Menstrual cups get praised for their practicality; using a menstrual cup relieves the burden of carrying around loads of tampons, which is always handy. A menstruator can wear a cup for longer than a tampon and does not need to put anything in the bin as it is done with disposable products “probably most have been in that situation where you need to change and there isn’t a bin in the bathroom.” 

But what about when it comes to emptying the cup? This is where many menstruators admittedly question the practicality of the cups. First things first; always try inserting the cup for the first time at home. If you are new to using a menstrual cup, it is best to be at home when you first insert it. It can take some getting used to, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t get the hang of it straight away. 

As this is an internal menstrual product, it should be changed after a certain length of time: every 4-6 hours. With this in mind, it is likely that you will need to remove and empty your menstrual cup when at work or school. Before re-inserting it, you need to rinse it, which can be tricky in school or workplaces. For convenience, carry a reusable bottle of water at work and take it in the toilet cubicle. 

Simply remove the cup and give it a rinse over the toilet and then reinsert it. If you do not have a reusable bottle of water or a sink in the cubicle, do not panic! Menstrual cups are made from medical grade materials; in this situation, it is acceptable to wipe the cup with toilet roll. Since this is not an ideal hygiene for a cup, as soon as you have water remove the cup, give it a rinse and reinsert it.