OrganiWashThe ultimate 2-in-1 cleanser: use it to cleanse your cup before insertion/after removal and as a pH-balanced intimate wash for your body. |
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OrganiWipesFor cleaning OrganiCup on occasions without access to clean water and for sanitizing the cup between periods. Contains 10 wipes. |
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THE ORGANICUP STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
HOW TO USE A MENSTRUAL CUP
Remember inserting a tampon for the first time? Or trying your contact lenses the first days?
Perhaps you know how to use tampons or pads but you’ve always wondered: how do you use a menstrual cup?
Maybe you’ve talked to others about the cup and it all seemed very overwhelming (which is completely understandable by the way) but every beginning can be difficult – including trying a menstrual cup for the first time.
However we can assure you, there’s nothing to fear.
First of all you should know that using a menstrual cup is actually not much more different than using a tampon.
Menstrual cups such as OrganiCup are already widely used by people all over the world.
It may take you a few days or a few periods to become comfortable with the cup. Experiment with different folding and insertion techniques – and don’t worry, you’ll soon become a dedicated cup convert!
Here you will find out what you need to know about using a menstrual cup.
We explain it in 3 simple steps and we’ve also included our step-by-step instructional video that has already over 2 million views on YouTube.
Let’s get started.
INTRO
INSTRUCTIONS
Before using your OrganiCup for the first time you should sterilize the cup in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Remember not to let the cup touch the bottom of the pot.
step 1
WASH / Remember to wash your hands and your cup using clean water and a mild soap, such as OrganiWash, before inserting it.
FOLD / There are many different folding techniques so experiment and find the one that works for you.
Two of the most popular methods are: The Punch-Down Fold and The C-Fold.
When you’re inserting your menstrual cup, you need to keep it folded until it is inside of your vagina.
RELAX / It’s important to relax your muscles when inserting your menstrual cup, so find a comfortable position.
You can lie down, squat, sit on the toilet or simply stand up. You’ll find the position that works best for you over time!
You might want to use water or a water-based lubricant to make insertion easier.
INSERT AND RELEASE / Insert the folded menstrual cup and once the entire cup is inside of you, simply remove your fingers and let it pop open.
If the menstrual cup has been inserted correctly, you might hear a “pop” or a suction sound which means that the cup has folded out completely and created the necessary suction seal.
If you’re in doubt, reach in and feel around the base of the cup – it should feel round or oval and not have any noticeable folds.
Watch how to insert the cup in the video below (go to 1m 28s):
ROTATE / If you feel any dents or folds on the base of your menstrual cup and you’re not quite sure the suction seal has been created, then gently grip the base of the cup (not the stem), and rotate it to make it unfold.
Once your menstrual cup is in place, try to pull the stem a bit, if you feel resistance, the suction seal has been created and the cup has been placed successfully!
In comparison with a tampon, the menstrual cup should be placed lower in the vaginal canal.
The stem should be completely inside of you.
However, we’re all built differently and if the stem pokes out and annoys you, you can trim it.
step 2
One of the benefits of using a menstrual cup is that you can use it for up to 12 hours at a time, so once inserted you can leave your cup in all day – and night.
Depending on how heavy your flow is, you may have to empty it more often than twice a day.
That’s why, we recommend that you empty your menstrual cup more often in the beginning to get to know the cup and your flow.
The cup can contain more liquid than 3 super tampons.
According to the NHS (National Health Service, UK), you’ll lose 5 to 12 teaspoons of blood during an average period, so you might be surprised of how little you bleed.
step 3
WASH / Again, start out by washing your hands with warm water and a mild soap.
RELAX / Find a comfortable position that works for you: lie down, squat, sit on the toilet or stand up. Being relaxed is essential as removing your menstrual cup will only be more difficult if you tense up.
REMOVE / When removing your menstrual cup, pull slightly on the stem while using your abdominal muscles to push the OrganiCup downwards until you can reach the base.
Give the base of the cup a gentle pinch to release the suction and ease it out.
Avoid removing your menstrual cup by pulling the stem as this might cause discomfort.
