How to Insert a Menstrual Cup
Most women begin using sanitary napkins, or pads, upon the start of their first period. After a few years, many women start to use tampons as their preferred method of feminine hygiene. Now there are a variety of options that a woman can choose to contain her bleeding each month. One of these options is the menstrual cup. The insertion of a menstrual cup is somewhat different than a tampon, but can be mastered with practice.
Instructions
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Place the menstrual cup in your dominant hand. Line the rim, or mouth, of the cup with either a water-based lubricant or a little bit of clean water. Fold the cup in half. Fold the cup in half a second time. It should have a "u" shape at this point.
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2
Sit on the toilet and place the cup into your vagina, just as you would a tampon. Do not hesitate while inserting the cup; the hesitation will cause the cup to open up. Aim at the bottom of your spine, open the vaginal canal with your fingers and insert the cup quickly. Make sure the bottom of the cup is one to two centimeters from the outside entrance to the vagina.
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3
Feel for the position of the cup. Upon insertion, the cup should have opened up. Use your index finger to gently massage the edges to make sure that it is open. If needed to create a seal, gently turn the cup until you feel suction. Properly inserted, you should not feel the cup itself. It should not be as far up as a tampon and it should not touch your cervix.
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Removing the cup requires pressing down on the cup, as if pushing out a baby. If the suction is not easily broken, use a finger swipe around the seal to break the suction. Once the suction is broken, gently pull out the cup with your fingers.
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Tips & Warnings
To help insertion, try inserting the cup while standing in a warm shower. This could help relax the pelvic muscles that are tensing while you are trying to insert the cup.
Do not use a petroleum-based lubricant to line the mouth of the cup. The petroleum will corrode the cup over time.
