{"id":12196,"date":"2017-04-04T10:14:03","date_gmt":"2017-04-04T08:14:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=12196"},"modified":"2022-02-24T14:43:02","modified_gmt":"2022-02-24T13:43:02","slug":"using-menstrual-cup-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/using-menstrual-cup-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"First time using a menstrual cup? Here’s what to expect…"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was medically fact-checked by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Shree Datta<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

With so many women saying \u201cenough is enough\u201d to pads and tampons, you may have found yourself in possession of a shiny new menstrual cup! Armed with INTIMINA\u2019s <\/span>quick start guide<\/span><\/a> and your new cup, you\u2019re almost ready to go\u2026 Now all you need is the nitty-gritty on what to expect when using a menstrual cup for the very first time. Gathered from sage cup-veterans, the pros on the INTIMINA team and Lily Cup user experiences, this is menstrual cup real talk like you\u2019ve never read before…<\/span><\/p>\n

1. You\u2019re going to get intimate, real intimate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yes, you do have to insert your menstrual cup and yes, it\u2019s a little different from even non-applicator tampons since you have to <\/span>position<\/span><\/i> it as well. Don’t forget to wash your hands each time you’re about to insert or remove your cup. Also make sure you don’t have any cuts or infections while using the cup. Having an open mind and fearless fingers (sans sharp nails please) is a requirement but we assure you it pays off BIG TIME. From being more attuned to your health downstairs to actually <\/span>improving your sex life<\/span><\/a>, getting acquainted with your vajayjay is awesome!<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Patience is a virtue<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While many women take to using a menstrual cup like ducks to water, there are just as many of us who find the first few times quite the fumble – and that\u2019s totally fine. So when you are first time using menstrual cup, try inserting and removing your cup in the shower your first few times as the water can act as a lubricant and if you\u2019re still a little nervous, being all squeaky clean should make you that much more comfortable! \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Every body is different<\/h3>\n

Different cup folds work for different women, so if one is just not working for you, try another. You can check out our top cup folding techniques <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. We always recommend inserting your cup higher up in the vaginal canal than it needs to be at first so you have more room to move it around and get it to pop open. Rotating your cup or pulling it down ever so slightly can help stubborn little folds to open up and form that seal. Chill. Relax. A tense, freaked out vagina is a friend to no one.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Leaks can happen – but you\u2019ll get it down fast<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many first-timers will have no mess, no fuss – but if you experience leakage the first few times you use a cup don\u2019t fret! Just like with any new protection method, it\u2019s useful to have some back up panty liners on hand just in case. As you get to know your body and how to use your cup, you\u2019ll be a pro in no time. There are also different sized cups to fit different anatomies, so make sure to read up on the details before you purchase.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Once it\u2019s in, you can\u2019t feel it<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Switching from pads and tampons<\/a> to a menstrual cup is like graduating from diapers to normal underwear – seriously. Once inside, you can\u2019t feel it at all, which is why so many cup users say they forget they\u2019re even on their period. This is because most cups are made with medical grade silicone, which doesn\u2019t absorb menstrual flow (or your natural moisture) like pads and tampons<\/a> do, so they don\u2019t cause irritation or that oh-so familiar dryness. Yay!<\/span><\/p>\n

6. How to remove menstrual cup for the first time?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

…Not squatting over a new pair of jeans – at least the first few times! One of the big concerns women have about removing their cup is that it will spill its crimsony contents all over the place. But this won\u2019t happen providing you remove your cup correctly! Find a quiet place and allocate some time to learn the process. Use your vaginal muscles to push your cup downwards and with clean hands, squeeze the base of the cup to break its seal and pull out gently. Ta da! Easy peasy. <\/span><\/p>\n

7. There\u2019s really not that much blood!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While pads and tampons often look and feel completely saturated, inspecting your menstrual cup after removal is likely to leave you totally flabbergasted. On average we lose only 8<\/span>0ml or 5.5 tablespoons<\/span> of blood each period – so your cup might look pretty empty even after 8 hours of wear. For those with very heavy flows, there are cups with larger capacities such as the classic <\/span>Lily Cup or Ziggy 2 B size<\/span><\/a> to give you total peace of mind!<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Period blood is not like normal blood<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve probably had your suspicions from experiences with other menstrual products, but menstrual cups allow you to see your menstrual flow in all its gloopy glory. Period blood is not just blood – it\u2019s also uterine tissue, cells from the lining of the vagina, red blood cells and proteins. This may sound gross, but monitoring your flow, <\/span>it’s clots<\/span><\/a> and color can tell you a lot about your overall health and some of us actually kinda like looking at it\u2026 Be proud of what you create eh!<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Be gentle with your tap<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A gentle rinse in any temperature water you have available, is enough to get your cup ready for reinsertion. While soap isn\u2019t necessary, if you do decide to use it, be sure that it\u2019s pH-balanced, to avoid any irritation or infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

A word from the wise; when cleaning your cup<\/a>, turning the tap on full blast with your cup pointing upwards will fill the cup rapidly and send watery period blood in skyward trajectory towards your mirror and surrounding bathroom. Avoid. Keep the stream light at first and gently clean the cup. Again, don’t forget to wash your hands before removal!<\/span><\/p>\n

10. You\u2019re going to want to talk about it\u2026 with everyone<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Experiencing a disposable-free period is a thing of great majesty, but maybe Brian from the office doesn\u2019t <\/span>have<\/span><\/i> to know about it. Then again, maybe he does? We get it, when you start to use a menstrual cup you quickly realize the many ways your period – and your life – are about to change for the better.<\/span><\/p>\n

The final thing you learn is that it\u2019s weird not throwing something in the trash. So weird, so amazing and so liberating. While it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019re going to be a menstrual cup pro from the get-go and no beginner\u2019s cycle is complete without a few hiccups here and there, this is truly the beginning of a beautiful friendship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t