10 Things to Know About Using Menstrual Cups

After having Theo, my third baby, I went the longest before getting my period back – 7 months. If you add pregnancy to that (9 months), that is a total of 16 months with no period. So, when that blessing decided to arrive again, it really opened my eyes to all of the things that drove me crazy tampons and other more conventional feminine products, and I immediately started researching alternatives. 

That is when I remembered seeing ads for menstrual cups, and a couple ladies I follow mentioning them in the past, and I dove in to give it a try without looking back. 

After 3 cycles of using a menstrual cup here is what I would want someone to tell me:

1. Size and level of firmness are the greatest determiners of whether a cup will be right for you. It is not just about whether or not you vaginally birthed a baby, but it has to do with the length of your cervix. If you have a longer cervix then you may need a larger cup. If you have a shorter cervix, a shorter cup. If you haven’t given birth, you may want a softer cup, where someone who has had multiple babies pass through the birth canal may need a firmer cup, but it is about preference as well! I use a firmer cup on my heavier days, and a softer cup on lighter days but you really only need 1! (check out Put A Cup In It to take a quiz and learn which would be best for you!)
2. Inserting and removing the cup can be intimidating at first. To insert the cup there are various methods of folding it, so try different methods to see which works best for you. (Wetting the cup with water can help make inserting it easier as well). Once it is inserted swipe your finger around the cup just to make sure it has unfolded and is in place. Removing the cup my first time using it was challenging. I actually couldn’t get it out and went about my night for another 30 minutes then tried again and got it out. When removing the cup, you may have to bear down as if you are pushing out a baby, or trying to poop (note: poop before cup removal if you have to poop, haha), just to get it in a good position to grab the tab at the end with your fingers. Then you can wiggle it down, squeeze the base of the cup to release the seal and pull it out.  
3. The cup forms a seal! When you insert the folded cup, it opens up and may even making a suction sound because the top of the cup seals to the vaginal walls. This is what prevents leaks. So, if you’ve experienced leaks it could be because it hasn’t sealed properly, or the cup firmness/length may not be right for you. This seal is also why you want to make sure to gently pinch the base of the cup before removing and not just pull it out by the little tab at the bottom. You want to release the seal!
4. The little holes most cups have under the lip around the top are there for a reason. These are what help form and release the seal. When you take the cup out and clean and rinse before re-inserting it, make sure those little holes are clear of water. 
5. Rinse your cup with cold water to prevent staining! 

What I would want to others to know:

1. Using a cup is way easier and more convenient than I expected! I find it to be easier and more hygienic than pads and tampons!
2. The “weirdest” part IMO is that when you release the seal and remove the cup is makes like a “shhlooop” sound. Which may be interesting in a public restroom. 
3. On my heavy days I remove and rinse it every 4hrs, but most days I go 6-12 hours without removing it, its never as full as I expect it to be, and I’ve only has 1 minor leak situation after sleeping all night with it in on my heaviest day. 
4. You can dump the contents into the toilet, wipe it down with a flushable wipe or toilet paper, reinsert, then wait to clean til you are home if you are in a public place. 
5. My favorite cup is the Organicup, and second favorite is the Saalt cup! 

To sum up: Switching to a menstrual cup has been so worth it. I save money, it is better for my health, way better for the environment, and I am never going back to tampons again! 

Would you ever give it a try???