The menstrual cup has come into many women's lives to stay. Its many qualities, among which its economy, the comfort they provide and their ecological character, have managed to replace sanitary pads and tampons. If you want to learn how to use and how to remove the menstrual cup without pain, pay attention to the following article from.
Next, we talk about this revolutionary format ideal for period days. Learn how to use the menstrual cup correctly with the following tips. Notes!
What is the menstrual cup
The most revolutionary method to combat the menstrual period is the lily cup menstrual cup from INTIMINA. It is a comfortable, healthy, economic and ecological technique that allows women to forget about their menstruation for 12 hours.
Among its advantages are the material that composes it. Being made of medical silicone or TPE, the cup is soft and flexible, which allows to provide comfort to the woman who uses it, since it does not scratch or dry the vaginal walls. Also, if it is well placed, it can provide up to 12 hours of protection without having to change it frequently, although this will depend on the flow of each woman.
But in addition to comfort, the menstrual cup is much more ecological than tampons or pads since you can use it unlimited without generating waste. And, also, it should be borne in mind that this method can help prevent certain common problems that sanitary pads or compresses can generate, such as candidiasis or cystitis.
The well-used menstrual cup has a life span between 10 and 15 years and a more than economical price: you can get the INTIMINA lily cup for € 29.95.
Its bell or diaphragm shape, its different sizes, adapted to the height of each woman and the experience of its use, make the menstrual cup a perfect product for each woman.
How the menstrual cup is used
If you have not yet used a menstrual cup, it is normal that you have some doubts, especially in its installation and removal. Let's start from the beginning. Placing a menstrual cup inside the vagina is simple. You just have to do the following:
- Fold the cup and insert it into the vagina, where it alone will regain its natural shape and adapt to each woman's anatomy.
- To achieve this, sit on the toilet with your legs wide open, thus facilitating entry. If you are not sure to place it correctly, you can help yourself with lubricant as many times as necessary. Of course, remember that the correct position of the cup is that it is closer to the entrance of the vaginal canal, unlike tampons, which are usually placed at the bottom.
- Once placed, the cup shape will allow you to collect up to 30ml of blood, a third of what each woman usually loses during menstruation, so you can leave the cup inside for up to 12 hours, although it will always depend on the type of period you have.
As it is difficult to know if the cup is full or not, it is recommended to change it between two or three times a day if the flow is abundant. For more information, you can check out this other article on How the menstrual cup is used.
How to remove the menstrual cup without pain
It is recommended to take out the menstrual cup every 8 or 12 hours. To make the removal hygienic and painless, perform the following steps:
- Sit on the toilet and clean your vulva thoroughly before removing the menstrual cup.
- Open your legs tightly while sitting to make it easier to get out.
- Insert the index finger between the cup and the vaginal wall, in this way you will eliminate the gap between them and help the extraction of the cup.
- Grab the cup firmly. In case it has moved upwards and prevents you from catching it easily, help yourself with your pelvic floor muscles to push it down.
- In case you have become stuck, try to relax the muscles and press firmly on the edge of the cup to facilitate the entry of air.
- Remove the cup carefully.
Practice the placement and removal of the menstrual cup with the help of the instructions that you will find on the product box. The most important thing is to feel relaxed to ensure its correct insertion, which will also help you to remove it without pain.
I can't get my menstrual cup out, what do I do?
There have been cases of women who, after years of carrying the menstrual cup, suddenly, one day, feel that something strange has happened and not only cannot take it off, but do not even find it, as if the menstrual cup had stayed very inside. In those moments, they fall prey to panic and even think that they should go to the emergency room. If this has happened to you, relax, because the menstrual cup is there, it has not been lost or gone anywhere. Just do the following:
- Relax: although this seems very obvious, it is the key to being able to take out the menstrual cup in these cases. It is likely that the cup has moved overnight and has been put a little inside. However, if you get nervous, the muscles in your vagina will contract and not go down. As soon as you relax, you will notice how little by little the glass will go towards the entrance.
- Help yourself with your finger: sometimes, the menstrual cup is empty, which means that we may feel that it is stuck and no matter how much we pull it does not go down. If this is the problem, carefully insert a finger between the vaginal wall and the cup. This way you will get it to take off and you can take it out.
- Kegel exercises: Another option is that you try performing Kegel exercises to relax the vaginal muscles and, at the same time, move them. In this way, you will be able to gradually push the vaginal cup out.
If you still feel that it usually hurts to remove the menstrual cup, consult with your gynecologist or family doctor.
How to clean the menstrual cup
Once you have removed the menstrual cup, you must proceed to wash it correctly to be able to give it more uses. Empty the flow into the toilet and clean the cup with plenty of water and neutral pH soap. Once it is clean, dry it thoroughly with toilet paper.
On the other hand, sterilization before each cycle and at the end of it is very important, since this will guarantee a deep cleaning, completely eliminating the existence of any microorganism. To sterilize it you can do it in a pot with boiling water or in a microwave.
After using the cup for several cycles, it is normal that some spots have remained on them. To prevent this, you can add a teaspoon of baking soda in the boiling water when you go to sterilize the menstrual cup.
The menstrual cup has been a real revolution for female protection during the period. Although it is not one of the best-known methods, its benefits and advantages have positioned it as one of the most effective methods to combat the menstrual cycle. Try!
Now that you know how to get the menstrual cup out without pain, you may also be interested in this other article from on Why I stain the menstrual cup.
