doing this or it will hurt (like something sticking to your skin), even if it’s just some tap water before I insert. Sometimes I have to remove it and reinsert when I can’t get it right.
I’m new to menstrual cups and was totally loving the idea of it, but I’m either not inserting correctly or who knows! One day i get it in and can’t feel it at all but then get major leakage or I get it in and it’s majorly uncomfortable can totally tell I’m wearing it and get no leakage. What am I doing wrong? Any help or hints would be great. This is my second cycle using it and I’m close to giving up but really don’t want to
Hi Trish,
I could only speculate but it is possible that you are wearing the wrong sized menstrual cup for your body. I previously used the Diva cup which was a little too big for me. When I swapped over to the Lunette menstrual (a smaller sized cup) cup I began to realize just how great this invention is.
When it feels like you are not wearing it it sounds like the cup has not opened properly. As I mentioned in the guide:
If the cup is open and majorly uncomfortable then I could only speculate that the menstrual cup is too big for you. You could try a smaller size. remember; the smallest size of some cups can be bigger than the largest cups of other brands. Check the measurements of your current cup and compare them to a smaller sized cup.
Keep being awesome!
Has anyone else had a similar experience to Trish? Would love to hear how you solved this problem.
I’ve had the same exact problem ever since i started using menstrual cups. either no leaks but uncomfortable/painful or comfortable but leaks. I have stumbled across the rare unicorn of fitting perfectly without leaking once or twice now though so i at least found the target to aim for.
I’ve tried a few different brands and so far lunette is the most comfortable for me. all i can suggest is to play around with the angle and depth when you’re inserting. Whenever it’s painful i’ve usually tried to put it in too deeply and when it leaks i’ve usually got it positioned at the wrong angle and it’s not situated under my cervix like it should be.
I haven’t had intercourse yet, would I find this too difficult to insert? (I even found tampons hard to insert, so stopped trying)
Hi Arti,
While I personally know of virgins (or so they claim, teenagers can be tricky with what they tell us adults) who do use menstrual cups, they all did so after using tampons. A folded menstrual cup is slightly bigger than a tampon. I can only speculate, but I believe that you will have trouble with a menstrual cup if you are having difficulty using tampons.
While I highly recommend menstrual cups, there are numerous instances where they are just not suitable and unfortunately yours may just be one such instance. Do not despair though, just because you cannot use one now does not mean you will be unable to in the future.
Keep being awesome!
I have never been sexually active either, and I tried tampons (mini size with applicators) before purchasing a menstrual cup. I tried the Meluna cup after using tampons for 3 cycles (only 2 cycles in with the cup and I’m still figuring out the best fold). You can try water-based lubricants for easier insertion, but they’re not needed if you truly RELAX while doing it. As Jess reminded us in the guide, the head of a baby is supposed to fit in there, so a mini-tampon or a folded cup is nothing! Yes, more likely than not, the first trials will be uncomfortable, but I’d say better that now than utter pain during the “first time.” It took me the whole year to move away from the hated sanitary pads, but I’m ridiculously proud of myself for that achievement. One advantage of the cup Jess didn’t mention is: no noisy package!
I found it empowering to learn about my genitalia before my first sexual intercourse, and my periods have become less intimidating and annoying (i get the full pms package, so changing pads is the last thing I want to worry about for 5 days straight).
Good luck to you, Arti! You can do it. Even if you choose to stick with pads, learning more about your body will still be a bonus.
It is my first cycle using my cup. I have had 5 babies, and I don’t k ow if that matters or not. I feel like every time I insert my cup it is different. I was leaking a ton and when I went to remove it, it had turned completely sideways! What!? Then there were 2 or 3 times when there was a good deal and more actually got in the cup than leaked out. Then later that day, no matter how far I try to put it in (still using the same technique as the times that worked) it kept coming down, almost portuding out. I want this to work, but am really having a hard time!! Advice would be fantastic!
Hi Katie,
Congratulations on pushing out 5 bundles of joy! That is awesome! If you have given birth to this many babies then it is highly likely you should be using the larger size of menstrual cups. I just want to confirm that this is the case. As it sounds like your issue is either your inserting technique or your cup is not the right size for your body. A cup that is too small for you can shift inside you which may be what happened here.
Unfortunately, without physically watching you (something I don’t think either of us would be comfortable with:P) it is difficult to determine whether you are using the correct inserting technique. All I can really suggest is to either give the base a slow spin or run your finger around the outside to ensure that the cup has opened and sealed.
Keep being awesome!
Has anyone else had the same problem as Katie? I would love to hear how you solved this.
Yes…im on my first cycle trying this out. Im not having leak issues but i can tell it is in there (slight discomfort). I took a long shower tonight trying different folds and positions. Lying down with c or u fold and position worked best and it was like my vagina sucked in easily into the right spot the diva cup and then i felt the pop. I have consistently been removing it sitting over toilet with no mishaps or problems.
Hi Amber,
Thanks so much for weighing in, the long shower is a GREAT idea! Sounds like you are doing a lot better than many people given that it is your first cycle (If I could have filmed my first cycle it would have looked like a cheesy horror movie). So well done on finding a technique that works as this is one of the biggest battles that people have with menstrual cups.
Just following on from you feeling the menstrual cup in side you, I noticed you are using the Diva Cup which was also my first cup.
I could also feel that cup inside me although unlike you I had leak issues with it. When I swapped over to the Lunette I could no longer feel the cup in me. Just some food for thought.
Keep being awesome!
Hi I want to switch from tampons to a cup and was looking at the Lilly cup but I am unsure what size to get as I have not had a child however I do have wide hips and an extremely heavy flow so I have always used the extra heavy flow tampons that are the largest one for sale and I have looked at the two different sizes and there doesn’t seem to be that much of a size difference I just don’t want to spend £24-£25 if I end up getting the wrong size and not being able to use it
Hi Emma,
You most definitely know your body better than me and I thoroughly recommend you go with your instincts. I understand your reluctance to waste money on a cup you may not use as it can be a big initial investment. If it is any reassurance, even if you buy both sizes of menstrual cup you will still save money compared to the ongoing purchase of tampons in the long run.
