Major TMI alert. Like wayyyy too much information alert. Like so much information that if you’re a boy or just really not interested in ever trying a menstrual cup, then this post isn’t for you! SO DON’T READ IT! I go into a lot of detail in this post because I want to answer any of the questions you might have if you want to try a menstrual cup, but are nervous to try it. I was nervous too and I did a bunch of research beforehand. I was literally telling all of my friends about this when I was trying it so I know I’m not the only one who has considered a menstrual cup. This can be really awkward to talk about but here I am…talking about it. I really don’t think I’ll ever go back to just using tampons, but using a menstrual cup was not all fun and daisies (but is a period ever?)
Again, please don’t read this if you’re a boy, or worse, a boy who knows me! This is girl talk!
Out of the 5 days that my period usually lasts, I only wore it for 3 days -my heaviest days. I ordered the Lunette cup off of Amazon. I had read a few posts about the menstrual cup from 2 of my favorite bloggers (Carly and Britney) and their blogs really helped me decide which cup to get and what I could expect. Here are my day to day thoughts:
Day 1: So technically it’s day 2 of my period but day 1 with the cup. When I first ordered it I didn’t realize I had to purchase a certain soap to clean it with. I looked online and it said you could use a very mild soap instead so I used Dial Gold liquid soap that I had laying around (and I hope that’s okay…I’ll buy the actual brand soap for the cup next month). I also had to boil it for 20 minutes, which actually made me almost late for work. The instructions on how to insert the cup come in the box and I didn’t have a problem inserting it. It is bigger than a tampon so obviously it felt bigger. I really only ever ‘felt it’ when I was thinking about it though. Just the thought of it can make you nervous and overthink things but then you distract yourself and you’re good.
I took it out around 2.5 hours after putting it in and that was not a smart move. It was actually really difficult to pull out because of the suction and there really wasn’t a lot of blood. So it was like taking out a dry tampon but worse. Also, if you’re going to try a menstrual cup, you need to know that you get very up close and personal with your period. It’s not just like with a pad or tampon where you use it and then get rid of it. You have to take it out (sometimes even yank it out and that’s really not a pleasant experience), pour it out and then see all of the blood. It’s a surprising amount of blood. And honestly the sound of the suction breaking can be a little loud which might be embarrassing if you’re in a public bathroom. Thankfully I had a bathroom to myself with a sink close by and I was able to wash it out with hot water throughout the day. I decided not to sleep with it because I was worried I would have trouble falling asleep trying to forget it was in.
Day 2: I had it in from 8:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m. so basically the entire work day. I didn’t work out with it and put it in right before work. I washed it with the Dial soap again and actually forgot about it for the entire day. Today was better, so clearly practice makes perfect. I didn’t feel it as much this time and forgot about it for most of the day. There was a time when I thought it was maybe too far up there but I read that it can’t get lost so it was fine. There was so much blood at the end of the day. Omg…so much blood. It was easier to take out after being in for longer and I ended up emptying it again when I got back from a night out. I slept in it that night and I didn’t notice it at all. But that could be because I was a little drunk but pff who really knows?
Day 3: I cleaned it again this morning with the Dial soap and completely forgot about it for the day. I think I put it in around 9 a.m. and then took it out around 4 p.m. I read that you can keep it in for up to 12 hours which is something I’m also not used to because with tampons you really don’t want to keep those in for too long. I used to always have to think “has it been in for too long?” with tampons but there was less stress with this. There was also much less leakage than with tampons which was cool.
I didn’t wear it for the last day because my period was way too light and I think I may need a smaller one for those days. I’m on the pill so my periods aren’t usually that bad, as in no cramps, no super heavy days and no nausea.
Overall review: I will definitely be using it again for my next period. I’m not sure I like it more than tampons just because it’s a little messier and hurts a little bit when you take it out (only for a second). But it is really convenient because you can leave it in for a pretty long time, you save money by not having to buy tampons and pads every month and it’s better for the environment. I really do think practice makes perfect so I’ll probably get better next month. I definitely recommend you give it a try if you’re curious!
Any questions? Feel free to ask below or DM me on Instagram.
Thanks for reading all of this! xx