¨This live stream was so useful—I never thought an underwear brand would provide us with this information¨

This was one of the comments we received during the Instagram live stream we hosted with Intimina, a brand specialising in menstrual hygiene and intimate care. 

Its communications director, Pilar Ruiz, took over our account and answered all your questions about menstrual cups. Since we know not everyone was able to watch it, here’s a short summary!

We received this question several times, especially from mothers whose daughters are experiencing their first periods. As Pilar rightly said, there is no minimum age for using a menstrual cup—in other words, there is no risk involved in using one if you have never had sex.

They also offer a cup designed for younger girls: Lilly Cup 1. What makes it different? It is smaller and narrower in diameter, and has a removal ring to make it easier to take out.

According to Intimina’s experts, the recommended maximum wearing time for a menstrual cup is 8 to 12 hours. Although cups are made from medical-grade silicone, a hypoallergenic, non-porous material, wearing one for more than 12 hours can cause bacteria to proliferate and harm the body.

To calculate your cup size correctly, Pilar suggested asking ourselves 3 questions:

1. How much flow we usually have: light, moderate, medium, heavy...

2. Whether or not we have given birth vaginally.

3. What our cervix is like: low, medium or high.
This affects how comfortable one cup or another may be. To measure it, insert 2 fingers into the vagina until you touch the vaginal wall, and count the number of finger joints you can fit: 1 joint means a low cervix, 2 joints a medium cervix and 3 joints a high cervix. The cervix can also change position depending on the phase of the cycle, which is why experts recommend measuring it during your period, when you will be using the cup.

Pilar explains that there are several tricks that can help us tell whether the menstrual cup is positioned correctly:

• Check the seal: run your fingers around the rim, or grip the stem, twist and pull.
• If the cup feels uncomfortable or you can feel it too much, this may indicate that it is not positioned correctly.

One thing to bear in mind is that the first few times will involve some trial and error. Once you get the hang of it, it will be a piece of cake!

If you try all these tricks and still experience leaks, it is best to consult your gynaecologist, as this may be due to a tilted uterus. This is nothing serious; they simply need to show you how to insert it correctly.

Experts recommend placing the menstrual cup high enough in the vaginal canal to create a proper seal, but low enough that you can pinch the bottom and remove it easily.

Removing the menstrual cup is very easy, but it never hurts to have a few tricks up your sleeve to avoid the mini heart attack of not being able to get it out and wanting to go to the emergency room (some of you have surely been there).  

1. Stay relaxed to prevent the vaginal muscles from contracting

2. Break the seal by squeezing the top or bottom

3.Feel comfortable—some positions make removal easier: squatting, standing, in the shower, with one leg on the toilet, etc.

A standard menstrual cup can last between 5 and 10 years. To get the most out of it, it’s important to sterilize it correctly (leave it in boiling water for 5 to 8 minutes before using it on the first day of your cycle).

One thing to bear in mind is that blood, being rich in iron, can stain cups, but that doesn’t mean they’re no longer usable or that they’re dirty. Pilar shares a trick: add a teaspoon of baking soda to restore the original colour.

Some factors that may indicate that the cup needs replacing include holes, not creating a proper seal, or showing signs of wear...

Because it is made with thinner materials, the Ziggy Cup has a lifespan of up to 2 years.

That’s right: among menstrual hygiene products, the cup is the most recommended option for preventing infections. Thanks to its composition, it doesn’t cause irritation or dryness and prevents bacterial growth, so it doesn’t affect the vaginal flora. In other words, there’s a lower risk of bacteria multiplying in the intimate area. It should always be combined with proper hygiene: washing your hands, sterilizing the cup, etc.

That’s a brief summary of the interesting live session hosted by Pilar. Here’s the link to the video, where you’ll find more details, such as how to use the Ziggy Cup: the cup compatible with sex.