Using a Menstrual Cup
the menstrual cup
There is a lot of controversy and doubt surrounding the use of a menstrual cup;
'is it heigenic?'
'that's disgusting!'
'how does it fit up there?'
'it's too big'
'how will I get it out?'
I've heard a lot more, but ever since I became more conscious about the environment and the physical waste I was creating, once I discovered the menstrual cup, I really wanted to just try it out.
It might not be for everyone, but I think it's definitely worth trying.
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It takes a while to get used to - only after 3 cycles was I fully committed to relying on solely a menstrual cup.
But it means that now, my 'time of the month' has become a lot easier and less stressful.
But it means that now, my 'time of the month' has become a lot easier and less stressful.
It works quite like a tampon, in the way that you have to insert it and it will catch the bloodflow;
a lot of people have concerns about how it even fits up there. Truth be told, I never used tampons before because when I tried I just couldn't fit one up there - so I thought, how the heck is this gonna work?!??
But I gave it a go anyway, and yes the first few times were insanely tricky and I thought to myself 'am I really gonna go through with this hassle?' but everytime it was my time of the month, I gave it another go.
It's actually easier than you think to 'fit it' up there, because there are different folding techniques you can use.
I fold mine in the way shown by the picture below:
a lot of people have concerns about how it even fits up there. Truth be told, I never used tampons before because when I tried I just couldn't fit one up there - so I thought, how the heck is this gonna work?!??
But I gave it a go anyway, and yes the first few times were insanely tricky and I thought to myself 'am I really gonna go through with this hassle?' but everytime it was my time of the month, I gave it another go.
It's actually easier than you think to 'fit it' up there, because there are different folding techniques you can use.
I fold mine in the way shown by the picture below:
You can check out this article by BeautyMNL to see all the other ways you can fold a menstrual cup, and try them out to see which is easiest/works best for you.
I suggest the first few times you try inserting it, keep your nails short because you don't want to pinch yourself.
Also, in order for it to be inserted properly - with a secure suction - you need to be prepared to have your fingers up there.
You might find it gross at first, but it's your body, so take time to become comfortable with yourself.
You may also get a little blood on your fingers the first few rounds, but don't let this put you off. The more you become used to the process, and as long as you keep yourself clean, you'll be able to insert and remove the cup, and keep your fingers clean.
The biggest positive, however, and the thing that makes me the most pleased about using a menstrual cup, is the fact that you can keep it in for up to 12 hours!
This is great, as it means you can keep it in the entire night while you sleep, and not worry about TSS, or leaking onto your bedsheets. No horrible smells, either.
In fact, it becomes really easy for me to completely forget that I'm even on my period in the first place. Once inserted properly, I cannot feel the cup at all, meaning I can get on with daily activities comfortable and not have to worry about leaking, or even having to change/reinsert, for a whole working day.
Since I have started using the cup, I haven't once had to worry about changing in a public toilet. I simply insert in the morning, and when I'm back home after a long day, I can change and reinsert in the comfort of my own home.
(Note that you can easily go to the toilet and do your business, and not have to touch the cup because it won't move until you start to pull it out yourself).
Insertion and removal is the tricky part, as well as making sure it's actually inserted correctly, with proper suction;
stay calm, and this process will become second-nature with time.
To remove, I find it easiest to do so when sat on the toilet. However, some people find it better to do it while in the shower, whilst standing, squatting...etc. So trying out different ways the first time you use your menstrual cup will help you to find the best way that is easiest for you.
In the first few cycles I hated having to remove my cup - and I would delay it for as long as possible.
Personally, it felt like I was giving birth, every time.
The very first time I was trying to remove the cup, I thought it got stuck inside of me and I couldn't pull it out - and the second time, I thought it got lost inside of me and I couldn't find it.
Patience is key!!! The menstrual cup has tiny holes near the top of it, allowing it to suction on to the uterus and hold itself in place - hence, no leaking.
In order for the cup to be removed, you have to break the suction hold. The easiest way for this to be done is to slide a finger up and apply pressure onto the bottom or side of the cup - as one side of the cup is released from your uterus, its suction hold will break and you can slide it out.
Also, if you are sleeping with your cup in, it can sometimes ride upwards, therefore, when you come to removing it, you might feel like you 'can't find it'. In this case, be patient and take a shower or walk around in order for gravity to do its job. Or sit down, and 'push'. Whenever I had to do that, was when it felt like I was giving birth.
