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Convenient, ecofriendly and handy: these are the main reasons that push more and more women to use the menstrual cup instead of pads. It might happen after having read an article about it or because a friend suggested it to you with enthusiasm, but we can say that it gets easier and easier to convince women to try it. Although it may seem like a recent invention, the first menstrual cup prototype was actually invented by Leona Chalmers in 1937 but it started becoming popular after decades.

If the advantages of the menstrual cup are already pretty clear, it doesn’t mean that we do not have questions before purchasing it. Usually, the most asked ones are the followings: Which size should I choose? How does it work?

In this article you will find the answers you’ve been looking for!

HOW DOES THE MENSTRUAL CUP WORK?

Menstrual cup is a small, flexible silicone device that collects menstrual flow, avoiding leakages. It has to be inserted right under the cervix (below we will explain how to do it) and it adheres to the walls of your vagina creating the necessary suction seal that will allow you to move freely without worrying about blood leakages.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE

Each brand has two or three different cup sizes. Here below you will find the guidelines that will help you choose the one that is right for you. Keep in mind that the different brand sizes are not always comparable: in fact, the S size of one company might be the L size for another brand. This is the main reason why you should always check the product sizes in the description of the cup. Every body and   every vagina is different so it can take some time and practice before finding the cup that fits you perfectly.

1. Age and Pregnancy

The first two criterias to take into consideration in order to choose the right menstrual cup size are age and pregnancy: both factors are relevant because they modify the muscle tone of the vagina walls.

• Smaller sizes are for teens or young women under 30 and for those who did not gave birth
• Bigger sizes are for women over 30 and for those who gave birth vaginally

It is still possible that young girls need a bigger cup or vice versa. You need to find what fits for you.

2. Cervix Position

While choosing the menstrual cup size, particularly the length, we should take into account the positioning of the cervix, in other words the lower part of the uterus that is linked to the vagina. Cervix should always be above the menstrual cup so that it can collect blood.

During period, cervix tends to lower about 2-3 cm. Of course this can vary depending on each woman and for this reason it is highly recommended to measure the length of the vaginal canal during your period. But how can you do it?

While you’re on your period – of course after carefully washing your hands- insert the middle finger inside your vagina and push it towards the back part until you reach the cervix: you will get it because once you reach it you cannot go further. It’s like touching the tip of your nose.

Once you have done that, place the thumb from the same hand on the middle finger in order to mark how far you have inserted it into the vagina: now you can finally measure which is the length of your vaginal canal during period and pick the right length for your menstrual cup.

3. Period Flow

Since there are different sizes, they can collect more or less flow: usually they go from 15-20ml for the small ones up to 40ml for the large ones.

You might think that menstrual cup can be chosen depending on the heaviness of the flow, but this has to be a secondary factor compared to what we previously discussed. Keep in mind that the menstrual cup can contain more liquid than a regular tampon, which contains 10-12ml.

Did you find the right size for you?

How can you be sure to purchase the right menstrual cup? It’s easy: you cannot be certain until you’ve tried it! Try to base your choice upon the instructions we gave you in this article and do not worry if you didn’t find the perfect cup immediately.

In order to guide you during your research, Stercup/Enjoy the Pleasure (TBD) created a menstrual cup kit containing sizes S+L, in this way you can try both of them and decide which size fits you better!

I purchased the menstrual cup: How should I use it?

After the purchase – and at the end of each period – the menstrual cup needs to be sterilized in a pot with boiling water for 3-5 minutes, making sure it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot.

Just as for the choice of the right size, learning how to insert and extract the cup correctly, avoiding leakages, requires practice. You could start trying before the beginning of the period in order to practice on how it works.

How to insert a menstrual cup

Remember to wash your hands and the cup before inserting it.

At this point, fold the cup; there are many different techniques ranging from the Punch down fold and the C Fold (which are the most common) to the Tulip or the S one. With time you will acquire more skills and you will figure out which technique works the best for you. Remember that the cup must be folded until it is inserted correctly inside the vagina.

Before proceeding with inserting the cup, make sure your body is relaxed so find a comfortable position; you can sit on the toilet, squat or stand up lifting your leg on a step. You might want to use water or a water-based lubricant to make insertion easier (you can reuse the lubricant with your partner or while you’re playing with you sex toy)

Now you’re ready to insert the menstrual cup, folded like mentioned above. Once you release it, the cup will open up and will adhere to the vaginal walls, creating the necessary suction seal (you may hear a “pop” or a suction sound).

How can you make sure that the cup is in the right position? First of all, the base should be rounded and should not show sing of noticeable folds. If is this the case, grab the base of the cup – not the stem – and gently rotate it to make it unfold.

You can also try to gently pull the stem: if you feel resistance, it means that the suction seal has been created and the cup has been inserted correctly.  With time it gets easier and you will easily insert it even in extreme situations!

HOW TO REMOVE THE MENSTRUAL CUP

Wash your hands carefully and find a comfortable position where you can relax your body, otherwise you can feel pain or ailment. As for inserting it, you can sit on the toilet or stand up or squat.

Grab the cup at the base and then gently squeeze it or pull it downward with a zigzag movement so that the walls of the cup can bend a little and air can enter, releasing the suction seal and ease it out.

Do not pull directly from the stem because if you do not release the suction seal you can feel pain and/or break some capillary.

Once the cup is extracted, empty it out in the toilet or in the sink, rinse it and insert it back again. If you’re in a public bathroom without clean water, you can clean it with toilet paper or a wipe and then wash it at a later time.

If period is over, rinse it out and sterilize it in a boiling pot for 2-3 minutes – making sure that the cup doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot- and store it in its bag.

Are you ready to try it out? Select the size that fits you the best and start using it!