A lady’s guide to mastering the menstrual cup with style

We bet you’ve got that trendy friend who has been using menstrual cups for ages. “Oh my god, you still use tampons? Don’t you know how toxic they are?” she squeals in horror; “I would never go back, period cups are so easy and convenient.” But most ‘cup-curious’ women still have a few unanswered questions about using the incredibly popular menstrual cups.

The reasons for joining the movement towards sustainable period care are pretty convincing:

• Less cost – no more buying tampons every month
• Less waste – reusable menstrual cups mean less pollution
• Less chemicals – menstrual cups mean no more bleaches
• Less fuss – most days a period cup can be worn all day
• More comfortable – get it in right, and you won’t know it’s there

Still not sure about using menstrual cups?

We want to answer all your questions about menstrual cups. If we miss one, send us an email and we’ll do our very best to answer!

How on earth do you get them in?

You’re not the first one to wonder! There are a range of tried and true methods of inserting a menstrual cup – try a few and find what works best for you. Once in place, the cup will unfold and gently spring into position, with a snug seal around the edge. You can slip a finger around the edge to check until you get confident with your technique.

Give yourself a few practice runs and try the different methods – you’ll be an expert in no time. We’ll leave it to the experts to explain how to put in a period cup via video – here’s Lunette’s video and MoonCup’s video.

Can I trust a menstrual cup not to leak?

Yep, absolutely. Once your period cup is inserted correctly, it will not leak, even during sports. Perfect for running, horse riding or high-powered business meetings.

A menstrual cup won’t leak until it is full, so just like with tampons, on higher flow days you will need to pop into the loo once or twice and empty it. Hopefully you will need fewer ‘pit-stops’ than you do with tampons, and on lower flow days, you probably won’t need to empty your menstrual cup until night time.

Can I use a menstrual cup at night?

Yes, you can safely use your cup while you sleep too.

How do I know what size do I need?

Most menstrual cup brands offer two sizes and some offer a firmer option and a softer option. Generally, if you have had a child, or have a heavier flow, go for the larger size. If you want to use two cups, one smaller for lighter days and one larger for heavier days, that can work well too.

For firmness, both have advantages – the softer cups slip in easier and the firmer cups spring open more evenly. This one is down to personal preference!

Can teenagers use menstrual cups?

Absolutely. Choose the smaller sized option cup, and have a good look at the instructions booklet or insertion videos (see below). Give yourself a few practice runs to get the hang of this then get on out there and enjoy yourself, without having to worry about changing tampons and pads as often throughout the day.

What if I have had a baby?

No problem. Using a menstrual cup after a baby is great as you have less fuss and bother and more time to… run around after the kids! Seriously though, you may find the larger size works better as things get back to normal, but you are likely to end up with the smaller size after a few years.

How do you get a menstrual cup out?

Easy! Each period cup is made with a knob at the base. When you slip your fingers in, just grip this between finger and thumb and pull. Remember to keep the cup upright as you remove it.

How do you clean a period cup?

You should sterilise your period cup when you first unpack it from your Oh Natural courier package, and after each period. The easiest way to do this is to boil it for 5 minutes to ensure it is 100% sterile. It’s a good idea to keep it in its little bag to keep it clean when not in use.

Each time you change your cup during your period, you should thoroughly rinse the cup with warm water and mild soap. If you are out and about you may find the Lunette wipes useful to clean the cup on the go. Obviously, don’t put it down on any dirty surfaces – and you may like to wash your hands before going into the loo.

How long will a menstrual cup last?

Depending on use, menstrual cups can last for years, saving you hundreds of dollars on sanitary care!

What are period cups made of?

Most are period cups are medical grade silicon, which is impermeable and doesn’t harbour bacteria, the Oi cup is made of medical grade TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers).

Go on, give a menstrual cup a whirl. Grab yours now – it’s easy to buy period cups online, and we bet you will never look back!