Menstrual Cup

Yes! If you have a Mirena Coil or an IUD you can use a menstrual cup. Many women worry that using a menstrual cup will dislodge their coil, however, a menstrual cup sits quite a bit lower in your vaginal canal while your IUD sits further away in your uterus, it won’t interfere with your coil. When it comes to using a menstrual cup with an IUD,, you will want to keep some space between your BeYou cup and your vaginal cervix, for comfort. If you feel that your cervix is quite low, then you may want to consider other options that won’t interfere with your IUD/IUS, but you can read more about that in our post on “Can I use a menstrual cup if I have an IUD?”.

Removing a menstrual cup isn’t any messier than any other sanitary product. As all the blood is caught inside of your BeYou cup, you won’t need to worry about getting your hands dirty. The only part that you may consider ‘messy’ is when you’re inserting your cup, you may find a little bit of blood has reached your vaginal canal by then, but this is the same with tampons too. Nothing washing your hands won’t solve. P.S. Many of us have been conditioned to fear our own menstrual blood. Take a moment to really think about how messed up that is. It’s time you took back control of your period and everything it stands for!

With the right fit and cup size, you shouldn’t feel your menstrual cup at all once it’s inserted(like a tampon). You might be able to feel the stem if it’s too long for you. However, you can trim your menstrual cup’s stem by cutting along the lines of the stem. If you can feel the entire cup then the likelihood is that your menstrual cup isn’t the right size, it hasn’t opened properly or it is too low/high in your vaginal canal. There's a reason why menstrual cup users rave about how comfortable they are! As we say though, practice makes perfect.

Because you can wear your cup for up to 12 hours at a time you probably won’t have to even think about your cup while you’re out and about. However, we always advise changing it every 4-6 hours - and if that means you need to change your menstrual cup in a public toilet - rest assured it's REALLY easy! When removing your cup, you can squat down or pop your leg up on the toilet seat and remove your cup. Then empty your period blood into the toilet and from there your options are:

Cleaning your menstrual cup at home:
Tip the contents of your cup out into the toilet and give it a wash under cold water, before drying it with a dry towel.
Give your cup a wipe using the Menstrual Cup Foaming Cleanser.

If you’re in a toilet stall:
You can take a small water bottle with you and rinse the cup out with water.
Tip the cup out, wipe it down with some toilet paper and re-insert.
You can use 2 cups during the day and switch them. Simply insert the clean cup and wash out the used one under cold water in the basin or any other options.

Our menstrual cup is made from super-soft and flexible medical grade silicone. That makes it a safe material to be inserted inside the vagina and it is kind to all skin types.

Why soft? We actually designed our menstrual cup to be softer that others because that was the number 1 piece of feedback after talking to thousands of cup users. Besides, not everything that goes in there should be hard.

We love that we live in a world where everyone is different, which is why different menstrual cup sizes are available. There truly is a cup for everyone!

Many factors influence your choice of choosing your menstrual cup, starting with your cervix height, your personal preference and how your uterus is sitting in your body.

In order to determine the right size menstrual cup for you, you can follow our guide:

- If you haven't had children it’s very easy. If you're under 25 years old, get the medium cup, and if you're older than 25 get a large menstrual cup.
- If you've had a vaginal birth then get the large menstrual cup.
- If you've had a caesarean and are under 25 years old, get the medium cup, and if you're older than 25 get a large menstrual cup.

We also recommend finding out what your cervix height is to determine which cup size you need. If you have a low cervix the medium cup will fit you best and if you have a high cervix, the larger cup will fit you best.

However, you know your body better than anyone else. If you think the medium or large cup would fit your shape better based on your own anatomy and sensitivities then please pick your preferred cup.

What if I'm over 25 but only use a small / medium tampon?

Tampon sizes don’t take into account your anatomy as they don’t create a seal against your vaginal walls, unlike a menstrual cup. If you use small / medium tampons it doesn’t necessarily mean you need a small cup. We find that most people who use small / medium tampons need a medium cup, but we recommend finding out what your cervix height is to determine which cup size you need.

