The menstrual cup is intimidating, to say the least. I come from a community in which many believe that somehow tampons can take your virginity and are thus something to fear and be protected from. It’s easy to see how this might conflict with my desire for the relatively more invasive menstrual cup. Fortunately for me, after my mother laughed at me about the idea of the cup, she encouraged me to try one (I’m suspicious she also believed I’d never go through with it). Now I’m a part of the cup cult. Let me encourage any of you who menstruate to explore as well and join the ranks—the price is, in fact, blood. Call it outlandish, but I think anyone who menstruates address it in any way they see fit, and often the cup is one of the lesser known methods, probably owing to the incredibly pathetic sexual education system in this country. I can assure you that it is not nearly as bizarre as its reputation may make it seem. Below are ten bits of advice from one menstrual cup user to the next.
1. Prepare for the learning curve.
Patience is required. It will take a cycle (or two) to get the hang of using the cup. My first cycle was a bit of a mess, and I reverted back to my pad days to catch any subsequent leaking until I got used to it. The getting it in and getting it out is an experience, but once you get used to the process, it becomes very easy.
2. Remain calm.
Panic will only make m-cupping more difficult. The cup will A) fit, and B) come out. It is actually anatomically impossible to lose the cup (trust me, I checked). I should note that I have been on the rare thread where someone has mentioned having to go to the emergency room to get it out, but this is not a regular occurrence. I will detail how to properly insert and take out in numbers 8 and 9. Put on your favorite calming jams, meditate, drink some tea, relax and work your way through this.
3. Know your body.
Learning and knowing about your body is an extremely important aspect of life. As I have said before, my home community is not very keen on any conversation about menstruation, much less being in touch with your body. Knowing your body is an extremely important thing and is never something to be ashamed of, even outside of periods. After all, it is yours and yours alone, and you only ever get one. Might as well have fun with it. (Periods are also something anyone who experiences them should not be ashamed of either; menstruation is a normal bodily function and also kind of badass).
4. Expect blood.
It is your own blood, it can’t hurt you, but if you are very squeamish, take a deep breath. On a bit of a stranger note, I did feel like an octopus inking when I first emptied my cup. It is oddly satisfying? I felt like singing the line from “Red and Black” from Les Miserables when they proclaim “Red, the blood of angry men!” or that famous scene from The Shining when the blood rushes past the elevator. Another fun fact: the cup is also a way of knowing how much blood is released during each cycle. They have larger cups for those that have a heavier flow and smaller cups for those with a lighter one (also knowing how high or low your cervix is can impact which cup might best suit you). If you have to empty it more often than every 6 hours, you should consult your gynecologist.
5. Enjoy the convenience of the cup.
I honestly forget I’m on my period a lot of the time if I’m not cramping horribly. The cup only needs to be emptied every 12 hours, so I generally do that when I wake up and before I go to sleep. Need I also mention that it is possible to sleep in the cup and, once it has been mastered, almost never leaks when sleeping in, unlike with pads and tampons. The cup needs to be washed in between each use, but generally only needs hot water and unscented soap. In between each cycle, you will need to boil it in hot water for five minutes (make sure it does not melt or get damaged by keeping it away from the bottom or sides of the pot). Maybe put another pot aside for this part when your tomato soup is on the boil and you need to boil the cup. Another plus, it gets rid of that strong smell because the blood is not meeting the oxygen and making it have that odor.
6. Save money and the environment.
My previous menstrual products usually totaled around $10-$15 each month or more (thank you pink tax). This cup can be bought online for around $15 on Amazon and lasts for 5-10 years. It is made of medical grade silicon which also, with proper cleaning, lessens the risk for toxic shock syndrome. Also, the menstrual cup saves the environment from all of those pads and tampons that sit in landfills.
7. Eliminate chemicals.
The medical grade silicon-based cup has fewer harmful chemicals than many pads and tampons, which have chemicals to either eliminate smells or absorb “better” but these chemicals can actually make menstrual cramps even worse and harm the body in other ways. Also, the cotton fibers in tampons can scar the vaginal canal and open the body up to infection. Even if you decide to continue an alternative menstrual product, I encourage you to look for more organic/reusable options.
8. Insert the cup.
Again, don’t panic. The cup may look very big and intimidating, but the vagina is incredibly elastic. (Another note, vaginas do not become “looser” in any circumstance such as after sex or any other activity. This is just a way to slut-shame those with vaginas). When inserting the cup, fold properly. There are many kinds of folds such as the U fold or the 7-fold or the push-down method (I use the push-down method), but find the method that best fits for you. Get in a position in which it is most comfortable to insert and relax. Many people also use lube or rinse the cup with water before insertion. Insert the folded cup nearly horizontally, such as facing your tail-bone. Once the cup is comfortably in, grip the base and turn it in a full 360 to make sure the cup is properly suctioned. Once the cup is in, it should hardly be felt. Marvel at this accomplishment. I texted my best friend when I finished it with the message “it’s in” and “I shall wear it till my cup runneth over.” My first time took about 20 minutes. Here is a helpful video as well for insertion and taking out.
9.Take the cup out… (Expect blood pt.2).
Taking the cup out, I found, is a bit more stressful than inserting it. When taking the cup out, again first relax. I generally grip the base and squeeze a little to break the suction and push the top down a bit as I pull it out. It is helpful to push with your muscles as well, but avoid being too tense so much so that it makes taking the cup out more difficult. The stem isn’t for pulling the cup out completely, but I did find it helpful in bringing the base farther down. You can also cut the stem if you feel it getting in the way.
10. Remember, every body is different.
I am only proposing the cup as a suggestion to experiment with, it is certainly not the end all be all. Use the menstrual product that best suits your needs and your body. Also, do plenty of research before buying one to see if this best suits you. I am not at all an expert or medical professional, I’m just another menstruater trying to find my way in this mess.
