Reducing the need for countless period wear products, this genius innovation means you just need one item to see you through your cycle – creating a huge reduction of waste. Despite being a much greener alternative to standard tampons and pads, the menstrual cup has been shrouded in mystery and it looks a little intimidating. Not to mention, the same questions about how to use them crop up regularly – how do you insert them, how long can you keep them in for, are they safe, will they leak? Worry not, as we have all the answers.
What is a menstrual cup?
“A menstrual cup is, literally, a cup, usually made out of medical-grade silicone, that catches and collects menstrual flow, rather than absorbing it,” says Intimina brand manager Danela Žagar. “The principle is simple – just before your period begins (or maybe wait for it to start if you’re a first time user), tightly fold the menstrual cup and insert it like a tampon. You can do this in a squat position, sitting on the toilet, or however else you feel comfortable. There are many different ways to fold, and you will have them sketched out in every Intimina box. There isn’t a single fold that suits everyone, and that is okay. Once you insert the cup, rotate it slightly and you’ll feel it pop open. If you can, use your fingers to feel the rim of the now open cup to make sure it’s fully opened and in place. Then, pull lightly on the stem sticking out of the bottom to help create a vacuum seal. If the stem of the cup is sticking all the way out so that you can feel it when you move around, either the cup is too long for you or you haven’t inserted it correctly. When inserted right, you shouldn’t be able to feel your cup at all.”