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Can you pee with a menstrual cup in?
Can you actually pee with a menstrual cup in? We've found the menstrual cup to be excellent for many of us, as it's just so comfortable. With that being said, if you are just starting out using the menstrual cup, or possibly even already been doing it for quite some time now, perhaps you had one question in your mind: Can you pee with a menstrual cup in? It does sound odd at first, perhaps, but once you get an understanding of how it sits in your body, you'll see how easy it is. Does it get in the way when I need to pee? You have three openings down there: one for peeing (urethra), one for your period blood (vagina), and one for your feces (anus). The menstrual cup is inserted into your vagina. Make certain you understand that the vagina is not your urethra. Your urine is coming out of your urethra, but the menstrual cup is in your vagina. As the cup is in your vagina, not your urethra, you can still pee as you would normally do with it inserted. Don't be afraid of peeing with your menstrual cup in place. It will not be in your way. Yes, you can pee with a menstrual cup in. Why is that? That's because the cup is not going to interfere with your urethra, the tiny pipe that directs pee out of your bladder out of your body. The menstrual cup is inserted in your vagina, an entirely different hole. How is it done? You have three openings in your pelvis area: the one for urine coming out, the vagina for your menstrual blood coming out and where the cup is inserted, and the anus for feces coming out. Because the menstrual cup is occupying the vaginal space, it is not obstructing or clogging the urethra. So, you can urinate as usual without any issue. But, I can feel the cup during urination? Although the cup will not interfere with your urination, some people may get the impression that it would feel odd while urinating. It can be that the cup is exerting some pressure on the adjacent areas like the bladder. In case you are having trouble peeing or it hurts, it can be an indication that the cup is in the wrong position. Remove your cup, make sure it is not overfilled, then insert it again carefully, this time having it face your tailbone. How the use of menstrual cups can impact urination When you insert the menstrual cup, it sits within your vagina, not in your pee hole. So, a menstrual cup essentially does not get in the way of peeing at all. You can just live your life, drinks water, pee as you normally would without the cup interfering in any way. But some users do report that they do feel slightly different going to the bathroom with the menstrual cup in place. Why? If the cup is not in the right position, it can be resting on the bladder. This can make it feel like you have to go, or slightly harder to go. Don’t panic—it is simple enough in most instances! If you feel uncomfortable, or it is taking a bit of an effort, or is different, in going to the loo, you might need to adjust your cup. Take it out, and reinsert it, ensuring it is not sitting on the bladder. Tip: Insert your menstrual cup in the backward direction, towards your tailbone, and not upwards. This will place the cup in the right position so that it does not exert any pressure on your bladder. Remember, it can take two attempts before the cup is in that just-right position where it is perfectly comfortable and does not disrupt your urinating routine. So, while it should not be interfering with your flow of urine, the secret to being comfortable with it in place is making sure it is properly inserted. Frequently asked questions Why do I feel like I need to pee more often when I wear a menstrual cup? Others get the sensation that they have to urinate constantly while the menstrual cup is on. This is simply due to the cup exerting slightly on your bladder, perhaps if it is in not quite the correct position. If this is what is happening, it is possible that you just need to get the cup to fit you in slightly better for it to be comfortable. Do I have to empty my menstrual cup when I need to pee? No, you do not have to empty the cup every time you pee. That would be so annoying to do. The cup can hold menstrual blood for 12 hours, depending on your flow. Just make sure that you empty it at least twice daily for hygiene. What if I feel pain while peeing with a menstrual cup? If it hurts to urinate, the cup is probably pressing on your bladder. Remove the cup and reinsert it, but not too high or too low. It does take some practice before it is in position, but once it is in, you can't even notice it is there. Yes, you can pee while wearing a cup, so—definitely pee with it in. Fuss-free, mess-free. Just get it in the right place, and your bladder will appreciate it. Still figuring it out? Don’t worry, as each body is different—a bit of trial is just necessary.
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🧹 How to Clean a Menstrual Cup?
