What is a Menstrual Cup? How do you Use it?

A menstrual cup is a period product (like pads, tampons, liners, etc). It is shaped like a small cup, made out of silicone, and it collects menstrual blood (instead of absorbing blood like most other menstrual products). Cups are a most cost effective period product, because you can reuse one cup for years! This also makes them the most sustainable period care option, because there is no waste associated with using a cup. Cups keep plastic out of landfills, and money in your pockets!

You may have heard of a diva cup, which is actually just one brand of menstrual cup! Now, there are many different menstrual cups to fit your body, your flow, and your preferences!

How do you use a menstrual cup?

Check our our Learning Center or follow Viv on TikTok @vivforyourv to learn everything you need to know about using a menstrual cup.

To insert the cup, fold it into a shape that makes the insertion point small. Watch videos in the learning center or on TikTok to see the different folding options! Different cup folds work for different people and different bodies, so you may need to try a few folds before you find the one that works for you. The cup slides in the same place a tampon is inserted. Keep the cup folded for as long as possible so it doesn't open up too soon in your vaginal canal.

The cup will open up and form a full suction seal. That's how it stays so secure and ensures no leaks! To make sure your cup has formed a full seal, run a finger along the bottom of the cup and make sure you don't feel it folded in any places. When in the right place, you shouldn't be able to feel it, it should not hurt, and it should sit fully inside.

You can leave the cup in for 12 hours at a time, so once it's inserted, comfortable, and fully sealed, you can leave it all day long!

To remove the cup, you have to break the suction seal that's keeping it secure. To do that, reach up and find the stem (the ring stem on the Viv Cup makes this much easier if you're worried about removal). Use a finger or two to punch in one side of the cup or pinch the bottom to break the suction seal. Once the seal is broken, the cup will slide out!

What is the best menstrual cup to use for beginners?

Using a menstrual cup for the first time can be intimidating, so finding an approachable, beginner-friendly cup is key. The Viv Cup was designed by beginners, for beginners. It has a ring stem that makes removal so much easier (no worrying about it getting lost or not being able to grasp the stem when taking it out!). It's made of 100% medical-grade silicone (safe to leave in for 12 hours at a time with no risks), and it's super soft and flexible for comfortable insertion. The Viv Cup is a dark color, so it won't stain over time. It comes in 3 sizes so there is an option for all bodies and all flows. The Viv Cup comes in a Starter Kit that includes everything you need to become a cup expert: a cup wash (with all natural ingredients to keep your cup clean), a storage pouch, and a beginner's guide that walks you through the entire menstrual cup process, so you have a friend to walk you through it as you learn!

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When can you use a menstrual cup?

You can use a menstrual cup any time you have your period. It's a great option for movement and exercise because it stays secure even with movement. Menstrual Cups used to be called "sport cups" because they're perfect for athletes. You can use a cup while sleeping (in fact, it's a great option for sleeping long nights on your period because you don't have to worry about changing it every few hours). It will stay secure no matter what you're doing, even flipping upside down, going on roller coasters (or obv just staying in bed or chilling on the couch). You can leave the cup inserted when you use the bathroom, because pee comes from a completely different hole, so it is not affected.

Who can use a menstrual cup?

Anyone who menstruates can use a menstrual cup, no matter what age you are! You should use the period product that you feel most comfortable with, and if you think that could be a menstrual cup, give it a try! Finding the right size for you body will make a big difference. The Viv Cup comes in three sizes to fit your body, check out our Menstrual Cup Size Guide. If you're using a cup for the first time and aren't sure which size is right for you, check out the Menstrual Cup Discovery Kit, and give two sizes a try! Menstrual cups can be used at every stage of your life, from being a beginner to periods, to postpartum periods, all the way up to menopause. No matter who you are, as long as you have a period, menstrual cups are an option you can use!

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What are the pros and cons of using a menstrual cup?

Pros:

• You can leave it in for 5x as long as a tampon or pad with no risks. The Viv Cup can be left in for 12 hours, while you have to change a tampon or pad every 4-8 hours.
• It saves money: A menstrual cup is a one time purchase that lasts 5+ years, meaning you'll save hundreds of dollars because you won't have to buy tampons or pads!
• It's sustainable: Menstrual cups create zero waste. Using a menstrual cup for one year saves the equivalent of 624 plastic bags' worth of plastic from entering landfills!
• It's leak-free: Menstrual cups form a suction seal that keeps you secure all day long. While pads can shift around and risk leaks and tampons can leak through the string, menstrual cups keep your period contained.
• They're comfortable & prevent irritation: When a menstrual cup is inserted correctly, you won't be able to feel it at all! It sits fully inside, and it truly feels like you're not on your period at all. While pads can irritate your skin, and tampons can cause more cramping, cups are safe for sensitive skin and might even reduce cramping!

Cons:

• It might take a few tries to get used to. If you've never used a cup before, the experience will feel different than any other period product and it might feel a little weird or uncomfortable at first. Even if that's the case, it's all part of the process! Once you get used to it, the cup will change your period for the better.
• You may need to try a few sizes to find the one that works for your body. It's hard to know whether we have a heavy or light flow, or a low or high cervix (it's all relative, so it's hard to know exactly where we fall on the spectrum). Using a menstrual cup that's not the right size for you may feel uncomfortable or cause leaking because it can't fully seal. To minimize this, try the Viv Menstrual Cup Discovery Kit, so you can try two sizes for a discounted price!