THE MENSTRUAL CUP GUIDE

Looking for an alternative to tampons and other disposable period products? You’re in the right place: we’ve got all the information you need about using and caring for your cup.

And maybe you’ll also want to learn more about period panties.

🩸 A closer look at the menstrual cup

What is a menstrual cup?

The cup, or menstrual cup, is an internal, washable, reusable, economical, and hypoallergenic menstrual product.

While a tampon absorbs blood, a menstrual cup holds it in its reservoir so you can empty, rinse, and reinsert it.

Since it's made of medical-grade silicone, it doesn't absorb and avoids issues related to vaginal dryness, while holding up to three times more blood than tampons.

But most importantly, it suits all women, adapting to the shape and size of the vagina, menstrual flow, movement, and the position of the cervix.

How does the cup work?

The cup is a receptacle made of medical-grade silicone, which poses no health risk thanks to its controlled composition:

Made of high-grade platinum medical silicone,
It reduces the risk of vaginal mucosa allergies and yeast infections,
It’s guaranteed free of phthalates, bisphenol, and latex.

It adapts to your body thanks to its flexibility, allowing it to move with you and fit your anatomy. Once positioned in the vagina (lower than a tampon, by the way), you can keep it in for 6 to 8 hours without risk of toxic shock syndrome.

But above all, the cup is a powerful ally for getting to know yourself as a woman. It provides information that’s sometimes hard to access about your menstrual flow and how your body works.

Menstrual cup: period protection made from medical-grade silicone

Made from a soft and flexible material, it folds to fit inside the vagina, covering the cervix to prevent leaks.

Its stem makes it easier to lower the cup when removing it. By gently pulling on it, you can reach the base of the cup and tilt it for removal.

And what about the holes at the top of your cup?

They’re there to help with air pressure. In fact, when you place the empty cup in the vagina, it’s filled with air. So, as more blood flows, it’s necessary to release the air inside.

The holes allow you to:

to equalize the air pressure inside and outside the vagina,
to prevent leaks when the holes are blocked (by clots or a heavier menstrual flow). That’s why the holes in our Louloucup are larger than most menstrual cups on the market.
To avoid that suction and "vacuum" effect, be gentle when inserting and removing the cup.

The menstrual cup: 3 key benefits

Benefit number 1: the cup is the most eco-friendly period protection, both in its composition and in its use. You can manage your period with just one menstrual cup, lasting between 5 and 10 years.
Benefit number 2: its ingredients are transparent and safe, with no risk of carcinogens or endocrine disruptors.
Benefit number 3: menstrual cups are the most cost-effective solution, with a price of €28.90 for 10 years (or €57.80 for two cups for more flexibility), whereas using tampons will cost about €90/year, or €900 over 10 years.

Now that we’re all clear, let’s move on to the next part.

🩸 Why choose a menstrual cup?

Who can use a menstrual cup?

The cup adapts to every woman, even though we all have different bodies. Its flexible material molds to your vagina based on the position of your cervix.

You don’t need to look for the exact spot when inserting it. The menstrual cup positions itself naturally as you move and adapts to your body.

What are the benefits of a menstrual cup?

There are many benefits to choosing a menstrual cup:

It’s invisible for athletes,
It lets you swim safely,
It pairs perfectly with our period panties,
It can be worn for up to 8 hours to get you through the night.
It positions itself correctly in your body according to your anatomy,
It stays in place while you pee.

However, there are a few things you shouldn’t combine with using a menstrual cup:

It does not work as a contraceptive.
It is not meant to be used during sexual intercourse,
It’s not recommended for postnatal bleeding,
It should not be used in case of vaginal infection,

A new life with the menstrual cup

A bit lost when it comes to choosing your menstrual cup?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Are you a virgin?
Have you ever given birth vaginally?
What is your menstrual flow ?
Do you practice any sports that strengthen your pelvic floor?

There are two sizes and two levels of softness available Louloucup menstrual cups.

What size should you choose for your cup?

The size of the menstrual cup depends on your flow and pelvic floor strength.

