Are you tired of using pads every month? In a country like Bangladesh, periods can be extra hard. The weather is hot, the humidity makes you sweaty, and the pads can feel itchy. Sometimes, you worry about stains while sitting on a rickshaw or sitting in a long exam hall.
If you are thinking about your first time buying a menstrual cup, you are in the right place.
At first, a menstrual cup looks like a small silicone bell. It might look a bit scary. You might think, “How does this fit inside?” or “Will it be painful?”
Don’t worry. This is exactly how every girl feels the first time. It is like learning to ride a bicycle or using a new smartphone. It takes a little practice, but once you learn it, your life changes forever.
In this guide, we will explain everything in very simple English. We will show you how to go from “What is this?” to “I love it!”
Why Should You Buy a Menstrual Cup?
Before we talk about how to use it, let’s talk about why you need it.
In Bangladesh, a good packet of pads costs around 150 to 200 Taka. You need one or two packets every month. In 5 years, you spend a lot of money!
A menstrual cup costs between 1,000 to 1,500 Taka. But here is the magic: one cup lasts for 5 to 10 years. It is like buying a high-quality dress instead of buying 50 cheap ones. You save a lot of money.
Also, pads create a lot of waste. A cup is eco-friendly. You just wash it and use it again. No more hiding black plastic bags when going to the dustbin!
4 Unique Things You Must Know Before Buying
When you are first time buying a menstrual cup, most shops or websites just give you a box. But at HER CARE, we want you to be a pro. Here are 4 unique tips for beginners:
1. The “Dry Run” Practice
Most girls wait for their period to start before trying the cup. This is a mistake! When your period starts, you might have cramps or feel moody.
The Tip: Try the cup 1 or 2 days before your period starts. Use a little water to make it slippery. Sit in your bathroom and practice putting it in and taking it out. When you are calm, your muscles are relaxed. This makes it much easier to learn.
2. Find Your Favorite “Origami” Fold
You cannot just push the cup inside as it is. You have to fold it. There are many ways to fold it, just like paper art (origami).
- The Punch-Down Fold: Push one side of the rim down into the cup. This makes the top very small. It is the best fold for beginners in Bangladesh because it enters very easily.
- The 7-Fold: Fold it to look like the number 7. This is good if the cup opens too quickly.
Try different folds to see which one your body likes.
3. Listen for the “Pop”
How do you know if the cup is placed correctly? If it stays folded inside, it will leak. It needs to open up completely to create a “seal.”
The Tip: Once the cup is inside, take your finger and circle the bottom of the cup. Does it feel round? Or do you feel a dent? If there is a dent, give the cup a small twist. You will feel a tiny “pop.” That pop means the cup is open and you are safe from leaks for 12 hours!
4. The Stem is Just a “Map”
The little tail at the bottom of the cup is called the stem. Many beginners think they should pull this stem to take the cup out. Please, do not do that!
The cup is held by suction (like a vacuum). If you pull the stem, it will hurt because the suction is strong.
The Tip: Use the stem only to find where the cup is. Once you find it, use your thumb and finger to squeeze the bottom of the cup. This “breaks the seal.” Once the seal is broken, the cup comes out very smoothly and without any pain.
How to Choose the Right Size in Bangladesh?
In Bangladesh, we usually follow these three categories to help you decide:
1. Small or Mini Size (For Our Younger Sisters)
- Who is it for? Teenagers and young girls aged 13 to 20 years.
- Body Type: If you have never had a vaginal delivery (normal delivery) and your body is still small.
- Flow: This is perfect if your period flow is light.
- Why choose this? It is very small and easy to insert for beginners who are using a cup for the first time.
2. Medium Size (The Most Popular Choice)
- Who is it for? Women aged 20 to 30 years.
- Body Type: For those who have not given birth through a normal delivery.
- Flow: If your flow is medium—not too light, but not too heavy.
- Why choose this? This is the most popular size in our country. Most university students and working women find this size very comfortable for daily use.
3. Large Size (For Mothers and Heavy Flow)
- Who is it for? Women over 30 years old.
- Body Type: This is the best choice if you have given birth to a baby through vaginal birth (normal delivery). After having a baby, your muscles change, and a larger cup fits better.
- Flow: If your period flow is very heavy and you usually have to change pads every 2-3 hours.
- Why choose this? It holds more liquid, so you don’t have to worry about emptying it frequently during a busy day.
Why is Picking the Right Size Important?
Imagine wearing a shoe that is too big—it will slip off. Or a shoe that is too small—it will hurt your feet.
It is the same with a menstrual cup!
- If the cup is too small, it might slide down or leak.
- If the cup is too big, it might be hard to open inside or feel “heavy.”
A Quick Tip from HER CARE: Most girls in Bangladesh start with a Small or Medium. If you are a student, start there. If you are a mother, go for the Large.
How to Know if the Size is Right?
After you put it in, walk around your room for 5 minutes.
- Can you feel it? No? Then the size is perfect!
- Does it feel like something is poking you? Then you might need a smaller size or you need to push it a little higher.
Don’t worry if you are confused. You can always message us at HER CARE, and we will help you pick the right one for your body!
Step-by-Step: How to Use Your Cup
Let’s make it very simple. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Wash Your Hands
This is the most important step. Clean your hands with soap. Your body is very sensitive, so keep things hygienic.
Step 2: Fold the Cup
Use the “Punch-Down” fold we talked about. Hold it tight so it doesn’t pop open in your hand.
Step 3: Relax Your Body
If you are nervous, your muscles will get tight. Take a deep breath. Squat down in your bathroom (the way we use a traditional toilet in Bangladesh). This position opens up your body.
Step 4: Insert
Slowly push the cup into your vagina. Aim it towards your lower back, not straight up.
Step 5: Check the Seal
Wait for the “pop.” Make sure it feels comfortable. You should not feel anything inside you. If you can feel it, it might not be high enough.
Step 6: Go About Your Day
You can walk, run, ride a rickshaw, or even sleep for 12 hours. You don’t need to change it every few hours like a pad.
Cleaning and Caring for Your Cup
Since English is not our first language, sometimes the instructions on the box look difficult. Here is the easy way to clean it:
- During your period: When you take the cup out to empty it, just wash it with plain water. You don’t need special soap. Just water is fine. Then put it back in.
- After your period ends: Boil a pot of water. Put the cup in the boiling water for 5 minutes. This kills all the germs.
- Storage: Keep it in the small cloth bag that comes with the cup. Do not keep it in a plastic box. The cup needs to “breathe.”
Common Questions
Q1: Can the cup get lost inside my body? Answer: No! This is a big fear, but it is impossible. Your cervix (the opening of the uterus) is very small. The cup cannot go past that. It will always stay where you can reach it.
Q2: Can I go to the bathroom (pee) while wearing it? Answer: Yes. The path for pee and the path for the cup are different. You don’t need to take the cup out when you go to the washroom.
Q3: Is it painful? Answer: The first or second time, it might feel a bit “different” or strange. But it should not be painful. If it hurts, take it out and try again when you are more relaxed.
Q4: Can I use a cup if I am a virgin? Answer: Yes, you can. In our culture, this is a common question. Using a cup might stretch the hymen, but it does not change who you are. Many young girls in Bangladesh use cups comfortably.
Final Advice from HER CARE
Switching to a menstrual cup is an act of self-love. It gives you freedom. You can wear your favorite white salwar kameez without any fear. You can go to university or work and forget that you are even on your period.
Don’t be sad if you fail on the first day. It takes most women 2 or 3 periods to become an expert. Be patient with yourself.
You are doing something great for your body and for the planet.
Are you ready to try your first cup?