Menstrual cup: 7 main doubts

The menstrual cup, also known as menstrual cup, is a great strategy to replace the tampon during menstruation, being a more comfortable, economical and ecological option. It is easy to use, leaves no menstrual smell in the air and only needs to be changed after 8 hours.

To place your menstrual cup, simply insert it still closed in a 'C' shape at the bottom of the vagina and rotate it to make sure it is properly seated. See the step by step how to put, take and keep the collector clean:

C-fold is the easiest to place

1. How to place the menstrual cup?

Like the tampon, the menstrual cup is only indicated during menstruation. To place just:

Sit on the toilet with your legs wide open; Fold the collector as shown on the packaging and in the figure below; Insert the collector folded into the vagina, but it does not need to be at the bottom of the vagina, as its tip may stick out; Rotate the collector to make sure that it fits perfectly, without folds. But you can also move the wall away from the vagina with one finger and run your index finger all the way around it.

To check that the collector has opened correctly and is making a vacuum, you can hold the tip or rod of the menstrual collector and rotate slowly. The correct position of the menstrual cups is closer to the entrance of the vaginal canal, and not at the bottom as with tampons. The following images show exactly what you need to do:

Step by step for placing a menstrual cup

2. Where to buy and price?

The price of the menstrual collector varies according to the brand selected, but the average price is approximately 90 reais for a package with 2 collectors, which can be purchased at pharmacies, some supermarkets and online stores.

Some of the most used collector brands are Fleurity, Prudence, Inciclo and Korui, for example.

3. How to remove the menstrual cup?

Every 8 or 12 hours, the menstrual cup must be removed as follows:

Sit on the toilet, pee, dry the vulva and then spread the legs wide; Insert the index finger into the side, between the collector and the vaginal wall, to remove the vacuum, facilitating its removal; Pull the end part or stem of the collector, until it leaves the vagina; pour the blood into the vessel, and wash the collector with abundant water and soap suitable for the intimate area with neutral pH, drying at the end with toilet paper. If you are in a public bathroom, you can use only a small bottle of water and dry with toilet paper.

If you are having difficulty removing the glass, you can choose to crouch on the bathroom floor, as this position can facilitate access to the menstrual cup. After cleaning and drying the collector is ready to be inserted again.

4. How to clean the menstrual cup?

In the first use, before each cycle and also at the end, the menstrual collector must be sterilized, to ensure a deeper cleaning and the elimination of microorganisms. Sterilization can be done in the pan or in the microwave, according to the recommendations:

On the pan:

In a pot just for the enameled agate collector, glass or stainless steel, you should place the collector and add water until it is completely covered; Turn on the fire and wait for the water to boil; After boiling, leave for another 4 to 5 minutes and remove At the end of that time, remove the menstrual cup and wash the pot with soap and water.

The use of aluminum or teflon pans is not recommended, as they release metallic substances that can damage the collector's silicone. In order not to take any risks, you can choose to buy a small pot sold by the collectors' brands, such as, for example, the agate pot sold by Inciclo which costs around 42 reais.

In the microwave:

In a microwave-safe container or in a glass pot or ceramic mug (for the collector only) you must place the collector, add water until covered and put in the microwave; Turn on the microwave and wait for the water to boil. After the water boils, it should be left for another 3 to 4 minutes. At the end of that time, you must remove the microwave collector and wash the container normally with soap and water.

These are the most practical and most economical ways to sterilize menstrual collectors, but for those who cannot heat water there are other options, such as hydrogen peroxide up to 12%, chlorine water up to 3%, cleaning tablets of the brands Chlor-in or Milton or even the sodium hypochlorite widely used to disinfect vegetables. However, if you use any of these options, it is important to rinse the collector well under running water before introducing it into the body, to avoid allergic reactions, burns or diaper rash.

5. How to remove stains from the collector?

It is common for collectors to have small stains after a few menstrual cycles, and to prevent this from happening you can choose to add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water where the menstrual collector will boil.

If the collector already has some stains and looks grimy, it can be placed in hydrogen peroxide at 10 pure volumes, for 6 to 8 hours, always rinsing well with running water at the end.

6. How to clean a collector that fell into the vessel?

If the collector fell into the toilet, it is possible to sanitize it safely, following the following steps:

Soak the collector in 1 liter of water with a tablespoon of bleach for 15 to 20 minutes; then transfer the collector to other containers and add pure hydrogen peroxide volume 10. You should add enough hydrogen peroxide to cover the collector, leaving it to soak for 5 to 7 hours. Finally, you should sterilize the collector, allowing it to boil for 5 minutes. If possible, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the water.

7. Which collector to buy?

Choosing the best collector is not always easy, as there are different sizes, diameters and different malleability, which makes them fit differently in the vaginal canal. See how to choose the best menstrual collector for you at Menstrual Collectors.