How do you use a menstrual cup?

May 11, 2022

Want to switch your period products? Tired of regular tampons or disposable pads? Looking for a healthier, washable, and eco-friendly menstrual product? The menstrual cup or period cup, along with period underwear, is the perfect alternative to finally experience your period without pollution, irritation, or stress.

Not convinced? Check out our article Menstrual cups vs tampons: making the right choice for your health and the environment as a teen.

In fact, the menstrual cup has the advantage of containing no harmful chemicals. That's its number one asset. The Loulou cup is made only from medical-grade silicone and nothing else. No alcohol, fragrance, plastic, BPA, or latex. Nothing.

Ok, the ingredients are clean, but how do you use the cup correctly? How do you wear the cup? How do you insert a menstrual cup? Maybe this is your first time using a menstrual cup.

Don’t worry, we’ll explain everything. Do you have lots of questions about using a period cup? You can also find tons of information in the following blog articles:

Discover the menstrual cup

🩸 An intimate, feminine internal protection

First, a menstrual cup is an internal protection. Unlike period underwear, the cup is an internal hygiene product. It’s inserted into the vagina to collect and store your menstrual flow. Nothing sticks out, nothing is visible. So, like a tampon, the menstrual cup is a super discreet period product. It’s invisible.

🩸 What does a menstrual cup look like?

The menstrual cup looks like a small medical-grade silicone container with a stem. It’s shaped like a small inverted bell. This little device is soft and flexible. The silicone cup can be easily folded. That’s necessary to insert it at the entrance of your vagina. When you touch it, you’ll notice the Loulou cup is extra soft.

🩸 What is a menstrual cup made of?

The Loulou menstrual cup is extremely soft because it’s made from medical-grade silicone. Its composition is safe and healthy—it contains no phthalates, latex, bisphenol, alcohol, or fragrance. Hypoallergenic, the Loulou cup won’t cause irritation, allergies, reactions, or intimate dryness. It’s gentle on your body and respects your vaginal flora.

Unlike tampons and pads, the cup is made from safe, transparent materials for your health and intimate area. Unlike tampons, you know exactly what you’re using and what you’re inserting into your body.

🩸 How exactly does a menstrual cup work?

Its function is actually very simple to understand. This little bell, this small cup placed at the entrance of the vagina collects menstrual blood as it flows. The cup gathers and holds the menstrual flow so it can’t leak. With the cup, there’s no leaking. It’s a substantial reservoir that can stay in place for several hours without overflowing.

The cup collects blood, unlike a tampon which absorbs it. Ideally, every four hours, you should remove the cup, empty it, and rinse it. But don’t worry—the reservoir is large enough that it won’t overflow.

🩸 Choosing the right cup

The choice of your cup (its size, its firmness) depends on several factors: your pelvic floor strength, your menstrual flow intensity, and whether you’ve had a vaginal birth. Choosing the right menstrual cup size is important for a successful experience.

All the benefits of the menstrual cup

The cup is an internal menstrual product that acts as a container. It’s discreet—nothing sticks out! It’s also perfect for preventing bad odors, since the blood isn’t exposed to air and can’t oxidize. The cup is appreciated for being extremely discreet—no lines under your clothes. It’s also loved for its comfort: no bad smells, no irritation.

The cup’s capacity is three times greater than that of tampons. It’s the perfect intimate solution for managing heavy or very heavy menstrual flows.

A healthy alternative to tampons, the cup is perfect for physical activity or swimming. Just insert it into your vagina, and you’re good to go—free to move however you like. You can swim, dive, sunbathe, or run with total freedom.

💧 Menstrual cup: a great solution for swimming with peace of mind

The concept is really simple: insert the cup, wear it, empty it, wash it, and reuse it. It's an eco-friendly feminine product that can last for years.

Menstrual cup insertion

For all our tips on using the menstrual cup, you can find and consult our Complete Guide to Menstrual Cups.

🩸 What steps should you follow?

Sterilize the cup at the start of your cycle. Use either a sterilizer or boil it in a pot of water.
Always wash your hands before inserting.
Get comfortable and relaxed. The best positions for inserting the cup are: standing with one leg raised, squatting, or sitting on the toilet. However, it’s not recommended to insert it while lying down, as this can cause improper placement of the menstrual cup. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it quickly.
Next, fold the cup. Take your time to handle it and try out the different folding methods suggested: C-fold, 7-fold, or tulip fold.
Gently insert the folded cup into your vagina while staying relaxed.
Make sure that once released, your cup has fully opened against your vaginal walls. It shouldn’t hurt or feel uncomfortable. If it does, the cup isn’t positioned correctly.
You can wash your hands again and enjoy several hours of freedom.

🩸 What are the precautions for using your cup?

The menstrual cup should always be used carefully, following the recommendations:

rinse it well between uses and clean it daily; if possible, we recommend alternating between two menstrual cups and sterilizing them often;
use a mild soap or intimate wash gel for your hygiene;
wash your hands before inserting and removing;
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) can occur with prolonged use of internal period products. It affects women carrying the S. aureus bacteria that produce TSST-1 toxins. That’s why you shouldn’t wear a cup for more than 6 hours at a time;
Always make it a habit to automatically sterilize your menstrual cup at the start of each cycle;
do not use a cup if you have a yeast infection, vaginal irritation, or an active vaginal infection;
don’t wear it during sex;
don’t wear it overnight—choose period underwear instead;
do not wear during postpartum bleeding. It’s important to always consult a gynecologist or midwife.

What are the different Louloucup cup models?

Louloucup, a French brand of washable and eco-friendly period products, offers two very different models of menstrual cups made in France:

- a soft Turquoise menstrual cup for the most sensitive vaginas;

- a classic Rose menstrual cup, slightly firmer and especially suitable for women who have given birth vaginally.

Both menstrual cup models are available in two sizes:

- a small size for light to normal menstrual flow;

- a medium size for normal to very heavy menstrual flow.

You can create a custom pack or set made up of a Louloucup and some menstrual panties. This way, you get super effective protection day and night, so you can experience your period with peace of mind.

Louloucup also offers cup+sterilizer+pouch sets to cover all your needs. We’ve thought of everything, including convenient sterilizers—don’t forget them to make your life easier!

The good news? With Louloucup, the more period panties or cups you add to your pack, the lower the unit price of menstrual products! A great deal! And with Louloucup, shipping is always free in France and Europe, and your order is always shipped within 48 hours. So go for it! What are you waiting for to build your new period routine?

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