Product Knowledge

• What is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?

  TSS is a rare, but very serious, illness that can cause death. It’s caused by the release of poisonous substances from an overgrowth of bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which is found in many women’s bodies.

  Toxic Shock Syndrome affects menstruating women, especially those who use super- absorbent tampons.

  WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TSS?

  Symptoms can be similar to the flu, such as high fever, chills, headache or muscular pains. You may also experience dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, fainting, weakness or confusion.

  If ANY of these symptoms occur, CONTACT AN EMERGENCY DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.

  To learn more information about TSS, visit toxicshock.org.au

• What are your tampons made from?

  Our tampons are made from 100% GOTs certified organic cotton. GOTs is internationally acknowledged as the industry leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria. Organic cotton is grown using less chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers.

• When should I change my tampon?

  To make sure you stay fresh, it’s best to change your tampon roughly every four hours. You might need to change more often if you have a heavy flow, and never leave your tampon in for more than eight hours.

• What is The Scarlet Period Cup?

  It is a reusable period cup made of 100% medical grade silicone that is worn internally (like a tampon) but collects, rather than absorbs, your menstrual flow. Because it has more than 2.5x the capacity of a regular tampon, you can safely wear it for up to 8 hours before emptying. The Scarlet Period Cup is designed for ultimate comfort. Once your cup is in place, you shouldn’t feel a thing, meaning you can move freely and confidently.

• Can I use The Scarlet Period Cup with an IUD?

  Yes, many people safely and happily use their Scarlet Period Cup with an IUD. However, if you’re unsure, or have underlying gynecological issues, have a chat with your doctor or GP before using a period cup.

• How do I empty my cup in a public bathroom?

  We get asked this a lot. Simply take out The Scarlet Period Cup and empty it into the toilet. We suggest keeping a few sachets of the Scarlet Cup Wipes handy so it’s super easy to wipe your cup clean. Make sure to let the cup dry completely before reusing (it should only take a moment).

• How do I store my Scarlet Period Cup?

  To keep things fresh, your cup should be completely dry and stored in a clean and well ventilated area - such as your bathroom cupboard shelf or centre stage on the sink in a ceramic dish - or of course with one of our Scarlet Cup Pods. A clean, and dry cup can be transported in the Carry Case for short intervals. Make sure to ALWAYS clean your cup after storing it between cycles.

• Can I have sex with it in?

  Unfortunately no. BUT! Take it out and enjoy the magic of period sex.

• My cup is leaking. Does that mean it's not working?

  If The Scarlet Period Cup is inserted correctly, and is the right size - it won’t leak.

  The 2 most common reasons for a cup leaking is that it’s not opened up fully, or that it’s positioned incorrectly.

  2 quick ways to check this are: Ensure The Scarlet Period Cup is fully open by running your finger around the base of the cup. It should feel even the whole way around. If you feel an indent, try gently twisting your cup around to find a better position.

  If it’s still leaking after 3 cycles, let us know at support@scarletperiod.com and we can help find the right size that works for you.

• Does size matter?

  When it comes down to it, we’re all different. And some sizes work better for some than they do for others.

  Our Period cup comes in 2 sizes:

  Size 1 Regular

  Ideal for people who have not given birth, are under 30. Suitable for lighter to medium flows. Holds up to approximately 2.5 regular tampons

  Size 2 Large

  Ideal for people who have given birth, are over 30. Suitable for heavier flows. Holds up to approximately 2 super tampons.

• How do I remove it?

  Firstly, relax. Then, pinch the finger grips at the base of the cup with your forefinger and thumb to release the suction seal. Rock the cup back and forth to help gently ease it out.

  IMPORTANT: The stem of your cup is not the part that you pull, it’s only there to help you guide your way up to the cup itself.

  If you’re still having trouble removing it, don’t panic, your cup cannot get lost inside you, just take a break or even go for a little walk to help the muscles relax then come back and try again.

  It may be easier to try a different position, such as a squat, or placing your leg up on the toilet seat.

• How long can I wear it?

