inserting the cup
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1 - sterilise the cup
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2 - wash your hands
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3 - fold the cup
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4 - insert the cup
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5 - check
1 - Sterilise your cup (see sterilising instructions below).
2 - Wash your hands with soap and water.
3 - Fold the cup. Try different folds to see what works best for you (see common folding methods below).
4 - Relax your muscles and insert the cup into your vagina, angling it slightly towards your lower back.
5 - The cup should unfold and create a seal. You can check this by running a finger around the base to ensure it’s fully open. If not, try lifting your legs or doing a deep squat.
If inserted correctly, you shouldn’t feel the cup at all. If the cup feels uncomfortable, try rotating it slightly, or pushing it higher up.
removing the cup
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1 - wash your hands
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2 - bear down
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3 - break the seal
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4 - empty the cup
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5 - reinsert
1 - Wash your hands with soap and water.
2 - Relax and gently bear down with your pelvic muscles to bring the cup lower (a squatting position may help).
3 - Break the seal by either pinching the base of the cup with two fingers, or separating the cup from the vagina wall with one finger, and carefully pull it out.
Never pull on the stem without breaking the seal first!
4 - Empty the contents into the toilet, sink, or shower.
5 - Wipe the cup with toilet paper, or rinse it with water, then reinsert it if necessary. Wash the cup with a gentle cleanser every 12 hours.
sterilising the cup
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1 - place cup in case
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2 - add water
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3 - microwave
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4 - let cool down
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5 - store when dry
1 - Place your cup inside the sterilizer case.
2 - Fill the case to 1/3 capacity with clean water.
3 - Set the microwave to medium power and microwave for about 3 minutes.
4 - Be careful when removing the steriliser case, as the water and steam will be very hot!
You can leave the steriliser in the microwave until it cools off.
5 - Once fully dry, place your menstrual cup in its cotton bag and and store in a clean, dry place.
menstrual cup folds
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C-fold
This fold is commonly used as it's simple and quick. To create this fold, flatten your cup, then fold it in half to make a C shape.
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Punch-down fold
This fold creates a narrow tip for easier insertion. Push one side of the rim down into the cup’s base, then squeeze the sides together to hold the fold.
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Triangle fold
The triangle fold creates the smallest tip. To make it, flatten your cup, then fold one top corner diagonally down to the base, creating a triangle shape.
FAQ
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The Arei menstrual cup comes in 2 sizes.
Size 1 is perfect for:
- teenagers
- women who haven't given birth vaginally
- women with strong pelvic floors
- light and medium flow.
Size 2 is perfect for:
- heavy flow
- women who have given birth vaginally
- women with slightly weakened pelvic floors.
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Don't worry - your vagina is a closed tube and the cup cannot get lost inside you. Try squatting and bearing down as if when you go to the toilet.
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You can wear the cup for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow. If you are unfamiliar with menstrual cups, try emptying the cup more frequently until you learn how long it takes for the cup to fill on each day of your period.
It is OK to simply wipe the cup with toilet paper between changes (with a clean hand!) and reinsert, but make sure to wash the cup with a gentle cleanser at least every 12 hours.
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Yes. The cup is made of 100% medical grade silicone sourced from Germany.
The steriliser case is made of 100% food grade, microwave-safe PP.
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It's likely the cup hasn't been inserted correctly or it hasn't fully opened. After inserting, run your finger around the base of the cup to ensure the cup is fully open and there are no folds.
You can try gently tugging on the stem, doing some squats, rotating the cup slightly, or pushing it higher or lower.
If these techniques fail, it's possible you need a different size cup.
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It's not necessary, as a properly inserted menstrual cup will not leak. You can use a pad or panty liner for extra protection or while you are getting used to the cup.
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Make sure you're in a relaxed state and not rushing to a class, meeting, or to pick the kids up! The shower is a great place for practicing.
Try different positions: one leg on the toilet, squatting, lying down with knees apart, etc.
You can use a little bit of water-based lubricant to help with the insertion.
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Sure, but there are two golden rules to using a menstrual cup with IUDs:
1. Always pinch the base of the cup and break the vacuum seal before removing the cup.
2. Ask your gynaecologist to trim the strings of the IUD very short.