A Guide to Menstrual Cups

I first heard about menstrual cups when I was sixteen through a Buzzfeed video, and from that day on, I couldn’t stop thinking about them. They seemed like the perfect solution for my menstrual frustrations. I didn’t like pads or tampons, hated creating so much trash every month, and didn’t want to spend so much money on disposable menstrual products. After several months of researching, I found a whole new world of sustainable menstrual products and a plethora of cup brands. I finally got a cup a few years ago, and don’t think I’ll ever go back to pads or tampons. However, I had a lot of questions when I started using them, and you probably do too! Here are my answers to just a few of the many questions you may have about using menstrual cups, especially as a busy college student. 

This is based off of my own personal experience using a menstrual cup. I have used a Lena cup in the size small for two years. 

Can anyone use a menstrual cup?

For the most part, yes! If you are squeamish about your own blood or uncomfortable with the thought of inserting the cup (it’s a very hands-on experience), cups may not be for you. Additionally, if you have an IUD, you may want to ask your women’s healthcare practitioner before using menstrual cups. There are several conflicting opinions on whether or not you should use cups with IUDs. 

Are menstrual cups safe?

Yes, they are! Since menstrual cups are not absorbent, they won’t dry out your vagina and most are made with medical-grade silicone. When used as directed, menstrual cups can’t cause toxic shock syndrome. 

What does a cup look like?

Menstrual cups come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they have a few common characteristics. They all, of course, have a cup — this is what collects the blood throughout the day. Cups usually have small air holes near the top of the cup that help it properly retain suction. Many cups have a stem, which you use to locate the cup and wiggle it down until you can grab the base. Some people, like me, don’t mind the stem, but for others, it can hang down too far and become bothersome. Because of this, stems can be trimmed shorter or cut off completely. You should always try the cup for a few days before trimming your stem. Some cups have loops that serve the same purpose as stems. 

It sounds like there are a lot of different cup brands. How do I choose the best one for me?

Do some research! I chose the Lena cup because it seemed like a good fit for me. It also had good reviews on several websites. However, it’s been two years, and many new cup brands and designs have arrived on the market since then. There are many different factors to consider in a cup, such as size, shape, material, how soft or firm it is, and price. A great place to start is Put a Cup In It, which is a fairly comprehensive source of menstrual cup knowledge. I got my cup on Amazon. You can buy some cups, such as the Diva Cup, in stores but most brands are available online. 

What size do I need? 

Many cups come in two sizes, typically listed as small and large. The size you get is entirely up to you; the brands usually list their recommendations for who should get which size. 

How do I insert a menstrual cup?

You may have looked at a cup before and wondered, “how do I even get that in?” The answer is folding! Since cups are made of flexible silicone, they can be easily folded for insertion. While there are many intricate cup folds, the simplest are the c-fold, the punch-down, and the 7-fold. Do what feels most natural to you, and what works best with your cup; I use the punch-down. After you’ve washed your hands, fold the cup. Keep it folded as you insert it, following the angle of your vagina. Once it’s in, release the pressure to allow it to unfold and twist the base to make sure it has completely unfolded and formed a seal. 

How do I remove/empty a menstrual cup?

The trick to removing a cup is to take it slow and be patient. You can remove it from any position that feels comfortable for you; sitting on the toilet or standing in the shower work best for me. First, grab the stem/loop, if you have one. Gently wiggle the cup from side to side until you can pinch the base with two fingers. When you pinch the base, try to pinch it high enough so that it folds a little and releases suction. This will lead to much more comfortable removal. Take it out gently, while holding it upright. If you’re emptying it into the toilet, flush soon after dumping the contents, so that you’re less likely to leave streaks of blood after one flush. If you’re emptying it in the shower, pour it directly down the drain. Wash it with a mild soap and water (more on this later), then re-insert it, and you’re good to go!

How often do I need to empty it?

That really depends on you and your flow. Menstrual cups can be left in for up to twelve hours, but that doesn’t always mean they’ll last twelve hours. On heavier days, I sometimes need to empty mine every four hours or so, but on lighter days I can pretty much leave it in until I get home in the afternoon. When you’re starting out, you might want to wear pantiliners as backup until you’re comfortable with how often you need to change your cup. I still wear a liner (now a reusable cloth liner!) on heavier days, although leaks are rare. 

Can I use it at night?

Yep! If your flow is heavier, you may want to use some sort of backup pad and empty it right before you go to bed, but on most days my cup lasts the whole night without leaking. 

Do menstrual cups leak?

If you have a good cup that is inserted properly, it should not leak. However, if your cup overflows, or if it didn’t form a complete seal, some leakage could occur. 

I’m not home during the day. How can I empty it in a public bathroom?

I’ve lived in a dorm for the past two years, and have found that it’s surprisingly easy to deal with wearing a cup even though I haven’t had a private bathroom. That being said, it does take a bit of planning. Start out by noting the locations of single-stall bathrooms. These are clearly the superior choice, due to the private access to a sink. If single-stall bathrooms are not available, note the location of lesser-used bathrooms. For example, the bathroom I shared with 20+ other people on my floor was surprisingly empty at most times of the day. The goal is to wash your hands, go to a stall and remove and empty the cup, rinse the cup in the sink, and then go back to a stall and re-insert it. The key ingredient to this whole method is bravery; I did this in the women’s restrooms of my high school every menstrual cycle for a whole semester without anyone noticing or commenting on anything. If you’re in a more crowded bathroom, or aren’t comfortable going out to the sink, you can simply wipe the rim off with toilet paper after emptying and re-insert it; just make sure to wash it every twelve hours or so. If there is blood on your fingers, wipe any excess off with toilet paper, then wash your hands as usual. Nobody will notice unless you, for some reason, have to shake hands with someone directly after leaving the bathroom stall. 

Can I use the bathroom with a menstrual cup in? 

Yep! Unlike tampons, which can make it somewhat challenging to urinate, menstrual cups do not interfere with urination because they are completely internal. Some people feel like bowel movements dislodge their cup slightly. 

How do I clean it?

Menstrual cups don’t need much more cleaning than a simple wash with soapy water. At the end of your cycle, you can further sterilize it by boiling it while keeping it from touching the bottom of the pot, but this is not necessary. After many uses, you might notice staining on your cup. Mine, for instance, is purple, but the stem has turned a brownish color. This doesn’t mean it’s not clean; it’s just a sign of usage. 

If you’re interested in switching to menstrual cups, or just trying one out, I highly recommend you continue researching them! There are many websites and blogs devoted to sharing information about cups. Using a cup may seem difficult or complicated at first, but it is well worth the effort.

 

Featured Image by Intimina