How to Choose the Right Menstrual Cup

When it comes to choosing the right menstrual cup, or to period in general, we are left with many doubts and an unclear idea on how to deal with it.

Index:
How to choose your menstrual cup
The height of your cervix
The status of your pelvic floor
The intensity of your blood flow
Discover cups and intimate hygiene

Our society and therefore we, as womxn with periods, are full of false information and wired myths on our menstrual cycle, which we end up believing to since there is a lack of valid education and real convo about periods in general.

How to choose your menstrual cup

So, if you fancy trying menstrual cups and having a green approach to period, our experts have created a video with the real things you have to take in consideration when choosing a menstrual cup.

But let me first start with the DON’Ts:

• You do not choose your menstrual cup because your best friend, mum, sis, auntie, pharmacist uses that model and therefore it’ll work for you as well.
• You do not choose your menstrual cup based on the intensity of your flow (at least, not only). It is not true that menstrual cups with thick edges are safest and therefore you’ll avoid leaks.
• It is not true that big menstrual cups are easier and safer because they can collect more blood, you won’t have leaks or won’t need to change them often.
• The shape of menstrual cups is not just for design, it really matters.

Now that I've cleared some of the false myths on menstrual cups, let’s dive in.

The first thing to keep in mind when choosing your menstrual cup is that you have to choose it depending on your body shape. We are all different (unique!) and that’s why your BF’s cup might not work well for you.

Another very important thing to remember is to choose only body-safe, no-toxic menstrual cups made of medical grade silicone. You’ll keep this product in your body for many hours, even for years: it has to be top quality.

You are now ready to watch our video on how to choose the right menstrual cup! 

In the video you’ll discover that there are 3 things to consider:

• The position of your cervix (we’ll tell you what and where your cervix is and how to discover its position)
• The status of your pelvic floor (yup, your pelvic floor is strictly linked to your vagina so it is important you know its status when choosing the menstrual cup)
• The intensity of your flow (your menstrual cup’s capacity is usually in millilitres, so you’ll have to check how intense your flow is).

PS: if you are not familiar with how many types of menstrual cups exist, you can have a look at this video!

Instead, if you don't have time to watch this video right now, here are the main information you need to know to choose your menstrual cup.

The height of your cervix

Let's start from the basics: what is the cervix? We can define it as the lowest part of your uterus and you can find it at the end of your vaginal canal.

In order to determine the height of your cervix, you should do a very simple test. Wash your hands carefully before starting! What you'll need to do is just inserting one finger inside your vagina and see how deep you can get. Remember that the height of your cervix may vary during your menstrual cycle - be sure, if possible, to perform the test the day before you'll get your period or as soon as you start bleeding.

Then yu'll just need to check:

• if you can insert only one phalanx, your cervix is low
• if you can insert two phalanxes, you cervix is medium
• if you can insert the whole finger, your cervix is high

At this point, knowing the height of your cervix, you'll know which size of cup to choose: they all have different heights!

Always remember that you shouldn't touch your menstrual cup from the outside of your vagina, it shuld be totally inserted inside - also the stem that helps you remove your cup.

The status of your pelvic floor

Again, what is the pelvic floor? It's a group of muscles that wraps around your whole abdominal area - vagina included.

As any other muscle, is can be more or less toned but it should usually move together with you, without contractures, that can create issues.

You could have run into advertising telling you you should choose your menstrual cup based on the fact that you have or have not given birth vaginally. Well, that's not exactly like that. Our experts suggest that you should always look for a soft cups, aside from the status of your pelvic floor.

Try also to avoid all the cups with a rigid rim. The idea that this can prevent leaks is a false myth. A rigid and thick rim could only impact negatively on your pelvic floor.

The intensity of your blood flow