Your Menstrual Cup Q & A

Artav Menstrual Cup is a healthier, more sustainable, cost effective and eco-friendly alternative to disposable sanitary pads and tampons. Made from 100% soft health grade silicone, Artav menstrual cup is safe, comfortable and hygienic. Quite simply, Artav makes a significant difference. It will transform how to manage your period and help promote menstrual health in developing India

No…The pelvic muscles are very flexible and they accommodate Artav Menstrual Cup easily. As Artav Menstrual Cup is made of silicone, it is flexible - enabling it to adopt the body structure in a matter of few minutes of being inside worn in the vagina.

Since Artav Menstrual Cup is made using approved medical grade hypoallergenic silicone which is inert, it doesn’t react with your bodily fluids including your menstrual flow. Unlike tampons, Artav Menstrual Cup is non-absorbent so it does not disturb the sensitive balance inside the vagina; it does not cause dryness and does not leave irritating fibers in your vaginal walls. Artav Menstrual Cup is suitable for women who have allergies and sensitive skin and does not lead to Toxic Shock Syndrome.

Since Artav Menstrual Cup is made using medical grade silicone, it will be safe for you to use.

Depending on how well you maintain your menstrual cup it can last up to 10 years if properly cared and used.

It depends on your personal or religious beliefs. A cup can alter the hymen; however the hymen can also be altered due to engaging in many other activities like cycling, long jump, gymnastics, etc. Hence it is safe to use a cup at a very young age, even you have never engaged in sexual intercourse. But it is a personal choice once again.

Since it is reusable and highly durable (up to 8 to 10 years), they are not frequently sold like disposable products like tampons and sanitary napkins. Since this is not a repeated sales process most companies stick to just awareness campaigns, internet and word-of-mouth publicity for sales.

Yes, you might need to use water or water based lube to ease the insertion and removal because while on periods the menstrual flow keeps the vagina lubricated, which may not be the case while you are not on your periods.

Never insert straight up. The vagina is slightly tilted towards the rectum or tailbone. So, while inserting, hold the cup in that angle. You can give the cup a rotating twist to check if it has opened. Rotating should be easy if it’s open. Some people cannot rotate the cup, and that’s okay too. You can check by tracing a finger around the outside, to see if it feels round.

Yes you can. In fact, users have been able to manage their periods very well.

Absolutely yes. We only recommend emptying the cup just before doing any such activities as a safety precaution.

If used correctly Artav Menstrual Cup doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort. It may take up to 3 cycles for one to master the art, but the learning curve is worth. Lubricating the menstrual cup with water or a water-based vaginal lube can help in easing the process of insertion. For a video tutorial on how to insert or remove Artav Menstrual Cup, please logon to our YouTube channel http://youtube.com/c/ArtavIndia

If inserted correctly and emptied regularly, depending on your flow, Artav Menstrual Cup will never leak and result in a very clean and fresh menstrual period.

If inserted properly, most women will not even feel the presence of Artav Menstrual Cup inside them. Even if some women feel they are wearing the cup it is just like the feeling that you get while using a tampon. Since it is made using soft silicon the device is totally comfortable.

Yes, Artav Menstrual Cup can be used by young girls also; as the vaginal muscles, even at young age, are flexible. With proper guidance and initial hand holding they can get comfortable and conversant with their bodies.

The Artav Menstrual Cup is worn in the vaginal canal, which is totally separate from the urinary or the excretory cavities. The vaginal canal is in the middle of the urinary and the excretory cavities. Hence, it does not obstruct the urination or bowel movements.Some users may experience difficulty while urinating, which in most cases is due to UTI. Some users have also experienced the cup being pushed out while making bowel movements, due to following reasons: - Using a wrong cup size (mostly smaller than the right size). Hence choosing the right cup size is extremely important. - Experiencing constipation or similar issues. The cup will stop pushing itself out while making bowel movements, once the issues are subsided.

Anatomically everyone is different. You will need to try the cup and see how it works for you.

Yes, but you need to be really careful than other women, during insertion and removal as the nails can hurt the delicate skin in the vagina. Some users wear surgical gloves in while insertion and removal.

Menstrual cups should not used during pregnancy. The vaginal canal should always be kept clear during this time, even in early stages, for safety reasons.

No, you should not use a cup for postpartum bleeding. It is recommended to wait for a minimum of 6 months before you can start using the cup again.

Since the Artav Menstrual Cup sits in the vagina, it is advised to not to wear it while engaging in sexual intercourse. Although a few users have used menstrual cups during sexual intercourse and each user and their partners have a unique experience, however, we at Artav strongly recommend removing the cup before the intercourse.

