How to Use the Period. Cup

Your Period. Cup Guide

A no-fluff, crystal-clear how-to for bleeding like you mean it.

1. Picking the Right Size

Every Period. set includes two cups: Normal and Small. Here’s how to choose:

  • Start with Normal. That’s your go-to. Most bodies do best with it.
  • Only try Small if:
    • You’ve got a lower cervix or lighter flow, or
    • You’re new to cups and want something easier to start with.

Every vagina is unique. Sizing isn’t about perfection—it’s about comfort, seal, and fit.

2. Insertion: The Power Move

Before You Insert:

  • Wash up. Clean hands. Clean cup. Rinse it with cold water, then wash with a pH-balanced cleanser. (We use Period. Foam Wash—it’s gentle, kills bacteria, and won’t mess with your pH.)
  • Optional lube. If your vagina feels drier—like at the beginning or end of your cycle—a bit of water or water-based lube on the rim can make insertion smoother.

How to Insert:

  1. Fold it. Try the “C-fold,” “punch-down,” or “7-fold.” Each creates a smaller entry point—find your favorite.
  2. Find your position. Sit, squat, stand with a leg up—whatever makes your muscles relax.
  3. Angle + depth = key. Aim the folded cup toward your tailbone—not straight up—and insert it fully.
  4. Release and rotate. Let it pop open, then twist slightly (half a turn) to help form a seal.

Why it works: The cup creates a gentle suction around your cervix. That’s what prevents leaks—not magic, just great design.

Cup Folding Techniques

  1. The C-Fold (or U-Fold)

    How: Flatten the cup, then fold it in half so the rim forms a “C” shape.
    Why it’s great: It’s quick, classic, and easy for beginners.
    Tip: Because the rim stays fairly wide, this fold works best if you’re comfortable with insertion or have a medium to heavy flow.

  2. The Punch-Down Fold

    How:     Push one side of the rim down into the base of the cup to create a pointed tip.
    Why it’s great: It gives you the smallest entry point—very beginner-friendly or perfect if you feel tight or tense during insertion.
    Tip: Hold the base firmly as you insert to keep the tip from unfolding too early.

  3. The 7-Fold

    How:     Flatten the cup, then fold one top corner diagonally down toward the opposite side so the rim looks like the number “7.”
    Why it’s great:     It’s a nice balance between small and easy-to-open. Many people find it combines the best of the C-fold and punch-down folds.
    Tip:     Insert with the folded edge facing forward for smoother placement.

3. Mid-Wear Experience: What to Expect

  • Up to 12 hours of wear. Cups hold more than tampons or pads.
  • Move freely. Run, lift, sleep, swim—it stays put.
  • No dryness. Cups collect, not absorb, so your natural moisture stays balanced.
  • Feeling pressure or leaks? It might not be fully open or might be too low. Reinsert and adjust until it feels right.

Let your body guide you. You’ll forget it’s even there.

4. Removal & Re-Insertion

When It’s Time:

  • Wash your hands. Always.
  • Relax. Try sitting on the toilet or squatting in the shower—your pelvic muscles need to chill.

How to Remove:

  1. Pinch the base gently to break the seal. No yanking—this is a finesse move, not a tug-of-war.
  2. Wiggle it down slowly. Keep it upright to avoid spills. 
  3. Empty into the toilet or sink.

Cleaning & Reinserting:

  • Empty into the toilet (or sink).
  • Rinse with cold water, then wash with a gentle, pH-friendly cleanser like Period. Foam Wash.

Harsh soaps can mess with your vaginal balance and shorten your cup's lifespan. Yours deserves better.

  • Ready to reinsert? Go for it.
  • End of your cycle? Sanitize before storing (see next section).

5. Cleaning & Storage: The Ritual That Keeps It Real

After Each Use:

  • Rinse first with cold water. This helps prevent staining.
  • Wash with Period. Foam Wash. It’s loaded with probiotics, sea salt, and chamomile—kills odor-causing bacteria, calms irritation, and respects your body’s balance.

Harsh cleansers = irritation and a shorter cup lifespan. Clean smart.

After Your Period:

  • Sanitize your way:
    • Option 1: Boil in a pot for 4–5 minutes (never more than 7). Don’t let it touch the bottom.
    • Option 2: Use the Period. Cup Sterilizer. Fill with boiling water, place the cup inside, pop the lid on, and wait 3–5 minutes.

Why sanitize? Blood, bacteria, and heat don’t mix. A clean cup = fewer infections and less irritation.

Storage:

  • Air-dry fully. Moisture breeds bacteria.
  • Store in the breathable pouch. Not airtight containers.
  • Inspect for damage. If it’s sticky, cracked, or cloudy—it’s time to replace.

6. Expert Tips & Tricks

  • Still leaking?
    1. Check that it’s fully opened—run a finger around the rim.
    2. Reinsert a little higher or lower to find your sweet spot.
    3. A gentle twist or a few kegels can help seal it.
  • Having trouble reaching it? Shower helps. Don’t panic. Relax, bear down gently, and pinch the base to release suction. You got this.
  • High cervix? You might need a longer stem. Trim or bend only if it pokes.
  • Sex note: The cup sits snugly against your cervix. It’s great for most things—but not penetrative sex. Swap it for our Disc if that’s your plan.
  • Pro moves:
    • Do a “seal check”: press around the base, not just the stem.
    • A couple of kegels after insertion can help the cup settle naturally.

We bleed. Period.