How to Use a Menstrual Cup for the First Time: A Beginner’s Guide to Sustainable Period Care
- indulgelimited
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Making the Switch Should Feel Empowering — Not Intimidating.
If you’ve recently decided to swap tampons for a menstrual cup, congratulations! You’re joining a movement of people choosing a more sustainable, cost-effective, and body-friendly way to manage their periods.
We know that the first time can feel a little daunting. "Will it fit?" "How do I get it out?" "Is it going to leak?" These are all completely normal questions. At Indulge, we believe that understanding your body is the first step to a confident flow.
Here is everything you need to know to master the menstrual cup on your very first try.
1. Preparation: Get to Know Your Cup
Before your period even starts, take your cup out of the box and get familiar with it.
Sterilise it: Before the very first use, boil your cup in a pot of water for 5-7 minutes. This ensures it’s perfectly clean and ready for your body.
Wash your hands: Always start with clean hands. This is the golden rule of period care!
2. The Fold: Finding Your Perfect Fit
You can't just "insert" a cup like a tampon; it needs to be folded first. There are three popular methods:
The C-Fold: Press the cup flat and fold it in half so the rim looks like a 'C'.
The Punch-Down Fold: Push one side of the rim down into the cup. This creates a much smaller insertion point, which is often easier for beginners.
The 7-Fold: Pinch the cup flat and fold one corner down diagonally.
3. The Insertion: Relax and Angle
The biggest secret to a successful first time? Relax. If your muscles are tense, insertion will be harder.
Find a position: Try squatting, putting one leg up on the toilet, or sitting on the loo.
The Angle: Don't aim straight up. Aim toward your tailbone (horizontally).
The Pop: Once the cup is inside, it should "pop" open to create a seal. You can check this by running a finger around the base of the cup. If you feel any folds, give the base a little twist or pull it down slightly until it opens.
4. Wear Time: Set It and Forget It
One of the best things about the Indulge cup experience? You can wear it for up to 12 hours. Whether you’re at work, at the gym, or sleeping, the cup collects rather than absorbs, meaning no dryness and no frequent bathroom trips.
5. Removal: Breaking the Seal
Removing the cup is where most beginners get nervous, but there’s a trick: Never pull by the stem alone.
Use your pelvic muscles to "push" the cup down.
Reach in and pinch the base of the cup. This breaks the vacuum seal.
Once the seal is broken, gently wiggle the cup out.
Empty the contents into the toilet, rinse with warm water (or a pH-balanced cleanser), and reinsert!
Pro-Tips for Your First Cycle
Wear a Backup: For your first few days, wear an Indulge Reusable Pad or liner just in case you haven't perfected the seal yet.
Use Water: If you're struggling with insertion, wet the cup with water or use a tiny bit of water-based lubricant on the rim.
Trim the Stem: If the stem feels uncomfortable or pokes you, you can carefully trim it with clean scissors (just make sure you don't cut the bottom of the cup!).
You’ve Got This!
Switching to a cup has a small learning curve, usually taking about 2–3 cycles to become a pro. Be patient with yourself and listen to your body. You’re doing something great for the planet and your health.
Ready to upgrade your period?
Comments