How to Use a Menstrual Cup

I recently got a new menstrual cup. My first one lasted me about 15 years, saved me at least $1,000 (US). I also avoided creating about 100 pounds of garbage, that would have resulted if I had been using conventional 'feminine hygiene products' for all those years.

A lot of friends who I have turned on to The Keeper or Moon Cup have had trouble using the cup at first. There should be no problem if you do it right, so I hope this little instructable will help as this is a very sustainable solution to our monthly blessing.

Please click here for more information and interesting links on the subject.

Step 1: Before Using The Keeper

A couple people I knew had trouble when they first got the keeper, the little gripping bit that sticks off the base of the cup is generally a bit long. Different women are different sizes and the piece is made a bit long to account for this.

This piece is important because if it is too long it will be uncomfortable, but if it is too short or cut off completely it will not be as easy to get a grip on to remove the cup.

One of my friends cut this piece off entirely before using it, this can be scary because, especially for a first time user you will have to push down with your muscles to help to push the cup out far enough to get a grip on the bottom of it. With the little piece sticking out it is easy to grab and pull down on.

So just cut off enough so that you can still get a good grip on it, but will not get poked by it. Start cutting off less rather than more and see how it feels.

Comments

[Hack42Moem]

I love that someone took the time to write a I-ble about menstrual cups!
There are so many brands out there nowadays, about 20 of them, and they are slowly getting more and more mainstream.
Thank you for helping to spread the word, cups are great!

[HellaDelicious]

Thanks so much for your comment! Yes the cups are fantastic and everyone should use them! They save so much money and trash :)

[lily22]

Thanks for your tips - I have a kind of strange question that has put me off from using my cup more regularly. How do you manage to clean yours in communal bathrooms? i.e. at my workplace we have stalls that only have toilets in them, and the handbasins are in an open area. Thank you in advance!

[HellaDelicious]

Yeah that is difficult, thanks for asking. I have found you can use toilet paper, but it has to be done pretty delicately and uses a lot of toilet paper. Still it works. As long as you wash your hands before doing this and don't allow it to touch anything else before replacing it, it is fine. Not the best solution but it works.

[f1dd13r]

If you cant use the basin in the communal area,you could take a little bottle of water in with you in your bag or (less palava)just pull the flush and clean the cup in the falling water which results(which is perfectly clean as it comes from the same water that fills the non drinking water taps).

[billybobjhonson]

 you better wash your hands

[szasama]

When I first used my Moon Cup, it kept leaking. It was very disappointing, but just before I completely gave up on it I realized it wasn't inserted properly. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere, so it could be just my strange anatomy, but here's what I discovered:
If just left to slide into place, the cup will usually not sit around my cervix as it should. It will just stay all on one side of it, letting the flow by without catching anything. Now I always try to aim it towards my back instead of straight up. This helps a lot, but I always check by slowly spinning the cup around with a finger. If it turns easily, it has gone to the right place and covers the cervix. If not, I have to pull it out a tiny bit and push it back aimed now more towards my back.

I hope this all makes sense.

[HellaDelicious]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us! I didn't have problems with leaking but I do find that I turn it once it is in to make sure it is in place. I guess we are all shaped uniquely!

[ChrysN]

These are wonderful. In Canada they are sold as the Diva Cup and made of silicone instead.

[blodefood]

Outing my gender here, the Diva cup is great.  I got one after my Keeper of 9 years gave out.  The main difference in design is that the Keeper stem is smooth and the holes on the Diva cup are higher up the rim.

Saved a whole lot on disposables over the years!  Less worry about TSS, too.

[HellaDelicious]

Yeah definitely save a lot of money and a lot of trash! Thanks for the tips on differences in the cups.

[HellaDelicious]

Thanks for the info... <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.divacup.com/">http://www.divacup.com/</a>. They look great too!<br/>

[desertdog]

I never heard of the device. (being male)  What a good way to eliminate some landfill bound waste.  I think that many people would be embarrassed to even talk about the subject.  Great instructable.

[HellaDelicious]

Thanks for your open-minded comments [especially coming from a male on this topic :-) ]. It is embarrasing but also entirely natural--so true about the landfills!

[porcupinemamma]

interesting, but you were right-the gardening tip was just too much info

[HellaDelicious]

yeah sorry about that! --but my roses especially like it, helps keep black spot away! these days if I have to dump it down the toilet I feel so sad like I have wasted my precious fluids....

[insomniaSAH]

I've sort of been wanting to get one of these but I don't want to order it online - But I never see them in stores >.<

[porcupinemamma]

They are often sold in health food stores. A gynacolagist recommended the product to a friend.

[insomniaSAH]

Oh! Awesome, if I spot one in my area I'll be sure to check :D

[HellaDelicious]

I saw one in a store for like $99. Insane markup. -But that might have been in New Zealand actually so-- still it seemed a high markup -- but I guess with the exchange rate and shipping maybe it wasn't that bad.

[canida]

Agreed, these are great!

I'd recommend breaking the suction around the top first before trying to remove it, though. Just gently push in the side (near the top) as you begin to pull the cup out. Much better.

[HellaDelicious]

This is a good point. Thanks for your tip!