FAQ Cups
What is made of a menstrual cup?
The Femieko menstrual cup is made of 100% medical grade silicone developed by Wacker Labs Germany under the Elastosil brand. It is used for medical purposes and is made of 100% biocompatible silicone that does not develop bacterial growth and is safe for the body, both inside and outside. Read more about here.
Can I use a menstrual cup if I have endometriosis or retroverse uterus?
Yes, you can, and it is even a better solution for your condition because you should use chemical-free products and let your menstrual flow naturally. For this reason, many doctors do not recommend tampons for endometriosis.
Can I use the Femieko menstrual cup if I am allergic to silicone?
Femieko menstrual cup is made out of 100% medical silicone, designed by Wacker Labs Germany, under the brand of Elastosil. It is used in medical purpose and is 100% biocompatible silicone rubber, which will not develop any bacterial growth and it is safe for the body, in and out. Read more about here.Â
FACT! We have many clients that related being allergic to silicone and still FemiEko’s menstrual cup was performing without any problems.Â
How does a menstrual cup work?
The menstrual cup is inserted into the vagina and collects menstrual blood. It is inserted into the vaginal canal and creates a vacuum that protects against blood leakage. When used correctly, the menstrual cup is the most effective product to protect against blood leakage without feeling it inside or affecting your daily activities.
Why should you use a menstrual cup?
The menstrual cup is not just comfortable, but also safe for health and more convenient for your monthly care. It helps you save money and live a more stress-free life. It eliminates the constant shame and discomfort women usually feel monthly when using unreliable menstrual products.
The menstrual cup brings with it the freedom to swim, cycle and even sleep at night without worrying about dirty sheets or leaks.
In addition, it can be used for up to 5 years and worn safely for up to 12 hours without the risk of bacteria or odor.
Is a menstrual cup protecting 100% from leakage?
A menstrual cup is the safest way to protect yourself from leakage. To really enjoy the benefits of the cup, you need to choose the right size for you and use it properly.
You need to empty the cup at least every 10 to 12 hours, depending on your menstrual bleeding, to avoid leakage.
Inserting and removing the cup correctly may take a few tries, but once you have done that, you can enjoy 100% protection.
How do I choose a menstrual cup?
The most important thing is to choose the right size.
 Femi.Eko® cups have an anatomical shape and are made of soft medical silicone. Here is how to choose the best fit:
Size A – for women with low to heavy menstruation, under 30 years of age
Size B – for women who have given birth, over 30 years, with heavy menstrual bleeding
Size TEEN – young girls, teenagers and virgins
Our cups are designed to fit any type of cervix. They have a long tail that can be adjusted by cutting it according to the length that is comfortable for you.
If you choose the right cup size, you will not feel any discomfort and have no discharge.
How much blood can a cup hold?
Femi.Eko® menstrual cups have the following capacity:
SIZE A- max. volume 26 ml.
SIZE B- max. volume 32 ml.
SIZE TEEN – max. volume 18 ml.Â
Each woman is different as are their periods, so if you have a heavy flow you may want to empty your cup more often.
How to start using a menstrual cup?
First of all, congratulations for thinking of that. We know it takes a leap of faith to change old habits, but it’s the best decision for a more sustainable period.
Do not be discouraged by what you may have heard before. Getting started might be easier than you expect.
The best place to start is by reading our manual (included in your product packaging). Give yourself at least 3 months to try the cup and have the perfect experience. And yes, we said PERFECT, because you’ll be surprised how much you have struggled in your life until you find this stress-free way to manage your period.
If you are still having trouble finding the right size for you, or if you want to find out if the cup is the right product for you, just take our test and see for yourself.
If you have any problems, such as urinary tract infections, an inserted IUD/spiral, anatomical peculiarities such as retroversion of the uterus or postpartum scars, we recommend that you first talk to your doctor.
Can I use a menstrual cup if I'm a virgin?
You can use a menstrual cup if you are a virgin, because the correct insertion of the cup will not hurt your hymen.
We recommend only the cup size TEEN, as it is a friendly product for first period, virgins and teenagers. It is anatomically designed to fit young girls and protect their health in the long run.
Besides, young girls need MORE freedom of movement. And when they switch to a menstrual cup, they save money while being a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution than other internal period products.
How do I insert a menstrual cup?
STEP 1: Hygiene is important whenever we talk about our private parts. So wash your hands thoroughly before using the cup.
STEP 2: Fold your disinfected Femi.Eko® menstrual cup into a C-shape to make insertion easier. If this is your first time using a menstrual cup, it will help you breathe. Remember, it’s normal to try a few times before you get the cup in the right position.
