This probably isn’t news to you if you’re reading this post, and you might have already given some thought to your options for managing your period a little more sustainably. One such option on your radar may be switching to a menstrual cup—a flexible bell-shaped cup, usually made from silicone, that collects blood rather than absorbs it (in addition to other fluids) like a tampon. They can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time and be reused for several years before needing to be replaced. Sounds super ideal, but if the learning curve or what some folks call the “gross factor” have kept you from trying one before, now’s a great time to give it a go. If you’re new to using a cup, or are on the sensitive side, you may want to start out with a softer, more “squishable” option like Flex Cup, which is made with velvety-soft, form-fitting (and yep, toxin-free) silicone for more comfortable insertion, wear, and removal. Flex Cup also comes in two sizes—slim and full—and if yours doesn’t fit exactly right, Flex will happily switch it out for a different size. Once inserted, the fold opens up (some “pop” open), creating a suction seal that allows the cup to stay in place. To make sure you get that seal, try inserting the cup slightly higher than you think you’d need to, then give it a slight tug downward. If it’s sealed, you should feel some resistance. Make sure the cup is all the way unfolded by feeling around the base of the cup—it should feel round, without any dents or folds. Otherwise, you can try rotating it from side to side to unfold and catch the seal, or just remove it and try again. Once it’s properly in place, you shouldn’t feel any discomfort or even notice the cup at all after a minute or so (do a couple squats to ensure it’s snug and unnoticeable!). If it’s inserted correctly and you do feel discomfort, try trimming the stem down to a shorter length. Many menstrual cup users empty it only once in the morning and once at night. But for peace of mind in between, wearing a liner or doubling up with leak-proof underwear can be helpful as you get used to it and feel more secure. The neat thing about the FLEX Cup is its beginner-friendly design: The stem is actually a pull tab for mess-free removal which breaks the seal for you instead of having to insert a finger around the cup or pinch the base. Slowly pulling the tab draws the cup in and releases the suction to help the cup glide out. Just keep the cup upright as you remove it to avoid spillage! Then, simply pour the menstrual blood into the toilet and rinse your cup before reinserting. Don’t get discouraged if the first couple times don’t go as smoothly (or as cleanly) as you’d hoped. Give it time—at least a few cycles—to find your groove.