It can be really tricky to size right. For instance, I am over 30 and have had a child and found the larger cups too big (I initially went with the larger size before swapping over to a smaller one. That said, many other mothers who have had kids find the larger cup size to be a perfect fit.
All our bodies are different, that’s why there is no “one size fits all option”.
Keep being awesome!
This must be my problem as well. I have the #2 Diva Cup, am 29 with an almost 2-year old but I’m pretty fit and active. First time using I had zero leakage but this is now the 4th time and it’s been constant leaking even if I empty the cup more frequently. My cervix seems to sit fairly low and I do have a heavy flow the first few days if that makes a big difference? Guess I’ll have to shop around and try some other sizes/brands.
I also have a low cervix and pretty strong pelvic muscles and I use the MeLuna XL Classic and Sport and they work great for me! Can’t feel them and no leaks ??
So this is my first time using a menstrual cup. I chose the Lily Cup size A. 26, not a virgin, never had kids. I’ve used regular sized tampons since I was 18. I hated them, so when I discovered cups, I was super excited. But I can’t make it fit. I’ve tried every type of fold suggested. I’ve rotated, pinched, pushed, anything I could think of. I ran my finger along my vaginal wall. No matter how I shift the cup it stays in one position. Flat. The stem is always too long. I leak more than the cup catches. And I have no idea what in doing wrong. Any advice from someone more experienced would be great.
size A is actually for people who have had kids…maybe you got the size too big? try the other size, model 2, which is meant for women without kids.
Jess, Thanks for your wonderfully witty and educational article. I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis in my early 20s, had three surgeries and was in hormonally-induced menopause for 20 years. Now at 41, I am off the meds at a last to see if my body can come back so I may have a baby . My flow is small and tampons hurt terribly. The risk of TSS with my health history is scary. Pads just smell and you can feel the release of the blood — gross! I have been looking for a good article on menstrual cups to help me decide whether to try or not. Your article was just what I needed to make an informed decision on which to try. Thanks for your bravery in discussing such a private subject for our education.
Hi Charity,
Wow, it sounds like you have had quite a rough patch and I’m really sorry to hear it. It sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel. I truly hope your body bounces back as I feel every woman deserves to experience the miraculous highs (and lows) that accompany giving birth and raising a child. You have my best wishes here.
In regards to the Menstrual cup they are absolutely amazing if you are looking to avoid TSS. I just have one concern when you say that tampons hurt terribly. Is this because of the size? or rather the drying sensation that goes along with it? I am just curious as Menstrual cups are slightly larger than tampons and if it is the size that is causing you grief then you will run into the same issue with menstrual cups.
If it is the feeling of drying out then you are going to wonder how you went so long without using a menstrual cup. Just remember, it will be messy at first, there more than likely will be spilled blood but once you have the hang of it you will be in a much better place.
Best wishes and keep being awesome!
Hi Jess, thanks for the great article! :) I been using my lunette cup (size 1, small) for some time now and I been working on it for long and hard 4-5 cycles until i figured out how to put it in so it wont leak during the day. It works out fine now, though it mostly still leaks a little bit but i dont even care anymore ;)
What makes me angry is that it still ALWAYS leaks when i lay down for more then 30 minutes. Every night. Its really frustrating and i wondered if you know what could be the reason? Is the cup to small?
When i bought my cup in the pharmacy i wanted to take size 2, by intuition, but the woman and my boyfriend both said i should take size 1. I am 23, never had a baby, but I am tall and have wide hips, maybe i need a bigger cup? Or do you have any idea what i could try before buying a new cup? thank you very much! :)
Hi Pia,
Thanks for the question. It sounds like your boyfriend and pharmacy assistant think they know your vagina better than you! When choosing your menstrual cup I highly recommend going with your instincts, it generally gives you the best chance for a good fit.
Before you rush out and grab size two I would check to see what the problem is while laying down. Since you will be unable to check the seal of the cup while you are laying down I would ask your boyfriend for a big favor here. while you are laying down in a similar position to how you sleep ask him to poke around the edges of the cup to ensure it has a proper seal or to give the stem a spin and slight tug. You are looking for a loose fit which may indicate you should jump up a size. If your boyfriend will do that for you then he definitely is a keeper ;)
Keep being awesome!
Thank you Jess, he would have done that for sure, but we are not together anymore ;)
I think i will buy the bigger one and just try it. If it doesnt work i can live with that and will just use the cup during the day.
Thank you for your precious advice, best wishes :)
Any time, Pia.
Hope it all works out for you as menstrual cups are the best thing ever if you can get them to work for you!
I have my fingers crossed for you that going up a cup size solves all the problems. Good luck!
I’ve been using my cup for two months now. I have three problems. One after only two cycles its stained a yellowish brown colour (I boil in between cycles and wash with a soap free wash). Two I occasionally leak which I don’t know why? Three when I swim the cup sucks up water and I pull out pink water? When I lay down after insertion I can also feel a bit of a pop. Is this normal?
Hi Hazel,
While I wont be able to answer all your questions I can certainly try:
Discoloration is perfectly normal and on it’s own is not a sign of a damaged menstrual cup. This is particular common when boiling clear menstrual cups, while some brands are more resistant to color change than others, eventually your menstrual cup will begin to show signs of use. This is not really a problem mind you as a menstrual cup is not exactly an object you mount on your mantelpiece to show off to visitors (I hope).
Unfortunately I cannot comment on the menstrual cup sucking up water, I avoid swimming where possible (I don’t think I have been past my ankles in the last 10 years). It’s more a phobia than anything. Maybe one day I will get over it and take the plunge, but I am not ready yet. Can anyone else weigh in on this odd happening?
When laying down the menstrual cup can move a little but should still form a seal to capture any blood. Is the pop painful (I have not experienced this) or a more “oh yeah, I’m wearing a cup” kind of sensation? Speaking with other menstrual cup wearers there do seem to be some people that are aware of their menstrual cup as they lay down to sleep as the cup moves slightly.
Keep being awesome!
