First Time Users
Before using your menstrual cup for the first time, you should sanitize your
cup by either boiling the cup or using a sanitizing wash/wipe. It is equally safe to boil water, pour into a mug, and steep in the cup for 5 minutes (Wunsch et al., 2022).
You don’t
have to sterilize your cup after every use.
Boil: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Place your cup in the boiling
water and let it stay completely submerged in the boiling water for 3-5
minutes. Do not let the cup rest on the bottom of the pot. This can cause
burnt or melted spots to appear on your cup.
Use a
sanitizing wash or
wipe. Email the
WRC if you need a sanitizing wipe.
Challenges Cleaning the Cup in Public Places/Dorms
Problems cleaning the cup in public places/dorms: Consider inserting
and removing the cup in the shower. Alternatively, bring a bottle of water
to rinse the cup over the toilet.
You can use a toilet paper if you don’t have either and rinse when you get
back to your room. You do not need to use soap to clean your period cup
but if you prefer using soap, it’s important to use a perfume free and
pH-balanced soap.
Unable to boil cup to sanitize: If you do not have access to a stove to boil water, cups may be sanitized with a
sanitizing wash or
wipe. The sanitizing wash/wipe you choose should be pH balanced intimate
wash that is perfume free. Another option is to boil water, pour into a mug, and steep in the cup for 5 minutes (Wunsch et al., 2022).
You don’t have to sterilize your cup after every
use. Sterilize the first time you use the cup and before you store your
cup for your next period. Remember to store your cup in the organic cotton
bag.
General Questions or Challenges
Leakage may occur when you are not wearing the
right size, when the cup is not inserted properly, or when the cup
is completely full.
Difficulty removing and inserting: Inserting a menstrual cup correctly takes
time, patience and practice. Keep experimenting to find the fold that works
for you. Try using water or
water-based lubricant to make insertion easier. You may need to squat
to find a better position to insert or remove. Consider inserting and removing
while squatting in the shower. Make sure you wash your hands before and
after inserting and removing your cup.
Pain/Discomfort: With the right cup brand, the right sized cup,
and the cup is inserted properly, it should not cause any discomfort. It
may take a while to get used to the cup. Read for causes and solutions
of
pain.
Folding problems: There are different types of fold, but the most
popular ones are the
punchdown fold and the
c-fold. Keep experimenting until you discover the one that works for
you. The WRC has a video on
how to fold a cup.
Cup discoloration: Discoloration is quite common for transparent
menstrual cups. It doesn't affect its usability. However, you can use
hydrogen peroxide 2% to minimize the staining. In a bowl, mix 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide,
submerge the cup and leave it overnight in the mixture to make your cup
appear almost like new.
Cup texture: The AllMatters menstrual cups are made from 100%
soft medical grade silicone which is safe to wear inside the body. If you
find this brand too rigid, try another brand.
Length of the stem: The stem is at the bottom of the cup to make
removal easy and to avoid making the cup go too far up the vagina. The stem may be trimmed. Never yank on the stem. Remember to insert your finger between the cup edge and vagina,
to break the seal. Or break the seal by squeezing the base of the cup a few times.
Caused menstrual cramps: Menstrual cups tend to lower or may reduce
cramps. But, if you feel sharp, painful cramps, it may be a sign the cup
is touching or
suctioning to your cervix. This may be caused by inserting the cup
too high or the cup ‘walking’ itself up while wearing.
Sucked out IUD: The menstrual cup should be placed low in the
vagina, a position that should not interfere with the IUD. A menstrual
cup can be used with an IUD, but the suction must be released before removal.
Insert your finger between cup edge and vagina. Please check with your
gynecologist if you were just fitted for an IUD fitted. Wait at least two
cycles before you start using your menstrual cup.