Menstrual Period Cup (L) Purple

What is a menstrual cup?A menstrual cup is a type of reusable feminine hygiene product. It’s a small, flexible funnel-shaped cup made of silicone that you insert into your vagina to catch and collect period fluid.
menstrual cups can hold more blood than other methods, leading many women to use them as an Eco-friendly alternative to tampons. And depending on your flow, you can wear a cup for up to 12 hours.
PRIOR TO USe

• Sanitize your Menstrual Cup by placing it in a hot boiling water for 3 - 5 minutes (no more than 10 minute). 
• Allow the pot water to cool before removing your Cup. 
• Breathe and relax. now SERIOUSLY. If you're holding your breath or you're tense, your pelvic floor muscles will likely be tensing too, which will make for inserting a cup difficulty level. So take a few deep breaths and chill, you got this!

HOW TO INSERT

STEP 1

Wash your hands in warm, potable water (i.e. drinking water quality) with a mild soap.

STEP 2

Find a relaxed position (try sitting on the toilet or squatting in the shower). If you've used a tampon before, this is not dissimilar, so find a position that you know works for you, or try a few to figure out what's comfortable.

STEP 3

Okay, this is the really important part. The key is to 'fold' your cup to make it AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE TRUST US ON THIS before you insert it. Our menstrual cups are made from medical-grade silicone that's super bendy and soft, so making insertion is much easier. Here are our current tried-and-tested ways to 'fold' a  Menstrual Cup for insertion, with handy diagrams:

THE 'C' FOLD

• Place your index finger in the centre of the Cup and using your thumb and middle finger, fold the Cup into a 'C' shape.
• Slide your index finger out of the centre and hold the sides firmly together (you can also do this with two hands if that's easier).

 
THE 'PUNCH-DOWN' FOLD

• Hold your Cup in one hand, at its base. Use the index finger of your other hand to push the rim of the Cup inside the base.
• Now, using your 'base' hand, push the sides together to create a narrow insertion point (if you're nimble, you might even be able to do to this with one hand!).

THE TRIANGLE / '7' FOLD

This is a good one if you're new to Cups, as the tip/entry point becomes quite narrow (and therefore easier to insert!).

• Using two hands, fold your Cup in half so that either side is touching at around the centre of the rim
• Bring one corner down towards the base of the Cup, so that the body of the Cup forms a triangle shape.
• To create a '7' fold - follow step 1, then instead of bringing the edge of the Cup all the way to the base, fold it to create the shape of a '7' instead. This fold also helps create a narrow entry point.

STEP 4

Okay, now that you've folded your Cup, it's time to insert. Gently hold your outer labia apart with the index and middle fingers of your free hand and slide your folded Cup into your vagina towards your tailbone at roughly a 45 degree angle - allow it to open inside you.

STEP 5

The Cup should be fully inside your vagina, with the stem of the Cup within approximately 1/2 inch of your vaginal opening (though this may vary from person to person as every body is different!). Please note that your Cup will sit slightly lower in your vagina than a tampon would. Once inserted, give the stem a very gentle tug to ensure that your Cup is properly in place and has formed a suction-like seal around the walls of your vagina.

STEP 6

If you feel that the Cup is not in place or not fully open, then it's likely that it hasn't formed a seal and you may need to adjust it a little - either rotate it slightly, or try some pelvic floor exercises to help set it in place.

Here are some more handy diagrams detailing the steps on 'how to insert':

 HOW TO REMOVE (AND HOW OFTEN)

STEP 1

Wash your hands in warm, potable water (i.e. drinking water quality) with a mild soap.

STEP 2

Sitting in a comfortable position (over the toilet or in a shower is best, in case of spillage!), use one hand to gently part your outer labia (index and middle fingers work best) and with your other hand, insert your fingers (thumb and index, or thumb, index and middle - whatever works for you!) into the opening of the vagina and locate the stem of your Cup. Just above it, you'll feel some embossed ribbing or ridges at the base of your Cup - hold and gently pinch this grooved area to release the suction seal (do not pull on the stem! This can tear the Cup).

STEP 3

Gently (and slowly, to prevent spills!) wiggle your Cup down and out through the vaginal opening, keeping the Cup upright. If you're struggling to get it out, use your pelvic floor muscles to help push the Cup down.

STEP 4

Empty your Cup in the toilet and rinse it in cold water first (to stop any stains from setting in) and then with warm water and a mild, unscented soap. If you are unable to wash your Cup in between uses, simply empty and wipe it out with some clean toilet paper. Soap is also not mandatory if you don't have it handy. Just be sure that the little holes at the top of the Cup are clear, as these are what help create the suction seal when the Cup is inside you.

STEP 5

Wash your hands and repeat the insertion steps throughout your period as you need. 

Be sure to remove and empty/rinse your Cup at least every 8 hours (or sooner, but never longer!).

Keep your Cup in its Purse-worthy Pod(TM) in between periods, and be sure to re-sterilize it before your next cycle.

*NOTE: THE CONDITION OF USING A LARGE MENSTRUAL CUP INCLUDES USERS TO;

• You generally use super tampons or pads
• You have a heavy flow
• You are over 30 years old
• You have given birth (vaginally) before
• You have a weaker pelvic floor