\n<\/p>\n
As menstrual cups become more and more mainstream, a lot of people now know the basics of how they work and how to use them. What you might not be so familiar with, however, is the small \u2013 but very important \u2013 list of things that you should not do with your cup. So, before you end up learning one of these lessons the hard way, here\u2019s our rundown of things you never (ever) should do with your menstrual cup.<\/p>\n
One of the best things about menstrual cups is how comfortable they are. When you\u2019ve spent a lifetime using dry, cotton tampons or cumbersome pads, switching to a soft, medical-grade silicone cup often makes people wonder why they didn\u2019t switch sooner.<\/p>\n
The flip-side of this cup comfort is that you can occasionally forget that it\u2019s even there. Many menstruators have a kind of sixth sense as to when it\u2019s time to change their cup, but if you\u2019re not confident about this \u2013 or maybe you\u2019re just having an off day \u2013 there are lots of ways to jog your memory. You could set a reminder on your phone, scribble on your hand or even ask a friend to remind you.<\/p>\n
There are very few people who manage to remove their cup correctly the very first time they try it. It\u2019s not that this is a difficult thing to do \u2013 it just takes a little getting used to. The tricky part is getting your head around the concept of the cup\u2019s seal.<\/p>\n
The seal that the cup forms in your vaginal canal is what stops your cup from leaking as you move around throughout your day. Breaking this seal is the key to efficient cup removal \u2013 but it can definitely take some getting to. Two tips to try if you\u2019re having trouble are: squeeze the base and wait for it to gently pop open at the top, or alternatively, press your finger gently on the rim of the cup to encourage the seal to pop open and air to flow into the cup.<\/p>\n
You might not know that many menstrual cups \u2013 and all of Intimina\u2019s menstrual cups \u2013 are made from medical-grade silicone, which is naturally antimicrobial. This means that these cups can naturally provide some protection from bacteria forming.<\/p>\n
With this in mind, it can be tempting to keep just giving your cup a quick rinse and move on. Although this is totally fine during a single period, it\u2019s important to try to give your cup a thorough cleanse between periods. There are lots of quick and easy ways to keep your cup spick and span, from simply boiling it to buying sterilising tablets. Check out our comprehensive cup cleaning guide for more hints and tips.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re on the fence about using menstrual cups, the fear of leaking is a common reason why. If you\u2019ve used tampons and pads your entire life, it\u2019s understandable that you\u2019d be phased by the prospect of a new and non-absorbent method of period collection, like cups. Although it\u2019s totally fine to be worried about a new way of managing your menstrual cycle, there\u2019s no need to be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Although they\u2019re soft, menstrual cups are also extremely sturdy! Once you\u2019ve got to grips with inserting them correctly, you\u2019ll get a feel for exactly how they work, and realise that there is an extremely slim chance of a leak occurring. If it helps put your mind at ease, the average period releases around 10ml per day, whereas the Lily Cup can hold up to 32ml of liquid meaning that as long as you\u2019ve popped it in correctly, you should be good to go.<\/p>\n
Forget about the changes in material, shape and how you use it \u2013 one of the biggest differences between traditional methods of period management and menstrual cups is an exhilarating one \u2013 freedom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whereas tampons and pads need to be changed every few hours and can make it more difficult to do everyday activities like working out or swimming, cups can give you a huge amount more flexibility. As well as not needing to be changed for up to eight hours, menstrual cups are often so comfortable that you\u2019ll forget you\u2019re even using one. You\u2019ll also never have to worry about running low on disposable period products ever again. A cup just needs a quick rinse and a wipe and it\u2019s good to go again \u2013 saving you peace of mind \u2013 and money.<\/p>\n
Although this might seem like a lot to navigate \u2013 especially if you\u2019re new to the world of menstrual cups \u2013 all of these considerations will start to feel like second nature to you in no time. As long as you take the time to brush up on these basics, you\u2019ll be a cup expert in no time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n