Have you considered using a menstrual cup, but you’re hesitant to try it? Maybe you’re afraid it will hurt or you’ve heard other’s fears about it getting stuck. Trying anything new can be slightly unnerving, but we wholeheartedly believe that your life will be better after switching to a menstrual cup. But don’t take our word for it! In this post, we’ll openly chat about any fears or hesitancies every woman has before ditching the disposable products for the last time! Let’s do this!
FEAR: What if my menstrual cup is stuck?
FACT: A super important thing to remember when using a menstrual cup:
It’s all about the seal
When inserting, you want to make sure to hear the seal so you know the seal is made. When you go to remove the cup, the same applies, only backward. Break the seal. By pinching the base of the cup, you’re able to let enough air in to break the seal. Pull the cup down and keep upright so you don’t dump the menses that have been collected until you want to! We interviewed a doctor about this same topic.
FEAR: What if I can’t reach my menstrual cup?
FACT: If you go to remove your menstrual cup and you can’t feel it, DON’T PANIC. Sometimes when women insert their menstrual cup, they could be sitting in a certain way that makes it easy for the cup to seal to the cervix. Though this does happen, it’s not the goal of wearing a menstrual cup. You want the cup sitting in your vaginal canal so you can easily reach the stem to remove. There are several tips on relaxing your body and moving certain ways to make it easier to reach your cup!
FEAR: What if my menstrual cup leaks?
FACT: This is a big one when switching to a menstrual cup! For any menstrual product, right? Getting caught in less-than-desirable circumstances with leaks! Eek! The big point with stopping leaks is making sure the seal is set in place. If you have a low cervix, (check out this guide to measuring your cervix height) it can be easy to catch your cervix and not get the proper seal. Secondly, once you feel your cup is in place, either gently turn your cup via the base OR run your finger around the lip of the cup to make sure the cup has popped open.
FEAR: What if inserting the menstrual cup hurts?
FACT: It may be slightly uncomfortable inserting the cup until you get used to it, but most people do not experience any pain. We have a specially formulated Pixie Cup Lube that’s safe for you and safe for your menstrual cup. A little on the rim of the cup prior to inserting takes the worry away! Or you may be looking at the size of the cup and wondering how that is fitting there. We hear you! Finding the right fold when switching to a menstrual cup is key! There are three popular folds; figure out which is best for you! Once the cup is in place, you shouldn’t be able to feel it at all. If for some reason you do feel it, experiment with the placement in the vaginal canal. Or you could need a smaller sized cup.
FEAR: What if wearing a menstrual cup affects my IUD?
FACT: Good news, girl! You can have your cake and eat it too. It’s totally possible to wear a menstrual cup and have an IUD. You’re not alone; this is a super popular question when women are switching to a menstrual cup. There are a couple things to consider when using a period cup with your IUD… like making sure the strings of the IUD are short enough that they don’t get caught in the rim of the period cup. Or making sure you break the seal of your cup prior to removing. This will be sure to not place any undo tension on the IUD. We made a whole blog post about this exact topic, with cool illustrations too!
FEAR: Can I poop with a menstrual cup?
FACT: Yes! You have a lot of muscles that are packed into the pelvic floor area in your pelvis, so everything touches and everything moves, to some degree, together. It’s really important to make sure your cup is properly placed (and not too low) in the vaginal canal. If it’s too low in the first place (and stem + base fully sticking out) you risk “birthing” or pushing the menstrual cup out during a bowel movement. If you’re questioning it, just quickly feel the placement. Some women do prefer to remove it prior to having a bowel movement, but it is not required.
FEAR: Can I pee while wearing a menstrual cup?
FACT: Totally! One of the many wonders of female anatomy is that we have a lot going on in a pretty small area. The urethra and bladder sit close to the vagina, which means it is possible for a menstrual cup to put pressure on them when being worn. This can result in two things: the sensation of feeling like you have to pee + a slower urine stream. Both of these things can be remedied by finding that “sweet spot” either lower or higher in the vaginal canal where neither are affected. Another tip from our friends at Put A Cup In It is to opt for a softer cup! Our Pixie Cup Slim is our softest, most pliable cup yet.
FEAR: Can wearing a menstrual cup cause uterine prolapse?
FACT: We recently chatted about a prolapsed uterus and how to prevent it. There isn’t enough study to show that wearing a menstrual cup can lead to a prolapse. Two things to do that would stop that in its tracks is to 1) exercise your pelvic floor muscles regularly and 2) make sure to break the seal of your period cup before pulling it out of the vagina.
FEAR: Can wearing a menstrual cup cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
FACT: Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) happens when a substance is in the body for too long. A menstrual cup holds menses in the silicone cup as opposed to having it continually touch the vaginal walls. With tampons, you have the risk of particles of cotton being left behind and holding onto aging blood, which can lead to TSS. Menstrual cups leave no trace! They are approved to hold menses in the vagina for up to 12 hours. It’s not recommended for longer than that because of the fact it’s just not good for you and can lead to infection.
You’ve got this!
Switching a menstrual cup is a big decision! You’re daring to be different, and daring to make a difference for not only the planet but also for another woman somewhere around the world. With our Buy One, Give One program, every time a Pixie Cup is purchased, we donate one to a woman in need. So not only are you changing your life, you’re actually changing someone else’s too. Menstrual cup support sites and communities are popping up as the trend for eco-friendly menstruation grows.
What hesitation is holding you back? Comment below and let us know! We’d love to answer you and provide support and maybe even add your fear to our blog post! Don’t forget we have our 100% Happiness Guarantee. If you don’t like your Pixie Cup, we’ll work with you to fit your needs or refund your money!
Check out the different menstrual cups and products we have to offer in our store.
