How To Use A Menstrual Cup Safely

By Bhumika Chitkara

Periods never come alone! They come with odour, stains, leakage, vaginal irritation and whatnot. These and many other reasons may make you want to switch from regular pads to menstrual cups. Now that you have made up your mind to switch, you may have some questions, right? ‘How to use a menstrual cup?’ ‘Are menstrual cups safe?’ ‘ What are the menstrual cup side effects?’ are some of the common questions you will have. Don’t worry once you get the hang of using a menstrual cup, you will never use pads again! 

Let’s learn how to use a menstrual cup safely.

Benefits of using a menstrual cup:

1. Leak-proof
2. Eco-friendly
3. Cost-effective
4. Less messy
5. Less vaginal irritation and rashes
6. Last for a longer time
7. Easy to use
8. Less odour

STEPS INVOLVED IN USING A MENSTRUAL CUP

Buying a menstrual cup: 

Buying a  menstrual cup is a task in itself. It's not just about going to a shop and asking for a menstrual cup or ordering it online it is so much more. The first step toward buying a menstrual cup is to choose the correct size. Many people believe that menstrual cups come in just one size, but that is not true. Most of these cups come in three sizes, small for teenagers, medium for 18+ years, and large for women who have given birth. You might have to try different cups to find the perfect one for you. 

Sterilising menstrual cups:

Many women often insert their first cups into their vagina before sterilising them, which can invite many bacteria and infections. Make sure to disinfect your  menstrual cup for the first time, before and after each cycle. The process is easy: take a pan with some water, put your menstrual cup in and boil it for 4-6 minutes. You can even use a steriliser or a menstrual cup wash to disinfect it. Wait for your cup to dry before inserting it in. 

Clean your hands:

Cleaning your hands before inserting the cup is as important. You don’t want to transfer germs or bacteria from your hands into your vagina, as it can lead to various infections. So, wash your hands properly with soap and warm water before inserting or removing the cup. 

Take your position:

Get comfortable before inserting the cup into your vagina. Try out different postures to know which one works the best for you. Squatting or raising one leg are some positions you can try to get an easy insertion. Do not stress at all if you take a few attempts. Take a few deep breaths and RELAX, as stress can make the process even more difficult. 

Learn about the different folds:

A good fold can make inserting a  menstrual cup super easy! Before trying to insert a cup in, learn about different types of menstrual cup folds. Watching some videos may also help you understand the folds better. Three of the most common types of folds are C fold, punchdown fold and 7 fold or triangular fold. Trying out different folds can give you a better understanding of which might work for you. 

Insert the cup:

Now that you have learnt about the different types of folds and are in a comfortable position, next comes the step of inserting the cup into your vagina. Inserting the cup would be difficult if your pelvic floor muscles contract. The more relaxed your muscles are, the easier it will be for you to put the cup inside. 

Make sure it's sealed:

One of the advantages of using a menstrual cup is that it is leakproof. Once the cup is inside your vagina, hold it from its base and rotate it 360 degrees. The cup will pop open, create a seal and prevent any leakage! 

Use a panty liner or a pad:

Even though a menstrual cup is leakproof, it is completely normal to worry about leakage or stains if it is your first time using it. You can choose to use a panty liner or a pad along with a menstrual cup to be on the safer side in your initial days of using a menstrual cup. 

HOW TO REMOVE THE MENSTRUAL CUP?

Wash your hands:

Washing your hands before using any product near your vagina is essential. To remove the cup from your vagina, make sure you thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.

Empty your cup every 6 hours:

The best part about using a menstrual cup is that you don’t need to change it every 2-3 hours. Depending upon your flow, you can use a menstrual cup for 6-12 hours straight! Empty it after a few hours, wash it, insert it again and you are all set! 

Take the cup out:

Now, taking the cup out can be trickier than inserting it in. this, too, may require you to try out a few different positions. Some may feel comfortable standing, while others prefer sitting over the toilet seat to remove it. The best way to remove a menstrual cup is by sitting over a toilet seat if it is your first time, as it could lead to some mess. Never pull your cup by its stem. Hold the cup from its base, pinch it and take it out. Don’t worry if it is a little messy for the first time; it is absolutely normal!

Wash your menstrual cup and reinsert: 

So once you take the menstrual cup out, empty it and wash it using warm water and an unfragrant soap! You can even use a menstrual cup wash if you want to. You don’t necessarily sterilise your cup after every use; washing can do the job. Sterilising is important after and before each cycle.