I Used a Menstrual Cup for the First Time — Here’s What Happened
By: Kathrine Meraki
Tags: Life Lessons, Culture, Women, Society, This Happened To Me

“I don’t want to go to the hospital!” I sobbed to my girlfriend from the bathroom.

I’m naked, sitting on the toilet. I’ve been trying to remove my new menstrual cup for two hours. It’s not a pretty sight.

“Can you try pinching the base and pulling it?” my girlfriend asks, standing in the doorway. She’s folding her arms and biting her lip.

“I can’t reach…” *Sob* “…the f*cking thing!” Snot and tears drip down my face.

Let’s hit rewind for a hot minute.

Here’s why you should buy a cup

“Did you know 4.3 billion pads and tampons go into landfill each year in the UK?” I told my girlfriend. I was reading an article on my iPhone.

Lots of women are using menstrual cups now. My friends who use cups swear by them. So I did some more research (to convince myself buying one was a good idea.)

Here’s what I found:

You can use a cup for up to 12 hours before you need to empty it.

You can swim with a cup in (without worrying water and bacteria will absorb into it like a tampon can.)

They last for up to 10 years.

You’ll save money. We all know how pricey menstrual products can be over time.

Less risk of getting Toxic Shock Syndrom (TSS.)

Cups are non-toxic and aren’t made with BPA, chemicals, or latex.

What’s not to love, right? I ordered a Saalt cup without hesitation. I was thrilled at the thought of doing my part to stop suffocating the earth with pads and tampons.

“F*ck the environment!”

I cried out to my girlfriend, still trying to pull the cup out.

She was hovering around outside our ensuite like an anxious soon-to-be dad at a hospital.

“You can do it; I know you can!” She said, chewing her nails as she peeked her head into the bathroom.

And I did.

After trying multiple positions (maybe Ariana Grande was singing about removing a menstrual cup), I got it out.

“It’s out!” I screamed, flinging the cup into the shower. My girlfriend ran in. I watched as the cup bounced off the shower wall and began rolling towards me.

“No, please!” I sobbed, grabbing onto my girlfriend's arm.

It was like the shower scene from Psycho, and I looked like Carrie.

Yes, I will try using the cup again. Inserting it was a breeze, it was super comfortable — I couldn’t feel it — and it worked for the entire day. Zero leakage.

Use these handy resources before buying a cup

Don’t let my story put you off. Lots of people who get their periods have had similar experiences. Heck, Kristen Bell fainted trying to remove hers.

I have a friend who struggled to get hers in and others who don’t have any issues at all. Remember, the cup won’t disappear up there or get lost — it can only come out.

Here are some menstrual cup resources:

Try taking this quiz to see which cup might be a good fit for you

How to measure your cervix

How to insert the cup

How to remove the cup

After some research, I discovered my cup probably didn’t get a good suction when I inserted it, which meant it moved higher up and more challenging to reach — this can also happen if you have a higher cervix. Measure your cervix before you buy one (something I didn’t do.)

I think the cup is a much better option than pads and tampons, just because it’s more convenient. Plus, it’s better for the earth. It works well and does the job.

Girl power.

*Update: Saalt have kindly offered to give me a replacement cup.