Using a menstrual cup shouldn’t hurt at all. That’s the beauty of the BeYou Menstrual Cup - it’s so comfy! However, if your cup is causing you some pain there are a few possible reasons why:

You have the wrong size - If your cup is too big or too long it could be sitting too high in your vagina or it’s pressing against your vaginal walls which can cause some discomfort.

The stem of your cup is too long - If your vaginal canal is short or you have a low cervix then the stem could be poking your vaginal walls. You can trim your stem by cutting off part of the stem with scissors.

Your cup is too high - If your cup is sat too high and hasn’t unfolded properly it could be pressing against your cervix. We recommend making sure your cup sits lower in the vaginal canal and slowly pushing your cup upwards so it is fully inserted.

Your cup is too low - If your cup is sat too low in your vaginal canal it can cause some discomfort. To make sure your cup isn’t too low make sure the entire stem of your menstrual cup is completely inserted and your cup isn’t directly at the entrance to your vagina.

If you have ANY trouble at all while using a cup just let us know and we’ll help!

You don’t need to be a certain age to use any type of period product and this is certainly the same for menstrual cups. The moment you start getting your period you will want to find the most comfortable and suitable period product for you.

If you’re starting to use a menstrual cup at an early age: give yourself time to try different folds and positions and get used to the menstrual cup, just like you would do with a tampon or a sanitary pad. Your blood will help make inserting a period product smoother and gentler, so go ahead and make a ‘bloody mess’! It’s the one time you’ll want to!

The cup doesn’t have a string like a tampon does, so you’ll need to be okay with using your fingers inside of you. When you remove the cup you need to make sure you break the seal of the cup. All you do is grip the base of the cup with your two fingers and pinch it, to change the shape a bit and this will break the suction of the cup. Then you can easily wriggle it down and out before emptying it into the toilet.

You just give it a squeeze! Grab the base of your cup with your two fingers as close to the top rim as possible and gently squeeze it to break the vacuum seal and wriggle it down and out.

No, we wouldn’t recommend using your cup for discharge or cervical fluids. Menstrual cups haven’t been approved yet for the use of collecting anything other than your period. Hopefully with time we’ll have more research to explain why!

Not at all, that's why we’re all-natural! Our BeYou cup is made from 100% medical-grade silicone and doesn’t contain any BPAs or toxic chemicals like phthalates. It’s not to say that these types of chemicals aren’t used in any menstrual cups at all, so always be aware of where you are ordering your cup from.

Inserting your cup in different positions will depend on where you are; if you’re inserting your cup in a public cubicle or in the comfort of your own home.

A squat-like position will give you the best access for getting your cup in a good position and there are a couple ways that you can do this:
- Sit on the toilet, similar to a squat position
- Hover slightly over the toilet, in a squat position
- Prop your leg up on the toilet seat or bath tub
- Just squatting.

Whichever position makes you feel relaxed and stops you from clenching your muscles, will help you get that cup inside of you smoothly and stress-free. It’s okay if it takes you some time, you’ll get there! Don’t we all love a bit of a challenge!?

Dive right in! You’ll see, swimming will never feel more fun and relaxing than with your BeYou cup! No more worries about leaking, or your tampon string waving out at the crowd! So splash away and embrace your inner mermaid!

When you’re ready to empty your cup, then you might be surprised to find some water may have gotten into your cup, but that’s perfectly normal!

Yes, much more! Menstrual cups produce a much smaller amount of waste than sanitary pads do! together, pads and tampons are responsible for around 200,000 tonnes of waste each year-mostly from plastic!

The menstrual cup can be recycled and also saves you on purchasing any other period product for almost an entire decade, reducing the amount of single-use waste, nor release harsh chemicals into the atmosphere when disposed of!

Many are switching out tampons for menstrual cups because tampons have harsh toxins and chemicals that not only affect the environment but can also affect the natural balance of your pH levels in your vagina. The BeYou Menstrual Cup doesn’t contain any chemicals or nasties and is completely plastic-free, because it's made from medical-grade silicone.

Therefore, all in all, menstrual cups are a lot better when it comes to supporting our environment!

As much as we wish you could, for hygiene purposes we can’t accept returns for a Menstrual Cup(it would be like returning underwear to a clothing store!).

If you’re unsure of choosing the wrong size, take a look at measuring your cervix and refer to our BeYou cup size guide!

