Jean Hailes for Women's Health says you can use tampons or cups from your very first period, or wait a while until you feel ready and comfortable exploring your body. Not using a cup at all is fine too.
Whichever you choose, the decision is easier without the folklore. Here are five menstrual cup myths that might be holding you back, checked against Australian health advice and the instructions for the Lunette period cup.
Quick answer: These five menstrual cup myths don't hold up. You don't need to remove a period cup to wee or poo, it can't get lost inside you, it's fine for swimming, it still carries a small TSS risk, and it should be boiled before and after each period. The Lunette period cup can be worn for up to 8 hours.
Do you have to take a period cup out to wee or poo?
No. Jean Hailes explains that wee and poo leave the body from different places, so there's no need to remove your cup to use the toilet; just keep up good hygiene. Pooing can sometimes nudge the cup out of place, though, so check its position with clean fingers afterwards if it feels different.
Can a period cup get lost inside you?
No, a cup can't get lost inside the body, according to the same Jean Hailes guide. Getting it out is mostly about breaking the seal. Jean Hailes suggests pinching the base rather than pulling on the stem, or pressing the side of the cup with a finger, then tilting it and easing it out.
If you still can't get it out, Jean Hailes advises visiting your local health centre as soon as possible, where a nurse or doctor can remove it for you.
Can you swim with a menstrual cup in?
Yes. Jean Hailes lists tampons and menstrual cups as safe and suitable for activities like swimming, and its first-timer guide adds that both work well for sport because they aren't bulky. A beach day or swimming carnival doesn't have to mean sitting out.
Does a period cup carry no risk of toxic shock syndrome?
That one is a myth as well. Jean Hailes notes there have been a very small number of TSS cases in people who used a menstrual cup, and says more research is needed to understand the risks. Healthdirect says toxic shock syndrome is associated with the use of tampons, menstrual cups and diaphragms, and stresses that bacteria cause it rather than the tampon itself.
The sensible response is to follow the wear time on your cup. For the Lunette period cup, the Australian product page gives that as up to 8 hours.
Is boiling your period cup really necessary?
Yes. Jean Hailes recommends washing a menstrual cup before you insert it and boiling it before and after each period, then storing it once it's been boiled. Lunette's Australian cleaning page is just as clear: Boil 5 minutes before first use and after each completed cycle.
In between, each time you empty the cup, tip the blood into the toilet, rinse it with cold water and wash it with warm water and Lunette Cup Wash or a mild, unscented soap. Let it dry and keep it in its breathable linen pouch.
When to see a doctor
- Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to the nearest emergency department, if you think you have toxic shock syndrome. Healthdirect lists a sudden high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, aching muscles, confusion and a sunburn-like rash on the hands and feet as symptoms.
- Go to your local health centre as soon as you can if the cup still won't come out; staff there can take it out for you.
- Never leave a cup in for longer than the instructions recommend, and get medical advice if anything feels wrong.
Frequently asked questions
Can teenagers use a period cup?
Yes. Jean Hailes says cups can be used from the very first period, and suggests starting with a small cup before trying other sizes. Lunette recommends its Size 1 for teens: it's the softer of the two cups, 41 mm wide, and holds 25 ml, which is more than 2 to 3 tampons' worth.
How often should I empty a period cup?
Empty it as often as you need to, which Jean Hailes says may be 2 to 4 times a day. Stay within the brand's limit, which is up to 8 hours for the Lunette period cup in Australia. The measuring lines inside each Lunette cup show how much you've collected, which helps you learn your own pattern.
Will a period cup last more than a few periods?
Yes. Looked after properly, a Lunette cup lasts up to 10 years. Jean Hailes describes cups as reusable and more environmentally friendly than other products, while noting that reusables cost more up front but may save you money in the long term.
Myths sorted? The Lunette period cup is made in Finland from 100% medical-grade silicone and was independently tested by Danish TÆNK, with no unwanted substances detected. Our period cup cleaning guide covers washing, boiling and storage step by step.
General information only, not medical advice. If you're worried about your period or your cup, see your GP or a nurse at your local health centre.
