Is it okay to insert a menstrual cup before my period? You may want to do it if you’re spotting, worried about being “surprised” or even if you have vaginal discharge issues.
Find out everything you need to know about inserting your period cup when you don’t have your period here.
Can I use a menstrual cup before my period?
Table of Contents
Why Insert a Menstrual Cup Before My Period?
There are a few reasons why you might want to insert a menstrual cup before your monthly flow:
- You’ve just gotten your new menstrual cup and are excited to try it out, even though it’s not that time of the month.
- You know that you’re going to get your period in the next day and want to have some protection “just in case.” It’s normal to worry about this.
- You may spot for a few days before your period and want to have some protection for this.
- Finally, you may want to know if you can wear a menstrual cup to deal with vaginal discharge issues.
Is it Okay to Do This?
Is it harmful to insert a menstrual cup before your period? No!
You can actually wear a menstrual cup any time you want. There isn’t a lot of reason to do, apart from you’re getting your period soon or just to see what it’s like, but in theory you could.
Keep this Important Thing in Mind
The key thing to keep in mind is that you should keep it in for a maximum of 12 hours in order to reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. At that time, you should take your cup out and wash it well with soap, or menstrual cup wash and water.
It’s Easy to Forget
It’s easy to forget about a menstrual cup if you’re wearing it when you don’t have your period because it won’t get full of blood and leak. This would be the usual signal that you need to take it out and empty it. And unlike a tampon, there’s no string hanging out to remind you of it.
If the stem is fully inside of you, you’ll have no idea that it’s there in most cases because you won’t be able to feel this product when it’s in your vagina.
Remind Yourself
However, it is indeed vital to take it out and clean it regularly so set an alarm, put a note on your pillow, etc. Every 12 hours is the usual recommendation from most menstrual cup companies.
Can I Insert a Diva Cup Before My Period Starts?
Check out this short video below for all the details you need to know:
Tips for Using a Menstrual Cup Before your Period
When you have your period, things are pretty lubricated “down there” and most women can insert a cup quite easily.
However, if it’s not that time of the month, then it can be more dry and your cup won’t just slide in easily.There are a couple of things you can do to deal with this problem:
- Wet your menstrual cup with water. This is the best solution and most people find that it works well for them.
- Use a water based lubricant. This is the less preferred option because it’s expensive, can potentially damage your menstrual cup, and also cause some vaginal irritation.
A similar issue can happen when removing it. You may want to get your fingers wet with water to assist with this.
When Will I Get my Period?
Knowing more information about your menstrual cycle can be really useful. It can help you to know when you’ll begin to menstruate, and you can even put your cup in 12-24 hours before that time (just remember to remove the cup every 12 hours max to clean it).
Find out some information here:
How Long is My Menstrual Cycle?
Another option instead of wearing your menstrual cup before you start your period is to use a reusable cloth pad or pantyliner. They’re just as eco-friendly, are affordable and are also great for your health. You can see some of our top picks here:
Our Picks for Reusable Pantyliners
Have your Say!
Have you ever tried inserting a menstrual cup before your period? Do you have any tips for doing so?
Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.
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