The Answers to your
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Menstrual Cup Frequently Asked Questions
Our list of Menstrual Cup Frequently Asked Questions and Answers will guide you on all the questions you might have regarding the use of a menstrual cup. If you have any questions that are not covered in this Q&A please reach out on our Contact Page or Social Media and we will gladly assist.
No. Most users do not wear panty liners or pads. We do recommend first time users wear a panty liner or pad during their first use of a menstrual cup for peace of mind while learning.
A menstrual cup that is inserted correctly will not leak. If you experience any leaking ensure that you have inserted your cup correctly.
It is recommended to remove and wash your cup every 10 – 12 hours. This would be for someone with an average menstrual flow. If you have a heavy flow you will want to empty the cup more frequently. Keep in mind that a menstrual cup holds up to 4 times the amount of fluid a tampon would be able to hold, so you will still be able to wear your menstrual cup for longer than you would with tampons.
When first starting to use a menstrual cup we recommend checking it after about 4 hours to see how heavy your flow is. Within a few cycles you will have a better overview of your own flow amount and how often you should empty your cup.
Yes, you can. A menstrual cup should not inhibit your from your normal bodily functions. If you find your cup has moved after a bowel movement simply nudge the cup back in place. Some users prefer to remove their cups before a bowel movement, this is completely normal and you will soon find what works best for you.
Yes – many users prefer to start wearing their cups on the day they expect their period to show up. It is perfectly safe as the cup does not interfere with the PH levels of your vagina and does not absorb any fluids.
You can use a “period tracker” app to help you stay on top of when your period is about to start and use it as a guide to know when to insert your menstrual cup. We love the MyCalendar Period App.
YES! You can swim with your menstrual cup and not have to worry about leakage or having a soggy wet leaky tampon with strings sticking out of your bathing suit (yay).
You can enjoy your water activities as normal. Some menstrual cup users have reported water getting into their cups after vigorous water activities – this is fine, just empty your cup and clean after your water activities and reinsert.
Your hymen and your virginity are two separate things. Breaking / stretching your hymen does not equal the loss of virginity. The hymen is a little piece of skin that stretches and heals. In many girls the hymen is altered through daily activities like sports, horse riding or gymnastics – so yes you can wear a menstrual cup if you are a virgin. Please note that any internally-worn menstrual hygiene product can stretch your hymen.
You can only lose your virginity by having physical intercourse. That being said if you have very high religious or cultural views regarding your hymen we would recommend you to only start using a menstrual cup after you have had intercourse.
Users of menstrual cups actually report having fewer cramps after using a menstrual cup. There is no firm research on why this might be, we can only guess that it might be because menstrual cups do not alter the body’s PH, a cup will not dry out your vagina and contains no toxins or chemicals that can further irritate the area.
This depends on why you are not able to wear a tampon. Both tampons and cups are internal devices, but cups differ completely from tampons. Tampons may cause irritation of your vaginal wall as they are dry when inserting and can therefore cause micro scrapes and tears inside your vaginal canal. Some tampons also contain harmful chemicals and bleaches that may alter your vaginal PH and irritate your vaginal wall.
Menstrual Cups on the other hand do not contain any bleaches or chemicals that can leach into your body and therefore do not alter your vaginal PH. If you are particularly sensitive, we recommend you use a cup that is very soft and made of 100% medical grade silicone.
Menstrual cups are made of either Latex, Silicone, or TPE. If you are allergic to latex we recommend buying Medical Grade Silicone Menstrual Cups as Silicone allergies are very rare.
Medical Grade silicone means the silicone has been tested and approved to be biocompatible. It is a very clean grade of silicone and is used in many medical applications such as implants, dental retainers, and baby teats.
If however you are allergic to silicone we recommend you to choose cups produced from TPE. That being said, if you suspect an allergy immediately discontinue the use of your cup and seek the advice of a medical professional. FloAngel menstrual cups are made from Medical Grade Silicone.
No. You should keep a careful eye on your postpartum bleeding and know what is happening with your body. You might have internal tearing caused by labour and your body needs to heal. Placing a menstrual cup in your vagina might cause irritation and risk infection to this already bruised area. Consult your doctor on when it will be safe to use a menstrual cup after giving birth.
Yes, you can! Depending on the type of activity you are doing you might want to opt for a firmer cup during vigorous exercise for that extra peace of mind. FloAngel Lulu Menstrual Cups have a medium density and should be suitable for most activities.
With proper care, your menstrual cup can last up to 10 years. Many factors can contribute to the wear and tear of your cup including incorrect storage, harsh chemicals, soaps, incorrect lubricants, and the length of a women’s cycle. If you notice your cup becoming sticky, you see any cracks, or the cup is becoming chalky you should discard your cup immediately and replace it.
No. Your menstrual cup is an intimate item for your personal use only. Do not share your cup with family or friends.
Discolouration of your cup over time is completely normal and the cup is still hygienic and safe for use. We recommend that you always rinse your cup under cold water first to remove all bodily fluids before turning the tap to warm water. (Remember hot water sets stains).
Yes. If you require a lubricant to insert your cup we recommend using a water-based lubricant. Do not use silicone-based lubricants or any other type of salve or ointment such a petroleum jelly or glycerine as these substances can degrade your cup and will also disturb your natural body PH.
No, they may actually help to reduce the risk compared to other menstrual products. Menstrual Cup Care is very important, you should always sanitize your cup before using with each cycle to ensure that your cup is hygienic and does not harvest any surface bacteria.
Yes! Menstrual cups come in all different shapes and sizes. As long as you have a cervix and a vagina you can wear a menstrual cup.
This is completely up to you, there is no age restriction to using a cup. We do recommend that the user is comfortable with their own body when using a menstrual cup.