I have had the issue of the cup popping when I lay down. It seem that the cup is opening fully once I am relaxed in bed. I have an issue with getting the cup to open. And it’s days that I’m having trouble that it normally pops
Hi, thank you for all the information. Today was my first day using the Diva Cup. I inserted and removed it several times for practice, leaving it in longer each time. It never leaked, but the stem seemed to move back each time, the last time I had to search for it and took some time to get out worrying me a bit. It almost seemed sideways but yet didn’t leak. Should the stem always be pointing out or is it normal for it to settle back depending on your shape. Hope this makes sense.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for the question. If I understand you correctly you are saying that that the whole cup is moving deeper and deeper inside of you.
Are you using the correct size? If your menstrual cup is too small it definitely can move around. When you are wearing it and you poke it does it stay in position or does it move further up inside of you? When I wear mine it forms a seal and if I poke it will stay in position. If you can run your finger around the rim of your menstrual cup while wearing it you should be able to confirm this.
Keep being awesome!
When i first bought a cup it was a Diva cup size 1. In the beginning it worked good! I liked that it felt on the firm side. Now on my 2nd and 3rd month using it I felt it getting a little softer and I started having leaks and felt air escape even when it wasn’t full, and i made sure I had the correct placement. I kept getting so frustrated and thinking that maybe the cup isn’t for me.. but after reading around I realized I might actually need a larger size.
There are so many cups out there! Don’t give up guys, it really is trial and error.
Hi Kats,
Thanks for weighing in. Would love to hear if jumping up a size helped solve the problem. Please keep us posted!
Keep being awesome!
Having had a hysterectomy several years ago, my daughter will start this journey of her grown up life and I’m a bit at a loss as to what is the best option for her. What age can girls start using menstrual cups. My daughter is a competitive swimmer as well. Would it suit her?
I know of one mother who managed to convince her daughter to use a menstrual cup at the age of 16, even though she wanted to use tampons because that’s what all her friends were using (I miss being young where the biggest problem you faced was just fitting in). After a rocky start she now wears a menstrual cup with ease.
Here are some things she learned from the experience:
* It has a good chance of breaking the hymen, and it will very likely shock your daughter if she is not prepared for it (if she is a virgin).
* It will be super awkward. Chances are your daughter has not yet been properly introduced to her vagina yet. The lack of knowledge can make it difficult to instruct her how to insert it and what are good and bad signs she should be looking out for.
* introduce her to a menstrual cup during the school break. You don’t want your daughter humiliated at school cause she has not properly removed the cup or it has slipped and she gets covered in blood. However, once she has mastered cup use she wont have these issues at all.
* Be patient, this will be a lot harder than simply getting your daughter to wear a pad or tampon but the health benefits will be more than worth it. Stressing out about it in front of your daughter will just confirm in her mind that she should be using tampons or pads.
Having not had to do to teach a young adult myself, I can only pass on these small tidbits of advice.
As for the swimming, the menstrual cup can be worn in the water without difficulty. However, me and others I have talked to have only ever swim for fun and not at a competitive level, but I do not believe it will be a problem. There is a chance she may “feel” or “notice that she is wearing a cup” depending on the stroke she does, I see no reason why it shouldn’t hold up fine.
Keep being awesome!
Hi! Sorry if this is way too much info but I literally have no idea about this.
I’m in my early teens, and have been using pads since me period began. I’ve never had intercourse or masturbated nor used a tampon, but I really hate the feeling of pads. I have to change mine once every hour or half hour for it to not smell or feel disgusting.
Is using a cup going to hurt or be uncomfortable the first few times round? I basically have to cover myself in toilet paper and pads for it not to leak everywhere when I sleep (like I mean I make improvised nappy is how bad it is during sleep), so will I have to wake up and change the cup? Does it properly stay in place? I want to try the cups, but I’m really nervous about it and I’m not sure whether I should just wait until I’m more comfortable with the whole insertion thing.
Thank you, and sorry again if I went into too much detail. :)
Hi Megan,
No such thing as too much detail, the more detail you provide, the more likely you will get advice that is just right for you :)
The fact that you are improvising a nappy is a sure sign that you need to look for a better solution. While a menstrual cup may be the answer to your problem, I cannot guarantee it due to just how different everyone is.
When folded a menstrual cup is slightly larger than a tampon. If you have not used a tampon before then I imagine that the experience will likely be uncomfortable since nothing has ever been “up there” before and it will very likely take more than a few tries before you get the hang of it. But you would likely find the same experience with tampons as well. You could always try out tampons first (since they are cheaper).
This learning is all part of becoming comfortable with your body, and there is no better way to know your body than to explore it and try new things. Unfortunately, finding the right feminine hygiene product for you is somewhat trial and error. Despite all the benefits of menstrual cups, some women still don’t like them and that is just fine, as it all comes down to personal preference.
Women I have talked to with heavier than usual flows have said that they can get through about 8 hours before they have to change it (just enough time to sleep, but not much of a sleep in). When you lay down at night you will likely notice that you are wearing a cup. This sensation can range from incredibly light, to slight pressure but most people don’t find it difficult to sleep with a cup in. If the seal has formed correctly it will stay in place throughout the night (but you should wear a pad the first few nights just in case.
If you do proceed down this path there are some things to be mindful of:
Your hymen may break resulting in blood when you first insert the menstrual cup. This is natural and one way or another that thing is going to break anyway. Just don’t be freaked out when you see blood, the cup has not cut you.
It will be pretty awkward at first and may take hours to find the right position, fold and insertion angle for you. Especially since you are not completely familiar with everything down there. Don’t worry, this will get easier and after finding what works for you, you will be inserting it like a pro. It’s like learning to ride a bike. It doesn’t happen first try but it will happen.
Hope this helps and keep being awesome!
I have been using a Keeper for almost 2 years now. It’s amazing compared to tampons! However.. I have an incredibly heavy flow and will fill the cup within an hour to an hour and a half for up to 12 hours on day 2 of my cycle, invariably I end up waking 3 or 4 times a night to empty it and have big time leaked through since the cup is past full. I am looking for a better cup for me, for 2 reasons..
1. with as much insertion and reinsertion that I do (not only during heavy flows, but paranoia sets in and I am checking it a few times a day when things start to lighten up), my vagina gets a little sore and I was thinking a softer cup might be a better option for me, at least on a lighter day. But which cups are softer?