EMPTY AND WASH / Once you have removed your menstrual cup, you should empty the collected fluid into the toilet or sink and rinse the cup with water (remember the air holes) and re-insert.
If you’re in a bathroom without access to clean water, you can use an OrganiWipe or toilet paper to clean your cup and rinse it with water at a later time.
RE-INSERT OR STORE / When your menstrual cup is clean, re-insert it as outlined in STEP 1.
However, if your period has ended: Boil the cup for 3-5 minutes in water or simply use an OrganiWipe to disinfect it and store your cup in the original OrganiCup cotton bag.
INSTRUCTIONS
Tip 1: Until you feel 100% comfortable with your menstrual cup, you might want to wear a panty liner so you don’t have to worry about leaking.
Tip 2: We all have differently positioned cervixes and the cup should be placed below the cervix, if not, it will most likely leak. Try to locate your cervix with your finger, you should feel for a slightly firmer area of tissue and position your cup under it.
Tip 3: If you can feel the stem and find it uncomfortable after a couple of tries, you can cut it shorter. However, do not trim the stem while the menstrual cup is inserted!
Tip 4: No one expects you to be an instant menstrual cup pro, so we recommend you practice inserting and removing your cup before you get your period.
Tip 5: You can use water or a water-based lubricant to make insertion easier.
GET HELP
The OrganiCup is available in 2 sizes. Size A is recommended for women who haven’t given birth vaginally. Size B is recommended for women who have given birth vaginally. Check out our menstrual cup size guide.
The material of the cup can last up to 10 years. After a while of usage, the cup might get slightly stained or discolored – and that’s completely fine.
We don’t recommend having vaginal penetrative sexual intercourse while using a menstrual cup.
Yes, if you are a virgin, you can use a menstrual cup. Although, you should be aware that inserting the cup may rupture the hymen. However, by medical standards, virginity is not defined by the state of the hymen, you remain a virgin until you participate in sexual intercourse. Read more about virginity, the hymen and using a menstrual cup.
Yes, absolutely! You can easily use OrganiCup with an IUD. Read more about using a menstrual cup with an IUD.
You might get a bit of blood on your fingers when removing the cup, but not much more than when removing a tampon, if you follow our instructions and make sure to release the suction seal. Using a menstrual cup is a great way to get to know your body even better.
Yes, no problem! Unlike tampons, which have a string that can end up soaking up unwanted fluids, you can go to the bathroom without a worry.
Absolutely! Due to the softness of the material, you won’t feel the cup while it’s inserted and it gives you comfortable and leak-free protection.
The cup can’t disappear inside you, but it can move up slightly. The cup can’t get lost in the vagina; it will ultimately slip down by force of gravity. If you have problems reaching the cup, the first thing to do is relax and breathe. If the menstrual cup has worked its way higher inside the vagina, it’s important to relax the muscles as tensing up will only make removing it more difficult. Try squatting and use your abdominal muscles to push the cup downwards until you can reach the stem of the cup. Pull down gently on the stem until you can reach the bottom of the cup and grasp it with your fingers and pinch it to release the suction, and gently ease it out.
If you’re not used to using a tampon then it might cause a bit discomfort. Using a cup does require that you are comfortable with your body and period. Therefore, if you decide to give it a go, you might want to practice in the beginning. If it feels uncomfortable don’t force it, but take a break, relax and try again later. The entrance of the vagina is more tense and smaller in width than the rest of the vagina so gradually adapting your body to accommodate the menstrual cup will make insertion easier. If the OrganiCup size you’ve chosen doesn’t work for you, just get in touch and we will offer a different size for you to try.
It’s very unlikely that the blood flows back into the womb – even if you’re upside down. You may have noticed the relatively thick consistency of the flow so it doesn’t slosh around inside you, it simply stays in the cup. Lots of OrganiCup users are yogis and they do headstands without a problem.
Because we have never seen blue blood 🙂
Don’t worry, using OrganiCup is easy no matter where you are. If the sink is out of reach, you can simply wipe the cup clean with a dry tissue or rinse with bottled water and re-insert (you can also try OrganiWipes)
If you’re experiencing any issues after trying the menstrual cup for a couple of periods or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at support@organicup.com.