Of course, we understand sometimes it’s just not that simple! If you’re still having trouble deciding, send us a message and we’ll see how we can help you!

Yes, your menstrual cup is there to support you through the highs, lows and heavy flows of your period! Unlike tampons, menstrual cups don’t absorb your menstrual blood, they collect it. Which is why there is no such thing as too light or too heavy, for your cup!

If you feel like you’re having a particularly heavy flow one day, then you may just find that you’ll have to empty your cup out a little more frequently than usual. For the days that you have a lighter flow, you can use the menstrual cup and empty it out every 4-8 hours. Soon you will discover a suitable pattern for your new cup routine!

While this seems to be a concern for many, it has been said that there is no scientific or medical proof pointing in the direction to support that a menstrual cup can lead to pelvic organ prolapse.

You’ll need to be aware that the vacuum seal that menstrual cups create is really strong - so it stays in place at all times. It’s important not to pull forcibly on your menstrual cup when removing it! If it's too hard to remove then double check the seal is broken by pinching the base of the cup, or even running a finger along the rim of the menstrual cup. Our advice is the same as it’s always been – relax, break the seal first, and remove it gently! You can read more about this in our post about “Menstrual Cups & Pelvic Prolapse”.

If you already do have pelvic prolapse, then a healthcare professional will be able to help you on whether it is safe for you to use a menstrual cup or not. By sticking to the User Guide that comes with your BeYou Menstrual Cup, you are less likely to encounter any circumstances that can lead to prolapse.

It is impossible for your menstrual cup to become lost or stuck inside you as it cannot travel higher than your cervix. If you go to remove your cup and it feels stuck, remain calm (as panicking may tense the muscles around it) and pinch the base of the menstrual cup to release any suction... then pull out. That makes it sound much scarier than it is, but once you're a cup pro you won't even think about it!

The more comfortable you are with your vagina the better - that’s why we always recommend practicing using a cup before you’re even due! Why? Well, it’s only natural to panic if you’re new to cups and think its stuck... while it’s full of blood… and you're alone... and you still want to clean it!

Don't worry though, practice makes perfect, and we promise once you get used to it you'll wonder how you managed with pads or tampons!

Our BeYou menstrual cup is much softer and holds more blood than a tampon, which is why so many women in the endo community found that the BeYou menstrual cup is great support for those unexpected symptoms brought on by endometriosis. You’ll find that you don’t need to empty the cup as much as you would have to with a tampon, also leading to less friction and irritation.

That said, if you have endometriosis we recommend that you speak to your trusted medical professional before you use a menstrual cup. We prefer you have an eased mind, when you begin your cup journey with us!

Yes, you can! In fact, you don’t even have to remove it. Your cup will sit inside of your vagina while your urethra sits above your vagina so technically your cup won’t interfere with your pee. However, if you would rather pee or poop without your cup then simply remove your cup before you go to the toilet. Wash your hands as normal, then clean your cup and reinsert it.

You might notice that you pee slower when you are using your menstrual cup. This is because your cup might be pushing on your urethra. If you don’t mind peeing a little slower than usual then it’s not a big deal. However, if it’s annoying you we recommend moving your cup slightly higher or lower than usual to make sure your cup isn’t pressing against your urethra.

Yes, you can! The beauty of the BeYou Menstrual Cup is that you can use it no matter what exercise you’re doing. We understand that many swimmers, cyclists, runners and dancers struggle to find sanitary products that are durable and long lasting. However, we made sure you can wear the BeYou Menstrual Cup for up to 12 hours (although we still recommend emptying every 4 hours). Also, the vacuum seal creates a barrier against your vaginal walls which means it’s not going to budge and it’s leak-proof!

Before you use your BeYou Menstrual Cup, you must sanitise it by boiling it in a saucepan for 5-10 minutes or in a microwave, submerged in water, for 5 minutes. In between uses, there are a number of different cleaning methods you can use:

- Use our BeYou Menstrual Cup Foaming Cleanser.
- Boil in an allocated pan 5 -10 minutes.
- In a public toilet; use a small bottle of water or simply empty and reinsert it as normal

Further information on all cleaning methods can be found in the handy how-to-use guide which comes with the BeYou Menstrual Cup - which by the way, we spent MONTHS refining with the help of first-time menstrual cup users.

