The Zero-Leak Guide to Menstrual Cups
The Zero-Leak Guide to Menstrual Cups
Topic: Menstrual products
Switching to a menstrual cup is daunting. “Will it get stuck?” “Will I spill it everywhere?”
But once you master it, you get 12 hours of freedom. No more pad rash. No more “diaper feeling.”
Choosing Your Size
- Small: Under 30, haven’t given birth vaginally.
- Large: Over 30 OR have given birth vaginally.
- Cervix Height: Stick a finger in. If you feel your cervix (like the tip of a nose) within 1 knuckle, you have a Low Cervix. You need a shorter cup.
The Folds
You can’t just shove it in. You have to fold it.
- The C-Fold: Fold it in half. Easiest to do, but widest insertion point. Harder for beginners.
- The Punch-Down: Push one rim down inside the cup. Makes a small, pointy tip. Best for beginners.
- The 7-Fold: Fold one corner down to make a ‘7’. Good for low cervix.
The Seal (Crucial Step)
If it leaks, it didn’t open.
- Insert: Slide it in angled back towards your tailbone, not straight up.
- Check: Run your finger around the base. If it feels dented, it hasn’t opened.
- Fix: Grip the base (not the stem) and rotate it 360 degrees. Or do a few squats. This forces it to pop open.
Removal
DO NOT PULL THE STEM. It acts like a suction cup. If you pull, it hurts.
- Break the Seal: Pinch the base of the cup to release the suction. Then wiggle it down.
Give yourself 3 cycles to learn. Use a panty liner as backup. By month 4, you won’t look back.