How do you put in a menstrual cup?
You're probably very accustomed to using tampons now. But didn't it feel strange the first few times you put one in? It most certainly took you a while to get used to them — but now it must seem like the simplest and most natural thing in the world! Well, believe us when we say you’ll feel exactly the same way about your menstrual cup. At the beginning, you might feel a little intimidated by its shape because it looks very different to a tampon. However, thanks to its ultra-soft texture, putting it in will be really easy.
- After making sure you've chosen the right size menstrual cup for you, the first thing you need to do is wash your hands.
- Hold the menstrual cup in both hands and with the help of your two thumbs, fold it into a "C" shape.
- Now it's the time for you to find the best position to insert your menstrual cup. Generally, it's recommended to do it while squatting or sat on the toilet.
- Once you're in position, insert your menstrual cup with the aforementioned "C" fold into your vagina, and let it pop open.
- Once it pops open, the cup will create an air-tight seal around the edges — preventing blood leaks. If it doesn't open out immediately, you can gently press the base.
- Make sure your cup is in the correct position by grasping the stem and gently pulling on it. If it doesn't move, that's the sign that it's in place.
- To take out your menstrual cup, gently pull it down by the stem until you are able to pinch the base to break the vacuum. Still pinching the base, ease it down until you've removed it completely.
If it's the first time you're going to use a menstrual cup and you think you might have some trouble, you can use water or a lubricant to make removing it easier. If you've inserted your menstrual cup and you think it may not have popped open, use your fingers to check and if necessary, gently press the base.
Are you curious about how menstrual cups work? Have you heard about them and want to get as much information as possible before deciding to get one? Do your friends use them and do you want to try one out? Well, rest assured that we’ll answer your questions and give you all the information and advice you need here in this article.
Over the years, menstrual hygiene products have improved a great deal — improving the quality of women’s lives during their period. It could be said that the menstrual cup is a product that has succeeded in revolutionising the way we understand menstruation. What's more, it's increasingly common to find women close to us who use a menstrual cup during their period.. The truth is that once they try it, a high percentage of women stop using tampons or pads altogether. They become loyal and loud cheerleaders for the menstrual cup among their close circle of friends!
But don't worry if you're still not quite sure what a menstrual cup is or how to use one. We'll give you all the information you need below!
What is a menstrual cup?
The menstrual cup, also known as the vaginal cup or feminine cup, is a flexible, hypoallergenic medical silicone container. You insert it into your vagina during your period. This vaginal cup adapts perfectly to the walls of your vagina So, it doesn't matter how you move or your body position — there are no leakages.
This is why the menstrual cup has become the ideal choice — compared to the not so hygienic tampons or pads — as a bodysafe alternative for women. Indeed, vaginal cups are made of medical silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which means that they do not cause irritation or dryness.
What size menstrual cup should I choose?
The vagina is flexible and supported by a series of muscles. If you don't have any health problems, these muscles should take care of holding the menstrual cup with ease. However, over the years or even after giving birth vaginally, the muscle tone of the pelvic floor can diminish. That's why not every woman can have the same size cup.
That's why you need to be aware of the different sizes available before you buy your menstrual cup. There are usually two: S and L. The small size is suitable for women who don't have much menstrual flow, are under 30 years old and have not given birth vaginally. On the other hand, size L is ideal for women over 30 years old or who have given birth vaginally — regardless of age.
Can I sleep with my menstrual cup in?
The answer is clear: yes! As we've already mentioned, the menstrual cup adapts perfectly to your vaginal walls — offering total protection, regardless of your body position (whether standing, lying down, sitting...). What's more, in general, less menstrual flow is experienced at night than during the day. It's also possible to keep it in for 12 hours. So, it's the best option for night-time during your period — even at the beginning of your cycle.
Can I have sex while wearing my menstrual cup?
As you'll have gathered already, the menstrual cup performs the same function as a tampon. So, can you have a tampon in during sex? Well, it’s the same with the menstrual cup. The menstrual cup and penetrative sex are not compatible. Therefore, you should remove your menstrual cup in this situation and to enjoy the many benefits of having sex during your period!
