THE MENSTRUAL CUP Which one to choose and how to use it

How to choose the most suitable cup for you?

Choosing the cup that suits us best requires a good knowledge of our body and research on size, shape, material and softness.
The first thing to do is to become aware of our vagina .
I suggest you choose a quiet time and a comfortable place, start by looking at the vulva from the outside and then move towards the inside of the vagina.

How do you feel?
Do you experience a feeling of discomfort?
Do you feel good vaginal lubrication?
After becoming aware of your body, we advise you to be accompanied by a midwife in choosing the most suitable cup.
The figure of the midwife can help you evaluate your pelvic floor , your elasticity and morphology, can support you in identifying the right shape for you and the size with respect to the experiences related to your intimacy.
Generally, menstrual cups have different sizes, which one is right for you can vary if you have had a vaginal birth or not, but it is not the only aspect to consider!
Each vagina has its own experience so each person should choose the cup with which they feel most comfortable.

How to insert the cup?

• There are various ways to insert the cup into the vagina, if you like, you can practice even before the menstrual flow.
  Before inserting it, look for the most suitable position for you, sitting on the bidet, in the shower or comfortably lying on the bed.
  Hold the cup firmly, the lubrication of the vaginal fluid could make it slippery.
  Gently bring it closer to the entrance to the vagina, relax the perineum and push the body of the cup inwards.
  Make sure the cup has adhered well to the vaginal walls.
  The cup must be folded to be inserted, here are the most common folds:
• C-fold, the cup is folded into four parts so that it resembles a C
• clamshell fold which is the one recommended for people who are unfamiliar with their vagina, because it becomes quite small and it is easier to insert it
• 7-shaped and S-shaped folds which are recommended for people who need to insert larger cups.

Can't remove the cup?

If you are unable to remove the cup, it is because you are in a state of agitation that stiffens your perineal muscles or because you have inserted the cup too high and are struggling to find a grip to remove it.
No fear! Your vagina is not infinite, it has a well-defined space and the cup cannot get lost in the meanders of your vaginal walls.
Breathe, relax and you will see that it will come out without making a fuss, it's just a matter of practice!

Why do i leak when i wear the cup?

Menstrual bleeding while wearing a vaginal cup can be caused by two situations.
The first is an incorrect insertion, it could be that the cup has not adhered well to the vaginal walls and that there is space left that causes menstrual blood loss.
This usually causes discomfort and pain, so take some time to find the right position for the cup inside your vagina.
The second possibility could be that your flow is very abundant and that you need to empty it more often or that you have to implement different strategies, such as, for example, the combined use of cup and washable panties . Once your cup is full, you can take it off and let the absorbent panties continue the blood collection work.

Can i use a menstrual cup if i have infections?

It is generally not recommended to use the cup during vaginal infections because it enables bacteria and viruses to remain in contact with our vaginal flora.
The outflow of menstrual blood also accompanies pathogenic bacteria to the outside, this does not mean that we cure the infection, but it allows us to help the physiological process of eliminating what is not needed by our body.
Another important reason is that when you have an infection, you have pain and discomfort, and inserting the cup may exacerbate the pain.
It's okay to be in line with a conscious choice, but being hurt is never normal!