In this blog we are answering one of our most frequent questions, “how do I use a menstrual cup at work?”
Menstrual cups get praised for their practicality. You can wear them for longer than a tampon* and don’t need to put anything in the bin as you do with disposable products (I’m sure we’ve all been in that situation where you need to change and there isn’t a bin in the bathroom!). When using a cup, you also don’t have to carry around loads of tampons which is always handy!
But what about when it comes to emptying the cup? This is where many of us admittedly question the practicality of the cups. In this blog, we will be covering everything you need to know about using a menstrual cup at work
First things first… always try inserting the cup for the first time at home
If you are new to using a menstrual cup, it’s best to be at home when you first insert it. It can take some getting used to so don’t be discouraged if you can’t get the hang of it straight away. If you come on your period when you’re at work and haven’t used a menstrual cup before, our best advice would be to stick to disposables until you are at home and can spend some time practising inserting it and removing it. You don’t want to be rushing and panicking when trying to insert the cup in the work toilets!
Always have a backup handy at work
Following on from the last point, always keep some spare tampons or pads in your desk drawer, locker or bag (depending on your job). If you get your period and don’t feel comfortable inserting the cup at work, you will at least have these as a backup. This is an easy one if you’re employer already provide period care in workplace toilets (more about that here).
If you are a new menstrual cup user and have inserted the menstrual cup before work it can be helpful to wear a pad, liner or even period pants alongside the cup as an extra layer. If anything, this will give you peace of mind when you’re busy at work in case the cup hasn’t sealed properly as this can sometimes lead to leaks.
Emptying the cup at work
You will need to remove and empty the menstrual cup after a certain length of time. We always advise following TSS guidelines (as this is an internal menstrual product) and changing every 4-6 hours. With this in mind, it’s likely that you will need to remove and empty your menstrual cup when at work.
Before re-inserting the cup, you will need to rinse it out. We know this can be tricky in many workplaces as you don’t always have a sink available in the cubicle. For convenience, take a reusable bottle of water into the toilet cubicle with you. Simply remove the cup, give the cup a rinse over the toilet and then reinsert.
In the cubicle and don’t have a sink OR reusable bottle to hand? Do not panic. Menstrual cups are made from medical grade materials, therefore if you’re in this situation it’s acceptable to wipe the cup with toilet roll. Just remember, this isn’t ideal hygiene for a cup (and obviously you want this to last as long as possible) so as soon as you have access to water again remove the cup, give it a rinse and reinsert again.
We hope these tips help you feel #PeriodPowerful when using a menstrual cup at work! Do you have any tips? Come chat to us on socials or leave a comment below. For more information on all things cups, head to these blogs here and here.
