If you’ve seen influencers/ bloggers promoting a menstrual cup and thought ‘how the hell do they even use it?’ or ‘where does this even go’, then this little piece of info is just for you. But hey remember, the first time can be a little tricky but it gets easy-peasy & of course mess-free with time. Before we began the process (of insertion), let’s just make sure your hands are clean (nothing gross should be going inside your *vajayjay*).
EPISODE 1: CHOOSE THE SIZE THAT FITS YOUR BODY & FLOW
We don’t like complicating things, so we’ve kept the menstrual cup sizes that you are most familiar with - Medium and Large. Here’s how you can choose yours:
Medium (holds around 22ml of blood):
- If you have medium to heavy flow
- If you haven’t given birth vaginally
Large (holds around 30ml of blood):
- If you have extra heavy flow
- If you have given birth vaginally
EPISODE 2: STERILIZE FIRST!
Relax, we will be explaining how to sterilize menstrual cup:
- Clean the cup by placing it in boiling water for around 7 minutes. Allow the cup to cool down before using.
- If you buy a menstrual cup sterilizer combo, then you can keep the cup in the sterilizer container & microwave at high temperature for 2-3 mins.
- You can also pour boiling water into the sterilizer container, place the cup & soak it for 5 minutes. Bingo!
Okay now breathe, don’t stress. There is nothing to be nervous about. If you’re tensed, it can lead to a tightening of the pelvic floor muscles - making it super difficult to insert the cup.
Relax bae, you got this!
EPISODE 3:
How to use menstrual cup
Step 1: Get into a comfortable position, you can try sitting on the toilet (Indian toilets have definitely taught us this one), squat in the washroom (leg workout is gonna pay off here) or try figuring out the position that works best for you.
Step 2: Now all attention here, this is the most important part. Let us reveal our *secret*: the trick is to fold the cup & make it as small as you possibly can. Watch the video to learn the 7 very cool & simple folds. Keep experimenting and choose the fold that feels good.
Step 3: Gently hold your outer labia apart with the index and middle fingers of your free hand and slide the folded cup into your vagina (not the urethra opening. No, no.) towards your backbone at roughly a 45-degree angle - allow it to open inside you. If you feel a fold by running a finger around the cup, just give it a nudge and it will pop open. (hey, it will definitely happen).
Step 4: When you feel the cup is fully inside your vagina, check if the ring is on the tip of your vaginal opening.
EPISODE 4:
How often and how to remove the cup
Make sure to empty or reinsert your cup every 12 hours or sooner (but don’t exceed 12 hours).
Step 1: Okay babe, now get back in the same position (umm no, not the sex position) that you were in while inserting the cup. Then put your finger inside the vagina and hook your finger inside the ring.
Step 2: Gently pinch the grip line to release the suction seal *oh yes ladies, it’s not maths - this one is simple*.
Step 3: Slowly and gently (patience is the key) wiggle your cup down with its mouth facing upwards so there is no blood bath in your washroom.
Step 4: Dump all the blood in the cup into the toilet, wash it properly with cold water first & then with warm water (& mild soap if you want to).
Step 5: Rinse your hand and repeat the insertion steps throughout your cycle. Ta-da!
Once your aunt-flo goes back, remove the cup, sterilize it and store it in the burlap pouch provided till your next cycle!