How to insert a menstrual cup

Preparations before inserting your cup for the first time.

It can be a bit nerve-wracking the first time you insert a cup. You can insert your cup in a few different ways. What will suit you best depends on what feels most comfortable for you. Some people prefer to squat while others prefer to sit on the toilet. Here are some tips and advice for you if you are going to use a cup.

1. Start by boiling your cup in water for 5 minutes to sterilise it.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with fragrance-free soap.
3. Fold the cup, see picture below.
4. Then insert the cup into the vagina.

The cup can be folded in several different ways, try it out until you find the one that suits you best.

1. Hold the cup itself, not the spike. Put the narrowest part into the vagina and insert the cup bit by bit.
2. Hold the fold firmly with 2-3 fingers. Once it's a little way in, let it expand.
3. When it is firmly in place, it will unfold. Gently wiggle. As air enters the cup, a vacuum seal is formed that holds the cup in place and makes it close tightly.

When your cup is in place, you should not feel it. If the spike sticks out, you can cut off a piece of it. If you feel the cup, it's not in the right place. You may have to start again. If you find this uncomfortable because the cup doesn't slide, you can use lubricant. However, avoid oil-based lubricants as they can destroy the material the cup is made of.

When you take out your cup, you need to make sure that the vacuum holding it in place is released. Do not pull on the spike. You can wiggle the cup a little or pinch the bottom of the cup with your fingers. Then just take it out and empty it. Sometimes it can help to push/cough and the cup will come out more easily.

Finding the right position for the cup takes some practice. When inserting the cup, keep in mind that it doesn't work like a tampon. It doesn't need to be inserted as far. In addition, it is much softer and more pliable than a tampon. You don't have to worry about inserting a cup hurting.

The right position means you won't feel the cup and it won't leak. For the first use, it might be a good idea to wear a panty liner in case the cup is not in place and blood leaks out. Over time, you will learn the right grip and you will get the cup in place quickly and easily.

It is possible to adjust the position without removing the cup. For example, you can screw it a little to make it fit better. Feel where the cup is and then jiggle it back and forth. If this doesn't work, you may still have to take the cup out to reinsert it.

How you insert the cup depends on your circumstances and what is comfortable for you. For example, you can squat and then insert the cup into your vagina. Be careful not to drop it on the floor. If it does, you should wash it off again to avoid getting bacteria into the vagina.

Another option is to put one foot on the bathtub barrel. This works just like inserting a tampon. Sitting on the toilet and inserting can also work well. But then, of course, there's the risk of dropping the cup down the toilet, at which point you absolutely must boil it or wash it with sterile tablets.

With the menstrual cup, as with everything else in life, practice makes perfect. Expect it to take 2-3 periods before you feel confident about inserting the cup. For some it's quicker and for others the opposite. The most important thing is that you take the time to find the right insertion technique for you. This is also important if you intend to take out and empty during the day in other places where you will not have access to a toilet as convenient as the one you have at home.

We recommend that you wait until you feel comfortable with how you insert the menstrual cup before sleeping with it.