How should I clean my menstrual cup to avoid infections?
Some of the most important things to consider when using a menstrual cup are cleanliness and hygiene. If you take proper care of your vaginal cup, it can last for 10 to 15 years.
When it comes to cleaning your menstrual cup, there are two types of cleaning: between uses and between periods. Let's start by explaining how to clean and care for your menstrual cup between different uses (during your period). Every time you use your vaginal cup during your period, you should empty it — there's no need to clean it thoroughly. Just make sure you empty it completely and rinse it with water before reinserting it. What's more, if you don't have a sink or tap on hand to do this, you can use a water bottle or some toilet paper to get the job done. You’ll notice that your vaginal cup will have some air holes near the rim at the top. It's very important that these are well cleaned so that the suction seal can be formed when you reinsert.
When your period is over, you should wash the cup thoroughly with a menstrual cup steriliser before storing it in a cloth bag. This is essential. As we've already mentioned, this product is made of silicone. Consequently, the material needs to breathe and it most definitely shouldn't be stored in a hermetically-sealed box. You must boil your cup after your period to keep it clean and prevent infections. To do this, take a pot or saucepan with enough water to cover your cup. Place it inside and let it boil for 5-7 minutes. Finally, drain the boiling water and let the cup air-dry.
Which is the best menstrual cup?
That's a difficult question to answer because it depends on the preferences of each woman. All the menstrual cups you'll find at EroticFeel are made of hypoallergenic medical grade silicone — an essential characteristic. This material is hygienic, it helps to prevent infections and it's body safe. Are you looking for a cute design? Are you worried that the cup might be too small to collect your flow at the beginning of your period or too big for those final days? Well, Satisfyer — the famous German producer of sexual wellness devices — have come to the rescue! They offer three different cup models in seven different colours (Satisfyer Feel Confident, Satisfyer Feel Good y Satisfyer Feel Secure). The best thing is that Satisfyer provide two cups of different sizes in the same box. One has a capacity of 15 ml and the other measures 20 ml. So, you'll be able to use the one that suits you best depending on the stage of the cycle you're in.
The menstrual cup by Liebe is another product that's very highly-rated by users Their cups are 100% environmentally-friendly and available in two different sizes. The small size is perfect for women under 30 who have never given birth vaginally; the larger one is recommended for women over 30 or those who have given birth vaginally. These cups are flexible, comfortable and each comes with a cotton storage bag you can take with you everywhere. We recommend that you take a look and choose the one that suits you.
Advantages of a menstrual cup
Below, we outline a number of advantages associated with the use of the menstrual cup:
- You'll save money: you've probably never stopped to think about how much money you spend on tampons and pads every year. It all depends on the volume of your menstrual flow, the numbers of days you're on your period, and a number of other factors — but here's an eye-watering statistic: it's been estimated that over 10 years, the average woman spends around £500 on pads and tampons. In contrast, the menstrual cup is completely reusable. What's more, if you take care of it and clean it well after each use, it'll last between 10 and 15 years.
- You can wear your menstrual cup for much longer: the recommendation with tampons is that they can only be worn for a maximum of 8 hours. In contrast, you can wear a cup for up to 12 hours. That means 12 hours of total protection without having to constantly change it.
- You can have absolute confidence in its effectiveness: have you ever left a stain on your clothes or underwear? This is really common because tampons don't provide all the protection we need. The menstrual cup fully adapts to your vaginal walls by collecting menstrual flow — without any leakage.
- It will restore the natural balance of your vaginal flora: since the menstrual cup is made of medical silicone and does not contain any chemicals or bleaching products, it will ensure that your vaginal flora maintains its natural pH levels.
Do all these benefits provide enough encouragement to try the menstrual cup? Well, at EroticFeel we have a whole section dedicated to menstrual cups — in a range of sizes and colours. Now all that's left is for you to choose yours!