menstrual cups
What is a menstrual cup?
It’s a small, flexible funnel-shaped cup made of medical-grade silicone that you insert into your vagina to catch and collect period fluid.
Menstrual cups, made of medical-grade silicone are an amazing alternative to a tampon. Rather than absorbing the blood they actually collect it, without drying you out. Insert the cup by folding the cup in half (C fold) then guide the folded end into the vagina past the pubic bone and then allow to pop open fully where it will create a suction. The blood collects in the cup then you can either tip it in the toilet or empty it on the shower before washing and reinserting. This means no more dealing with bloody tampons and having to dispose of them, allowing you to have a naked bathroom bin. A massive win for both women and the earth!
Why is a menstrual cup better for your hormones?
When we use a menstrual cup we avoid nasty chemicals that can have a negative impact on our hormones and health. Standard period products like pads and tampons are often coated with dioxins, bleached, made of plastic and if not organic have been sprayed with pesticides and scented with fragrance. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors (xenoestrogens), and may interfere with the body’s endocrine (hormone and cell signalling) system and produce adverse reproductive, developmental, immune and neurological effects. Xenoestrogens strongly mimic oestrogen, some examples include dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and bisphenols (found in pesticides, petrochemicals and plastics).
Why is a menstrual cup better for the earth?
Pads and tampons create a lot of waste. The sanitary items themselves, their packaging, wrappings and even applicators all end up in landfill. This is why we have swapped to more sustainable and reusable period products including menstrual cups. Reusable period products are a one time investment that your wallet, your hormones and the planet will thank you for.
15 reasons to love menstrual cups
Easy to use.
No disposing of sanitary waste- just empty straight into the toilet or shower
Less frequent changing- can be left in for up to 12 hours at a time without risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Incredibly cost effective as they are long lasting, up to ten years
Leak-free (when inserted correctly)
Comfortable- menstrual cup fits you well and is placed correctly, you won’t feel it!
Safe for your body- no nasty chemicals
Medical-grade silicone makes them hypoallergenic and latex free
Environmentally friendly, no waste other than it’s original packaging (which is recyclable)
Can wear overnight - The cup collects your flow and keeps it contained, allowing you to get some extra ZZzzs
Can wear for exercise and swimming
Convenient- no more running to the store for supplies, one menstrual cup is all you need
Doesn’t interfere with the delicate pH and bacterial balance in your vagina
No strings and no wings.
Get to know your body and flow- it’s really empowering
How often do I need to change my menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup can be worn safely for up to 12 hours, depending on how heavy your flow is. If your first couple of days are a bit heavier you may need to empty it after 4-6 hours. When your flow starts to slow down, you can use the cup for the full 12-hour duration. Make sure you remove, empty and rinse it out at that 12-hour mark, and then you can reinsert it again for another 12 after that.
Choosing a menstrual cup
Before you select your menstrual cup you need to get to know you vagina. Not all vaginas are made equal, and not all menstrual cups will suit all vaginas. You need the right menstrual cup for it to work effectively, be comfortable and fit properly. We advice buying a respected brand like Lunette - If you get a cheapie from ebay the quality will not be as good, the material might not be safe, it might start to smell, it wont last as long. Remember, this is something you’re buying to insert inside of yourself.
Menstrual cups generally come in two sizes and most people fit in these two categories and can comfortably use one of these two sizes, Model 1 and Model 2.
Model 1
Lighter flow
Teens, young users and virgins
Low-sitting cervix
Strong vagina muscles
Sensitive bladder
Model 2
Heavier flow
Over 30
Delivered a vaginal birth
Weak pelvic floor
How do I fold my menstrual cup?
These are commonly used menstrual cup folds. The C-Fold (our favourite), The 7-Fold, The Caracol and The Punch-Down
How do I insert and remove my menstrual cup?
Inserting: Always remember to take deep breaths and stay relaxed, our bodies tighten up when we get nervous so staying relaxed will ensure it is easier to insert.
Different positions to have your body when inserting your is another personal preference. Sitting when you are on the toilet is recommend. Squatting in the shower or laying somewhere you feel comfortable with your knees bent are also good options.
Choosing your preferred fold (you may need to experiment what works best for you), insert the tall side of the cup into the vagina, towards the spine. When you have the cup completely inside the vaginal canal, it should pop open, but this doesn’t always happen naturally. Run your index finger around the bottom of the cup to feel for any folds, if you find, any twist the cup by the base a few time and it should expand and pop open. You should feel no folds once inserted correctly.