✨ How can I properly clean my menstrual cup? The biggest advantage of a menstrual cup over other products such as pads or tampons, is that you can reuse it. This is why it is extra important to keep it hygienic and clean your cup properly. We tell you all the steps that matter before, during and after your period. 💪 Cleaning before use: Before using your cup for the first time, you should sterilize it. This will kill all the unwanted bacteria. The Bamboozy Sterilizer is a disinfecting cup that allows you to clean your menstrual cup easily and quickly. 🧐 How does the Bamboozy Sterilizer work? Unfold the sterilizer cup and remove the lid Fill the cup with water up to the first, bottom, ring (about 12 ml) Place the menstrual cup in the sterilizer, with the stem facing upward Place the lid with a small opening on the cup (so do not close it completely) Place it in the microwave for about 1 minute on a high setting (1000W) Remove the cup from the microwave and remove the lid from the cup (watch out as to not burn yourself) After drying off, place the cup in the bag provided The cup is now completely free of bacteria and ready to use If you do not have a sterilizer, it is also possible to clean your cup properly by boiling it in a pan of water for about 3 minutes. Make sure the cup does not touch the bottom. For example, you can hang it in a whisk. After this, the cup is also ready to use. 😌 Cleaning during use During your period, you can leave the cup in place for up to 12 hours, depending on the severity of your period. If you need to change it during the day, we have some tips for this as well. 😬 Clean menstrual cup when you can use a sink: Wash your hands first before taking out the menstrual cup. Then, empty the cup into the toilet and rinse it well with cold/warm water. You can use a mild/unscented soap if necessary, but always make sure to rinse off the soap residue completely before reinserting the cup. There are also women who like to empty the cup while showering. 😅 Clean menstrual cup without a sink: Sometimes you may need to empty your cup while you are on the go or at work, for example. Then you may not always have immediate access to a sink. What you can do is take a small bottle of water with you in the bathroom stall so you can rinse it with water after emptying, above the toilet. If you really don't have water, you can briefly clean it with toilet paper. Just make sure that you then clean it more thoroughly at the next changeover. 😌 Cleaning after use: It is necessary to resterilize your menstrual cup after each period.You do this in exactly the same way as before the first use with the Bamboozy Sterilizer or by boiling it out in a pan.After this, store your cup in a cotton bag. Do not use non-breathable bags or containers. Your cup is then ready to use for your next period. 😕 What if the menstrual cup got stained? Because of the natural color of the Bamboozy cup, it is possible that light stains may appear on it over time. This can do absolutely no harm, but if this bothers you, you can give your menstrual cup an extra cleaning. Here are some tips: Scrub your cup thoroughly with a soft brush and a mixture of water and baking soda. Afterwards, place your cup in the sun for several hours to dry thoroughly. Sometimes it is recommended to soak your cup overnight in hydrogen peroxide (2% or 3%). Another possible option is a mixture of 1/2 part water and 1/2 part vinegar. However, this may affect the material of the cup. So watch out for this. If you do decide to try this method, wash your cup very well and boil it out before reinserting it. 😳 What if your cup gives off unpleasant odor? To get rid of the unpleasant odor, it is necessary to give your cup a thorough cleaning. You can follow one of the tips above for this purpose. In addition, from now on, make sure to empty your cup on time and clean it thoroughly (without using harsh cleaning products). 🤗 Are you ready? Are you done with tampons and pads and ready to switch to menstrual cups or menstrual underwear? Then check out our full collection here. For questions about the size, layers or function of the cups or underwear, you can always reach out. We are happy to help!
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🌷 What is a menstrual cup?
