Help, my menstrual cup is full. What do I do?
Using a cup can be intimidating for some women. However, the menstrual cup is a healthy, eco-friendly, and economical alternative. This small, bell-shaped silicone capsule is the perfect solution to replace your tampons and sanitary pads.
Throughout the day—at school, at work, at home, at the gym, or at the pool—the cup stands out as a reliable, discreet, and comfortable period protection. It's affordable and easy to use, and, like period underwear, has many advantages.
Let’s talk today, together, about a very specific situation: what to do when your cup is full? Having a full cup can be uncomfortable and stressful. Worries about leaks, worries about stains. What should you do?
How to use: full menstrual cup
Step 1 - Remove the menstrual cup
Have you been wearing your cup for several hours and have a heavy or very heavy flow? It’s best to remove and empty it. It’s simple—find a quiet place, wash your hands with soap, and get into the same position you used for inserting your cup.
It’s very easy to take it off:
- You push using your pelvic floor muscles.
- Gently pull on the cup’s stem to lower it.
- Grab the base and pinch it gently.
- Gently tilt the cup, moving it from side to side.
- You empty the blood into the toilet.
Step 2 - Clean the menstrual cup
Once you’ve completed step 1, you now need to clean your menstrual cup. It should be thoroughly washed with clean water and soap (alcohol-free) or with your own intimate wash.
Be careful not to clean your LoulouCup in the washing machine or with dish soap, as you could damage it. Just like menstrual underwear, menstrual cups need thorough but gentle cleaning with products that aren’t too harsh or chemical.
Step 3: Reinsert the menstrual cup
Has your menstrual cup been emptied and cleaned? You can put it back in to stay protected for several more hours. Now it’s your turn to position your menstrual cup again. Here’s how:
- Fold your cup however you like: in a seven, tulip, or C shape.
- Position yourself however you like: squatting, one foot on the toilet, or sitting down.
- Spread your labia and gently insert the folded cup at the entrance of your vagina. Push it in far enough so it doesn’t stick out, then let go—it will unfold against your vaginal walls.
- Your cup is in the right position when you can't feel it. All good? You're set for several hours of peace of mind.
Not sure? Find even more details in our User Manual.
Extra tips for using your cup with peace of mind
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to clean your menstrual cup, it’s best to have two menstrual cups so you can alternate between them. There’s a Louloucup pack with 2 cups and a sterilizer available in the shop—don’t hesitate to check it out.
Don’t hesitate to wrap your first menstrual cup in toilet paper and put it in a reusable pouch or directly in its sterilization case. You can clean it when you get home.
If you’re at the office, at work, or out and about and you forgot your second menstrual cup, take a bottle of water with you when you go to the restroom. This water will let you wash your cup and your hands.
Never wear your cup for more than six hours at a time. We strongly recommend wearing a period panty at night. Several super comfortable and ultra-absorbent styles are available in the Louloucup shop!
Tips to prevent your cup from overflowing
Find the right size
To keep your menstrual cup from filling up too quickly, you need to choose the right size. This is actually the first step in picking your cup. Choosing the wrong size can potentially cause leaks. Louloucup offers two cup sizes: a larger medium and a smaller small.
Size S
Size S is used for light to normal flow and/or for people who have never given birth vaginally.
Size M
Size M is used for heavy flows and/or for people who have given birth vaginally.
This means that if your flow is light and you gave birth vaginally, it's better to choose the Medium size. In addition to sizes, at Louloucup we offer two levels of flexibility:
- The blue menstrual cup is softer and perfect for young women with a smaller vagina.
- The pink menstrual cup is firmer and designed for women with a stronger pelvic diaphragm.
Wearing period underwear
For every problem, Louloucup has a solution. In general, it takes a little time to learn how to use your cup and figure out when your menstrual cup is full.
To be safe and avoid staining your favorite pair, we recommend the combo: cup and period panty. In this case, you can go for an absorbent and sexy period thong to avoid any surprises or stains!
