What is a Menstrual Cup?

A menstrual cup is a product that can be used during your periods replacing cotton pads or tampons. It’s a small, flexible cup made up of medically tested silicone that you may insert into your vagina to collect your period fluid.

This menstrual cup holds more blood than cotton pads and tampons, leading to the use of an eco-friendly product. Depending on your period flow, you can empty the cup for every 10-12 hours. 

Finding out the correct parameter

Before start using a menstrual cup, consult with your gynecologist. Your doctor may consider the following parameters to find out the right size -

• age
• length of your cervix
• menstrual fluid flow level
• pelvic floor muscles strength
• married or not
• given birth vaginally or not
• firmness and flexibility of the cup

If you are younger than 30 years old, you are recommended to use a small size cup, whereas if you are above 30 years, you may prefer a large size cup.

Insertion of a Menstrual Cup

• Wash your hands and sterilize the menstrual cup at each of your period cycles. 
• To start inserting it, get into the squat position like half-sitting with knees apart or keeping one leg up on the toilet seat. Make sure you are in a position that is convenient for you.
• While inserting the menstrual cup, your vagina stretches to fix the cup. It should be placed below the cervix, not be too low like it is projecting outside, or not be too high like ahead of the cervix.
• On inserting properly, the cup forms a tight suction in your vagina.
• Make sure to fold the cup using the most common folding techniques either c or u fold, punch down fold, and seven shape fold.
• The punched down is the fold in which you should punch your index finger down the rim of the cup to form a pointed insertion.
• The seven-shape technique is folding any end of the rim to form a seven-shape to insert into your vagina easily.

Follow the instructions that are given along with the cup and practice to find the best way. Experts say, in the meantime until you are familiar, you can wear a cotton pad along with using the menstrual cup. 

How Often to Empty a Menstrual Cup?

Depending on your period flow, you can leave the cup for up to 10-12 hours. You should take out with cleaned hands, empty the collected fluid into the toilet, and wash it with soap before re-inserting it. 

You may keep the cup inside you overnight and you may even wear it while exercising and swimming.

Removal of a Menstrual Cup

Menstrual cups have a stem in the bottom part using which you can pull the cup out for removal. You should slowly hook your index finger around the rim so that the suction pressure gets loosened and you may easily remove the cup from your vagina.

Related: How Do Menstruation Occurs