2. Is there a better cup for my type of heavy flow, so I am not leaking so much through the night?
Hi Vera,
The Keeper is actually one of the smaller sized menstrual cups on the market (25ml I believe) and definitely is not suitable for a heavy flow.
The largest I have come across is the Yuuki Cup (48% larger than your current cup. WOW!). Unfortunately other than the size I have very little experience with the product but if it fills slower then perhaps it will put your mind at ease so you are checking less? Food for thought. Most cups start at 30ml like the Lunette or Diva. Ladycup and rubycup are probalby the next largest at 34 ml each.
Kee being awesome!
Been a diva cup user for 6 years now. Wished I had known about these cups ages ago!! Took me 4 months to get over the learning curve but am finally familiar with exactly how to insert. Making sure your cup is OPEN and ROTATING are KEY. I continue to try converting my daughters, but they can’t get over the “ick” factor. I stumbled across this candid, yet thorough explanation while googling why Diva Cup doesn’t do commercials-lol. just wanted to say “great article” and to those trying and feeling like giving up, DONT! You will eventually get it and when you do, you will never buy tampons or pads again!!
Hi Anonymous,
Thanks for the words of wisdom. I completely agree with you that there is no turning back once you master the learning curve. I am impressed you were able to stick at it for 4 months (I’ll be honest, I would have given up long before then) but I am glad to hear that you eventually found success. It feels amazingly liberating being able to walk past the feminine hygiene section while shopping without even giving it a glance.
Thanks for the kind words and keep being awesome!
Today is the first time m going to use M-cup but I have a concern – regular using of M-cup will loosen my vagina?
Hi Annie,
No, the vagina is a muscle that can stretch to fit all sorts of things and then collapses back on itself when it’s empty. The menstrual cup has no effect on muscle tone and will not “make you loose”
Keep being awesome!
You obviously know a lot about all this stuff and your site is appreciated. The only comment I didn’t like was when you said that most women who think they have heavy flow actually don’t and then you proceeded to give the amount of blood or the range lost on average per cycle. I believe that any woman who thinks she has heavy flow, most likely does indeed have heavy periods. In my experience, when I discuss periods with other women, none of them think they have heavy flow. They don’t claim to even before I describe how heavy mine are and after I explain to them they say, oh yeah, mine are nothing like that. Most women claim to have normal or light flow. I can’t wait to be rid of my period for good.
Hi Jess,
That’s a great article and has everything I would like to know about a M-Cup.
I am very excited and interested in buying one and getting used to it asap.
I am 28, married and no babies. But will be soon planning for a baby. Just wondering which size i should go for.
Also would it be a good idea to buy a cup of a brand called as “Female Cup” or any other Non Branded cup from E-bay which acknowledge to be made of Medical Grade Silicon and are FDA approved.
I cant find any reviews of “Female Cup” so little paranoid if it would be worth giving it a try.
Thanks!
Great article, thanks for putting this together! I started using cups a few months ago, and while I’m still trying to find the perfect one, it’s been much better than pads and tampons. I can’t imagine going back!
In my research to try to find my perfect cup, I found that it appears the FDA is no longer requiring premarket approval (search for FDA 2014-D-0967), so FDA approval may not be a key consideration going forward.
Hi
Thank-you so much for writing this brilliant article! I have 5 children & my husband has recently had a vasectomy so I have completely ditched the birth control! The downside of not being on the pill has meant my heavy periods have returned with a vengeance & tampons are simply not doing their job effectively- I’ve been thinking about trying a cup for a while, and this article has made up my mind & I’ve ordered one today- thank you!!
Jen
Thank you so so so sooooooo much for this article. I’ve been wanting to try something other than pads and tampons forever but never knew what things were safe to use. The first time I used a menstral cup, though, I felt a slight burning sensation and when inserting the cup it pressed against something hard and hurt for a second (would that be my cervix?) I’m aware that I’m probably just not used to it or inserting it wrong or something, but should I be worried?
I have been using the Instead disposable cups for nine months now and am ready to switch to non disposable option. I have found the Instead to be very comfortable but they do leak when I go to the bathroom (no big deal of course) and when occasionally when I sneeze or cough (less than ideal). Will a silicone cup protect better against sneeze or cough leaks?
I have extremely high flow (used to bleed through a super tapon in an hour on my heavy days), have had two children (natural with epidural and one was back labor), am 36, have a high cervix, but actually have a very narrow canal (super tampons were a challenge to get up there sometimes as are “other” things). Would the Diva 2 cup be too wide for those needs? Is there a cup that has a very high capacity but works on a narrow vagina that has gone through natural child birth (in other words narrow but with muscles that sometimes relax on a sneeze or cough)? Unlike shoes, I doubt I can try them on and return them so I appreciate any insight!!!
I’m wearing my first menstrual cup right now! Based on the insertion process, I think my cervix sits quite low during menstruation. If part of my cervix seems to be IN the cup, does that mean I need a shorter cup? Or is that typical?
Thank you!
Hi. I don’t know if you are still responding to questions since the last question is over a year old, but I figured I’d give it a shot.
I’m 34. Been pregnant, but have never had the privilege of actually having any children. I tried tamping as a teen, but because they said “if it is in right you won’t feel it”, and I could ALWAYS feel it I gave up on them. Well, about 3-4 years ago I figured out that they worked even though I could feel them, and that some women do feel them. I’m still not fond of using them, and only do when I HAVE to because they are really uncomfortable to remove because of the whole dry thing (even if the tampon is full it still makes me feel dry). I know I have a tilted uterus as well, and my OBGYN said that may contribute to me being able to feel the tampons (because it’s not always just the uterus that is not “normally” positioned). For at least one day of my period I also have to sleep on towels, in old pants and clothing, and sort of create my own, almost diaper, with like 4 pads, with my hips raised just to keep from a HUGE mess, and during that day or so can literally soak through an overnight (10+ hours) pad in an hour, and do this for 12-24 hours depending on the month.
So, here are my questions:
1) With having the dryness and stuff with tampons can a cup produce the same symptoms?
2) Will the tilted uterus cause positioning issues, or prevent it from forming the seal (I realize I’ll likely feel it, but as with the tampons if it works I’m okay with that as the tampons never hurt, I just felt them)?