  If your menstrual cup is full - you may experience a little leakage. Most people will need to change their cup more than once every 8 hours - but if you have a heavy flow you may want to change it more regularly (we recommend every 8 hours at a minimum).

  We’ve designed our cups with capacity in mind, size 1 and size 2 are able to hold more than 2.5 regular tampons before they reach the capacity marking.

• What is medical grade silicone?

  Medical grade silicone is tested for biocompatibility and safe to use in medical applications.

• When should I replace my cup with a new one?

  If your cup is well looked after it should last for up to 3 years. If your cup becomes damaged, replace it to ensure its highest performance.

• What do the different period wear absorbencies mean?

  Our period wear comes in 2 different levels of absorbency:

  Light-Moderate - holds up to 10ml of fluid, which is equal to 2 tsp or 2 regular tampons worth. So you can wear them on their own on lighter flow days, or as a fail safe backup when your period gets heavy.

  Moderate-Heavy - holds up to 15ml of fluid, which is equal to 3 tsp or 3 regular tampons worth. So you can wear them on their own, any day or night, or as a fail safe backup when your period gets heavy.

• How does leak proof underwear work?

  Leak-proof period underwear is designed to fit like normal underwear, but includes multi layered gusset that wicks away moisture, absorbs and contains fluid to keep you dry and leak free all day or night. The built in layered technology is harder working than disposable pads which means it can safely hold more liquid, and last for years not hours.

• Do I need to wear a cup, tampon or pad with leak-proof period underwear?

  No. Depending on your flow, you can wear period underwear on it’s own as you would a pad or liner. In fact, they’re even more absorbent than the disposable alternatives.

• What's your sizing?

  You can refer to the size guide on the individual Scarlet Period Wear product pages.

• Can I return my leak-proof period underwear?

  We’re proud to say that we’re the only period brand to offer a 90 Day Guarantee, because we know this is a new way to period. This means, if you try our underwear over 3 cycles and it’s still not right for you, you can return your items for a store credit of the same value, or your money back.

• How do I wash Scarlet Period Wear?

  Follow these 3 quick and easy steps to washing, and caring for your Scarlet Period Wear:

  1. Rinse in cold water. Take them off after wearing, and either go straight into the shower or rinse them in the sink under cold water, squeezing the gusset until the water runs clear. That’s the hardest bit done. Note: don’t soak them! This is all about rinsing the liquid out.

  2. Gentle Machine Wash. Pop them into the washing machine with the rest of your clothes, and cold machine wash <30degrees. For extra points, and longevity of your period wear use a delicates bag and a gentle / sensitive laundry liquid. Note: avoid fabric softener and stain removers as these can be harsh on the leakproof layers in the gusset.

  3. Hang them out to dry on the line. The sunnier, the better. Note: Do not tumble dry. I know all garments say that but we mean it. Tumble drying can damage the leak proof tech.

  First wear? Pop them in the washing machine with your next cold cycle, washing period wear before wearing activates their absorbency for your first wear.

• Is leak-proof period underwear breathable?

  The top layer of our Scarlet Period Wear is designed to wick away moisture, optimising airflow to keep the skin dry.

• What if I need to change them during the day when I’m not at home?

  Great question! We recommend having a water proof travel bag such as the Scarlet Travel Case on hand, along with a spare pair so you can either give them a rinse, or pop them straight into the bag to rinse at home.

• How long will Scarlet Period Wear last?

  Years! If you look after your period wear well, because they’re designed to handle leaks rather than be ruined by them, they should last longer than any other underwear.

• How do I use Scarlet Cup Wipes?

  After removing and emptying your cup, simply wipe the cup clean, allow it to quickly dry and reinsert.

• Do I still need to wash my Scarlet Period Cup if I’m using Cup Wipes to clean it?

  Yes. Cup Wipes are an alternative way to clean on the go, and when you can't easily access water. We still recommend you wash your cup with warm water and a gentle soap whenever you can, paying attention to cleaning the holes near the top of the cup.

• Can I flush Scarlet Cup Wipes?

  No. Whilst they're biodegradable, we don't recommend flushing them down the toilet.