| 05.12.2019
Can Virgins Use a Menstrual Cup?
- min -Menstrual cups for virgins, yes or no?
Can virgins use a menstrual cup?
This question comes up again and again in comments, on forums and in our cup community group, so there is nothing left to do but clear up your doubts.
Based on experience and the knowledge available today, there are no medical contraindications to virgins using a menstrual cup. There are, however, a few things worth paying attention to when you decide to start using one.
What is the hymen?
One of the biggest fears around virgins using a menstrual cup is breaking the hymen. So what is the hymen? It is nothing more than a fold of mucous membrane at the entrance to the vagina. That fold is elastic and comes in various shapes, which we show below.
Many girls have an elastic, strong hymen that covers the entrance to the vagina to a greater or lesser degree, but in truth it does not really cover it at all. What is more, contrary to popular belief, it does not protect against anything, unlike in other mammals. In women it can, however, be so tightly fused that it takes a visit to a gynaecologist, who will make a small incision. During first intercourse it may stretch and sometimes tear a little. Can it be broken? No. Only 40% of women have a hymen firm enough to split during sexual intercourse or as late as during a vaginal birth. Damage, tearing, or really stretching of the hymen can just as easily happen while horse riding, cycling, doing gymnastics or stretching. Some women are born with no hymen at all, others still have one after giving birth, and bleeding during first intercourse is often the result of abrasion, irritation or a first time rushed too much. Besides, once we start menstruating the blood has to get out, and if the hymen really did cover the entrance to the vagina, the blood would have to stay inside. We know it comes out, and even virgins have periods.
So what is virginity?
For centuries virginity was traditionally tied to the hymen and to the sexual act. In reality virginity is a state of mind, a cultural matter. Sex is not only penetration. Breaking the hymen is not in itself the act of losing your virginity. It was cultural conditioning that shaped the belief that losing your virginity means the hymen breaking during first sexual intercourse, and that the hymen equals proof of sexual purity. Does another kind of sex, without vaginal penetration, still count as virginity? That question, and the question of what virginity means to you, is one each of you has to answer for herself, in line with her own conscience and beliefs.
Is it safe for virgins to use a cup?
According to current biological and medical knowledge, there are no contraindications to virgins using cups.
Inserting a menstrual cup can be difficult at first, and sometimes it can even hurt, especially if you have never used tampons. When you are young your vaginal muscles tend to be more tense, which can make inserting the cup a little harder. It is worth looking for a cup that is fairly springy but not firm, ideally of medium softness. Too soft a cup will be hard to insert when the vaginal muscles are tense, and that can make things awkward. It is also worth making sure the cup is fairly small, ideally in size S. Give yourself time to learn how to insert it.
It is a good idea to make your first attempts before the bleeding starts. Some women recommend inserting the cup in the shower or using a water-based lubricant.
How do you insert a menstrual cup for the first time?
-
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Relax. It is worth making your first attempts in the shower or the bath.
Find a way of folding the cup that feels comfortable for you. We recommend the punch down, origami or 7 fold. A cup folded that way is fairly narrow, which makes it easier to insert. You will find all of these and other folds here perfectcup.me/#how-to-use
- You can wet the cup to make insertion easier. Once it is folded, hold it firmly between your fingers and moisten the rim and the walls.
- Then squat or put one foot on a stool, and remember to relax. You can even try inserting the menstrual cup while lying on the bed.
- Gently part the labia with one hand and slowly guide the menstrual cup into the vagina. Make sure you angle it towards your tailbone, more backwards than upwards (unlike a tampon), following the natural shape of the vaginal canal
- Moving the cup slowly from side to side with light pressure can help you push it in.
If you have any reservations about using a cup, talk to someone more experienced, your mum or a gynaecologist, or join a cup community group where you can safely ask questions of women who already use menstrual cups. The decision to start using a menstrual cup has to be a conscious one, free of any pressure.
Remember, virginity is a state of mind. You do not lose it by using tampons or a menstrual cup.
What next: before your first time it is worth reading the guide to inserting the cup and choosing the narrowest fold, because that is what decides how comfortable insertion feels.
See also The Cup’s Things · Menstrual Cup Reviews
Najnowsze Wpisy
Frequently Asked Questions
-
1.
When should I consult using menstrual cup with a doctor?
-
· If you use IUD/IUS (in some cases it may be dislodged while using menstrual cup).
· If you have pelvic organ prolapse (POP).
· When your pelvic floor muscles are very weak and when you suffer from urinary.
· If you have, or suspect you have, a gyneacological condition consult your doctor before you use Perfect Cup (cervical ectroption, defects in body structure, cervical cancer, if you had TSS incident, if you have a lot of stitches after natural childbirth). · If you are a virgin – there are no contraindications for use menstrual cup by virgins, but this is delicate issue, so we recommend consultation with your doctor.
-
2.
Can menstrual cup get lost inside me?
- A menstrual cup cannot pass through cervix, so it cannot get lost inside you. Some woman has a long vagina, so you should be careful not to insert your cup as high as tampon. If you cannot reach the stem, relax, breath slowly and squat, because when squatting it is easier to get your cup’s stem. To ease your Perfect Cup keep gently downward pushing, a sequence of 10-15 slow and gentle pushing will release your cup and it will be pushed lower, so you can reach it and remove. The other tip is, you can put some string (like tampon string) to the stem to make you feel more comfortable.
-
3.
Do you need to wear a reusable pad with menstrual cup as an additional protection when I start using Perfect Cup?
- You can use reusable pad at the begging of using menstrual cup, but when you insert it properly there is no need to use any pad while using Perfect Cup.
