Ever wondered about period cups and how to use them? We asked the team to give INTIMINA cups a try - here are our experiences!
Periods are a part of life, and as natural as they are, managing them can have a significant impact on the environment. Sanitary pads are typically made with plastic wrappers and synthetic fibres, adding tonnes to landfill. After all, approximately 800 million people are menstruating every day, leading to billions of sanitary products being disposed of each year. Tampons also contain plastic in the wrappers and strings and can be a primary cause of toxic shock syndrome.
We’re also always on the lookout for safe, comfortable period wear options for our teens and young adults already dealing with puberty. Thankfully, in recent years there have (finally) been some scientific developments in period management, with some beautiful new inventions – washable, reusable period pants and menstrual cups.
Period pants we get – simply wear and wash. (Pssst… we have a whole bumper guide on the best brands and how to care for your period pants – check it out!) But menstrual cups hold a little more mystery for the uninitiated. We had plenty of questions, so we turned to INTIMINA to share their range of period cups with us so we could give them a try. Several ladies in our office, all at different ages and life stages, with a range of sexually active statuses, some parents, some not, decided to give menstrual cups a red-hot go. Here, we answer our own questions and share our experiences when it comes to period cups.
What is a menstrual cup?
If you’ve never heard of or seen a period cup, it’s exactly as the name suggests. It’s a small silicone cup inserted like a tampon to ‘catch’ your menses. Like any other period product, you must change regularly (in this case, empty the cup). It is recommended to go no longer than eight hours between cleaning. Just like our bodies and menstrual flows, period cups come in different shapes and sizes. There’s even the revolutionary ‘INTIMINA Ziggy-2’ (above, centre image) that sits against your cervix, allowing for mess-free sex!
How is a menstrual cup inserted?
For newbies to a menstrual cup, it looks daunting when expanded. Especially to those who haven’t experienced childbirth (or maybe more so to those that have – cue the memories!). When holding the cup open, it’s hard to get your head around how it will ‘fit’. Our advice is to Google some instructions. Essentially, the cup is both durable and flexible, so you can shape it and roll it to resemble a tampon.
Is it clean?
As clean as using tampons! It’s the same principle, just washable and reusable. You will need access to clean water to rinse the cup when changing. You’ll also need antibacterial soap to wash your hands well afterwards. It’s this aspect of washing the cup that makes it a little cumbersome in a public toilet situation.
What are the risks?
Menstrual cups are generally considered safe to use by the medical community, hence their growing popularity. As with all period products, maintaining high levels of hygiene and cleanliness are extremely important in using a menstrual cup safely.
The most common complaints include irritation from inserting and removing the cup and possible infection. It’s important to take your time and be gentle with yourself. There is also a small risk of developing Toxic Shock Syndrome, which is why it is important to clean the cup regularly. The cup should not be worn overnight as it should not be in place for longer than eight hours at a time.
Real talk: our experiences (names changed to protect privacy)
“I’ve never tried a menstrual cup before, and now I’m taking a hybrid approach!”
“I’ve never been a fan of tampons, I’ve always just found them a bit uncomfortable, so I didn’t think I would take to using a menstrual cup. Surprisingly, I’m now a convert! It takes a bit of getting used to in terms of rolling it up and feeling it expand, but I find it much more comfortable than a tampon, especially for swimming. Admittedly, as I am out and about a lot, I still use pads when I know I won’t be home for several hours, as I much prefer cleaning in the comfort of my own bathroom! A hybrid approach works for me, and I feel like I’m at least doing a little bit to help the environment.”
Alice, 40’s, several children, INTIMINA Compact LilyCup B
“I was scared to try, but it’s so comfortable it doesn’t even feel like it’s there!”
“I usually manage my period with a combination of period pants and pads, but I was interested in trying a menstrual cup. I have been scared to test before because looking at it seemed scary and intimidating with the large size! Also, I was afraid it would leak. There is also a fear of infection if not cleaned properly. However, after trying, it was so comfortable it didn’t even feel like it was there! I will definitely continue using it; it was a really good experience as it was able to hold well (and it is sustainable!). I’ll wear it with period panties as well, just in case it leaks.”
Jessica, 30’s, two children, INTIMINA LilyCup B
“Menstrual cups don’t work for me… yet!”
“I have always used menstrual pads for convenience. They may not be an entirely comfortable or green solution, but I have found pads effective nonetheless. My experience with menstruation is that it is painful and heavy every month. For this reason, I have always kept to menstrual pads and never tried experimenting with other products like period undies, as I feared they may leak. I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of inserting a tampon or menstrual cup because I feel sore during the first few days of each cycle.
When offered the chance to try a menstrual cup, I jumped at the opportunity because menstrual pads are hugely polluting to the environment. The silicon material of the cup felt great, and the design looked promising. Unfortunately, my experience with step one, trying to insert the cup, was unpleasant because of how sore I felt. That demotivated me to try again. But I am hopeful! If it does work, I will still use pads for the first few days and will try the menstrual cup on less painful days of my cycle.”
Renee, 30’s, two children, INTIMINA LilyCup B
“I wanted to see what the hype was all about and do my part for the environment”
“I use pads for my period days as I’m scared using tampons and having the thought it will be lost inside my body. Hence, using a menstrual cup was a far-fetched idea for me. I was interested in trying out a menstrual cup as the hype continues to grow in my TikTok FYP page, Instagram and Google Search Ads (the power of the internet is fast to influence!). And also, I had an awakening where the number of pads I was using contributed to waste to the environment accumulated over many years.
Rolling up my sleeves and with guidance from YouTube videos on how to insert a menstrual cup with care, I managed to get it inside me securely! (Thankfully!) At first, I was slightly uncomfortable because it was the first time something was inside me. But as time went by, I kinda forgot about it. I do use pads on my heavy flow days just in case there’s leakage. I am still coming around to the idea of cleaning my menstrual cup – it’s a confronting experience!”
Amy, 20’s, no children, INTIMINA LilyCup One
“I’m a big fan of menstrual cups, and now discs!”
“I used pads while growing up, and then transitioned to a period cup two years ago and never looked back. The learning curve for a cup was a little steeper in the first couple of months compared to slapping a pad on. But once I got the hang of it, my periods have never been more comfortable and leak-free.
I’ve been hearing of menstrual discs as another alternative to cups, so I’ve been wanting to give it a shot for a while. The material of the Ziggy Cup Removable Menstrual Disc is so different compared to my period cup. It’s much softer and more pliable, so it made insertion really easy. Plus, because it’s a disc, I didn’t have to wiggle around to try and get it to pop open like the cup. I just had to ensure it was tucked comfortably behind the pubic bone and it would stay snug. For me, trying the disc was a very comfortable experience!
I have a really heavy flow the first two days, and I’m still trying to get the hang of the menstrual disc and how much it can hold. Because of this, there were some leaks. For the first few months of trying a new period product, I make sure to wear panty liners anyway until I’ve got it down pat. So it wasn’t much of a problem.
The interesting thing about the menstrual disc is that you can empty it without taking it out; it’s called “auto-dumping”. This is a game-changer, as you can empty it without removing the cup. This technique is super convenient and less messy than the period cup when you’re out for the day. I’d say to do this often (every couple of hours) on your heavy days to prevent the disc from overflowing.
Overall my experience was great, and I enjoyed the comfort of the disc. I always thought period cups were comfortable enough already. With the disc being so soft, I felt even better and lighter. It will take some time to get the hang of it, but I can see this becoming a permanent tool in my period kit!”
Sal, 20s, no children, INTIMINA Ziggy Cup 2
Our verdict: Give menstrual cups a try!
