I Want to Try a Cup! Now What?!

Congratulations! You have decided to try a menstrual cup. Now what? Maybe you stumbled upon this site via Google search or by the word of mouth and you are now confused about which option to choose. There are soooo many options. Let's start with that statement -- why are there so many options?

Well, just like with any other conundrums, not everyone is the same so there is no One-Size-Fits-All menstrual cup. Despite some cups that are labeled "one-size" to fit the majority of people, sometimes they don't fit YOU. Thus, these are the main reasons there are so many options. Furthermore, this is why it’s kind of important to get “acquainted” with yourself...likely in a way you have not done before.

We all have a cervix!

Depending on where you're at in life you may know a few things about yourself already that might help you choose the right cup. I'll use myself as an example since I'm the person I know best! When I discovered menstrual cups I had already taken some time to read about my body to help me conceive my first born. I read the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler; this book was very informative. It explained the correlation between certain bodily functions like vaginal discharge and fertility. So, part of my trying-to-conceive (TTC) adventure included learning about where my cervix is and how it changes over my menstrual cycle.

Once I had my second child and was no longer TTC I basically forgot I had a cervix and went on my merry little way. Since I was breastfeeding my period didn't return until my little one was around seven or eight months. This gave me a nice break from my period and tampons. However, once Aunt Flo (AKA my period) came back to visit the seed had been planted to try a menstrual cup and suddenly I was reminded of my lovely cervix. You can read more about the start of my menstrual cup life here.

Menstrual Cups Should Be Easy

Some of the YouTube videos I watched during the earlier part of my menstrual cup life mentioned knowing your cervix height. This was a tremendous help because it explained why my first cup (the Lena Cup) was not a good fit for me -- this is a fancy way of saying it was uncomfortable, leaked and was difficult to remove. In a nutshell, menstrual cups are designed to be inserted and worn comfortably to collect your menstrual flow. You remove it, empty the contents and reinsert it. The frequency of emptying is based on the heaviness of your flow. My flow is average so I empty once in the morning and then again before bed.

So, cups go where exactly?

Now back to my cervix. The menstrual flow comes out of your cervix. In order for the menstrual cup to effectively collect it (with no leaks) you have to get it near your cervix. Here's where it can get tricky but don't be discouraged. I like to think there are only three possibilities here: (1) your cervix will be directly above the menstrual cup; (2) your cervix will be in the menstrual cup; or (3) your cervix is neither above or inside the cup and as a result will leak. So, if you don't want your menstrual cup to leak make sure your cervix is aimed into your cup or directly inside of it. Sounds simple enough, right? It can be.

Here's the fine print. You have to try a menstrual cup before you know if it's that simple or not. No one can tell you how easy it will be for you without either being familiar with your insides (likely your partner or your doctor) or knowing what type of cups you've tried already and how they fit you. So, do everyone a favor and just try one! If you're frugal like myself, wait for a sale or search local bargain shops. There are even social media groups that focus on menstrual cups and allow users to buy/sell/trade menstrual cups. Some of the cups are new (unused) while others are gently used.

Ready, set, go!!!

Once you've purchased your cup, do some research on best practices for that particular cup. YouTube is a great resource for visual guidance on how to fold the menstrual cup so that it's easier to insert. There are a variety of folds and depending on the firmness and shape of the cup some folds may work better than others. If you're one of those people who doesn't like to read the instructions and prefer to just jump right in, go for it! However, beware that it may take a few more attempts until you get it right.

Your cervix changes position over the course of your menstrual cycle. Knowing where it is during your period will help you understand how far in the menstrual cup should be inserted. If your cervix tends to be lower (as in closer to your vaginal opening) you will need a cup that is on the shorter side. Otherwise the cup will not fit inside or will be uncomfortable even if it's completely inside you. My cervix has a tendency to be further inside (also called a high cervix) so I prefer cups that are longer in length. Longer cups are easier for me to reach during removal and are also easier to insert since I know they can reach my cervix to catch my menstrual flow resulting in no leaks.

Don’t know where your cervix is? Neither did I before I bought my first cup. It’s not the end of the world but may not be the best way to start your cup life. Those of you curious and not particularly squeamish, visit beautifulcervix.com. Here you‘ll get a rare glimpse of what the cervix looks like. The picture galleries show the cervix at different points in the menstrual cycle of individuals at varying stages of life (pregnancy, postmenopausal, during menstruation, etc.). While graphic, the perpetual student in me enjoyed knowing what I might actually look like on the inside. In addition to the enlightening aspect practically these images helps you understand what to feel for as you explore your vagina in search of your own magical cervix!

Yep! We're still talking about the cervix.

Knowing where your cervix is can be one of the most important clues for finding the cup that works for you. In my opinion it is the one thing that could make or break your cup choice. Just ask anyone who has either struggled to remove a cup (because of a high cervix) or couldn't get the cup inside of them (because their cervix is too low). Other insights like the intensity of your flow, the strength of your pelvic floor (usually gauged informally by how many vaginal births you've experienced coupled with your age), bladder sensitivity and level of activity can also prove critical.

My suggestion is to find your cervix, pick a cup (based on reviews, suggestions, color, availability, price, etc), try it out and take notes. Don't overthink it. If the first cup you try doesn't work you can research various tips/tricks to make it work or use what you learned from it to pick a different cup next time. Initially it may be a good idea to try wearing your menstrual cup at home with back-up protection (pads or period underwear) for a few hours. If you've got a whole day to spare wear it longer. Once you learn what works for your body you will experience a sense of liberation during your period you never knew existed.

Now that I wear a menstrual cup I no longer worry about what color underwear or pants I have on. I simply insert my cup the day I expect my period to start and forget about it until it's time to empty and reinsert. Gone are the days that I'd have to rush home to change clothes wearing a wad of toilet paper to stop the leaks. My cup is all I need.

Yours truly,

Erika