Description
The soft, secure, small menstrual cup is made from the highest quality medical grade silicone to assure comfort and durability and does not contain any of the following: latex, plastic, PVC, acrylic, acrylate, BPA, phthalate, elastomer and polyethylene. The small menstrual cup holds between 1 and 7 mL and measures approximately 50mm x 40mm. It is normally worn by women under 25 years of age, who have not given birth. This menstrual cup will last (with proper care) for at least 10 years, perhaps longer so, while the initial outlay may seem high, over time a great deal of money will be saved. Some women prefer to buy two for extra convenience.
N.B. Don’t forget to order a collapsible silicone cup for sterilising your menstrual cup in, between periods.
The Huffington Post, in America, published an interesting article which costs up the price of periods for the average woman. (https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2015/05/18/period-cost-lifetime_n_7258780.html) Generally, a woman has her period from three to seven days and the average woman menstruates from age 13 until age 51. That means the average woman endures some 456 total periods over 38 years, or roughly 2,280 days with her period — 6.25 years of her life. The total cost of periods over a lifetime back in 2017 in America was estimated to be about $18 172 (US Dollars) which equates to approximately $25 910 in Australia Dollars.
N.B. Don’t forget to order a collapsible silicone cup for sterilising your menstrual cup in.
How to fit a Menstrual Cup
Wash hands before beginning.
Step 1: Fold
Fold Option 1 “U Fold”: Press the sides of the cup together and then fold it in half again forming a tight “U” shape.
Fold Option 2 “Push Down”: Place a finger on the top rim of the cup and press it down into the centre of the inside base to form a triangle. This makes the top rim much smaller to insert.
Step 2: Hold
Hold the folded sides firmly in place between your thumb and forefinger so that the curved edge is facing away from your palm (or so that the stem is facing your palm).
Step 3: Insert
In a comfortable position and with your vaginal muscles relaxed, gently separate the labia with your free hand and then push the curved edge of the folded menstrual cup horizontally into the vaginal opening so that the tip of the stem is no further than a 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) into the vagina. Inserting your menstrual cup too high in the vaginal canal may cause leaks, and may also make removal more difficult.
Step 4: Seal and Rotate
Grip the base of the cup (not the stem) and turn the cup one full rotation (360 degrees) in either direction or insert the cup about half way, turn the cup one full rotation and then push it horizontally in the rest of the way. Your menstrual cup must rotate easily as this ensures that it is fully open and that it is positioned horizontally towards your tailbone.
Step 5: Removal
To remove, pull gently on the stem of your menstrual cup until you can reach the base of the cup. Pinch the base of the cup to release the seal and continue to pull down to remove it. After the cup has been removed, empty the contents in the toilet or shower, wash your cup well with warm water and a mild, unscented, water-based (oil-free) soap, and reinsert.
When to Empty
Your menstrual cup must be emptied, washed and reinserted at least 2 times a day (twice in a 24 hour period) and can be worn overnight without concern of leaking. Most women need only to empty it in the morning and again in the evening. In the shower is the most convenient place for this to occur.
By monitoring the fullness of the cup over a couple of cycles, you will quickly learn how often to empty it according to your specific needs. Most women find that the cup is not even half full after 12 hours. For those with heavier flows, the cup is simply emptied more often.
If you have a fairly regular cycle, you may insert your menstrual cup right before your period to avoid spotting.
