We advise boiling your cup for 20 minutes between each menstrual cycle to keep it fresh and clean, but if you forgot or didn’t have time to boil it, you can sanitize the cup with our handy Cup Wipes, or wipe it down with rubbing alcohol.
Do you have to boil menstrual cup before use?
“First things first, it’s important to boil your menstrual cup before first use,” says Sophie Zivku, Corporate Communications Manager at DivaCup. “To do this, place it in an open pot of boiling water for five to 10 minutes with plenty of water. Just don’t leave the boiling pot unattended.
What happens if you don’t boil your cup?
If you don’t clean your cup properly, bacteria, odors, stains, and erosion can occur. This could lead to irritation, or, in more rare cases, infection. This also means that your cup will likely need to be replaced more often. That’s why it’s recommended to keep up with your daily cleaning and monthly sterilization.
How often do you need to boil your menstrual cup?
First, keep in mind that there’s a difference between cleaning and sterilizing your menstrual cup. To sterilize your menstrual cup you need to boil it for 2-3 minutes before your first use and before (or after) your period each month. You should clean your cup by rinsing and wiping it dry each time you empty it.
Can you use a DivaCup without boiling it?
Do you have to boil your cup? No, but if you prefer that your cup be fully sanitized before or after each cycle you can safely do so. In fact, it is recommended by most brands.
Can I wash menstrual cup with just water?
Wash the menstrual cup with warm water and mild, unscented soap. Rinse the cup under running water, then apply the unscented soap. Thoroughly rinse the cup again until all of the soap is gone. It’s important to only use unscented soap, as fragrances can irritate your skin or cause a yeast infection.
Should I boil my DivaCup before first use?
Before your first use, boil your DivaCup for 5 – 10 minutes.
How do you sterilize a menstrual cup?
After washing your cup with hot water and soap, you can place it in boiling water to fully sanitize it before your next period. It’s recommended that you place your cup inside of a metal whisk and leave it in a pot of boiling water for only one to two minutes. It’s a quick way to sanitize your cup.
Can we sterilize menstrual cup in kettle?
At the end of your period, it is best to sterilize it before storing for the next use. You can rinse your cup, submerge in water and boil for a few minutes. You can also put your cup into a mug filled with boiling hot water (from the kettle) and let it sit covered for a few minutes.
How do you clean a menstrual cup in a public restroom?
Wipe the menstrual cup with toilet paper
In this case, use toilet paper or a tissue to clean your menstrual cup. Just remove and empty the contents of your cup with one hand. With your other hand, wipe your cup clean with toilet paper, then reinsert.
When should I sterilize my menstrual cup?
As it can be used for 12 hours at a stretch during your periods except if you are experiencing heavy flows. This means that you need to clean it only twice a day. Still, if you want to clean it in between you only need warm water to rinse it. You can use it with a gentle soap or with a Menstrual Cup Wash.
What do gynecologists say about menstrual cups?
A menstrual cup is not suitable for women with severe clinical uterine prolapse, but all women with normal anatomy should be able to comfortably use a menstrual cup. Period cups may be less suitable for women who experience cervical or vaginal prolapse after childbirth.
Why does my menstrual cup stink?
While the silicone that most menstrual cups are made from is odourless, it is possible for your cup to develop an odour with use. This is an odour of the cup itself, not the period odour you may smell during your cycle.
How do you sanitize without boiling?
Disinfect water using household bleach, if you can’t boil water. Only use regular, unscented chlorine bleach products that are suitable for disinfection and sanitization as indicated on the label. The label may say that the active ingredient contains 6 or 8.25% of sodium hypochlorite.
Why do I need to boil my DivaCup?
While boiling the DivaCup can help with discoloration and give your cup a more thorough clean, it is not a required cleaning step. Note: the DivaCup will naturally discolor over time, but this will not impair its functionality. Boiling the cup is really a personal choice.
What do I do if I drop my menstrual cup in the toilet?
If that’s what you choose to do, make sure you submerge your menstrual cup in rolling, boiling water for 20 minutes (not touching the bottom of the pan, so suspended by another utensil, like a pea strainer).
What happens if you don’t boil DivaCup?
We advise boiling your cup for 20 minutes between each menstrual cycle to keep it fresh and clean, but if you forgot or didn’t have time to boil it, you can sanitize the cup with our handy Cup Wipes, or wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Once you get home, make sure to boil that cup for 20 minutes!
Can a menstrual cup shorten your period?
The use of tampons or napkins further complicates the process. When you switch to a cup it may result in a shorter period. So our answer has to be positive. Yes, the menstrual cup has positive effects on the process of the period and often shortens the process itself.
Can DivaCup cause BV?
Is bacterial vaginosis associated with menstrual cups? If using and cleaning your menstrual cup as directed, it won’t cause you to develop bacterial vaginosis. This study by The Lancet notes zero reported cases of vaginal flora upsets after using menstrual cups.
Can you wear a menstrual cup on light days?
