02 Oct The Beginner’s Guide To A Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups are the perfect way to simplify your period. They are a cup usually made of silicone and have a stem or a ring for easy removal. They come in all different shapes and sizes as well. The size you pick is usually based on your age or if you’ve given birth before.
Step One: Pick your Cup
With all the options available, picking a cup for you is the hardest part. The best resource for this is the Put a Cup In It quiz. This quiz asks you a series of questions so you can pick the best cup for you. Choosing a cup depends on factors such as how active you are, how heavy your flow is and how high your cervix is.
A good option for some people is the Saalt Cup, which comes in different sizes and two levels of softness. The hardness/softness of a cup is important. For example, people who do a lot of high intensity activity might do better with a firmer cup.
Step Two: Sterilize Your Cup
You should sterilize your cup before and after every period. Boiling it in water is the most popular method, as this won’t damage your cup. Boil it for a few minutes in a pot of water or in the microwave. Don’t forget to let it cool and dry completely before touching it.
Step Three: Inserting Your Cup
When your first get your cup, try inserting and removing it a few times before your period starts. First of all, you need to be relaxed! Take a few deep breaths and maybe put a YouTube video on in the background to keep you calm. Try using a water based lubricant on yourself and on the cup to make things easier.
Always wash your hands really well before inserting your cup. There are a few methods of folding your cup, try different ones to see what works for you. The punch down fold is said to be the easiest. When your cup is in, you shouldn’t be able to feel it. If the stem is sticking out, your cup may not be in deep enough. If the stem bothers you, it’s okay to trim the stem.
Run your finger around the cup to see if it’s opened up properly. If it hasn’t, it might leak. Sometimes pressing the side of the cup can make it pop open, if that doesn’t work, just take it out and try again.
Step Four: Wearing Your Cup
You can wear a menstrual cup for up to twelve hours, meaning it’s perfect to wear overnight. Most people wear a back up with their cup, such as a panty liner or period panties.
Step Five: Removing Your Cup
Removing your menstrual cup can be kind of messy the first few times, so it’s a good idea to try removing it in the shower. Squatting is the easiest position to remove it for most people. Locate the stem or the base of your cup first, then use two fingers to squeeze the cup and break the suction. It’s important to never pull at your cup without breaking suction, as this can lead to pain and bruising. Once you’ve broken the suction, simply remove your cup and empty it. A menstrual cup doesn’t absorb your blood, it collects it, so it’s quite strange to look at it for the first time, but you get used to it. Once it’s removed, you can clean it and put it back in.
If you find removing a menstrual cup difficult, the Flex Cup is a great option. It has a unique pull tab that breaks the suction for you, making it easier to remove. This is perfect for those that may have dexterity or mobility issues.
Traditional pads or tampons can leave some people irritated due to the scented or bleached products. Menstrual cups are better for your body as they don’t have any chemicals in them. They are also so much better for the environment than disposable products.
What do you guys use? If you don’t use menstrual cups, do you think you might give them a try? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to check out some of our latest articles on Nicki Minaj and the People’s Choice Award Nominees!
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