How to Fold a Menstrual Cup
Another trial and error I had while using a menstrual cup was how to insert it into my body.
If you search, there are many ways to fold a menstrual cup, and each method has its own name. However, none of those methods worked for me. In my case, inserting it was no problem, but it just wouldn't open inside. There were times when I was lucky enough to open it, but I didn't know how to open it, so I couldn't repeat it, so I just kept going back to the sanitary pad.
There are many ways to fold a menstrual cup, and I tried many methods, but they were too hard to fold or too big to insert. After trial and error, I ended up using the following two methods because they are easy to fold and fold small.
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| C-Fold (left) and Punch-Down (right) |
And in my case, the shorter the menstrual cup tail, the better. If it's long, it can stick out, so it keeps poking me and it feels like something's foreign. I bought a transparent menstrual cup, but over time, even if I boil it and sterilize it, it becomes slightly yellowish. If you put in some sodium percarbonate and boil it vigorously, the discoloration will be alleviated.
A tip when your menstrual cup won't open!
Menstrual cups have a hole in them, so after inserting them inside your body, press the outside of the folded part with your finger to let air in through the hole, and they will open inside your body and seal. It is said that menstrual cups that are too soft may not open well, but if they are too hard, they may be difficult to fold and may cause a foreign body sensation. I fold them with a C-fold or punch down and insert them inside my body (any method is fine as long as you make them as small as possible),
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| Fold it with a C fold or punch down, put it inside your body, and press the outside of the folded part with your finger. The menstrual cup will unfold inside your body and seal. |
In step 3 of the picture above, pull it out halfway again and place it over the vaginal opening. At this time, air will enter the air hole, and the menstrual cup will unfold (if you fold it so that the air hole faces outward, it will be easier to enter air). If you put it back in in this state, it will be inserted in the unfolded state, so there is no need to worry about it not unfolding inside.
After insertion, position it
After inserting the menstrual cup, you just need to fit it into the opening of the bow. If you insert it too deeply, it will be difficult to fit the entrance, and it seems that you need practice to insert it only to the line where there is no foreign body sensation. After holding the tail of the menstrual cup and moving it slightly to position it in the appropriate position, you can check if it is properly spread out by touching the upper part of the tail of the menstrual cup with your finger.
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| Correct insertion position of the menstrual cup |
When removing the menstrual cup, you can pull it by the tail, or if you put pressure on your lower abdomen as if you were going to poop, it will come out on its own. It may be difficult at first. I have seen people who went to the gynecologist to have their menstrual cup removed because it wouldn't come out. It takes practice, but after going through a couple of menstrual cycles, you will quickly get used to it and gain the know-how. If the menstrual cup is inserted properly, it really won't leak a single drop. You can experience a new world where you can run around like crazy, lie down, and roll around without leaking at all. You can exercise to your heart's content even during your period, and you can sleep soundly at night.
Will menstrual cups damage the hymen?
And you might wonder if using a menstrual cup will destroy the hymen. Since patriarchy is the foundation of society and we have lived our entire lives in such an environment, I often see women believing incorrect information as fact.
There is no such thing as a hymen. If the vagina is covered with a membrane, how can menstrual blood escape? There are cases where the vaginal opening is covered with a membrane (perforated type), which is a type of congenital deformity that requires treatment. A woman's vagina is made up of numerous wrinkles and can stretch to the point where it can be used to give birth, so even women who have never had sexual experience can use a menstrual cup. If the menstrual cup doesn't go in well or hurts when you insert it, it is usually because you are too tense.
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| The hymen is a type of wrinkle and it comes in many different shapes. |
How to wash a menstrual cup
You boil the menstrual cup once at the beginning and once after the end of your cycle, but if it’s too much trouble, you can just wash it with soap without any problems. However, if you boil it once, it will be sterilized, so you can use it more hygienically. Boiling it in a pot is a bit of a hassle, and you have to keep watching it to see if it sticks to the pot’s wall and melts, so you fill a bowl with water and microwave it for 5-10 minutes. This way, the silicone won’t melt and cause a dent, so in my case, I continue to boil it in the microwave.
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| It can be easily managed by boiling it in a microwave. |
Even if you manage it like that, if you use it for a long time, it may turn yellow due to the nature of silicone. If you put a little bit of sodium percarbonate in a pot and boil it, it will help manage the discoloration.
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