-
4.
Do you need two menstrual cups?
- No. You don’t need two cups, but it is more convenient and more hygienic to have two.
-
5.
Are there any menstrual cup’s disadvantages?
- No. The only thing is silicone’s discoloration but it does not reduce its effectiveness. You can prevent discoloration through rinsing it with cold water first when emptying. From time to time you can put the cup into a hot water with salt, citric acid, soda bicarbonate or vinegar (choose one of it) to refresh your cup.
-
6.
How often should you empty menstrual cup?
- The frequency of emptying the cup depends on how heavy your menstruation flow is. In the beginning it is recommended to empty the cup as frequently as you used to change your pads or tampons. On average you should empty the Perfect Cup every 4-8 hours. The maximum time for continuous usage is 12 hours. It isn’t recommended to keep the cup too long in the vagina without emptying it, since it may increase the risk of bacterial growth.
-
7.
How to clean and care about menstrual cup?
-
Before the first use sterilize your Perfect Cup to be sure it is fully hygienic. Cover your menstrual cup with hot water and boil it for 5-10 minutes. After menstruation, clean and sterilize your Perfect Cup in the same way.
During the period you just need to wash it thoroughly with clean water after each emptying.
-
8.
When should you replace your menstrual cup?
- A menstrual cup is made from high-quality materials such as medical-grade silicone, latex or thermoplastic elastomer, which lets it last for years. It is recommended to replace the cup every 2-5 years, although some last up to 10 years. Replace yours if you notice cracks, damage, changes in shape, or if it starts to feel uncomfortable.
-
9.
Is a menstrual cup safe?
- Yes, a menstrual cup is safe when used according to the manufacturer's instructions and with proper hygiene. The cup is made from biocompatible and hypoallergenic materials. There is, however, a small risk linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), which is why it matters to keep the cup clean and to empty it regularly.
-
10.
How to store your menstrual cup?
- There is a cotton pouch included with your Perfect Cup to store your cup between periods. Do not use any hermetic boxes or anything with no air access. It may cause bacterial growth on your cup.
-
11.
Can a menstrual cup fall out?
- Correctly inserted menstrual cup should not fall out. Your vaginal muscles keep it in a place, so it should not fall out.
-
12.
Can you use a menstrual cup overnight?
night? - Yes! You can safely use your Perfect Cup menstrual cup overnight. It can be worn up to 12 hours at a time.
-
13.
Can you exercise when using Perfect Cup?
- Yes, you can! You can swim, dance, run and do any other form of exercises.
-
14.
Why menstrual cups are better than pads and tampons?
- Perfect Cup is produced of high-grade medical silicone Silpuran. Unlike traditional hygiene products, Perfect Cup menstrual cup does not irritate the vaginal mucosa or cause any dryness. Perfect Cup is free of any potentially harmful chemicals, BPA, latex and therefore completely safe. Perfect Cup menstrual cup hold your menstrual fluid 4-6 times more than a single tampon or pad. Therefore, despite your activity or time, you can wear your Perfect Cup up to 12 h at a time. Correctly inserted Perfect Cup fully adapts to your body. It is so comfortable that you will not feel wearing it. Once purchased Perfect Cup will last for 5-10 years, so it reduces monthly expenses for traditional hygiene products and contribute to reducing production of monthly hygiene waste.
-
15.
The smell of menstrual cup
-
The Perfect Cup menstrual cup is made of the highest grade quality medical silicone Silpuran from the German company Wacker. This silicone is odorless, but it may absorb smells from air and liquids. This may cause that the menstrual cup will have an undesirable smell of cosmetics, chemical cleaning products, packaging, production processes and storage as well as resulting from use. Removing the smell requires cooking for about 20 minutes. If the smell remains, repeat the action until the desired effect is obtained. You can put a cup in a solution with vinegar or salt. It will also help in case there is a discoloration resulting from use.
A cup with an aroma can be used using the hygiene measures as described in the manual instructions.
-
16.
How does a menstrual cup work?
- A menstrual cup is a small, flexible container that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. It is designed for repeated use. The cup sits low in the vagina, where it forms a vacuum seal that keeps the fluid inside and prevents leaks.
-
17.
How do you remove a menstrual cup?
- To remove a menstrual cup, first wash your hands thoroughly. Then get into a comfortable position, for example squatting or standing with one leg raised. Insert your fingers into the vagina and locate the cup. Take hold of its base or ring, squeeze gently to release the vacuum seal, then carefully pull the cup out. Empty it, wash it with clean water and a mild soap, and you can insert it again.
-
18.
What should you do if the cup starts to leak?
-
If your menstrual cup starts to leak, there are a few steps you can take to solve the problem:
- Make sure the cup is placed correctly: the cup should sit low in the vagina and the vacuum seal should form properly. Check that the cup has opened fully and is not folded.
- Check the size and shape of the cup: the wrong size or shape can cause leaks. Choose the size and shape that suit your body and your needs.
- Empty the cup more often: if the leaks come from the cup being full, empty it more frequently, especially on heavy days.
- Try other folding techniques: different folds can help you get a better seal. Try several methods to find the one that works best for you.
- Check the condition of the cup: if it is damaged, cracked or deformed, replace it with a new one.
- Use extra protection: on heavy days, or whenever you are unsure about the seal, you can use extra protection such as panty liners or menstrual pads.
If the leaking continues, consult a doctor or a health professional to check whether any health issue is affecting how the cup works.
This site is only an information about menstrual cups and it’s usage. Any doubt regarding the usage of the Perfect Cup should be consulted with a doctor or other professional medical specialist.
