When I first heard of menstrual cups, I was a bit disgusted…like, who would want to deal with that? Gross. Ewww. Blech. Yuck. All the things. No, thank you.
Over time, though, I got to thinking…what if it does actually work? And what if it’s not as bad as I think it is? I also thought back to a time I was walking out of Target talking to my sister on the phone, and realized I had just spent almost $100 on paper products that would end up in the trash...napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, feminine products, paper plates, etc…pretty sure I was there to take advantage of deal on paper towels…yea…we spend that much on paper towels…that I often keep an eye out for sales…ummmm….
That was several years ago. Lately, I’ve been actually acting on that thought and trying to rid my home of disposable items as much as possible…not only for the sake of the environment, but for the sake of our bank account…there are so many other things I’d rather spend that money on. Not to mention the storage space those products consume. If you’re in the same place in your head, maybe it’s time for you to consider a menstrual cup?
Below, I’m going to share with all the things you need to know, including what they don’t tell you, about using a menstrual cup for the first time. My hope is that you will be fully prepared for the experience, and make an informed choice when you purchase yours. (P.S. for my biggest fan – Daddy, if you’re reading this, you should stop now…there are things you really just don’t need or want to know…love you!)
UPDATE July 2021 – I have recently discovered there are literally dozens of menstrual cup brands. I still LOVE my June Cup AND June period underwear (subscribe below to ensure you get the deets on those coming soon!) As you are researching, the best advice I can give you: be sure you are given sizing advice and options from the brand you are considering. June offers several sizing, including a mini that is very small, and seems appropriate for the youngest of users. Many brands only offer 1-2 sizes. Also, look for medical grade silicone. Ensure that you can properly sanitize the cup. I’ll be doing a bit more research on this topic soon and see if I can narrow down some of these choices for you. Please let me know in the comments what you need help with and what is confusing about this process!
Thanks for visiting! 🥰
Cindi, the Godmother of the Messy Bun Mafia
I went with the June Cup because they have an amazing deal right now…they are selling cups at cost ($6.00) in response to Covid-19. I purchased one for myself and one for my daughter (for future use) in the sizes recommended by June. I was so happy with it that I just checked out again with a back up cup, one a size smaller just to see the difference, and 3 pairs of June’s period underwear. I’ll be sure to review those for you, as well, once I’ve tried them.
If you’re here for certain info, you can Jump to: Things no one told you, common questions & concerns about menstrual cups, a brief overview of my first cycle using the June Cup, and June’s video on using their cup along with other resources (including how to get a discount) from June.
Things that no one told you:
- You’re going to want something to clean your nails.
- You’ll want to try it out at home for the first 2-days.
- You won’t have to buy another one for about 5 years!
- File your nails so they aren’t too sharp while you get used to the process.
- breaking the seal can, at times, make…ummm… awkward noises.
- It’s really easy to empty without making your bathroom (or worse, a public bathroom!) look like a murder scene.
- They come in different sizes!
- You don’t have to deal with your period or your cup immediately when you wake up! In fact, it’s better to wait a little while! So, you can have your coffee, get your body & mind moving, and THEN deal with it.
Common Concerns About Menstrual Cups
Here are some things I see in frequent conversations about mentrual cups:
- ‘My flow is VERY heavy – It won’t work for me.’ This is a very common misconception. You will be aboslutely AMAZED at how well this works and how much it holds – watch below as I compare the June Cup to my favorite Overnight Pad from Always.
- How do I know what size menstrual cup to get? The manufacturer’s website should have recommendations for you. I followed the recommendations from June, and feel that it was an accurate fit. I can’t imagine another size working better for me.
- Can you feel it? No. I could feel the cup the first day, but my the middle of day 2 and certainly by day 3, I had mastered placement and could EASILY see myself forgetting that the cup was in my body.
- What if I have trouble removing the cup? Your product manufacture will recommend methods and positions to assist you. Generally, squatting, ensuring that the pelvic wall is relaxed (and YOU are relaxed) will assist. It may also help to simply relax, walk around, and try again in 30-60 minutes. If you are unable to remove your cup with the recommendations of the manufacturer, please seek medical attention. This is extremely rare.
- Are menstrual cups appropriate for teens & preteens? Teens, absolutely. Preteens? This is up to the parent to decide (my personal opinion) – my preteen has not started her cycle. At this point, I don’t think she would be comfortable with the process. I’ll make that assessment again when she starts her period. We can, and should, teach them about their bodies, but I feel that they will be more comfortable with menstrual cups once they are more ‘organically’ familiar with their bodies and how it works and feels. Every child is different. It may help to enlist the assistance of the nurse or gynecologist, or even a pediatrician that your child is comfortable with.
