Menstrual cups can be scary, especially when you’re used to using pads or tampons. Cups are the last thing you want to think about when you’re already stressed about bloating, cravings and crippling period cramps!
Even in the BeYou office, menstrual cups used to constantly divide opinion - from ‘GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME(!)’ to ‘Just trust me, you’ll never go back.’ It’s natural to be scared of something totally different, especially when its something that looks so big! After some hilarious back and forth, we decided the best thing to do would be to ask our incredible Instagram audience what scares them the most about trying a menstrual cup. It’s always nice to know you’re not alone in asking questions about a product and, in fact, we were shocked to see just how many answers were identical!
As you’ll see below, the underlying theme across all of these questions are from not having tried them. It’s a bit of a catch-22 because you can’t overcome these fears without actually giving a menstrual cup a chance. Once you’re used to it though, you’ll never think about pads and tampons ever again! We’ve answered all the questions as thoroughly as possible, but if you still want to dig a little deeper feel free to get in touch! Without further ado, let’s get stuck in:
“Will my menstrual cup get stuck?”
The short answer is no. When the menstrual cup is sat inside the vaginal canal it has no way of travelling further up inside you. A menstrual cup sits lower than a tampon inside the vaginal canal. It sits just underneath your cervix while it collects the menstrual blood you excrete. We know, it sounds so glamorous! All menstrual cups have a stem on the bottom which is the ‘finding device’ for your cup. It is not the same as the string on a tampon. The BeYou Menstrual Cup also has rings around the base of the cup and the stem to help you grip the cup and remove it swiftly.
To remove your cup, we advise squatting down or propping your leg on the toilet to allow for easy access. Push down with your pelvic muscles and reach inside to find the cup. When you have found the cup pinch the base of the cup between your thumb and forefinger. If you’re struggling to pinch the base using the stem to help guide it down. When you have pinched the cup wiggle it downwards from side to side being careful not to point the cup downwards as you remove the cup. Then pull the cup out and tip the blood into the toilet and tad-dah! You have successfully removed your cup. Like anything new practise does make perfect so we encourage you to go over removing and inserting the cup several times just to get used to it.
Do menstrual cups leak? Are they messy?
Menstrual cups are designed to be leak-proof. Underneath the rim of your menstrual cup, there will be four suction holes which create a vacuum seal against your vaginal walls. This ensures your cup will catch ALL of your menstrual blood meaning none of your flow can escape. Finally no stained pyjamas or bedsheets! One reason why your cup might be leaking is that it hasn’t opened properly when inside. There a few things you can do to ensure it opens up when you have inserted it.
We recommend trying different menstrual cup folds and seeing which ones work best for you. The most popular folds are the ‘C’ fold, ‘7’ fold and ’Punchdown’ fold which you can find on our Youtube channel. Another top tip is to squeeze each size of your period cup to encourage it to open. Many cup enthusiasts rotate their cup to help it pop open or then gently pull down on the stem to help the cup unfold properly. When your cup has unfolded you can enjoy up to 12 hours of leak-free protection anytime, day or night. The vacuum seal also means that there is less mess than you would expect. Yes, you might have to touch your menstrual blood, shock-horror! But getting to know your flow and your menstrual cycle is such an empowering experience! That’s why menstrual cups are so cool! And remember, your period is not gross, AT ALL.
“Will it fit?”
Every woman is different which means so is their period. Our menstrual cup comes in two sizes: medium and large. We recommend you use medium if you’re under 25 years old and you haven’t given birth. If you are over 25 years old and have given both then we recommend you use the large cup. If you’re still unsure about which is right for you then feel free to message us on our live chat. We ensured our cup is super soft medical grade silicone meaning it will mould to the contours of your body.
We also recommend you get to know yourself a little better. Determining how high your cervix is during your period will help you pick what menstrual cup is best for you. Insert two fingers inside your vagina and feel for your cervix. Your cervix will feel distinctly different from your vaginal walls. If you feel a firm doughnut shape, then you have found your cervix! If you have to insert the majority of your fingers then you have a higher cervix but if you can reach your cervix with your fingers tips then you have a lower cervix. From this, you can decide if you need a longer cup or shorter cup. Trust us, there is a cup out there that will fit you.
“But are they comfy?”
Oh yeh, they are! As we’ve said the BeYou Menstrual Cup is designed to be super soft and comfy meaning is it perfect for beginners. We asked thousands of our BeYou customers if they would like to use a firmer or a softer cup and we found out that they would like to use a softer cup as they founded firmer cups not as comfortable. The pliable and flexible silicone moulds to your body meaning no weird jabbing or pinching sensations that you can get with tampons. You can tell when your cup is sitting in the correct position as you shouldn’t be able to feel it - exactly like a tampon. If you can feel it, it’s likely that your cup is sat too close to your vagina’s opening.
As we always say, the key with menstrual cups is ‘practise makes perfect’. Trial your cup even when you aren’t on your period to get into the habit of inserting and removing your cup. Each BeYou Menstrual Cup comes with a handy-to-use guide which will rake you through each step. Menstrual cups are designed to be just as safe and reliable as pads and tampons. Not only are they made to be leak-proof but they are just as comfy and clean as other period products. Trust us, pad-free periods have never been easier.
Remember, taking the plunge doesn’t need to be scary. We’re happy to hold your hand through it all (although, maybe not physically) so if you have any questions just give us a shout!