How to Insert a Menstrual Cup - Choose The Right Size
A menstrual cup is a reusable rubber or silicone cup that is inserted into the vagina. It collects the period blood without disrupting the pH of the intimate area.
Cups can carry more period blood than the rest of the products like pads or tampons. And, depending on the flow of the person using it, they can be used for up to 12 hours at a time.
How to choose the right size?
They generally come in three major sizes:
- Small – For first time users, teenagers or young women who have not yet given birth.
- Medium – For women in their mid-twenties to the early thirties, usually if they have given birth vaginally.
- Large – For women in their late thirties to older, who have given birth vaginally.
Choose the one best suited for you according to your body’s needs.
Steps in Inserting a Menstrual Cup
The general rule to use a menstrual cup is pretty simple. All you have to do is insert it and then empty and reuse it after 12 hours. And, if you’re wondering where to insert the menstrual cup, it is the vaginal opening below your pee hole. But how do you get around to using it?
- Sterilize your cup
Prior to use, boil the cup in water to remove all traces of germs. This will help prevent any infection from occurring. Wash your hands before touching it and during insertion.
- Relax
Find yourself in a comfortable position, preferably in the washroom, and get your muscles relaxed. Remember, if your vaginal muscles contract during insertion, it will cause you a lot of pain. Taking a deep breath, release stress and calm yourself.
- Fold the cup
This is the most important step in insertion, and where it differs from tampons. A tampon can be directly inserted, but a cup needs to be folded in any of the possible manners before inserting it into the vagina. There are various folds you can choose from:
This is the most widely known fold. Some women find it comfortable, while others do not. It depends on how your body is responding to the insertion process.
- Keep both hands slightly beneath the rim of the cup, with your thumbs closest to you.
- To flatten it, press the sides together.
- To make a ‘U' or ‘C' form, fold it in half lengthwise.
This is a great fold to use when in a rush as it has one of the smallest insertion points. This fold is suitable for you if you are struggling with insertion.
- Hold the cup at the base using only one hand.
- Locate your opposite hand's index finger on top of its rim.
- Push the rim down into the base with this finger.
- Using your left hand, firmly press the sides together.
This fold is smaller than the ‘U’ or ‘C’ fold, but bigger than the punch-down fold. However, it releases a lot easier than the other two folds. So, if you are struggling with the cup opening inside you, this fold is for you.
- Both hands should be just beneath the rim.
- To flatten the cup, press the edges together.
- Fold its right corner down to the stem.
This is the same as the 7 fold, but with a wider insertion point.
- With both hands, hold the cup slightly beneath the rim.
- To flatten it, press the sides together.
- Fold the right-hand corner down towards the stem.
- Keep it in this position, then turn it over and fold the opposite corner down towards the stem.
This is probably not an ideal fold if you are just starting out with the menstrual cup. If you are in a rush, go for an easier fold. Many people struggle with this one as it’s bigger than the other folds.
- With both hands, hold it slightly beneath the rim.
- To flatten it, press the sides together.
- To make an ‘S' shape, push one corner away from you and pull the other one towards you to make the fold.
This is similar to the punch down fold, but a little trickier than it. It takes more time than its counterpart but gives a small insertion point if folded correctly.
- With one hand, hold the cup.
- Pinch a tiny piece of its corner with the thumb and index finger of the opposing hand.
- Push it all the way down to the other side's centre (similarly to the punch down)
- To keep it in place, squeeze the sides together.
This is slightly tricky and you should get more used to the cup first before trying this fold. But, this releases inside very easily and has a small insertion point.
- Hold it at the bottom using only one hand.
- Place your opposite hand's index finger on the rim.
- Push the rim down inside the base with this finger (about halfway)
- Fold the right corner down towards the left side's base.
- Insert the cup
Split the labial lips apart and use two fingers to insert the cup deep into the vagina. Either release it midway and push it inside, which has a higher chance of opening up, or wait till it is fully inside before releasing it.
Wash your hands and forget about it till it’s time to empty and reinsert it again.
If you are planning to start using a menstrual cup or looking for a more comfortable alternative, try the Carmesi Menstrual Cup. It is extremely soft and gentle to use, making insertion super easy. In fact, once it’s inside, you will hardly notice your period.
It is designed for better grip to make both insertion and removal super easy. What’s more? It’s made with 100% Biocompatible Medical-Grade Silicone and has no harmful chemicals, dyes or fragrances that can cause irritation, making it perfectly safe and easy to use.
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