- What about TSS & other potential complications? I’m not a physician – and I would recommend that you speak to your physician (gynecologist) about your concerns. June recommends not leaving your cup in for more than a 12 hour stretch. TSS is extremely rare with tampon usage, and even more rare with menstrual cup usage. Read below information quoted from a 2019 article on Healthline:
You’re more likely to experience minor irritation from wearing the wrong cup size than you are to develop a severe complication like toxic shock syndrome (TSS).
Understanding how and why these complications occur can help you reduce your overall risk of adverse effects.
Irritation
Irritation can happen for a number of reasons, and, for the most part, they’re all preventable.
For example, inserting the cup without proper lubrication can cause discomfort.
In many cases, applying a small amount of water-based lube to the outside of the cup can help prevent this. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s recommendations on the product packaging for further clarification.
Irritation can also occur if the cup isn’t the right size or if it isn’t cleaned properly between uses. We’ll discuss cup selection and care later in this article.
Infection
Infection is a rare complication of menstrual cup use.
And when infection does occur, it’s more likely to result from the bacteria on your hands and transferred to the cup than from the actual cup.
For example, yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis can develop if the bacteria in your vagina — and subsequently your vaginal pH — becomes imbalanced.
You can reduce your risk by washing your hands thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial soap before handling the cup.
You should also wash your cup with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free, water-based soap before and after use.
Over-the-counter examples include Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap (which can be found in most health food stores) or Neutrogena Liquid Soap.
Scent-free, oil-free cleansers made for infants are also good alternatives, such as Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Dermeze Soap-Free Wash.
TSS
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a rare but serious complication that can result from certain bacterial infections.
It occurs when Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria — which naturally exist on your skin, nose, or mouth — are pushed deeper into the body.
TSS is typically associated with leaving a tampon inserted for longer than recommended or wearing a tampon with a higher-than-needed absorbency.
TSS as a result of tampon use is rare. It’s even more rare when using menstrual cups.
To date, there has only been one report of TSS associated with the use of a menstrual cup.
In this case, the user created a small scrape on the inside of their vaginal canal during one of their initial cup insertions.
This abrasion allowed Staphylococcus bacteria to enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.
You can reduce your already low risk for TSS by:
washing your hands thoroughly with warm water and antibacterial soap before removing or inserting your cup
cleaning your cup as recommended by the manufacturer, usually with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free, oil-free soap, before insertion
applying a small amount of water or water-based lube (per manufacturer’s instructions) to the outside of the cup to aid in insertion
Medically reviewed by Holly Ernst, PA-C — Written by Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on March 27, 2019
I think I covered most of the questions that I see frequently – please let me me know if you have questions or concerns that I did not address! Meanwhile, here’s how the cup experience went for me:
Here’s a quick rundown of my first cycle with the June menstrual cup:
Day 1: Sanitized my cup, and slept in it..
- Amazing how much it holds!
- Was really awkward and someone uncomfortable to insert.
- Removal was a little painful – have to learn the positioning – this got better over the next couple of days.
- First time use, I was hyper aware of it – felt it most of the time, unless lying down.
Day 2: Trial & Error
- 2nd time (removed, emptied, reinserted) much better. Still aware of the cup.
- 3rd time, I could easily forget it’s there
- long/sharp nails – ouch – maybe gloves would help?
- learning when to empty it will take some practice/time
Day 3: I’ve Got This!
- Learning when to empty it only took until today.
- Morning – empty, clean (rinse), reinsert.
- Evening, – empty, clean (rinse), reinsert.
- Yea. that’s IT! Twice a day.
- Really holds a lot of liquid – I was very surprised at what a small amount of blood it looks like when I thought about how a soaked pad feels
- Much better than pads, even the ‘good’ thin, absorbant ones.
Day 4-end of cycle:
- At this point, my cycle starts to lighten up significantly, to where I only normally need a liner. I did start day four with the cup, but went to bed with a liner – I was just not interested in going through the process again with so little bleeding.
- Cup Sanitized and stored for next month!
Final thoughts:
- I thought I would still need to wear a liner – absolutely NOT necessary. You may want to for the first couple of days as you get used to the cup.
- Spreading labia helps with insertion
- Will purchase ‘period underwear’ soon and really think that will be a perfect combo of protection from leakage.
Resources from The June Cup:
- June has a wonderful Facebook Community for those that menstruate – you can read through previous discussions, ask questions, or be a part of discussions. Discussion is not limited to Menstrual Cups or the June brand.
- Don’t forget! June is offering their cups for $6 in response to Covid-19!
- The Cup Quiz will help you determine the best size to purchase.
- You’ll get a link in your email for a 25% off Text Club Discount Code!
- I also found this video helpful – you can watch it here, or find it on June’s Website along with more resources.
