Looking After Your Menstrual Cup
Switching from tampons and sanitary pads to a menstrual cup can be a daunting experience, but Kegel8 are here to help make the process an easy success. A menstrual cup is an environmentally (and financially) friendly alternative to disposable menstrual products. There is an extensive list of advantages that come with using a menstrual cup, including:
- Savings for your bank account
- Ease of use
- Wearable for up to 12 hours
- Fits every shape
- Body safe
- Saves the environment from 2 billion plastic menstrual products
How to Insert Your Menstrual Cup
Inserting and wearing a menstrual cup is not as difficult as it may seem. Follow these instructions on how to insert your menstrual cup correctly:
- Hold the base of your cup and flatten the opening. Fold the cup in half vertically into a ‘C’ shape (you can also try other folding techniques, see more in the video below!).
- Find a comfortable position for inserting your cup – this may be squatting down or standing with one leg raised.
- Relax your pelvic floor muscles and slowly insert the folded cup into your vagina.
- Remove your fingers to allow a seal to form – you may feel a slight suction once the cup opens and the seal is formed.
- To check the cup has fully opened, give the stem a gentle pull. alternatively, you can run a finger around the edge of the cup to check that it has unfolded.
- Good to go!
There are a variety of ways in which you can fold your menstrual cup, watch the video below to discover more:
How to Remove Your Menstrual Cup
Follow these instructions on how to remove your menstrual cup properly:
- Wash your hands and position yourself into a slight squat position – ideally over a toilet.
- Relax your body and use your pelvic floor muscles to gently push down on the cup.
- Grip the stem and slowly pull downwards until you can feel the base of the cup.
- Softly squeeze the base of the cup to release the seal (if you have difficulty freeing the seal, gently wiggle the cup from side to side).
- Gently pull down on the cup to remove it and keep upright to avoid spills.
- Discard of your menstrual fluid into the toilet, wash, and reinsert your cup (if it’s not possible to clean your cup, you can reinsert it as is).
- Use Kegel8 Cleaning Spray to clean your menstrual cup.
How to Trim the Stem of Your Menstrual Cup
Every woman is different and so is every vagina! That’s why the Kegel8 Menstrual Cup has a trimmable stem to ensure the best fit for every woman. This stem may need trimming depending on the shape and size of your vaginal canal. Follow these guidelines when trimming the stem of your menstrual cup:
- The stem should not appear outside of the vagina, but it should still be easy to grip from the entrance to your vagina.
- Only trim the stem of your menstrual cup when it is NOT in use.
- Trim only small sections of the stem at a time.
The end of the stem should sit approximately 1.5cm above the entrance to your vagina.
How to Care for Your Menstrual Cup
Regularly cleaning and storing your Kegel8 Menstrual Cup correctly will ensure that it lasts for years!
You should wash your Kegel8 Menstrual Cup before and after each use (if possible) with Kegel8 Menstrual Cup Cleansing Wash, or mild soap and hot water.
Rinse your cup thoroughly after cleaning to remove any soap or residue cleaner, as this can cause irritation after insertion. For a more thorough clean, you can boil your cup as frequently as you like.
You can also use sterilising tablets to clean your Kegel8 Menstrual Cup.
We recommend that you store your Kegel8 Menstrual Cup in the provided cotton pouch when not in use.
Caution: Please do not use vinegar, harsh cleaners, petroleum-based substances, tea tree oil, alcohol, or bleach to clean your Kegel8 Menstrual Cup.
When to Replace Your Menstrual Cup
Generally, we recommend that you change your Kegel8 Menstrual Cup each year, however with proper care, menstrual cups can last over 10 years.
Decolourisation is normal; however, you should replace your cup if it has an unpleasant odour even after cleaning.