You can keep a menstrual cup in on normal-to-light days for as much as 10-12 hours at a stretch with no leakage and no danger to your body (like Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) with disposable tampons).
How do I make my menstrual cup not smell?
Wipe thoroughly or soak your menstrual cup for an hour in vinegar. Pro tip: You can also use a toothpick soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean out your menstrual cup holes. Boil your cup AGAIN for 20 minutes and allow your cup to air dry in the sun completely before use.
Can I tie a string to my menstrual cup?
Cut a piece of string (about 25 cm) and thread it through the ring of your Me Luna or any other menstrual cup with a ring stem. Tie the two ends. Similar to a tampon, you now have more security for the removal of the menstrual cup.
Do menstrual cups cause infertility?
While there’s no scientific data to suggest that methods that prevent sperm backflow from the vagina (like cervical caps, menstrual cups/discs, or positions post-sex or insemination) increase your chances of getting pregnant, with menstrual cups/discs specifically, there are no clear dangers in using them after sex or …
How often is too often to empty menstrual cup?
Depending on how heavy your flow is, you may be able to wear your cup for up to 12 hours. You should always remove your cup by the 12-hour mark. This ensures regular cleaning and helps prevent a buildup of bacteria.
Can you get toxic shock syndrome with a menstrual cup?
Menstrual cups may be a rare cause of TSS. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy may reduce the risk of relapse.
Why does my cup smell like fish?
If your glasses smell like fish, your dishwasher needs a thorough cleaning. If your glasses smell fishy, it’s possible all of your dishes have the same smell. It can be more apparent on glassware because of the proximity of a drinking glass to your nose and mouth when using it.
Can I wear a DivaCup overnight?
Yes! You can sleep with a menstrual cup in! In fact, compared to bulky pads or tampons, many DivaCup users prefer it. Tampons should never be worn for more than the recommended time (usually between 4 to 8 hours); the DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours.
Is it normal to fill a menstrual cup in 2 hours?
Generally speaking, however, here are some signs and symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding to watch for: Having to change your pad or tampon every hour or filling a menstrual cup every 2-3 hours.
Where should the stem of my menstrual cup be?
It should sit low in the vagina (lower than a tampon), and ideally, not over the opening of your cervix. The end of the stem should be sitting no more than 1cm from the vaginal opening. Nothing should be sticking out, but it should be only just inside you.
Are menstrual discs better than cups?
Menstrual cups and discs prevent an alternative to tampons and pads that’s well worth considering. Cups may be better if you don’t want to deal with the mess of a disc upon removal. Sex may be more comfortable with a disc than a cup, and there’s less to worry about when it comes to IUDs.
How do I know when my menstrual cup is full?
Check. If you are not sure if your menstrual cup has opened completely, try inserting a finger along the inside your vagina up to the rim of the menstrual cup, and follow the rim around, ensuring that the whole rim has opened up.
What happens if a menstrual cup overflows?
Cullins says. “If the cup is very full and you have leakage, you probably just need to remove and empty the cup more often.” “It may take a couple of periods to get it right. You can wear a pad as a backup while you’re learning to correctly place the cup,” she suggests.
Is my DivaCup giving me yeast infections?
Using a menstrual cup can not cause yeast infections. Studies of menstrual cup users in Kenya actually found that menstrual cup users had lower rates of vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast infections (candidiasis) compared to users of menstrual pads, cloth, tissues, or other scavenged materials.
Why do I keep getting BV after my period?
Bacterial vaginosis comes down to an imbalance of your vagina’s pH levels. The normal range for your vagina’s pH is 3.8 to 4.5. Several things can cause it to be thrown off, making your body an invitation for BV: Your period: Blood has a pH of 7.4, so menstruation temporarily elevates your pH levels.
Are menstrual cups less painful than tampons?
Comfort: Many people report that a menstrual cup is more comfortable than pads or tampons. Cups tend not to cause vaginal dryness, which is a common complaint about tampons. Fewer cramps: There are some anecdotal reports of people having fewer or less painful menstrual cramps while using a cup.
Why does my period blood smell rotten?
The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria. It’s normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. The resulting “rotten” smell from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow shouldn’t be strong enough for others to detect.
Why does my cup smell like wet dog?
The primary reason why a water bottle smells like a wet dog is due to bacteria build-up. This is a common problem when you use your water bottle daily. If you do not wash your water bottle thoroughly and regularly, these microorganisms can increase and even become a problem.
How does lemon stop your period?
No. Drinking a shot of lemon juice won’t delay your period or make it stop. Using a hormonal birth control method is the only way to lighten or control when you get your period: When taking a hormonal birth control method, like the pill, ring, and patch, you have the ability to skip your period.
Why does my menstrual cup leak when it’s not full?
Your cup isn’t fully open:
The most common reason for leaks is that the cup edges are still slightly folded and have not opened fully to form a seal with the vaginal walls. This is especially common with new cup users and generally just takes a little bit of practice to get the perfect insertion method down.