How to put in a menstrual cup is one of the most common questions that women ask us when choosing a cup. The other main question we get asked is: “How do you take out your menstrual cup after using it? Is it easy to do?”
Some other things that can cause uncertainty are whether taking out the menstrual cup will be painful, how to remove it when we’re not at home, and how to clean it in a public restroom. These types of common concerns motivate us to continue publishing tips to help you lose your fear of using these amazing products.
Removing the menstrual cup is very simple. We’ll explain in simple steps how to remove it without problems or stains.
Steps to taking out your menstrual cup
Wash your hands thoroughly: before proceeding to remove your menstrual cup, you should remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Just like when you put it in, hygiene is vital to prevent infections in your intimate area.
Take a comfortable position: whether squatting, lying, or sitting. Choose whichever way is most comfortable for you so that your vaginal muscles are relaxed.
Grab the stem: insert your index finger and thumb and look for the stem of the menstrual cup. Just pull it a little bit until you feel like the cup is a little further out.
Press the base: Then press the base of the cup to bend it and finish removing it. This is the main trick to prevent accidents from occurring because if you remove the cup only by the stem, the force of the suction could cause the liquid to bounce and spill out when removing it.
Straining your pelvic floor muscles can also help you take it out.
Remove the menstrual flow: When you have the cup in your hands, hold it by the stem again and remove the flow. Wash it with neutral soap and water, and you’re ready to use it again. Otherwise, sterilize it and save it for the next occasion.
At SileuCup we have prepared an instructional video with these steps to tell you how to remove your SileuCup without problems. In addition, we also have an article on how to cut the stem in case it causes you discomfort.
If you feel your menstrual cup is jammed or can’t find the stem, don’t worry, click on our article “Is your Menstrual Cup Stuck in Your Vagina?” to address these concerns.
Tips for removing the menstrual cup when you’re in a public restroom
Let’s say you’re at work, in a restaurant bathroom, or at a beach. Many of those bathrooms have a separate sink and toilet area. Also, lying down in a public bathroom isn’t convenient. So how can I take out my menstrual cup in this situation?
The first thing to know is that, depending on how much flow you have, you can keep your menstrual cup intact for 4 to 12 hours.
This way, you can plan: if you’re going to a party, for example, wash and place your cup just before you leave, so you’ll be sure your cup won’t overfill while dancing and end up leaking.
Other tips include:
- Take a little bottle of water with you inside the bathroom. This way, if you don’t have direct access to the sink, you can rinse the menstrual cup a little so you won’t go out later and wash the cup full of blood. Similarly, take some toilet paper so that after washing your hands, you can enter the bathroom without having to touch the door.
- You don’t have to sit or lie down. It may be easier for you to remove the cup while squatting. You can push a little, as your vaginal muscles will help you remove it more easily.
- Bring wet towels or wet toilet paper with you to clean your hands, intimate area, and even the cup itself. Make sure they are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and intended to clean your private parts, in order to prevent any type of alteration of the vaginal pH.
Planning is the key to success, so if you’re going to work, out with friends, or on a romantic date, it’s best to carry some of these items in your bag so that removing and cleaning your cup in a public restroom will be a piece of cake.
Besides, practice makes perfect. These tips and recommendations will get easier and easier for you the more you practice, so don’t be afraid to use the menstrual cup: placing and removing it is very easy.
Related: How to Sterilize Your Menstrual Cup
