Jean Hailes, the Australian women's health organisation, has a reassuring message for anyone nervous about trying a cup: you can use tampons or cups from your very first period, or choose to wait a while. The best time, it says, is when you feel ready and comfortable exploring your own body.
Feeling ready usually starts with a few period cup questions. Here are answers to the common ones, drawing on Lunette's product facts and Australian health guidance.
Quick answer: Choose a Lunette period cup size by flow and cervix height, fold it and guide it in rim first towards your tailbone, empty it within 8 hours, and pinch the base to release the seal before you take it out. Practising before your period is fine, and Lunette suggests allowing two to three cycles to settle in.
Which period cup size should I start with?
Match the size to your flow and body. Jean Hailes suggests starting with a small cup if you're new to using a menstrual cup, and Lunette's smaller, softer Size 1 suits a light to medium flow, a low cervix, teens, strong pelvic floor muscles or a sensitive bladder.
Size 2 is wider and firmer, holds 30 ml rather than 25 ml, and suits a heavier flow or a higher cervix. Both sizes are 72 mm long including the stem and hold more than 2 to 3 tampons' worth of fluid.
How do I insert a period cup for the first time?
Get comfortable, fold the cup and guide it in at an angle towards your tailbone. Jean Hailes sets out the steps like this:
- Sit, squat or stand, whichever feels easiest.
- Fold the cup flat, following the product instructions.
- Gently part the inner labia and guide the cup in rim first, angled towards your tailbone.
- Leave the stem sitting just inside your vagina.
- Feel around the base to check it has popped open; if not, gently twist the base or take it out and start again.
Once it's in the right spot, you shouldn't feel it. Our how to use a period cup page shows a few different folds.
Can I practise with a period cup when I don't have my period?
Yes, practise whenever suits you. Jean Hailes says you can practise inserting and removing a cup with or without your period. During a period, menstrual fluid helps lubricate the vagina; at other times, a little water-based lubricant on the cup can help. Pick a time when you're not rushed, and if it isn't working, stop, breathe and try again later.
How do I get my period cup out?
Break the seal first, then tilt and ease it out. Jean Hailes suggests pinching the base of the cup, not the stem, or pressing one side of it with a finger to release the suction. Some people find it easier to squat over the toilet or remove the cup in the shower.
If you can't reach it, don't panic: cups can't get lost in the body. Squat, feel for it with one finger, then try two fingers. If you still can't get it, visit your local health centre as soon as possible.
How often do I need to empty and clean it?
Empty the Lunette period cup at least every 8 hours, which is the wear time in Lunette's Australian product guidance. Jean Hailes notes this may mean emptying a cup 2 to 4 times a day.
Each time, tip the blood into the toilet, rinse the cup with cold water, then wash it with warm water and Lunette Cup Wash or a mild, unscented soap. Boil 5 minutes before first use and after each completed cycle.
When to see a doctor
- If you think you have toxic shock syndrome, call triple zero (000) or go to your nearest emergency department; healthdirect lists the symptoms, including a sudden high temperature, vomiting, dizziness and a sunburn-like rash.
- See your doctor or practice nurse if you can't easily remove the cup yourself.
- Talk to your doctor if your periods are heavier than usual, last more than 8 days or come with severe pain.
Your other period cup questions
Do I need to take my period cup out to go to the toilet?
No. Jean Hailes explains that wee, poo and your period leave your body through different openings, so the cup can stay in. Doing a poo can sometimes push it out of place, so it's worth checking its position with clean fingers afterwards.
Can I swim with a period cup?
Yes. Jean Hailes says tampons and cups are good for activities like swimming and sport. Put the cup in before you leave home, check it has fully opened, and plan to empty it within the 8-hour wear time if you're spending the whole day at the beach.
How long does a Lunette period cup last?
With proper care, a Lunette cup lasts up to 10 years. It's made in Finland from 100% medical-grade silicone, free from BPA, PFAS, rubber and latex, and independently tested by the Danish lab TÆNK, which found no unwanted substances. Keep it in its breathable linen pouch between periods.
Ready for your first cup? The Lunette period cup comes in two sizes, and if it clearly doesn't work for you after a fair try of two to three cycles, Lunette refunds it or sends the other size. Check our period cup size guide to choose.
This article provides general information and isn't a substitute for advice from a health professional. If something doesn't feel right, book in with your GP.