3) You think it will be worth trying to use during that really heavy day?
Thank you in advance for any help or advice offered.
Thank you for the informative guide. I have a few friends who use menstrual cups and have been considering trying one for about half a year but just hadn’t picked 1 up. When I realized my cycle was due close to the day I will be flying out for vacation I finally hunted down where to get one in Singapore. (Not easy to find.) I picked up my Mooncup brand cup early this evening. I found your article on the way home and it has been very helpful. Thank you.
My question regards the regular rinsing. Singapore water is very safe and clean but I regularly travel to other sections of Southeast Asia. I also enjoy camping. Does rinse water need to be clean (as in potable/drinkable)? Is there any information on the affects of poor water quality on menstrual cup use? I couldn’t find anything anywhere.
After giving birth to my ds just over a year ago my period has finally returned. I’m now thinking about giving a menstrual cup a try. I believe I’ve always had a fairly low cervix, but since giving birth it seems even lower, causing me to have to get a bit creative when inserting a tampon. I basically only insert it to my first knuckle and kind of tilt it so it sits on a bit of an angle from front to back. Otherwise I just leak straight past it. My period is also fairly light so I think I’ll be able to handle something that’s fairly shallow. Could you recommend which brands of cup are best for a low cervix? Thanks for writing such a great piece and inspiring me on this journey.
Hey, I know I’m a little late, but I was wondering if using a cup is a good idea when you’re at a young age. I’m 16 years old and have never been sexually active, I have a very high cervix and I’m a little confused about removal, since (TMI) I can only get one finger in… Anyway, is it possible for me to use one? and if so what brand do you recommend?
Hi
I have one doubt.. I’m using cup for a first time.. While sitting or other time it works perfectly but at night it’s leaking… Pls help… Then does cup collected blood again travel to uterus while we sleep…???? Is tat safe for us…? While inserting cup it hurts little. But inside I feel pop sometime. Sometime not..pls clear my three doubts
Hello! I loved your article:)! I purchased the diva cup last year and I used it for about 6 months, but I always had issues with it. I’m 16, so I got the smaller model. When I inserted the cup I made sure it was open and I did the 360 rotation, but on the second day of my period (in which my flow is really heavy, the other days it’s normal or really light), or at night time, it always seemed to leak, and I don’t understand why. (The leaks when I woke up where HORRIBLE even with a backup pad). If the cup is inserted correctly and it still leaks is it because the cup is too small for your body/flow or because it’s too big for your body? I got frustrated so I went back to using tampons but I really want to try again since I really loved the cup even though I was having issues with it. So, do you think I should try a bigger or a smaller cup? Or am I inserting it wrong even though all the signs of ‘proper insertion’ are there? Sorry for the super long question and thank you so much for writing this!
A really great and informative article Jess, thank you for this.
I’ve never used a cup before, and only once used tampons (this was due to issues I was having at the time, which have now been medically corrected). Therefore I do recognise it might be a little harder transition for me than for those going tampons > cup, but I’m willing to take maybe six months to see if they’re for me.
My main question really is, I seem to have a really very low cervix during my period. Sometimes it feels like I’m barely getting my finger nail in there before I’m feeling it. Is this simply not enough room to use cups like this? And when you wear them is the cervix meant to be above them, or partially inside if the cervix is low?
Given all this, do you think I’m going to have problems being able to use them with the low cervix, and do you recommended any brands/shapes to start with for this shape?
Thank you for writing this article, I’ve been considering trying an M-cup and after reading I’m ordering. I just have a question that I didn’t see here. I have a heavy flow for 1-2 days and so when I’m washing out my cup I’m afraid of a murder scene on my floor. Would have 2 be better so a clean one can be inserted while the other is being cleaned? Does anyone have this problem? Thank you, Terry
Because of the slight suction are menstrual cups safe to use with an IUD? That is my only concern, is that wearing a cup could cause expulsion of my IUD.
Hi Jess,
In your wonderful article here, you show a number of times a photo of a purple menstrual cup that has a little hoop on the bottom, for the part you pull out. It looks like a little bell. Nowhere do I see any information on that one. Can you tell me what brand that one is? That design really appeals to me! I would love to know more about it.
Thanks for writing this guide, I love it!
Stephanie
Hey there! Just wanted to say that this site is extremely helpful! I’m gonna go buy me a menstrual cup ASAP after this!
Also… I am 14 years old, not sexually active, and haven’t given birth. However, after consulting my family doctor, I have concluded that I do indeed have a quite heavy period. Am I still able to use the larger sizes of menstrual cup even though I am not over 30/given birth?
Thanks so much for all your help!
Hi! I’m going to be receiving a Divacup and Lunette cup soon, and I was wondering if it was safe to use Milton Sterilizing tablets at the end of my cycle, and a feminine wash in between uses. I’ve heard from some people that it’s safe, but I don’t want to damage the silicone since it is quite pricey. Thanks!
Hi!
This article is great and really explained things well and called my nerves about getting one! I just have one more question. While you’re cleaning the cup, do you basically just go around with no protection? Like while I’m going to the sink to wash it, do I risk bleeding on me during this time? I’m in college and live in a dorm, so basically every time I would be cleaning the cup I would be in a community bathroom. This is the only thing stopping me from buying one.
I have a very athletic 11.5 yo who just had her first period. Any suggestions on which brands to try?
I loved this article! So full of great info! I have never used a menstural cup before, but i’m definately on board! I’m still doing some research & I have a couple of curious questions (maybe silly)….what about the blood from the cup, can it go back up into the vagina?
Second, i’m 27 & have 2 kids I was thinking of a large size, but im guessing I should probably go with a small…your thoughts?
Lastly, has anyone reported that they could feel the blood leaking out of the vagina, for example when standing or running? That feeling has never been a comfortable one for me…as the tampons will “catch” before you get to that oozing feeling. Blah.
Hey I have a question I just started using the ruby cup small but I feel like it’s open cus I pull the cup out and push it back in idk but when I pee and wipe I see blood and I wear a liner and it sometimes has a bit of blood but when I take it out its only half full idk what I’m doing wrong or if it’s the cup?