At Louloucup, we have two cup sizes:

a size S, perfect for light flows and young girls. It’s also great for workouts that strengthen the pelvic floor. Its small size makes moving around feel much more comfortable!

a size M, which is the standard size. It fits all women, especially those with a heavy flow or who have given birth.

How flexible should your cup be?

But that’s not all. We also have two levels of flexibility at Louloucup:

the blue menstrual cupis more flexible, making it ideal for women with a more sensitive anatomy, such as young girls with a smaller vagina.
the pink menstrual cupThe firmer one ends up being the standard version. It’s perfect for women with a stronger pelvic diaphragm.

How to position your menstrual cup?

Just like with a tampon, you’ll need to get a little dexterity at first.

Step 1: Wash your hands thoroughly before inserting or removing your cup.

Step 2: Fold the menstrual cup using the folding method that works best for you. Here are a few examples:

The C-fold:

With both hands, fold your Louloucup menstrual cup into a C shape.
Keep it folded in this position and insert it
Once inserted, release your menstrual cup

The seven-fold fold

Fold one side to form a seven shape
Keep your menstrual cup folded in this position and insert it.
Once inserted, release your menstrual cup

The tulip or punch-down fold

Hold your menstrual cup with one hand
With the index finger of your other hand, push one side of the cup in and then remove your finger.
Keep your menstrual cup folded in this position and insert it.
Once inserted, release your menstrual cup

Step 3: Get comfortable before inserting the cup: sitting on the toilet, squatting in the shower, or standing with one leg raised.

Don’t insert your cup while lying down, as it won’t sit correctly and may cause leaks and discomfort during the day.

Spread the labia and insert the cup horizontally toward the tailbone,
Rotate one way, then the other while holding the base.

To make sure your menstrual cup is properly placed, you can insert a finger to check that it’s sealed against the vaginal walls.

⚡️ Quick tip: if insertion is a bit tricky, use some lubricant or a little water to moisten it (for example, in the shower).

How do you remove a menstrual cup?

To remove your cup, find a comfortable position that allows you to relax, then:

Push the cup out using your pelvic floor muscles,
Pull on the stem to lower it,
Grab the base and pinch it gently,
Tilt the cup by moving it to one side, then the other
Empty the blood into the toilet,
Rinse your cup with hot water,
Reuse it.

You can keep your cup in for 6 to 8 hours without any issue, depending on your flow.

How do you clean your menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup must be especially hygienic. That’s why it’s important to clean it daily and sterilize it at the end of each cycle.

Between uses, simply rinse it with clean water before wearing again for another 6 to 8 hours.

To clean your menstrual cup each day, use an oil-free, fragrance-free soap or your intimate wash gel. You can then put it back in or store it in its pouch for future use.

With every cycle, it’s important to sterilize your menstrual cup to remove all bacteria. This also applies before using it for the first time.

How do you sterilize your cup?

You can sterilize your menstrual cup by boiling it or using the microwave. For this, have your Louloucup sterilizer.

To sterilize your cup in the microwave:

Remove the lid from your Louloucup sterilizer and insert your cup inside, stem facing down.
Cover with water and microwave the sterilizer for 5 minutes at 750 watts.

To sterilize your cup with boiling water:

Remove the lid and insert your cup inside, stem facing down.
Pour boiling water over and wait 5 minutes.

Once the 5 minutes are up, let your cup cool by running it under cold water before using it again. You can also store it in its pouch until your next cycle.

How to use your cup while on the go or at work?

If using a cup stresses you out when you’re not at home, we have a few tips for you:

The first tip is to look for accessible restrooms, which always have a sink. In that case, no problem at all!

If not, here are a few tips that might help:

Choose a two menstrual cup pack...so you can have a backup cup

Remember to keep a water bottle in your bag so you can rinse your cup over the toilet bowl.

Take your sterilizer with you to easily rinse your cup on the go: just add water and submerge your cup before shaking it all together. Then simply pour the used water into the toilet!

That’s what’s especially convenient about the cup—it’s very easy to use and you don’t risk ending up in an awkward situation when you need to change it.

Ready to switch to a menstrual cup? All that’s left is to choose one. the one(s) that suits you best now: menstrual cup shop. The best thing you can do is be well prepared by choosing a Set: 2 cups + 1 Louloucup sterilizer.