Useful Tips for using Lunette Menstrual Cup

Some tips to help insertion and removal

Insertion

You might not succeed in inserting the menstrual cup perfectly the first time, but you should get it right after a few tries. Since the Lunette menstrual cup doesn’t absorb anything, you can practice inserting it even when you are not menstruating. In this case, you should wet the menstruation cup with water or use a water-soluble lubricant to help position the cup. However, during menstruation there is naturally more moisture in the vagina so it is usually easier to practice insertion during your period. Don't give up on using the menstrual cup if you are experiencing difficulties the first few times. It may take some practice before you get the hang of it, but it is worth it.

Another suggestion: try different folding methods. It might be that the most common one isn't the best one for you!

If you are a young woman or have not had intercourse, we recommend the smaller Lunette menstrual cup (model 1). Take your time to insert it correctly. You can also use water-soluble lubricant to help insert the cup. It is possible that the menstrual cup may break the hymen when used for the first time. The hymen can break, not only from sexual intercourse, but also from activities like cycling or gymnastics. Having an intact hymen is not synonymous with being a virgin. A virgin is someone who has never had sexual intercourse.

The cup is held in position by a seal formed with the walls of the vagina and pressure from the vaginal muscles. The menstrual cup, unlike a tampon, is seated low in the vagina but not so low so that the tab is uncomfortable, particularly when seated. In case of discomfort due to the device stem, remove your Lunette and trim the stem with sharp scissors.

To check that the cup has fully opened, slide a clean finger up next to the cup and feel all the way around it. The vagina is tilted backwards, so guiding the cup towards the small of your back and moving it up and down will aid finding the correct position.

Removal

If you have problems removing the menstrual cup, the first thing to do is relax. Breath deeply and slowly while relaxing your whole body, focusing on your vaginal muscles. If you are unable to relax, do something else for a while and try to forget about the cup. You might just need a break to release the tension.

If the menstrual cup has worked its way higher inside the vagina, relax the muscles and try to grasp its bottom or tab with your fingers. Squatting also eases the cup down. The cup can’t get lost in the vagina. But if you can’t reach it, be assured that it will slip down eventually by force of gravity.

Find a comfortable position that will allow you to remove the cup more easily. Many women remove the cup while straddling the toilet bowl. In this position, the vagina is open and while sitting it is easier to relax your legs. The vagina has a natural curve and the cup is usually above the pubic bone when sitting. Grasp the bottom of the cup tightly with your forefinger and thumb and pinch to release the suction. Then gently ease it out.

However, if you still have trouble with removal, try the following method to more aggressively break the seal. First, insert your forefinger parallel to the cup and find the upper part of the cup edge. At this point, your thumb will naturally be positioned at the cup bottom. Then gently press the cup together and grasp the cup with your thumb as well. Sometimes, but not always, you will hear a small noise when the suction is released. Pull the cup down. At the beginning, it might seem like you need to pull it with force, but with practice you will notice that this is a matter of technique rather than force. Tug the cup down firmly, do not let go at any stage. When the cup is at the opening of your vagina, press the cup together just like when inserting it, so that no pressure is applied to the mucous membrane.

The key to cup removal is to relax. The cup won’t come out by itself, but it won't take much effort to remove it either. At the beginning, it might seem a bit complicated. But soon insertion as well as removal will be easy and fast. The bottom of the Lunette menstrual cup isn’t reinforced like other cups on the market, so you will easily get a hold of the bottom to release the suction.

Getting your menstrual cup to work perfectly might take some practice, although some women learn it instantly. Should any problems occur, please contact your own distributor by phone or email, or the manufacturer by email, info@lunette.com or call 877.LUVCUPS (877.588.2877)