Your First Menstrual Cup
New to menstrual cups? Start here. We’ll help you choose a good first cup and know what to expect when you use it.
New to menstrual cups? You do not need to understand every cup option before choosing your first one.
For many adult beginners, a MeLuna Classic Standard cup is a practical place to start. Classic firmness is easy to fold while still offering dependable opening, and Standard height works well for many users who do not already know they have a low cervix.
Start with two simple choices
Common adult starting point
Classic Standard Medium
A good starting choice for many sexually active adults who have not given birth and have average to moderate flow.
Classic Standard Medium is also the size and style most commonly supplied through our university programs.
Consider more room
Classic Standard Large
Consider starting with Large if you have given birth or have heavier menstrual flow.
After childbirth, the larger diameter can be a better fit for some users. For heavier flow, the additional capacity can mean more time between emptying.
Small does not mean beginner. Menstrual cup size is about fit and capacity, not experience level. A cup that is too narrow can leak even when it is inserted correctly.
Why Classic firmness?
Easy to fold, dependable opening
MeLuna Classic is our usual starting firmness for new cup users. It is flexible enough to fold and insert comfortably, while still offering enough resistance to open and form a seal.
When Sport may make more sense
If you have strong pelvic floor muscles, exercise heavily, or notice that cups leak during activity because they are being compressed, a firmer MeLuna Sport may be the better choice.
Why beginners often like the Ring handle
The Ring handle is especially popular with first-time adult cup users because it gives your fingers an easy-to-identify grip point during removal.
The handle helps you locate and guide the cup. For removal, release the seal by pinching the base of the cup before pulling it out. Avoid pulling firmly on the handle alone while the cup is still sealed.
Do I need to know my cervix height?
Usually, no. Many people do not know whether they have a low cervix before using their first menstrual cup. You do not need to measure your cervix just to get started.
If you already know you have a low cervix, a MeLuna Shorty may be a better starting point. Shorty cups have reduced height and therefore reduced capacity. Many Shorty users choose one diameter larger than they would in Standard height. For example, someone who might otherwise choose Standard Medium may prefer Shorty Large.
If your first Standard cup later feels too long, that is useful fit information. A shorter cup may solve the problem.
What should I expect the first few times?
1. Fold and insert
Fold the cup, guide it into the vaginal canal, and allow it to open. You may need to try more than one fold before you find the one that feels easiest.
2. Give yourself practice time
Your first few uses are for learning what placement feels comfortable for your body. Trying your cup at home first can make that process easier.
3. Check the result
Comfort and leak protection matter more than whether the cup feels perfectly round or whether you notice a dramatic opening sensation.
How do I know my cup is open?
If it feels comfortable and does not leak, it is open.
That is the simplest rule.
You do not need to feel or hear a "pop" to know that your menstrual cup has opened.
A cup that is still folded cannot collect menstrual fluid properly. If your cup is comfortably collecting your flow without leaking, it has opened enough to do its job.
Your cup also does not need to feel perfectly round during wear. The vaginal canal is a compressed space. A fully open cup may feel oval or somewhat compressed because it is following the shape of its surroundings.
There is no need to keep adjusting a comfortable, leak-free cup just because it does not feel perfectly round.
Will I be able to get it out?
Yes. A menstrual cup cannot get lost inside your body. Removal usually gets much easier with practice.
- Relax your pelvic muscles.
- Bear down gently if the cup feels high.
- Use the handle to help locate and guide the cup.
- Pinch the base to release the seal.
- Slowly wiggle the cup from side to side as you remove it.
What if my first cup leaks?
A leak does not automatically mean menstrual cups are not for you. It can give you useful information about placement, fit, capacity, or firmness.
- Leaks from the beginning: Check placement and whether the diameter gives you the fit you need.
- Leaks only when the cup is full: You may need more capacity or more frequent emptying.
- Leaks during exercise: Pelvic floor pressure can compress some cups during activity. A firmer Sport cup may resist that pressure better.
How do I clean my menstrual cup?
During your period
Remove, empty, rinse or wash your cup as directed, then reinsert it. How often you need to empty it depends on your flow and cup capacity.
Between cycles
Disinfect your cup between periods. If you have hard water, boiling can leave mineral deposits on the cup. Using distilled water in a steam sterilizer avoids that problem.
Your first cup is a starting point
Bodies differ, and your first cup can teach you useful things about your fit. If it feels too long, you may need a shorter cup. If it leaks despite good placement, diameter may be worth revisiting. If it compresses during activity, firmness may matter.
MeLuna comes in different diameters, heights, firmness levels, and handle styles so you can adjust the part of the fit that needs changing.
What if my first choice is not quite right?
You do not have to figure everything out alone. The MeLuna USA Guarantee is available to help you troubleshoot your fit and find a better option when your first cup is not working as expected.
Need a more personalized starting recommendation? Take the MeLuna menstrual cup quiz.