Also I haven’t felt a pop am I supposed to?
I’m really trying to like menstrual cups, but I’m getting HORRIBLE cramps with them :( I’ve used a lunette cup and a diva cup, both the smaller size. I have no problem putting them in, getting them out, and no problems with leakage. The only thing keeping me from loving them is the horrible cramps that they always give me. As soon as I take it out, I’m perfectly fine, but then I need to use a tampon :( I’ve heard that it could be suction in and pulling down my cervix, which sounds horrible to me lol. What should I do?
So I just started using a lily cup A yesterday and im not sure if its that I don’t know how to insert it properly or the cup is too big, but i feel a lot of discomfort and the steem base hurts my pelvic bone and skin in there, should it be more in? also i never get cramps and i really feel the cup preasuring my lower abdomen!
help?
Hi! I’m a 14 year old (virgin) teenager who wears tampons. Recently I found out about menstrual cups. My first response was, ewww. I researched about them, though, out of curiosity. I am sooo glad I did! They seem muchhhhh better than pads and tampons! Anyways, as I said I’m a teen, on the volleyball team at school and I love to swim. I was looking at the Sibell menstrual cup. I liked it because it says that it’s reallyyyy soft and flexible. But I’m worried that it will be too soft and cave in at a volleyball practice/game or when I’m swimming. Yikes! So then I started looking at the lunette size 1, which is also supposed to be soft, but firm. I’m just worried it will be too firm and be uncomfortable. I also want to get one that I can wear to bed (I HATE wearing pads to bed, they are DISGUSTING). Do you have any preferences or know of cups that would be better? I am also nervous about them getting “lost” or “stuck” up there. What if I can’t get it out? Does it happen often? Is it normal for it to go up so far? Please help, I really want to get one!!!
Hi! Fantastic article.
I’ve been happily using tampons for years but when I heard about menstrual cups from a friend I went straight online and bought the same one as her without even realizing the variety out there.
I’ve got a LadyCup size Small.
I’m 29 and have never had sex (or a baby – no miraculous virgin births here!).
I’m reasonably physically active, but nothing that particularly strengthens the pelvic floor muscles (mostly I run).
I have extremely light flow. I buy the smallest Tampax (which are hard to find!) and for most of my period only need one a day.
My cup works well: I can’t feel it once it’s in and it doesn’t leak. BUT it’s like my vagina swallows it up! In the diagrams in the instructions it looks like the cup is supposed to sit fairly far down near the vaginal opening, but mine rides up so far that I can’t even reach the stem. What’s going on? Since it’s not leaking the size must be fine, but last time I had it in it took me 3 hours to get it out (and yes, I used kegels to push it downwards but it was STILL out of reach!).
When I do manage to grab the stem it’s so slippery that I can’t pull it out anyway (again, I must have a good seal!). I have to try to dry it off with toilet paper first! It’s a nightmare!
Right now I don’t dare use it again. And unfortunately, after a few experiences of it riding up I cut the stem to half length thinking it must be the stem that was pushing it up. BIG mistake (it was this that resulted in the 3-hour epic…).
Do you have any advice? I’m determined to make this menstrual cup thing work for me. I wondered if I should be using a larger size, but I’m not sure how it’d fit! Where should the cup actually sit?
I just got my first cup and I was really excited about it. I ended up getting the Diva Cup because it’s the only one I could get in store. However when I tried to use it, it protrudes out of me while I use the bathroom. Is that normal? Is this a problem? It definately feels awkward. I know I had a good seal since I heard a pop when taking it out later. I’m a little bummed that I might need a smaller brand because I’m not sure what would be a better fit and I spent the money on this one if that is the case. Help!
Hi Jess
This is a very good guide. Thank you!
I’m relatively new to cups having just finished my second period using it. I got a moon cup (I’m in UK) the bigger one as I’m over 30 with 2 kids. I have quite heavy periods that go like this : 1st day – light flow, 2nd day – bleed to death, 3rd day – very light flow.
As expected, day 1 and 3 go fine, but on day 2 my cup needs emptying every 3 hrs or so and I also leak massively. Every time I empty, the cup is full. I also feel like little bubbles coming out of me, which is something that I have not found any reference to in any of the info guides on line.
I know the cup is well fitted and as this happens only on my heavy day I wondered if I should try a cup with more capacity and which would you say will hold more? And what on earth is the deal with the bubbles????!!!
Any thoughts? I love using a cup (my super plus Tampax lasted me 1.5 hours so it’s an improvement!!) but I wish it gave me better protection on day 2!
Thanks xx
Hey I knew about period cups for a month now and I’ve always wanted one cause I knew that I could save money and help save the environment but I don’t like tampons I feel like I could never put them in right and they where always uncomfortable…would the menstrual cup be a good choice for me?
Sooo much information. I love it!
I’m looking into using one of these, got lots of information. I am 21, not a virgin, do know my anatomy BUT I am at a loss still about measuring my cervix. I just… don’t get it. I am totally fine with all details, miniscule and gross if need be.
If it helps, I once had a boyfriend who was a bit in the small side in length (five inches, sorry Paul, not) but with my knees against my chest it could get painful, as if he were going too deep. Does this mean I’m short?
The whole knuckle length and feel ‘this’ and ‘that’ confuses me greatly. (I’m not too bright and unfortunately find it easier with lots of detail). Any help would be very much appreciated.
I’m 14 and um I was wondering if menstrual cups would be the right thing for me? Are they a lot harder to insert than tampons? I remembet reading articles about how inserting a tampon the first time might be hard but I got it on my first try, so I’m wondering if people are just exaggerating when they say it’s kind of hard to insert a cup? Also I obviously haven’t given birth at 14 and still a virgin so I’m assuming I would have to go for a smaller sized cup, but I have a pretty heavy flow so would this affect the size choice?
Hi Jess,
I’m currently experiencing problem with my cup, it’s 2.5 ” to 2 ” (length and across), very soft, holds about 28ml, and it doesn’t pop open, I can’t rotate it, it feels like it’s squished into the shape of my vagina, bit like flattening it with your fingers. I change my cup every 2.5 hours on my heaviest day, and so I think in terms of volume this cup is perfect. It leaks enough for me to wear a pantyliner. Should I get a smaller but firmer cup for this problem? I’m hesitant because if I get I smaller cup I don’t want to be changing my cup every hour.
