Menstrual Cup

Q. Can I use a menstrual cup if I’m a virgin?
Ans. You can use a menstrual cup if you are a virgin. You needn’t worry; inserting it will not harm your hymen. Besides, there are different sizes of the menstrual cup for you to feel comfortable.

Q. How to insert a menstrual cup?
Ans.Here are some simple steps to insert a menstrual cup:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Fold and hold (one of the most common ways to fold a menstrual cup is a C-fold).
3. Insert the folded cup into your vagina tilting it back to your spine.
4. Use it for up to 12 hours.
5. Remove it, empty it, and clean.
6. Re-insert the cup.

Q. How to clean a menstrual cup in a public restroom?
Ans.Sometimes it happens that you need to empty your menstrual cup while in a public place. Don’t worry, you can remove and empty the cup in a public restroom. Wash your hands with soap, remove the cup and empty it. Wash the cup with water or with a sanitary napkin.
You can carry a bottle of water with you in order to wash the cup over the toilet. Don’t forget to wash your hands before you do it.

Q. Is it normal for a menstrual cup to leak?
Ans.If inserted and used correctly, a menstrual cup should not leak. But there are some cases when it can happen. For example, if a menstrual cup is not inserted properly or if it is not emptied as frequently as needed or if your flow is too heavy or the cup is small.

Q. May a menstrual cup leak during exercising or sleeping?
Ans. In general, menstrual cups should not leak. If you notice blood leakage, you might have placed the cup incorrectly. During sleep or exercising a cup may shift and it can cause leakage. Make sure you picked the correct cup size.

Q. Is it ok to have some pee in a menstrual cup if I wear it every day?
Ans. If you can pee in your menstrual cup, it means that the menstrual cup is placed incorrectly or it has shifted due to some reasons. Your menstrual cup should be inserted into the vagina, and urine cannot get there.

Q. Can you use a menstrual cup together with an IUD?
Ans. It is not recommended to use a menstrual cup if you have an IUD inserted because you should remove and empty a menstrual cup every 10 to 12 hours.
There is a possibility that the string of the IUD may cling to a cup while inserting or replacing it, which can lead to displacing the IUD.
Consider other options like pads or tampons to use during your period if you have an IUD inserted.

Q. How reliable are menstrual cups during heavy periods?
Ans. Menstrual cups are the best choice during heavy periods. They can keep up to 41 ml of menstrual blood. On the other hand, the ultra-size tampon can absorb up to 15 to 18 ml and pads absorb around 12 ml.
If your menstrual cup leaks during heavy periods, you might have inserted it improperly or picked a wrong size. Sometimes the cup can shift due to bowel or cervical movement, resulting in leakage.

Q. How often do I need to empty the cup?
Ans. This is variable and depends on your flow. You can keep a menstrual cup in on normal-to-light days for as much as 10-12 hours at a stretch with no leakage and no danger to your body (like Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) with disposable tampons). But one has to learn to do a self-calibration based on one’s flow. So, during the first time use, it is good to check every 4 to 6 hours and learn how much the flow is and accordingly get to know how often should the cup be emptied. One norm that has come from those who have switched from pads to cups, is that, if you had to change your napkin four times a day, you will have to empty the cup twice a day.

Q. I have a very high cervix, will I be able to ‘find’ the cup? *
Ans. Even if you have a high cervix, the cup can only go a few inches deeper. The cervix has a very small hole that will never let the cup go any further. To bring the cup lower, you can squat and push it with your muscles.

Q. What if I am not able to remove it?
Ans. Yes, this anxiety is always there the first or second time. Then it vanishes. First squat freely and put the index finger alone and feel the tip of the cup. You will be reassured that it is still there. Then take a few deep breathes and relax. The muscles will also relax. The cup should descent a little. Then with 2 fingers gently ease out to remove the cup. While in the squat position, you can also try to bear down as you would do to pass the motion.

Q. Can I sleep in the cup?
Ans. You can wear your cup for up to 12 hours, which makes it safe to sleep in. You only have to be concerned if you have a heavy flow and may require to change it sooner than that. This is something you’ll be able to know when you start using the cup and once you understand the flow of your cycle.

Q. Can under 18 use these cups?
Ans. You can start using Menstrual Cups as early as your period – but our cups are made for women above 18, so they are larger in size. Teens require a fairly smaller and shorter cup for easy insertion since their muscles and hymen are tighter. Hence, we don’t recommend our Small or Large cup to girls under 18. You can use an extra small cup for teenagers.