No… Artav Menstrual Cup is just a menstrual device. It only collects your menstrual flow and help you comfortably deal with your periods. Artav Menstrual Cup cannot protect you against sexually transmitted diseases or it cannot be used as a birth control device.

Yes you can. User just need to make sure that the suction is broken by pinching the base of the cup while removing the cup, a few cases have been registered that the IUD came out with the cup.

You may need to find the angle that works best for you.

Yes, you can.

Many women do, but if you have a medical condition of any kind, you should always check with your doctor before trying new products.

As Artav Menstrual Cup collects menstrual flow and does not absorb the flow; it does not cause dryness or leave any irritating fibers in your vaginal walls. Hence, Artav Menstrual Cup does not cause TSS.

Sharing a menstrual cup can result in medical conditions to be transmitted between the users, like infection. Even if used with proper sterilization, we strongly recommend to not to share a menstrual cup.

It takes a couple of cycles to understand your flow pattern, which varies for each user. During the initial cycles, we recommend to check the cup every 6 hours to monitor the flow. After a couple of cycles, users know when to empty the cup. But even on days with less bleeding, do not wear the cup for more than 12 hours without washing.

You have to empty the cup on a regular basis depending on your flow. Do not wear the cup for more than 12 hours without emptying cup.

Thoroughly wash your hands as recommended. In a comfortable position, either standing, sitting on the toilet, or squatting with your buttocks resting on your heels, bear down in a series of gentle downward pushes with your abdominal/pelvic floor muscles (as if you are having a bowel movement). Insert your thumb and index finger until you can reach the stem. Firmly pinch the base of the cup. Squeeze the cup gently to release the seal. As you remove it, angle it sideways while moving it from side to side. Once removed, hold the Cup upright so the contents remain inside the cup. NOTE: For first time users, remain calm if you cannot reach the stem and are unable to remove it. Follow removal instructions. Contract and flex your vaginal muscles in such a way like you are pushing a baby at the time of vaginal birth. Do not use any foreign object to assist with removal as this may cause damage to the cup or vaginal canal. In a rare case scenarios, if you are unable to remove the Menstrual Cup at all, seek medical advice from a physician.

Yes… Artav Menstrual Cup can move up inside the body. The vaginal cavity is about 4 inches deep with the Cervix on the top. The opening of the cervix is very small (only a few millimeters). So even if Artav Menstrual Cup moves up it cannot go beyond the Cervix.

This can only happen if the user has a longer than usual vaginal canal. In case if it happens, - First of all – do not panic… It cannot go beyond the Cervix and disappear inside the body because the opening of the cervix is very small (only a few millimeters). - Sit in a squatting position. Then take a few deep breathes to relax your vaginal muscles. -Then contract and expand your vaginal muscles in order to push the cup down. This will push the Artav Menstrual Cup down, and you will be able to reach it easily.

It does not unless one in unable to remove the cup properly. It might take a couple of cycles to master the art. With practice, users are able to remove the cup with zero mess.

While using the Artav Menstrual Cup during your periods you should daily wash the cup and if possible immerse the cup in a mug of hot water. It is recommended to sterilize the cup in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes at least once a month, (preferably between periods). Do not use a disinfectant or anti-bacterial liquid to sanitize the cup. If you have to, use a mild soap to clean the cup which is oil and fragrance-free before you sterilize the cup. Do not use vinegar, tea tree oil, scented soap, and castile/peppermint soap, oil-based soap, rubbing alcohol, antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, pre-moistened wipes, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, bleach or harsh chemicals as these may damage the silicone and cause irritation.

When you are not using the cup, make sure to clean and sterilize the cup and store it in the cloth pouch it comes in. If you don’t have one, simply store it in a clean cloth pouch, which provides air flow. DO NOT store the cup in a plastic or an air tight container or plastic zip bag, as this can obstruct air flow and damage the cup.

Yes. The cotton-based pouches can be washed in the machine or by hand. Only make sure that there are no traces of soap remaining on the pouch.

If you are using a public toilet and don’t have access to clean water for cleaning the cup, then you can just discard the contents of the cup in the toilet and clean the cup using a paper towel or a disinfectant wipe if you have one. You can give the cup a thorough cleaning once you are home. Some users also prefer carrying a bottle of clean water for washing the cup in the toilet.

You can just rinse very well with plain water, any water which is safe to wash your intimate areas. Some menstrual cup users also keep a small bottle of water and a bottle of perfume-free soap in their purse. You can also simply wet a paper towel before you go in the stall, and use that to wipe the cup clean. Then give the cup a proper wash after they get home.