How to Insert, Fold and Remove a Menstrual Cup – Step by Step

Before you start

Always wash your hands with soap and water. Boil the cup before first use and between cycles. Rinse it with warm water just before inserting – it softens the silicone and makes the cup easier to insert.

Fold the cup

The cup looks big, but folded it is about as slim as a tampon. Choose the fold that feels best:

C-fold – the most common. Flatten the rim and fold the cup in half so it forms a C.
Triangle fold – flatten the cup and fold one side over the other, like folding a napkin into a triangle. The pointed edge is easy to insert.
Rolled fold – like the C-fold, but one side is rolled inwards into a compact, rounded tip.
Push-down fold – press one side of the cup inwards so it forms a narrow tip, much like a tampon.

Insert the cup

Find a comfortable position: squatting, sitting on the toilet or standing with one leg raised. The cup should be wet or have a water-based lubricant. Insert the folded cup and let go – it unfolds and forms a seal against the vaginal walls.

A menstrual cup sits lower than a tampon, just inside the vaginal opening. Inserting it should never hurt.

Remove the cup

Don't pull straight out as you would with a tampon. First squeeze the cup slightly, or press in its side with a finger, to release the light suction.
Grip the base of the cup, not just the stem. The stem is there to help you find the cup.
Empty the contents into the toilet and rinse the cup with cold water before reinserting it.

More tips

Trim the stem if it chafes, but leave enough to be able to remove the cup.
Never use oil-based products – they can damage the silicone. A water-based lubricant works well.
Don't give up. Most people need a few tries before they get the hang of it.

Curious how the cup works? Read How does a menstrual cup work? or find your cup among our menstrual cups.