Smelly Cup! Menstrual Cup Odor? Here's How to Fix it!

Are you frustrated with a bad-smelling menstrual cup? We can help!

We'd love to tell you that, unlike other brands, your MeLuna menstrual cup will never smell, but unfortunately, that would not be true.

All menstrual cups can develop an unpleasant odor.

How Menstrual Cup Odor Develops

The smell is usually caused by protein compounds in the blood. Because of the variations of proteins in the blood, it is possible that a menstrual cup suddenly has a strange smell, even though it has been cleaned as usual.

Generally, though, the odor is often related to how long you have been wearing the cup between cleanings.

In addition to the more common smell that happens when you wear your cup too long without cleaning it, certain smells could indicate other issues:
If you notice that your menstrual cup has a fishy odor, it may indicate an infection. This smell could be linked to conditions such as vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you are also experiencing symptoms like unusual vaginal discharge when you are not menstruating, itching, burning, or any other discomfort, it is essential to seek medical advice and consult with your doctor promptly.

How You Can Prevent Menstrual Cup Odor

Odor formation can be prevented by not wearing the cup for too long periods of time. The maximum time to wear the cup should not exceed 8 to 12 hours in the body. 

Be sure to empty and clean your cup at least every 12 hours.
If menstrual cup odor happens frequently, having more than one menstrual cup to rotate could be a good solution.

It is important to follow cleaning and disinfection guidelines. Here's a quick summary for you. You can find a more thorough description on our Cleaning and Disinfecting Page.
How long should a menstrual cup be boiled for sterilization?
A menstrual cup should be boiled for 3-5 minutes to sterilize and ensure proper hygiene. 

What are the options for sterilizing a menstrual cup?
The three options for sterilizing a menstrual cup are boiling it in water, using a steam device for 5 minutes, and using disinfection products designed explicitly for menstrual cups, like Milton Tabs.

Why is sterilizing a menstrual cup after every period essential?
Sterilizing a menstrual cup after every period is crucial to maintaining its integrity and hygiene and preventing unwanted odors.

What is the recommended method for maintaining the integrity of a menstrual cup?
Proper cleaning during each period and sterilizing after every period are essential to maintain the integrity of a menstrual cup and avoid unwanted odors.

How to Get Rid of Unpleasant Menstrual Cup Smell

Unpleasant odors usually disappear when you put your well-cleaned cup in a dry, well-ventilated place for a few days.

To do this, you may need to keep more than one menstrual cup in rotation.

Learn more about the benefits of having multiple menstrual cups here.

If you need extra help, consider a disinfection product that removes some stains and odors, like Milton Tabs, which you can find here

Do you need help cleaning a menstrual cup correctly? Check out our Cup Cleaning and Disinfection page!


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