How to Properly Insert a Menstrual Cup

The menstrual cup is an alternative feminine hygiene product. It is a bell shaped cup about two inches long that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual flow. It is safer than pads and tampons and many women find it to be significantly more comfortable as well.

Some women find that they have difficulty placing their menstrual cup. This is usually due to either a lack of suction or because they have pushed the menstrual cup past their cervix. Below is a step by step guide for properly placing your menstrual cup.

1. Insert your menstrual cup while either sitting on the toilet or squatting on the floor.

2. Fold your menstrual cup for easy insertion. There are several ways to effectively fold the cup, but the easiest is to pinch the sides together, then fold it in half.

3. Insert the menstrual cup so that it is just inside your vagina.

4. Let go of the sides of the cup. If it does not unfold on its own, pinch the base with your fingers and give it a slight turn. You should feel it unfold inside of you.

5. Gently coax the cup farther inside your vagina. Stop if you meet any resistance. It is important to not push the cup beyond your cervix, because that is where your menstrual fluid is expelled. Contrary to popular belief, the cervix is not located at the back of the vagina, but rather at the top and slightly forward. Because of the placement of the cervix, it is possible to push the cup behind it. If this occurs, your menstrual fluid could run down the edges of the cup rather than be collected inside of it.

6. Squeeze your vaginal muscles and pull down on the stem of your cup. This should create a strong suction that will hold your menstrual cup in place.

7. Pull down slightly on the cup. You should feel a tug from the suction. If you do not feel a tug than your menstrual cup is not firmly in place. Repeat step 6 until you get a solid seal.