No. A cup is one of the most convenient ways to handle your monthly flow. If a cup is inserted correctly there should be no leakage. When removing your cup there should be very little or no blood on your hands. We recommend removing your cup over the toilet or in the shower.
You can wear your menstrual cup for up to 12 hours before the cup should be emptied and washed. Some women with a heavy flow would need to empty their menstrual cup more often. We recommend you empty your cup at least 3 times a day on average. It is acceptable to wear your cup for longer periods up to 12 hours on occasion. One menstrual cup can hold as much fluid as 4 tampons, even if your period is heavy you would not have to empty your cup as regularly as you would have with tampons.
A menstrual cup should be completely undetectable if you choose the right cup for your needs. If you do notice the cup it can be because it was inserted incorrectly. Simply take out the cup and reinsert.
If you feel the stem of the cup you can trim the stem or remove it completely. If you are still aware of the cup and it does not bother you can keep using it. If however, you find it uncomfortable, we recommend trying a different size and shape menstrual cup.
Yes, you can! Sleeping while wearing a FloAngel menstrual cup is easy and convenient and a great alternative to wearing pads or tampons. You can wear your FloAngel Menstrual cup for up to 12 hours.
No, your vagina is made of mucosal and muscle tissue that expands and contracts.
No, a menstrual cup cannot get lost or sucked into your body. If you inserted a menstrual cup, you will definitely be able to get your cup out. It has nowhere to go but out. Just like any other body part, vagina’s come in all shapes and sizes and so does your vaginal canal. At the end of your vaginal canal is your cervix, it is a small marble-sized bump located inside your vagina. Some people have a high cervix and others have a low cervix. If you have a high cervix your cup can ride up a little higher and you might not feel the cup’s stem. If this happens, do not panic. Here are some tips to help you get your cup out:
- Relax, take a deep breath, and know you will locate your cup
- Change position like sitting or squatting
- Increase your abdominal pressure by pretending to “push” as if you are going to have a bowel movement – this will shorten your vaginal canal and make it easier to locate your cup. Pinch the bottom of your cup to release the suction and wiggle your cup out.
Never use a tool or object to try and remove a menstrual cup, instead consult a medical professional.
No. There is nowhere for the cup to go but “out”.
If you want to remove your cup for the first time and it feels “stuck” the first thing to do is to remain calm (if you tense your vaginal muscles may tense and make removal harder).
Remember that your cup forms a vacuum and you need to release the vacuum for the cup to slide out. Grip the stem gently – If you find it hard to get a grip on the stem of your cup – relax, you will get your cup out there is no need for panic. Breathe deeply, squat down and “Push” with your pelvic muscles (as if you would want to urinate), this will make the cup easy to reach. Once you locate your cup, gently pull on the stem in order for you to reach the base of the cup. Gently pinch the bottom to release the suction and slowly wiggle the cup downwards. You can also slide your finger along the cup to release the suction, and voila – you have just removed your cup!
Not all public bathrooms have sinks inside the stall, so washing your cup can be difficult. But not to worry, you can still empty out your cup in the toilet and wipe it out with toilet paper. (Ensure the air holes are clear of fluid as well). Once you wiped your cup just re-insert and continue on with your day. When you are back home, be sure to clean your cup by giving it a good rinse under water and cleaning with a gentle soap. You can also take a bottle of water with you into the stall to rinse off before wiping down and reinserting.
No. Your cervix is an exit only organ, your body will not re-absorb your flow.
No. Blood typically only gets an odour when it comes into contact with air/oxygen. While wearing your cup the flow does not come into contact with air and therefore will not accumulate a foul odour. If you are wearing your cup for longer than 12 hours you might notice a metallic scent when removing. (We do not recommend you to wear a cup longer than 12 hours)
Vagina’s come in all different shapes and sizes, we recommend you to follow this link to our page on cup sizing: Sizing Guide
FloAngel Lulu menstrual cup has a trimmable stem. It is important when you trim your stem to not cut into your cup and so cause damage to your menstrual cup.
Most users trim the stem to a length that is suitable and comfortable for their own bodies. The most important thing is to ensure that you can reach your cup.
If you are a first-time user we do not recommend cutting off the stem straight away, cut the stem shorter in stages until the stem is at a comfortable length.
The length of your stem will depend on the height of your cervix. It is important that when you trim your stem you are still able to reach your cup. If you have a low cervix you might have to remove the stem completely. If you have a high cervix ensure you can still reach the bottom of your cup before you trim the stem completely.
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a long-acting contraceptive that is placed in the uterus through the vagina. There are many people with an IUD that wear a menstrual cup, however, we recommend that you speak to your healthcare provider before using a menstrual cup if you have an IUD.
If your cup is inserted correctly you should not feel any bumps or puckering when you run your finger along the lower end of the cup. The cup will adapt to your body form and that is normal, but there should not be any pronounced kinks in the cup. If the stem protrudes you may trim it, or you can pinch the bottom and “wiggle” it upwards to place it deeper in your vagina. If the bottom of the cup protrudes you need to place the cup higher. If it is not possible to insert the cup higher, your cup might be too long for you and you would require a shorter cup.
A menstrual cup should not be worn when having intercourse and should not be used as a form of contraceptive.
If you want to continue wearing your menstrual cup, rather explore other types of intimacy, like kissing, oral sex, or clitoral stimulation. If you would like to have intercourse while on your period there are menstrual products on the market called a “Menstrual Disc” that have a limited lifespan (usually you can use a menstrual disc up to 3 times). Ask at your nearest pharmacy if they have a menstrual disc.
More Questions?
If our Menstrual Cup Frequently Asked Questions did not address a topic you might have please reach out and we will gladly answer your questions!
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