Have you ever wondered what using a menstrual cup is like? I am here to share all the details from my own experience. I started off by taking a quiz, and I bought my cup based on that recommendation. TMI ALERT: We will go over my first menstrual phase over the course of 5 days(good, bad, messy), and then I have updates from the 2 menstrual phases since. There is a Q & A portion at the end, and if you have any, please leave them in the comments so I can answer them!
It Started With a Quiz
I took this quiz from Reusable Menstrual Cups. After answering 5 questions, I was given 3 recommendations and I chose the one that was the most affordable for me. I am definitely considering the purchase of another one, just to have another style for when my flow is a little heavier. Let’s get right into, so you know what I mean.
There’s a First Time for Everything
I get my Moon cup size B in the mail right after my period ends in December, so I had to wait until January to try it. You need to sanitize it, by following the instructions on the cup packaging. The Moon cup recommends washing it with soap and water before boiling it for 10 minutes. Once it’s all sterile, store it in a safe place, and you are good to go whenever you need it.
Month 1:
Day 1
The cup is designed to be bent and smashed up, so shoving it into place the first time is going to feel as awkward as it sounds. You will only get better by practicing, so you might as well get it over with. It immediately felt better than a tampon. There was no pressure. My biggest piece of advice for you first day is to choose a day that you don’t have any other obligations. You will want to be able to change your clothes as needed, hop into the shower to clean up or just stand in the bathroom while you rinse and attempt reinsertion.
It was uncomfrotable, I could feel it everywhere. It wouldn’t sit right. I couldn’t get it into place. Each time it got better, by the fourth time it was comfortable situated. There was some pinching, or rubbing- this reminded me of the sensation of a dry tampon that needs to be removed. If you’ve never experienced that, consider yourself lucky. This is when I would take it out, empty and rinse the cup so I could readjust.
Day 2
Sleeping went fine, there was no discomfort the first night.
TMI ALERT: I had to poop. When I tried to pull the cup out, it felt like I was going to poop myself, afraid I might get poop on the cup. I just pooped with it in. I could feel it moving around while I was doing my business, but I didn’t get poop on anything and the world didn’t end. My tip: just take the cup out while pooping, it’s much more comfortable.
Day 3
I had a light night, and I didn’t need the cup when I had gone to bed. I woke up to my flow in the night, so I put the cup in and it was unnoticeable when I woke up in the morning.
It was a heavy day, and I may need a bigger size cup for these days.
Day 4
I feel like an expert on getting it in and out. I’m still learning about moisture and leakage, so wearing panties helps contain everything. I would suggest liners if you want to save your underwear, or period panties if you are ready to make the investment.
Day 5
It was not a heavy enough day to have the cup in. Normally, my period is 7 days, but it was short this month.
Month 2:
I seriously felt like a Pro! I am still learning about positioning with leakage and spillage on my heavy days.
Month 3:
My period arrived with cancellation of schools after the spread of COVID-19 or corona virus in my state, Washington. It was like a rotten cherry on top of an overwhelming week. On the plus side, with the sudden frenzy for paper products I’m especially grateful for this reusable resource. I definitely need to find another style or size of cup for my heavy days, but I have some options to look at from the quiz results.
Q&A
- Is it uncomfortable? Yes, at first it was awkward, but the sensation was more comfortable than a tampon.
- Does it hurt? It only hurt when I pinched myself putting it in.
Don’t forget to leave any questions in the comments!
Read more about your Menstrual cycle in my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome post.
