Please read the cup' s user quide thoroughly and refer to it in the future if necessary.
A little practice may be needed to learn how to insert or remove the cup.
More you use the cup, more skilled and aware of your own body you are.
This guide is based on interviews with hundreds of women.
It will show you what to do step by step.
USER GUIDE
1. Preparing the cup before the first use
Take the following steps before you use your cup for the first time.
1. Wash the cup thoroughly with warm water and feminine soap.
2. Sterilize the cup
• in a microwave - in included sanitation pouch. Observe the instructions on the back of the pouch.
• in a saucepan – put the cup in the boiling water. Make sure the whole cup is immersed in the water and boil it for 5 minutes.
Practicing the handling of the cup
The best time to practice is in days of low flow, usually the last two days or the first day of your period. When practicing, use the pad as well in case that you didn’t insert the cup properly and it would leak. You should practice in time you wouldn’t be disturbed.
2. Inserting the cup
1. Wash your hands with soap.
2. Rinse the cup with water The cup is slippery and easier to insert when wet.
3. Get into position The most common position is when sitting on the toilet. You can also squat. Be aware that vaginal muscles are slightly contracted when squatting.
4. Fold the cup. Try out both ways of folding and choose the one that is more suitable when inserting and fully unfolding the cup.
5. Insert the cup
• hold the folded cup firmly between your thumb and index finger and hold it folded.
• insert the cup in the direction of the vagina.
• the whole cup must be inserted inside, including the stem.
3. The correct position of the cup
• Insert a cup as close to vaginal orifice as possible, as it makes any further manipulation easier.
• The whole stem is inside the vagina at a minimum of 0.5 cm from the vaginal orifice.
• If the cup can’t be inserted further and the stem is not fully inside it needs to be shortened. Adjusting the cup to the right position
• If any part of the cup (usually the stem) isn’t fully inside push the cup further inside.
• Use your pelvic floor muscles to move the cup further into vagina Feel free to use your finger.
• Take the cup out and insert it deeper
Adjusting the cup to the right position
• If any part of the cup (usually the stem) isn’t fully inside push the cup further inside.
• Use your pelvic floor muscles to move the cup further into vagina. Feel free to use your finger.
• Take the cup out and insert it deeper
4. Checking the cup’s position
It is necessary to make sure the cup is in the right position and fully unfolded. If the cup doesn’t fully unfold it will leak the blood. To prevent leaks follow these steps.
Ways to check the cup
A. after inserting and unfolding cup you will hear a typical sound connected to unfolding. In most cases, the sound indicates that the cup is fully unfolded. If you don’t hear the sound proceed to the next step.
B. Gently pull the stem down. The correctly inserted cup resists your effort and it usually can’t be moved easily.
C. A close check: use your index finger to reach the unfolded part of the cup and the rim and check whether the cup is fully unfolded. If it isn’t, gently push the vaginal wall away from the cup and wait until it unfolds completely.
How to deal with an incorrectly unfolded cup
1. Try out different folding procedure. This may make the cup to unfold without any further manipulation.
2. Strongly squeeze the lower part of the cup above the stem.
3. Check the position of the cervix and its positioning in the cup.
4. Gently push away the vaginal wall away in the place of the dent until the cup unfolds completely.
5. When to empty the cup
• usually after 4-6 hours during the heavy flow and after 10-12 hours during the light flow.
• the cup can hold up to 15 ml (smaller size) or 20 ml (larger size) of the menstrual blood before it needs to be emptied.
• we recommend emptying the cup not later than after 12 hours even during the low flow days.
• use the pad and let the cup overflow. This will give you an idea on how long it takes for the cup to be full.
• Always empty the cup before sports or any kind of more demanding activity.
6. Removing the cup
1. Wash your hand with a soap
2. Get into position The most common position is when sitting on the toilet. You can also squat. Squeeze your vaginal muscles (similarly to childbirth) and the cup is pushed out on its own.
3. Break the suction The cup holds firm onto the vaginal walls and it may be uncomfortable to pull it down with force. Therefore break the suction holding firmly against vaginal walls first.
There are two ways to do this:
A. press the lower part of the cup.
B. Place your finger on the side of the cup roughly in the middle and press the cup inwards. If the cup still holds firmly, move your finger up to the rim and press the cup there.
4. Remove the cup When the lower part of the cup is out, lean the cup until the half of the rim comes out. Then pull out the rest of the cup. You can put out the cup easily this way without spilling any of its content.
If the cup resists your effort, try to wiggle it instead of pulling it straight down.
5. Empty the content into the toilet.
6. Rinse the cup with water.
7. Reinsert the cup.
7. When the period is over
Rinse the cup thoroughly with the cold and then with the warm water. Use the feminine wash as well. Use the gentle brush to clean any uneven surfaces. Turn the cup inside out to clean the inside of the cup as well. Sterilize the cup before and after the period. Discoloration of the silicone:
With the clear color option of the cup the material color turns slightly yellow. This is a natural property of the material without any influence on functionality and your health.
8. Storing the cup
Let the cup dry out and store it in the included pouch when your period is over. Do not store the cup in a plastic bag or an air-tight container.
9. Health information
• the menstrual cup does not prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
• If you observe symptoms such as pain, Itching, irritation, genital inflammation, or experience problems in passing urine, remove the cup, and seek medical attention.
• you don’t have to remove the cup when passing urine.
• remove the cup before the intercourse including penetration into the vagina.
Tips on how to insert and remove the cup more easily using your pelvic floor muscles.
Author: LUNACUP team