STEP 3: Hold the cup in a C-shape and get into a position where you can comfortably access your vaginal opening. You can lift one leg or stand on the toilet seat. Whatever works for you is perfect!
STEP 4: Open your vagina with one hand and insert the cup (still folded, remember? 🙂 ) into your vagina as far as you comfortably can. Do not be alarmed if it does not work the first time. You didn’t learn to cycle right on, did you? Just relax and try again. It’s worth it, trust us!
STEP 5: Rotate the cup in your vagina to make sure it has fully opened and formed a seal. Insert your finger to check that it is open. This is important because it will ensure that nothing leaks for up to 12 hours.
When your cycle is complete, wash and disinfect the cup and place it in the special Femi.Eko® bag you received in the original package.
PS- Before use, the cup must be sterilized 😊Read the QA about sterilization.
How do I take a menstrual cup out?
To release the menstrual cup, you can insert your finger along the side of the cup to loosen the suction, or you can gently press on the stem (at the base of the cup).
Do not pull on the menstrual cup without breaking the vacuum seal with your finger! Do not grab it by the tail and do not pull on the cup!
You just need to push the cup out with the muscles of your pelvic floor and press on the base with your finger to break the seal, then grasp it with two fingers on both sides and remove it in a twisting motion. If you have done everything correctly, you will not feel any discomfort or pain.
If you cannot find the menstrual cup or it is too high, you will need to pull it down by the tail and follow the steps above.
What if I don’t find my cup inside?
Removing the cup can be quite simple, but that comes with the experience of a few periods. Give it time and do not stress about it.
At the end of the vaginal canal is the cervix, which allows nothing but semen to pass through.
If you can not find the cup, stand, squeeze your pelvic muscles (just like you would poop) and try again to find it with your fingers.
Do not worry, the cup has nowhere to go, it’s still in there and it will come out! Relax, take a deep breath and try again.
Be patient and do not be brutal. Do not insert harmful objects into the cup.
Consider buying a larger menstrual cup or a menstrual disc if the problem persists.
How long can I wear a menstrual cup?
You can wear the cup for up to 12 hours, and it is recommended to empty it twice a day or every 10 to 12 hours. If you have a heavy menstrual period, you should empty the cup more frequently, as this will help you avoid leakage.
How to clean and sterilise the menstrual cup?
Before using the cup for the first time or between periods, sterilize it. Bring water to a boil and place the Femi.Eko® menstrual cup in the bubbling water for up to 10 minutes if you are sterilizing it for the first time, then for 5 minutes only. If you have a sterilizer available, then use that. But make sure that the water you use is not too calciferous, otherwise it can cause lime deposits. Also, make sure that the water is boiling and the cup is not touching the bottom of the pot.
You should always clean the Femi.Eko® menstrual cup after each emptying. You can simply clean a menstrual cup with water and rinse it thoroughly. You can clean the hardened blood residues with a gentle brush. If the holes of the cup are stuck with blood, fill the Femi.Eko® menstrual cup with water, place the palm of your hand on it and then simply squeeze the cup to allow the water to flow through the holes.
If you want to use soap to wash a cup, you should not use regular soap, shower gel or intimate soap. You can use specially formulated soap for menstrual cups and discs, or you can use cleansers approved for sex toys.
Do not use harmful chemicals such as tea tree oil, castor soap, antibacterial soap, conventional hand sanitizers, hydrogen peroxide and other home remedies to clean the cup and do not put it in the dishwasher as this can damage the silicone and cause infections.
However, we recommend washing it from time to time with a little vinegar diluted in water.
In the meantime, store the cup in the cotton bag that you received in the package.
How to clean a menstrual cup in a public restroom?
Sometimes you may need to empty your menstrual cup in a public restroom. Do not worry about it! Just follow this routine: wash your hands thoroughly, remove the cup, pour the blood into the public toilet, rinse it off with water (you can take a bottle with you to the toilet), replace the cup, and then wash your hands.
We know that many of the toilets do not have a tap near the toilet, so the bottle of water you take with you can solve this problem.
Is it normal for a menstrual cup to leak?
The Femi.Eko® menstrual cup is anatomically designed not to leak when properly inserted and used. However, there may be some exceptions, such as:
- when the cup is small
- if the menstrual cup is not inserted correctly
- if your menstrual bleeding is too heavy
- if it is not emptied as often as necessary.
You should be aware that sometimes the cup can slip due to bowel movements or cervical movements, which can cause the cup to leak.
Can I use a menstrual cup while doing sports?
