We’re elated to announce that we’ll be adding menstrual cups to our product range! Over the next few weeks our blog posts will focus on answering all questions and concerns that you may have about using the menstrual cup. As we lead up to the official launch of Sheba’s ultra-soft cups, the intention behind today’s post is to get you familiar with the basics of the cup and to let you know what makes our cups the best on the market!

What is a menstrual cup?

A menstrual cup is a bell-shaped feminine care device that’s inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. Some menstrual cups are made from rubber, but it’s much safer to use menstrual cups which are made from medical-grade silicone like our ultra-soft cups as they’re hypoallergenic, softer and bacteria resistant unlike rubber. If you’d like more information on the origins of menstrual cups check out our blog post The history of the menstrual cup.

What are the benefits?

With their rapid rise in popularity, so many menstruators have made the switch to the cup because of how life-changing it is. The cup can be used for 12 hours before needing to be emptied (this is dependent on your flow), they’re re-usable and can last up to 10 years which will save you money, and it’s great for the environment! You can live a very active lifestyle and swim while using a menstrual cup and they hold more blood than tampons. If inserted properly you won’t feel it at all, plus it won’t alter the pH of your vagina unlike tampons.

What makes Sheba’s ultra-soft menstrual cups so unique?

Our gentle and reliable menstrual cups will be available in two different sizes and colours. The Sheba Feminine Oshun Blue Ultra-Soft Cup is the smallest size (size A) and holds 15-20ml of menstrual fluid. The Sheba Feminine Kitaka Coral Ultra-Soft Cup is the largest size (size B) and holds up to 30-35ml of liquid.

Both menstrual cups are made from 100% premium medical-grade silicone and offer up to 12 hours of protection. They have a unique ring design that allows for easy removal, a leak-proof rim design, a matte surface that’s smooth to the touch and a measuring line that helps you keep track of your menstrual flow. They’re also free from latex, plastic, BPA, bleaches, phthalates and toxins.

The Oshun Blue Ultra-Soft Cup is named after the goddess Oshun, also known as the river Orisha which comes from the Yoruba religion and culture in Nigeria. Oshun symbolises water, purity, fertility, love and sensuality. The Kitaka Coral Ultra-Soft Cup is named after the earth goddess of the Baganda people in Uganda.

How do I use it?

First things first, you need to make sure your hands are freshly washed as the cup will be going into the vagina. Trying to remain calm and relaxing your muscles will make the insertion process easier. You can insert the cup standing, sitting or squatting depending on what works for you. You can also use one hand to spread the labia while the other hand does the insertion.

In order to insert it properly it needs to be folded before insertion. There are many different ways to fold the cup and this will take a bit of practice if it’s completely new to you, so patience is key. The most common folding methods are the C fold and the Push down method. To do the C fold, pinch the cup closed like in the second picture of the diagram below, then fold it in half so the cup makes a C shape like in the third picture. To use the Push down method, start with an open cup and push one side of the rim down towards the base. Pinch the rim and the base together so the rim stays in that position and the cup doesn’t spring open again. Insert the cup into the vagina while it remains folded.

Once the cup is in the vagina you can remove your fingers and let the cup open up inside you. If you’ve inserted the cup properly there may be a pop or suction sound, which means the cup has successfully unfolded and has created a suction which ensures no leaking. To double check that it’s been inserted correctly you can use a finger to feel around the base of the cup. If you feel any folds or dents it hasn’t been inserted properly and you can gently grip the base (not the ring) and rotate the cup until it opens up. If you don’t feel any folds or dents then you’re good to go! You can also gently tug onto the ring to check that it’s secure. Please note, the cup should be placed lower in the vaginal canal compared to tampons, but the ring should also be in the vaginal canal.

To remove the cup, make sure your hands are clean and relax into a position you’re comfortable with. Gently tug onto the ring until you can feel the base, then break the suction seal by pinching the base (the seal must be broken before complete removal otherwise it can be painful), once the seal has been broken slowly dislodge the cup by using a side to side hand movement. Once it’s been removed, empty the blood into the toilet or a sink, rinse the cup and reinsert if needed. If you period is over, the cup must be disinfected in boiling water for 3-5 minutes and can be stored in your Sheba Feminine cotton bag.