Tip: if you experience vaginal dryness you can use a water based lubricant. Apply a small amount to the to the vaginal opening and then insert the cup.
Now the cup is in, go about your day, you have up to 12 hours before you need to remove it.
Removing: the most important thing to remember is, it will not get stuck. Again, breath! You’re going to reach for the stem of your cup, if you can’t immediately grab it don’t panic, remember it cannot get stuck. Peeing before you remove your cup can help the muscles move the cup down closer to your opening. Once you find the stem, wiggle it down toward the vaginal opening. There will be some resistance which is normal. Push your index finger against the base or pinch the base of the cup to break the seal of suction. Then slowly remove your cup, empty, wash and re-insert if required.
This process can feel uncomfortable at the beginning, but the more you do it the better it will feel. You will be a pro in no time!
How do I clean my menstrual cup?
After removing the cup, empty the contents and rinse with cold water (hot water will stain the colour of your cup). Use a natural non-foaming soap to avoid nasty chemicals disturbing the delicate balance of your vaginal pH and microbiome. Rub soap all over and rinse again. Fill the cup with water then place the palm of one hand over the top to seal the water in, flip it upside down and squeeze. This will push the water through the small holes in your menstrual cup to avoid any build up. Ready to re-insert or store away.
Image credit: Lunette
Our interview with Lunette Australia
We spoke to Carol from Lunette Australia who was happy to share her insights with us on the Lunette brand, sustainable menstruating, giving back and using the right period products for your lifestyle.
What inspired you both to start the Lunette brand in Australia?
Back in 2007 Elizabeth received an email from a friend titled 'I have a secret that I want to share..." and in the email was a link to Lunette. She's been travelling overseas and discovered this fantastic product that had changed her life! Elizabeth sent the email to me and we said hey, why isn't this product available here for Aussie menstruators? We looked at a number of brands but kept coming back to Lunette- it's made in Finland to a very high quality, it's won numerous awards, the company is carbon-neutral and has an amazing ethos. So we went through the TGA approval process and became the Australian distributors for Lunette, the first silicone cup in Australia.
Why are sustainable menstrual products important to you?
Back in 2007 the zero-waste movement wasn't nearly as strong as it is today. Personally, I have very heavy periods (from PCOS) but am also very active in sports - soccer, kitesurfing, mountain biking, etc- so was looking for a better solution to manage my periods. Elizabeth has 3 daughters so for her it was initially the cost savings that made her want to get involved with Lunette cups. But once you make the switch you realise the phenomenal amount of waste a period causes every month if you continue to use disposables. Our dad is a bit of a greenie so we were raised to be eco-conscience. Lunette as a stand-alone product ticked so many boxes, and the fact it was sustainable sealed the deal for us.
What inspired us to work with you was your ‘giving back’ programs and partnerships. What is your main motivation for these amazing projects?
We also settled on Lunette as a cup brand back in 2007 because of their 'giving back' programs, and the idea that the cup is a kind of super hero that not only helps periods but does good for human kind as well. All countries that sell Lunette are encouraged to not only support their global 'giving back' project The Cup Foundation in Kenya, but also support a local project.
The Sustainable Period Project in Australia and NZ took us a few years to put together, but from the end of 2019 nearly all high schools in Australia and NZ have educational Resource Kits to teach about modern sustainable menstrual options (biodegradable pads and tampons, cloth pads, period underpants and menstrual cup). By 2025 we hope that all menstruating people in Australia and NZ will know about their sustainable options.
Tell us your funniest menstrual cup story?
We had a customer email us saying her puppy had got hold of her cup and chewed it and put holes all over it... and would it still be ok to use after boiling? Yes, it would be fine to use, but may leak! The only holes in the cup should be the 4 little holes around the rim.
What advice would you give to your younger self about your period?
Definitely to try to mix n match your period products to suit your lifestyle. I only had 2 options growing up - plastic pads and drying tampons - and I hated both of them. Periods shackled my younger self, I'd dread getting them! Now I mix it up between my menstrual cup, period underpants and cloth pads depending on the weather, my mood, the activity I'm doing and how long I'll be out and about for. Today's generation of menstruators are so bloody lucky to have so many options!! It's liberating!!