The period cup protects you while you work out and gives you the freedom to enjoy any sporting activity. When used properly, the cup prevents leakage and discomfort. You can dance, do yoga, ride a bike, run or jump as you like, the menstrual cup will protect you.
If you want to worry even more about leakage, you can try Femi.Eko® reusable pads or menstrual underwear in combination with the cup.
Can period pain get worse when you use a menstrual cup?
It is not recommended to use a menstrual cup while you have a IUD/spiral inserted.Â
There is a possibility that the thread of the IUD may shift when you insert or remove the cup. Therefore, we recommend that you talk to your doctor if you really want to use a cup for protection during your period.
The doctor will also decide if it is necessary to shorten the thread of the IUD so that you do not pull it out when you remove the menstrual cup.
We recommend that you use products like menstrual discs, reusable pads or menstrual underwear during your period if you have a IUD inserted.
If you use a cup anyway while you have a IUD, you need to be extra careful when removing the menstrual cup. You should always be careful to break the seal and not pull them out by suction.
It is not recommended to use a menstrual cup while you have a IUD/spiral inserted.Â
There is a possibility that the thread of the IUD may shift when you insert or remove the cup. Therefore, we recommend that you talk to your doctor if you really want to use a cup for protection during your period.
The doctor will also decide if it is necessary to shorten the thread of the IUD so that you do not pull it out when you remove the menstrual cup.
We recommend that you use products like menstrual discs, reusable pads or menstrual underwear during your period if you have a IUD inserted.
If you use a cup anyway while you have a IUD, you need to be extra careful when removing the menstrual cup. You should always be careful to break the seal and not pull them out by suction.
Can you use a menstrual cup together with an IUD?
Femi.Eko® menstrual cup is specially developed to be comfortable. It is made of very soft medical silicone and has an anatomical shape. You should not feel any pain when using a menstrual cup. The only time you might feel a slight discomfort is when you insert the cup for the first time. Do not worry, the cup is not bigger than a tampon when inserted.Â
Be sure not to insert the cup too deeply, although it should be deep enough to prevent leakage. You will know what is right for you after a few uses.
Can menstrual cups cause infections?
Like any other period product, if not used properly, they can become a problem.
However, keep in mind that menstrual cups are a safer way to get through the days of your period than tampons or pads because they keep air out and as so avoid that bacteria is being created.
Always wash your hands with soap or use a sanitizer before and after inserting and removing your menstrual cup.
Empty the cup at least every 10 to 12 hours to minimize the risk of infection.
You do not need to lubricate the cup to insert it, but if you do, be sure to use a safe lubricant, without oils because it can destroy the cup.
Do not use harmful chemicals such as tea tree oil, castor oil, antibacterial soap, commercial hand sanitizers, hydrogen peroxide, and other home remedies to clean the cup, as this can damage the silicone and cause infections.
Wash the cup out with plain water or boil it for 5-10 minutes when your period is over and wash it again before using it again and sterilize it.
Store the cup in the cotton bag you received in the package.
Can I make sex with the cup inside?
No, remove the cup before sex. It is not safe to have it inside you. For this purpose you can use a menstrual disc.Â
Can the menstrual cup protect against pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease?
Take out the Femi.Eko® cup before you have sexual intercourse (and remember that the Femi.Eko® menstrual cup or disc does not protect you against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases).
When should I change my cup?
We recommend that you change your Femi.Eko® menstrual cup at least every 2 years, even though you may use it for up to 5 years.
We also recommend replacing your Femi.Eko® menstrual cup if:
- you have had a yeast or bacterial infection and used it during that time
- if you dropped it in the toilet
- if you notice a sticky or powdery film on the top of the cup.
When replacing your Femi.Eko® menstrual cup with a new Femi.Eko® menstrual cup, remember to disinfect the cup and then recycle it. Be responsible and do not just throw it away.
When should I get advice from my doctor regarding menstrual cups?
You should discuss the use of the cup with your doctor if:
- Â you use an intrauterine device for birth control (sometimes it is necessary to shorten the thread attached to the IUD so you do not pull it out when you remove the menstrual cup)
- you have had TSS
- you have had recently had gynecological surgery, have given birth, or have had a miscarriage- you have a vaginal infection
- you have never had sexual intercourse and are concerned about maintaining your hymen
- if you have increased cramping, blood between periods, or pain of any kind.
When to STOP using a menstrual cup?
Do not use the menstrual cup if you experience fever or nausea associated with its use. Remove it immediately if you suspect it may cause a reaction.
Can I use a menstrual cup while swimming?
YEESSSS. The menstrual cups and discs are the best way to swim, run, and enjoy life to the fullest without feeling like you have your period. Period.