Thank you for your help!
Hi!
Thanks so much for this guide! I have toyed with the idea of switching to a menstrual cup for months, but the numerous options would always overwhelm me and I’d throw up my hands in despair. (Haha) I noticed, though, that you didn’t mention size nor firmness when describing the Soft Cup. I’m interested in how it differs in those respects from reusable silicone cups. I bought a pack at the beginning of my last cycle because it was affordable and I wanted an idea of how they work. The firmness of the rim made insertion difficult, but once in it didn’t cause a discomfort problem. That being said, it didn’t stay in the way it was supposed to. Maybe it was user error, but even when I pushed it in as far as it would seemingly go and set it behind my pubic bone, it would always pop out (and therefore, spill out). I’m inclined to buy the small size Lunette, but think I may be overestimating how low my cervix is. Knowing how the size and firmness of the soft cup is in comparison to other cups would be super helpful!
I just read the whole article and I find it great. I’m really interested in trying the menstrual cup as tampons have become increasingly more painful to use. The only issue I face is, I have what you’ve referred to as a low cervix. I can feel it almost as soon as I insert a finger to try to find it. It’s barely an inch before I can feel it. I’m worried I’m going to buy the wrong size cup as all of them are 2″ or so long and I don’t have much room to work with in there. Do you have any advice as to what I can do? Any advice would be taken to heart and greatly appreciated. Thank you!! :)
I have read over this all night and I’m not sure if anything like this has been asked yet of not so I apologize I advance but I’ve been reading for hours so I’ll just ask…. I tried the softcup reusable disposable ones and wowsers at the size of that thing ! I was freaking out but anyways…. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in which my colon stays inflamed and enlarged a majority of the time, which apparently is very close to the vaginal wall or whatnot. I noticed that sometimes I could definitely feel it inside me and it was slightly to sometimes even very uncomfortable but if this can be explained well …it felt like it was just making my colon area hurt worse. I usually have some pain on my lower left side right inside from my hip bone and it felt like it just made that worse. What my question would be is if you’ve had any experience using these verses the ones you’ve mentioned you’ve used. The ring in the top of the softcup was (in my opinion) quite hard/firm so I’d really like to know the firmness difference between the softcup and these others, the diva and lunnete because I don’t have a ton of money to try them out (and who’s honestly gonna return a menstraul cup, if that’s even possible which I doubt it is Bc that’s gross) Thanks in advance.
I think you should really mention a warning for people who have tighter vaginas that a larger menstrual cup like the Diva Cup and the Lunette are potentially dangerous because they can stuck up in the cervix and can be hard or impossible to remove without a doctor. This happened to me and had I known that those specific cups could cause that I wouldn’t have purchased them. I’m going to try the Lily Cup and hopefully it will work better.
This is hella helpful – thank you!!! I’m super excited to get a menstrual cup and this helps me feel much more confident about choosing one and ordering it, and getting ready to learn :) I love how you stuck to anatomy and don’t have a lot of assumptions about people. One thing I want to point out: I don’t have penetrative sex or plan to and wanted to offer a couple tweaks that can make all this info that much more welcoming to everyone who has periods. 1) Change “If you are a younger girl who is yet to have intercourse then you may find inserting a menstrual cup difficult” to something like “If you have not had penetrative sex then you may find inserting a menstrual cup difficult” 2) Be awesome and add a sentence up at the top stating this is for people of all genders who have periods! Woot! Thank you again for collecting all this important info – I’m amazed and sad that I didn’t know about it before – and for moderating all the comments :)
Hi I have some questions…. How does the cup allow all of the blood to come out, and not spill back into you while sitting or laying down? Also, does the cup allow your vagina to be cleaner and smell better than using pads or tampons?
I have just started using a menstrual cup (MeLuna) last night. I keeled it in all night and when I woke I went to the toilet to urinate. But when I wiped my vagina after there was blood coming out. I pulled out my cup and it wasn’t even close to being full. The seal was still tight. It that normal
Hello!
Although the article is not too new, but I still hope I’ll get an answer for my question.
I think I’m starting to figure out my leakage problems, so I got that covered. (In the mornings I have to rush to empty my cup on the heavier days, I figured my cervix dumps into it a bit while I stretch and it makes the blood spill.) Correct me if I think wrong.
But my other problem is, that when I remove the cup to empty it, obviously my vagina will get a bit bloody, now if I insert the cup back without having a shower and washing my vagina, then I’ll get a brownish leak after a few hours (suppose from my vagina, what was left there while emptying the cup.) So my question is, how do I keep this from happening? It’s obviously not healthy to clean my vagine out for ex. with a baby wipe, because I mess up my pH, etc… So what should I do? It’s annoying because otherwise, the cup would hold just fine.
Thank you!
Ok, so I am new to the menstrual cup and have to admit I was highly skeptical when I first heard about it, but after my sister raved about it I decided to give it a try. This is my 2 cycle and have had quite a struggle getting the cup inserted and correctly in place. I am over 30 but have never had babies and have a a small vagina and tilted cervix so I decided to try a soft cup and what I thought would be a smaller cup, the lily compact small. I finally got the cup inserted successfully tonight for the first time and wore it in bed for hour and half (lube was the key for me) however, immediately started feeling a burning sensation which I assumed was just the stretching of my vagina around this foreign object, but after an hour and half the burning and pressure became too much and I started getting extremely nauseous. I removed the cup and the burning has stopped and nausea has eased. I was very careful not to use anything I hadn’t used before as I tend to be highly allergic to everything and am prone to contact dermatitis from just about anything that touches my skin and have dermatographia. I have worn tampons for decades now and tend to get a little irritation from them but oddly enough nothing too unbarable so I find the reaction to the cup very strange. I am not sure if it is an allergic reaction to the material or perhaps just a physical reaction from the wrong size of the cup and the pressure it put on my cervix? I don’t want to give up on the cup just yet and am thinking of trying a smaller cup (perhaps the femmeycup for low cervix) but don’t want to waste a lot of money only to find out my body will just not tolerate it. Has anyone had a similar experience with burning, pressure and nausea? If so, did it improve when the size or material of the cup was changed? I know I have a mild allergic reaction to latex, I.e. I am a nurse and wear latex gloves, however, it does tend to cause some mild redness and irritation. I am assuming a long time exposure to a latex based cup may not work either since my body doesn’t seem to want to get along with silicone. I feel like I am rambling but I want to give as much information as possible because I desperately wanted this cup thing to work for me. FYI I have only boiled and used water to clean my cup, so it isn’t a reaction to a cleaner or chemical solvent. Anyone have a similar experience and/or any ideas or suggestions?