Also, never use the following to clean your menstrual cup as they may damage the cup or cause vaginal irritation:
- Petrol based substances e.g Vaseline
- Essential oils
- Harsh cleaners
- Strong or scented soaps
- Dishwasher

You have to sterilise your cup before you’ve even used it. Sterilise your cup by boiling it in a saucepan for 5-10min, or microwave it by placing the cup in a water-filled, microwave-safe container for 5min.

You don’t need to sterilise your cup after every time that you use it, you can simply rinse it off under cold water, use toilet paper to give it a wipe or use our Foaming Cleanser! At the end of your period, you can go and give your cup a full scrub and sterilise it again.

Your 'How-To-Use the Cup' guide also has some great tips on how to clean your menstrual cup, so have a read through that pamphlet or for more specific questions, simply drop us a DM!

Make sure to avoid any of the following ingredients, materials or items when it comes to cleaning your cup. These will either damage your cup or cause a vaginal irritation:
- Petrol-based substances e.g Vaseline
- Essential oils
- Harsh cleaners
- Strong or scented soaps
- Dishwasher or washing machine

The BeYou Menstrual Cup holds up to 3 tampons worth of fluid at a time and can be worn for up to 12 hours, but we recommend emptying your cup every 4-8 hours.

You’ll want to clean your cup after every time you remove it, which means every 4-8 hours. The easiest way to clean your cup is by either:

- Using your BeYou Menstrual Cup Foaming Cleanser
- Boiling it in a saucepan for 5 -10 minutes
- Simply rinsing it off under cold water and sterilising it properly when you can
- Using a small bottle of water to rinse it off
- Empty your cup and wipe it down using toilet paper, before reinserting.

Your 'How-To-Use the Cup guide also has some great tips on how to clean your menstrual cup, so have a read through that pamphlet or send us a message!

Toxic Shock Syndrome is rare, but can be a life-threatening condition. TSS can come from a type of bacteria that enters the bloodstream from an open skin wound, sometimes after from surgery or when you’re menstruating.

There are steps you can take to lower your chances of experiencing TSS as much as possible and these are:

- Thoroughly washing and cleaning your BeYou cup before your first use, and in between periods.
- Wash your hands whenever you are handling your BeYou cup, to maintain hygiene.
- Use your menstrual cup for up to 8 hours at a time, then remove and clean it before reinserting(so clean it at least 3 times a day)
- Do not use a menstrual cup if you’ve experienced TSS before.

If you do experience symptoms of TSS while wearing your BeYou cup, remove the cup as soon as possible and go seek medical advice immediately.

Oh, folds are the best bit about your BeYou Cup! Once you’re in the cup club, you’ll be surprised by how many different folds there are!

For a beginner, one of the first folds to go for are commonly known as the ‘Punchdown’, the ‘C fold’ or the ‘7 fold’, which usually help with getting your cup a little smaller than usual, making it easier to insert it comfortably. Once you’ve gotten the grips of those, you may want to try experimenting with different folds. It's entirely between you and your cup!

No, you won’t need to remove and clean your cup every time that you go to the loo,but you might want to make sure it’s all still fitting well the first few times that you use the cup.

We only recommend keeping your cup inserted for 4-8 hours, before emptying it out.

You do need to clean your cup every time that you remove it, which is quite easy to do with either our Menstrual Cup Foaming Cleanser, water or a piece of toilet paper.

The menstrual cup is a reliable option for your menstrual transition to menopause. You’re going to be facing unexpected changes to your period. Your flow may fluctuate and become quite unpredictable, therefore, you may not have the wide range of period products available at the drop of a hat.

You’ll be able to keep track of your period, using the measurements on the side of your BeYou cup to monitor any changes to your period. It’s a great way of simplifying your life that little bit more. You can have a look at our post about “What Menopause does to your body” for some more support!

Yeah, it’s definitely possible to damage your cup with certain objects. When cleaning your cup, make sure not to leave your cup boiling for too long, as extreme heat can damage your cup easily. Other silicone-based products can damage the cup, so you’ll want to stay away from those and keep your menstrual cup safe in the pouch it comes with.