Finding the Right Fold

So Many Options

You may wonder why there are so many options when it comes to choosing a fold for your menstrual cup. One possible explanation is that everyone's anatomy is unique. Having different folds to choose from increases the chances of finding one that works for you. Listen to the hints your body gives you and go from there. Don't let it overwhelm you.

Picking a Fold

Since you have to start somewhere, why not choose something simple? Pick the fold that seems easiest for you to follow. There are so many videos that provide a visual tutorial on how to fold your menstrual cup. I would suggest waiting for a day when you're relaxed and ready to learn. You may not be on your period that day, which may actually work in your favor. Grab your menstrual cup and try a fold or two.

My personal experience has been that the punchdown fold is the most intuitive. It's easy to follow and works on almost all of the menstrual cups I've tried. The exceptions have been cups that are more firm or too bulky. The punchdown fold is not only easy, but it also creates a small insertion point. The tip of the fold can be smaller than a tampon!

Image 1. Punchdown Fold

What Am I Doing Wrong?

Everyone will have an experience where it seems likes their cup isn't working right. While there could be a lot of reasons for this change, one possibility is the need for a new fold. Here is one of the most common issues that might suggest changing your fold:

Cup Won't Open - Sometimes when using a softer cup, it can be difficult to get it to open. The fold you use can help or hinder the opening process upon insertion. For example, the punchdown fold can cause a soft cup to fold into itself so much that after insertion the cup will struggle to open. The restriction of the vaginal walls doesn't allow the cup to expand freely. So, in addition to using a different fold, you may find that inserting your finger to press against your vaginal walls creates just enough space to let your cup unfold.

Folds like the diamond (or even half-diamond), seven and origami fold might work well on your softer cup. These folds create a sort of external fold where the cup doesn't have to work so hard to recover. Once you remove your finger, the fold can just relax on its own.

As mentioned above, there are a lot of options when it comes to folds. The C-fold is another fold worth mentioning (shown in image 3). Cup users find it so easy and are even able to do it with just one hand!

Image 2. Diamond Fold

Wait For It!

Patience is not my area of expertise. However, I will concede that it can be the key to success with menstrual cups. Your body is constantly changing so "mastering" your menstrual cup can feel like aiming at a moving target. This can result in your Goldilocks cup leaking on Days 3 and 4 of your period when you were leak-free Days 1 and 2. Similarly, the fold you used to insert your cup at home in the morning may not work so well over your lunch break at work. Pay attention to what seems to work and what doesn't. Take some mental notes and adjust accordingly. During this learning period (no pun intended), using period underwear or liners can be critical.

It is not a race! The people you compare yourself to are also struggling. Try to stay relaxed and don't take it as a sign of defeat. Things don't always go as planned and that's OKAY. Keep some peroxide handy in case of a leak and carry a backup cup or other menstrual product in case your menstrual cup just refuses to cooperate.

Other folds

Image 3. C-Fold