After doing research on menstrual cups I am definitely intrigued, however I am quite scared to choose one since I am such a petite person (5’1 and 95 lbs) I want to pick the best cup for me so that there is no risk of it getting stuck inside me (a huge fear)! any advice on this would be appreciated!
Hello,
Thanks for providing so much detail!
Years ago I looked into using a Soft Cup. I don’t remember which one but I do know they mailed me a free sample after I requested one online. I remember reading that it cannot be used with an IUD so I never did try it. I started looking into menstrual cups again and have found several people think it may require a little extra work and attention (like being aware of and checking the IUD strings after positioning the cup) but it would work fine and not interfere. It seems that those are only opinions of menstrual cup users but not women who use an IUD as birth control. Do you have any personal experience with this? I would hate to accidentally dislodge my IUD!
Thanks,
Corra
The last two months I’ve had irritation that leads to itching the last 2 or 3 days of my period using the diva cup. My vulva and right inside of the vagina feel uncomfortable during removal and soon after the itching and burning begin. I’ve used it for about a year now and have not had this problem before. It’s only the last few days and then goes away within a day or two after I stop using the cup. My period is about 7 days long. I typically only rinse my cup during changes and then boil it before I put it away in its bag. Any ideas what could be causing this? Is it just irritating the vulva area and this leads to itching?
Hi !
Thanks for the article
I would love to wear cups and tried my size 2 diva cup. The problem is I always feel the stem, even if I cut it and it’s not comfy. It feels like it’s falling !
I had 2 kids and needed pelvic reeducation (is that right? I’m French speaking ). I also have reverse cervix orientation( ?)
Do you have any clues ?
Thanks
I tried the Diva Cup long ago and while I was able to get it in, I think correctly, I couldn’t get it out and almost had to go to the doctor. I’m small and have never had children so I’m sure I would take a small size. However I also have an IUD and I can’t feel the strings for it because I’m not dexterous and a doctor once told me that my cervix is like tilted, which is why it’s so difficult for me to reach the IUD strings. The cups that have suction holes, ribbing, and a stem seem like the best option for me since it can help with removal. I was thinking the soft cups or the lunette would be good to try. I’m wondering if the cup is smaller, will that make removal more difficult because it will be up higher inside you? Any advice is greatly appreciated here! I have always wanted to be able to use this method, particularly because my periods are longer but spotty. I’m super active so it can be really unpleasant wearing cloth pads for over half a week since the flow is not heavy enough to warrant a tampon.
Hi! Great informative and comprehensive article. I have a question that I have been scouring the Internet for. I recently bought a diva cup (size one) which I thought would be fine to use on my virginal but very use to tampon vagina (I’ve been using them since I started my period at 10 and am currently 18) I can get the cup in when using a specific fold but it is straight up PAINFUL to get the thing out, especially when trying not to spill the contents of the cup. I’m pretty sure my hymen is still intact so could that be the reason? Or sould i be using a smaller cup? Thanks for any help or insight you can give.
HI. Thanks for your information! I’ve read that you can leave your cup in when you pee etc but I find that when I do my muscles push the cup down until it is sticking out! This means having to remove and put back in every time I use the loo.
Would having a firmer cup produce a stronger suction and stop this happening?
I’m currently using fleur L which only just in fits with stem cut off. Cervix takes up some of the capacity. (40+, 3 kids, low cervix, heavy flow (empty every 2 hours!), av-good fitness level)
I am still 12 year old and i want to use a menstrual cup. And i have little low vervix, so i m thinking to buy lily cup compact. Will that fit me? Or should i use other cup?
Hey Jess! Great article! I have had my diva cup for about a year, after a few cycles of getting used to it it was wonderful! But then it suddenly stopped working! :( any thoughts on why?? I can’t even use it anymore because it leaks too much!
I m really upset with my periods and pain and heavy bleeding i m using menstrul cup i need to empty it every 2,3 hrs even if i go aftr 1 hour its almost full every time it leaks as well which one ll be best for me.
I’m not an expert, but maybe you need a larger size and/or a cup with more capacity.
Thank you for your very informative blog.
I bleed way too much, I have the 2 different Divas but seems like neither will stop me from empty it every 2 hours. I insert them right because when it’s time to empty it, it’s full all the way up. I decided to try the cups because pads will definitely stop me from stepping out the those days. I love the feeling of not being always wet but It will be perfect to stay away from the restroom that often.
Hello,
I have both the lunette and the Lilycup compact. I found the lunette to be too much pressure for me in the beginning. That being said I have passed the learning curve for the LCC and successfully used it as my only source of menstrual protection while traveling for three months. Upon my return home I couldn’t get it stay put while inside to save my life. It keeps rising up. I then tried the Lunette and it also rose up. Which never happened before my travels. My periods have been a bit different and I chalk it up to stress. The stress has all but subsided but I still can’t get either of them to stay in place. Do you have any insight or advice? Thanks in advance!
Ps: I will be making a trip to my Gyno.
I’ve always thought about trying out a menstrual cup. After reading this article , I definitely have more insight about them. I felt more confident and decided to try the Lunette cup. I have been very happy with it.
Thanks for your feedback, Denise! I’m glad you enjoyed the article and you’re happy with the Lunette Cup.
Thanks for all the great information in the article. I tried the Diva cup and I absolutely love it. I feel so much cleaner now and haven’t had any leaks. I’m definitely never going back to wearing tampons.
Thanks for sharing with us, grace! I’m happy to hear you tried the Diva Cup and like it.