However, the cup has its own stick at the end with small grooves for you to be able to grab onto and pull from.
Due to the rapid suction release, and the sudden change in shape from the fold to original full cup shape, it often hurt pulling the cup out.
For me, I felt slight rapid pain when pulling out the cup, for the first 4-5 months using it.
Although now, my technique has become much more fine-tuned to my body, and this is no longer an issue for me.
In terms of hygiene, all menstrual cups are made out of silicone. This is a material that can be safely inserted into the body - it is non-toxic, inert, odourless and stainless.
It also does not allow the growth of either bacteria or mould, making it extremely safe.
If you were to cause an infection whilst inserting, it will most likely have come from your hands, rather than the cup itself.
Silicone also lasts a very long time and is hence seen as a sustainable, eco-friendly material.
To keep the cup clean, wash gently between reinsertion with water, and you can clean it with a gentle, non-scented soap.
Between cycles, (before and after your cycle) sterilise your menstrual cup.
I do this by keeping it in a small bowl with boiled water from the kettle, for around 1-3 minutes.
In fact, it becomes really easy for me to completely forget that I'm even on my period in the first place. Once inserted properly, I cannot feel the cup at all, meaning I can get on with daily activities comfortable and not have to worry about leaking, or even having to change/reinsert, for a whole working day.
Since I have started using the cup, I haven't once had to worry about changing in a public toilet. I simply insert in the morning, and when I'm back home after a long day, I can change and reinsert in the comfort of my own home.
(Note that you can easily go to the toilet and do your business, and not have to touch the cup because it won't move until you start to pull it out yourself).
Insertion and removal is the tricky part, as well as making sure it's actually inserted correctly, with proper suction;
stay calm, and this process will become second-nature with time.
To remove, I find it easiest to do so when sat on the toilet. However, some people find it better to do it while in the shower, whilst standing, squatting...etc. So trying out different ways the first time you use your menstrual cup will help you to find the best way that is easiest for you.
In the first few cycles I hated having to remove my cup - and I would delay it for as long as possible.
Personally, it felt like I was giving birth, every time.
The very first time I was trying to remove the cup, I thought it got stuck inside of me and I couldn't pull it out - and the second time, I thought it got lost inside of me and I couldn't find it.
Patience is key!!! The menstrual cup has tiny holes near the top of it, allowing it to suction on to the uterus and hold itself in place - hence, no leaking.
In order for the cup to be removed, you have to break the suction hold. The easiest way for this to be done is to slide a finger up and apply pressure onto the bottom or side of the cup - as one side of the cup is released from your uterus, its suction hold will break and you can slide it out.
Also, if you are sleeping with your cup in, it can sometimes ride upwards, therefore, when you come to removing it, you might feel like you 'can't find it'. In this case, be patient and take a shower or walk around in order for gravity to do its job. Or sit down, and 'push'. Whenever I had to do that, was when it felt like I was giving birth.
However, the cup has its own stick at the end with small grooves for you to be able to grab onto and pull from.
Due to the rapid suction release, and the sudden change in shape from the fold to original full cup shape, it often hurt pulling the cup out.
For me, I felt slight rapid pain when pulling out the cup, for the first 4-5 months using it.
Although now, my technique has become much more fine-tuned to my body, and this is no longer an issue for me.
In terms of hygiene, all menstrual cups are made out of silicone. This is a material that can be safely inserted into the body - it is non-toxic, inert, odourless and stainless.
It also does not allow the growth of either bacteria or mould, making it extremely safe.
If you were to cause an infection whilst inserting, it will most likely have come from your hands, rather than the cup itself.
Silicone also lasts a very long time and is hence seen as a sustainable, eco-friendly material.
To keep the cup clean, wash gently between reinsertion with water, and you can clean it with a gentle, non-scented soap.
Between cycles, (before and after your cycle) sterilise your menstrual cup.
I do this by keeping it in a small bowl with boiled water from the kettle, for around 1-3 minutes.
Be sure to double check your size before ordering, as they vary between brands.
Typically, there is a smaller size for people who not yet given birth, and a larger size for those who have already been through a vaginal birth.
Check out my Twitter thread here,
where I made a detailed list of the pro's and con's of using a menstrual cup.
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