How to Insert the Menstrual Cup
We know how disappointing it can be when you decide to go green with your period and you realize your menstrual cup doesn’t hold up well.
Index:
Folding
Place it deep down
How to check the cup has opened
That’s why we have created a lot of content related to menstrual cups. We wrote the article on how to choose the right cup for you, which I hope you have read before buying your new cup (in case you can catch it up here). Plus, we made some videos to help you choose the right menstrual cup, and you can find them here.
Finally we created this guide here, where I'm going to tell you which are the most used techniques to insert your cup.
We’d love to thank you also on behalf of the planet for doing your part in reducing the 5kg of waste every person with period produces with disposable period products every year.
Let’s begin!
Folding
Your menstrual cup will be inserted into the vaginal canal and has to be positioned deep down, close to the cervix. To facilitate the insertion of the cup, you’ll have to fold it. Most cups are very flexible and can be folded easily, so that they will end up being as big as a tampon.
There are three folding techniques that are the most used by menstrual cups experts: the C fold, the triangle one and the “push down” technique.
Since each person is different, if you find an alternative folding technique that works for you, that’s fantastic!
On pureeros we only sell semi-soft menstrual cups, because we believe they are the best kind of cups, so they will fold very easily. In case you have a semi-rigid cup at home, it’ll take a bit more effort to keep it folded during insertion.
Those three techniques are good for menstrual cups that are bell-shaped, not for the flat ones like Ziggy, which I’ll explain how to insert in a separate section.
Ideally you should be able to insert your cup holding it folded with one hand.
See the figures below to understand the C fold, the triangle and the push down technique.
C fold
Push down
PS: if you use the triangle fold, insert the cap into your vagina starting from the tip (with the fold side down); this will facilitate the opening and the correct positioning of the cup into the vagina.
If you are not very comfortable in inserting the cup, or you are very sensitive or you just fancy a little help, I suggest you try to use a few drops of water-based lubricant to help the insertion of the cup as well as its opening.
If you still have some doubts, check this video out, where we show you the most common kind of foldings.
Flat cups
If you have bought Ziggy, the menstrual cup you can wear during penetrative sex for mess-free period sex, those techniques won’t work. Ziggy works differently and has a unique shape to position it beyond your pubic bone. I invite you to follow the dedicated instructions you’ll find in Ziggy’s package.
Place it deep down
NB: Nails are very beautiful but not ideal to manage things inside your vagina so be careful and always wash your hands before inserting or taking out your menstrual cup to avoid vaginal infections.
Fold the cup using the technique you prefer; hold the cup with two fingers. You can stand with your legs spread and a bit flexed, or you can sit on the toilet. Find a position you are comfortable with and relaxed. Use the other hand to spread a bit your outer labia and insert the folded cup into the vagina.
Keep holding the cup folded with the two fingers until you have passed the “most rigid ” part, which corresponds to your pubic bone, then release the cup and take your fingers out.
Be aware that the whole cup needs to be fully inserted into the vaginal canal, cup’s stem included. You are not supposed to feel the stem at the entrance of your vagina. If you do feel it, you might have not positioned the cup deep enough or you might have chosen the wrong cup.
If you feel the stem, it can be quite uncomfortable as well as it might irritate your skin and also it is not good for your pelvic floor.
The cup has to be placed close to the cervix for two reasons: that’s the most flexible portion of the vaginal canal, so the cup can easily open and position itself right. It is also the best place for the cup to adhere correctly to the vaginal walls to collect the blood.
How to check the cup has opened
Once you have positioned the cup, try to insert one finger and pass it around the cup (pass the stem and get to the actual cup); if you don't feel any fold, it means the cup has opened.
You can also try, with two fingers, to move the stem to see if it makes some resistance. If it does and the cup doesn’t move, it means it has adhered correctly.
One of the main reasons why you can have leaks with the menstrual cup is that it hasn’t opened correctly, leaving the cervix out; if that happens, blood will not be collected into the cup.
In order to be aware of where your cervix is, you must know your body quite well. You can easily find out by placing your index finger into the vaginal canal (without the cup); once you have reached “the end” that’s the cervix! If you are able to reach the cervix even when the cup is inside, it means it hasn’t opened correctly.