No Mess, No Stress: Meet the Period Cup

How to Use a Menstrual Cup: A Beginner’s Guide to the Best Alternative

If you’re over pads and tampons, meet your new best friend: the period cup. It’s sustainable, eco-friendly, and surprisingly easy to use once you get the hang of it. Think of it as a game-changer, but with a bit of a learning curve - no worries, we’ve got you.

 

What’s a Period Cup?

So, what’s the deal with this thing? A period cup is a small, flexible cup made from medical-grade silicone designed to sit inside your vagina and collect menstrual blood. Unlike pads, which absorb, or tampons, which expand, the cup simply collects. The best part? Depending on your flow, you can wear it for up to 8 hours.

Scarlet’s Period Cup is a solid choice. It’s designed for comfort, sustainability, and no leaks. Plus, if you're worried about heavy flows, you can pair it with our super comfy period underwear for extra peace of mind.

 

How to Insert a Period Cup

Now for the fun part. Don’t stress, it’s easier than it sounds. Here’s your step-by-step guide to insertion:

  • Wash Your Hands: Clean hands are a must, no one likes germs in the mix.
  • Fold the Cup: There are a few folding techniques, but the C-fold is the easiest for beginners. Just fold the cup in half to form a "C" shape.
  • Find Your Comfortable Position: Sit on the toilet, stand with one leg raised, or squat- whatever feels right. The key is to stay relaxed. Tension makes it harder.
  • Insert the Cup: Hold the folded cup with your thumb and forefinger and gently insert it into your vagina. Aim it towards your lower back and keep pushing until the cup is in place. You’ll feel a slight suction once it’s set.
  • Check for Leaks: Give the base a little twist or squeeze to ensure it’s fully open. It shouldn’t feel uncomfortable. If you do, adjust it until it feels right.

 

How to Remove and Clean the Period Cup

Getting the cup out and cleaning it is just as simple (no need to be scared by the "cup" part). Here’s what to do:

  • Wash Your Hands Again: Clean hands, always.
  • Pinch the Base of the Cup: Don’t pull on the stem (that’s not where the suction happens). Pinch the base to break the seal, and gently pull it out.
  • Empty and Rinse: Pour the collected blood into the toilet (you can wipe the cup with some toilet paper), then rinse with water and our Cup Cleansing Wash.
  • Reinsert or Store: Once clean, reinsert or store until next time. If you're at home, you can also pop it into your Scarlet Steriliser Case (it comes free with the cup!) - just add a splash of water and microwave it for 1 minute for a quick clean. We recommend deep sterilising the case after each cycle before storing it away for next month.