13 Menstrual Cup Hacks You Should Know

Whether you’re a pro at using the menstrual cup or a complete newbie, you should be aware of a few menstrual cup hacks that will make your life so much easier. A lot of women are cupverting because of how comfortable and convenient menstrual cups are! Not only that, but it’s also good for the environment and an economical choice.

After you cross the first hurdle of learning to insert and remove a menstrual cup, you may have a few pressing questions. How do you make sure it pops open? What’s the best way to keep it clean? How do you know which fold’s going to work for you? What if it gets stained? 

This article will teach you 13 useful menstrual cup hacks that will put your mind to ease and make your menstrual cup journey so much more comfortable!

But first, what is a menstrual cup?

If you’re so far into the article, but don’t have a clear idea of what a menstrual cup is, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. A menstrual cup or a period cup is a small, bell-shaped period product that’s usually made out of medical-grade silicone.

Unlike a tampon, it sits in your vaginal canal and collects your flow instead of absorbing it. You fold the cup and insert it into your vagina and, depending on your flow, you can keep it inside for up to 12 hours!

To remove it, you simply pinch the base and break the seal that was earlier formed after insertion. Emptying the cup into your toilet or sink, you can wash it and put it back inside. And, that’s it! You’re good to go!

These menstrual cup hacks are everything

Now that the basics are covered, let’s look at some menstrual cup hacks that are guaranteed to make your life so much easier!

1. Keep your kegel muscles engaged

A menstrual cup is a little different from a tampon in its working. Your kegel muscles are responsible for keeping it in place. If you feel like it’s not settled in the right place, draw in your kegel muscles like you would while holding in your pee and the cup should move into place.

Having strong muscles down there works to your advantage and guards you better against leakage. Practise some Kegels to strengthen those muscles and improve your menstrual cup using experience, among a lot of other advantages.

2. Don’t be afraid to experiment between brands and sizes

As a beginner, you may not get a good fit in the first menstrual cup brand that you try. Also, you may get the size wrong the first time and notice that you’re experiencing leaks. Don’t be scared to experiment with different brands and sizes till you find one that suits your body.

A good place to start, or switch to, would be the Carmesi Menstrual Cup. It’s so incredibly soft and delightful to use, giving you a great menstrual cup experience. It’s also available in 3 different sizes to suit your needs.

3. Stay relaxed when inserting or removing the cup

Your vaginal muscles constrict when you get tensed, making insertion or removal quite difficult. It’s very important to take a deep breath and stay completely relaxed while using your menstrual cup, so as to make the process easier.

4. Give it a twirl inside to pop it open

Once the cup is inside, place your index finger on the side of the cup and give it a twirl a couple of times. This is likely to make it pop open if it doesn’t do so on its own. Also, this is a good method to check if it’s opened in the first place. 

5. Use a water-based lube to reduce friction

If you are a beginner or a teen, you may find the friction a little uncomfortable while inserting a menstrual cup. In that case, you can use a water-based lube while inserting it to make the process smoother and more comfortable.

6. Insert or remove it in the shower

Let’s get real - using a menstrual cup can get messy. Inserting or removing it in the shower can make the whole process feel less bloody and cleaning up also becomes a lot easier.

7. Try out different folding methods to find your fit

There are many ways to fold a menstrual cup and it may take some time to find out which works for you. One fold that works well for someone may not be a good fit for you as well. If you’re just starting out, you may get the folds wrong the first couple of times (or even the first couple of cycles), but don’t get discouraged. Keep experimenting till you find your fit.

Usually, the C-fold or the 7-fold are easier for beginners and tend to make the cup pop open better than the other folds. So, these two are good places to start and, if necessary, work your way up.

8. Push it all the way up then pull it down to pop it open

Another way to pop the cup open if you’re having trouble is to first push it all the way up in your canal, then pull it back down in place. This movement will often make the cup pop open and form the seal.

9. Trim or cut off the stem to prevent chafing

The stem of the cup can often irritate the delicate skin of your vulva, and you may find it sticking out if you happen to have a low cervix. Trim the stem or completely cut it off in that case, depending on what you’re comfortable with.

10. Put on period underwear for added protection

If you’re worried about leaks on the heavier flow days, you can slip on the Carmesi Disposable Overnight Underwear for added protection against leaks. Use it while sleeping or going about your day, whichever is preferable for you.

11. Use a menstrual cup wash and sterilizer for the best way to clean it

At the start of your cycle, you must sterilize your cup in boiling water first before using it. The best way to do that is by using the Carmesi Menstrual Cup Sterilizer which lets you clean your cup and make it 99% germ-free in a jiffy.

Mid-cycle, use the Carmesi Menstrual Cup Wash to give your cup a thorough cleaning. Its antimicrobial ingredients keep it germ-free and remove any odour for a pleasant experience.

12. Keep it under sunlight to restore its colour

Over time, your menstrual cup may start to pack on some odour or become discoloured and stained (especially if it’s white or light coloured). In that case, keep your cup on your windowsill which isn’t exposed to very strong and direct sunlight. It will lose its discolouration and odour in some time.

13. Wash in cold water first to reduce discoloration and staining

Before washing your cup in lukewarm water, it’s best to run it through cold water. This will prevent discoloration and staining much better than simply washing it in hot or warm water.