One of the most frequently asked questions is: what exactly is a menstrual cup? We are happy to explain this in this blog.The menstrual cup is a small tub made of soft silicone or rubber, which is very pliable. At the bottom is often a stalk or ball. It is a product for female intimate hygiene and is used to collect menstrual blood. Unlike other products such as pads or tampons, a menstrual cup is reusable. Instead of absorbing blood, a menstrual cup captures the blood. Once the cup is full, you can empty it, rinse it and reinsert it. Thus, it is an excellent alternative to traditional means. 🤔 What should I pay attention to when choosing a menstrual cup? Because every vagina is different, it's not a "one size fits all".You choose a cup based on its material, diameter, length and firmness. In addition, each brand of cup has its own shape. ✨ Material: A menstrual cup can be made of rubber, thermoplastic elastomer or silicone. With silicone, it is important that it is the medical variety with the appropriate labels. For example, the Bamboozy menstrual cup has FDA, CE, RoHS, SGS labels and is free of BPA, lead, chemicals, and plastics. So when purchasing a cup, it is important to check this. 👌 Diameter: What diameter or size you need, you will have to estimate. It is more common for women who have already given birth to need a wider cup. A wider cup has more volume, but if it does not fit properly, it is more likely to leak. To properly measure your own size, please refer to this video: ☝️ Length: Longer cups have more volume, but whether it fits depends on the distance between the cervix and the vulva. Also, the length may vary before and during your period. Measure the depth of your cervix on the first day of your period, as this is when your cervix is at its lowest.If your index finger comes to the first knuckle you have a low cervix.Up to second knuckle you have an average position of your cervix.At two knuckles and above you have a high lying cervix.Finally, there are also cups where you can cut/shorten the stem, should it irritate or stick out. 💪 Firmness/extension: If you have strong pelvic floor muscles you are likely to flatten a less firm cup, preventing it from unfolding properly. On the other hand, a firm cup is not comfortable if your vagina is very sensitive.The Bamboozy menstrual cup is available in size S, M and L. Menstrual cup sizesWhich cup and cup size is most suitable for you is very personal. If you have any questions about this, please send us a message.Are you done with tampons and pads and ready to switch to menstrual cups or menstrual underwear? Then check out our full collection here. For questions about the size, layers or function of the cups or underwear, please drop us a line. We'll be happy to help!Read more: 🍷 6 Reasons Why You Should Use Menstrual Cups
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🍷 6 Reasons Why You Should Use Menstrual Cups
In the United States, the menstrual cup is often seen in bathrooms all over the country, and also in the Netherlands, the rubber cup is becoming increasingly popular. In reality, the menstrual cup has been around much longer. The first patents date back as far as 1867, and the cup we use today was invented around 1973. Yet it is not nearly as popular as tampons or pads. And that's a shame, because there are so many more benefits to it! We list the 6 reasons to choose a menstrual cup here. 🌍 1. Sustainable and much better for the environment. In a woman's lifetime, sanitary pads generate an average of 90 kg of residual waste and tampons 60 kg. That's a lot. A menstrual cup, on the other hand, you can reuse and its lifespan is as much as ten years. Bonus is that these cups are also made from recyclable rubber or silicone. ✨ 2. More hygienic The vagina is a breeding ground for bacteria. Hence the disclaimers on tampon packaging: Be aware of TSS (a.k.a. Toxic Shock Syndrome). No product is 100% immune from the risk of TSS, including menstrual cups, but the risk is a lot less. This is because menstrual cups do not affect your mucous membrane. A cup does not absorb but only collects. You are also less susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. However, it is very important that you clean the menstrual cup well with boiling water after use. This can be done in a pan on the stove, or with our sterilizer in the microwave. 🙅♀️ 3. Free of toxins A good menstrual cup contains no toxins because it is made of silicone (medical grade silicone). This does not contain BPA, is free of chemicals and synthetic substances. So pay attention to this when buying your menstrual cup. 💆♀️ 4. More comfort & less worries Did you know that Menstrual cups provide much better comfort than tampons or pads? This is the most mentioned reason why a cup is so nice: you can exercise, go to the sauna, swim, ride a bike, dance for hours and sleep through the night, completely without worries. 💎 5. Longer use You can't keep a tampon in for more than eight hours, while on the other hand, you can leave a menstrual cup in for up to 12 hours. This means a lot less dirty fingers in a day. Of course, the severity of your period determines after how much time the cup is full. The Bamboozy cup S can hold up to 16ml, the M 22ml and the L can hold up to 30ml. 🙅♀️ 6. Save money If you compare a menstrual cup to one pack of tampons, a menstrual cup is not cheap. But if you compare one menstrual cup to a year's worth of tampons, it's a lot more affordable. Let's do the math: A good menstrual cup is +- 25 euros. A pack of tampons costs around 3 euros. In a year you use at least 12 boxes, which amounts to 36 euros. A menstrual cup saves you in the first year already 11 euros! Now this cup will last you around 5 years, so calculate your profit 😉We have done extensive research and tested all brands of cups available in the Netherlands. There are big differences between the flexibility of the silicone, the unfolding power and the different stems. There is also a big difference in price between the current menstrual cups on offer. With our own experiences, we started developing the ultimate comfort cup ourselves.Our Bamboozy Menstrual Cup coaches, Danielle and Vivienne, are ready to answer all your questions and can guide you in choosing the right size.Start using the menstrual cup!
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