About OrganiCup - the menstrual cup
Discover the AllMatters Menstrual Cup, previously known as OrganiCup, voted “Best Menstrual Cup of 2023” by Reviewed.com. Our award-winning cup offers a sustainable, efficient and healthier alternative to pads and tampons. Made from 100% medical-grade silicone, it provides ease of use, supreme comfort and leak-free period protection.
- Wear for 12 hours, rinse and re-insert.
- 3 Million satisfied users worldwide.
- Last for years, saving money and reducing waste.
- Can be worn while swimming, running and dancing.
Features
- No allergens found by AllergyCertified
- Wear for up to 12 hours, without worries
- Registered with The Vegan Society
- Try risk-free with our Satisfaction Guarantee
- A leak-free period solution, day and night
- Made of 100% soft medical-grade silicone
Material
100% medical-grade silicone, produced in Germany. Organic cotton bag included.
Sizes and dimensions
Size Mini: For teenagers.
- Diameter: 37mm
- Total cup length: 58mm
- Stem length: 18mm
- Full capacity: 19ml
Size A: For women who haven' given birth vaginally.
- Diameter: 41mm
- Total cup length: 70mm
- Stem length: 20mm
- Full capacity: 27ml
Size B: For women who have given birth vaginally.
- Diameter: 44mm
- Total cup length: 72mm
- Stem length: 18mm
- Full capacity: 33ml
FAQs
Q: How do I clean it in public bathrooms?
A: You can bring bottled water with you or use a sanitising wipe. If you don’t have either, just use toilet paper and rinse when you’re back home.
Q: Won't it leak?
A: No. When inserted correctly, the cup shouldn’t leak if it’s not completely full (and presuming you have the right size).
Q: How long does it last?
A: The material of the cup is tested to last for years. We recommend that you replace it if the material starts getting sticky or cracks.
Q: Is it safe and hygienic?
A: Yes, the cup is made from 100% medical grade silicone, which is a material that has been tested for bio compatibility and is safe to wear inside the body. It doesn’t contain BPA or latex. Our menstrual cup is also AllergyCertified and registered with The Vegan Society.
Q: Can I use it with an IUD?
A: Yes, but it's important to release the suction seal before removing the cup. We recommend consulting with your gynecologist prior to use and if you just had your IUD fitted, you should wait at least 2 cycles before you start using a menstrual cup.
How to use
Every beginning can be difficult – including trying out a menstrual cup for the first time. Although it might take you a few days or cycles to become comfortable with the cup, we assure you that there’s nothing to fear! Read all our best tips and tricks below – you'll soon become a dedicated cup convert!
Step 1: Inserting a menstrual cup
Wash
Remember to wash your hands using clean water and a mild soap, such as our cup wash, before inserting it.
Fold
There are many different folding techniques so experiment and find the one that works for you. Two of the most popular are: the Punch-Down Fold and the C-Fold.
When you’re inserting your menstrual cup, you need to keep it folded until it is inside of your vagina.
Relax
It’s important to relax your muscles when inserting your menstrual cup, so find a comfortable position.
You can lie down, squat, sit on the toilet or simply stand up. You’ll find the position that works best for you over time!
Insert and release
Insert the folded menstrual cup and once the entire cup (and stem) is inside of you, remove your fingers and let it open up. Comparing to a tampon, the menstrual cup should be placed lower in the vaginal canal.
You might want to use water or a water-based lubricant to make insertion easier.
If the menstrual cup has been inserted correctly, you might hear a “pop” or a suction sound which means that the cup has unfolded and created the necessary suction seal.
If in doubt, reach in and feel around the base of the cup – it should feel round or oval and not have any noticeable folds.
Also try to pull the stem a bit – if you feel resistance, the suction seal has been created and the cup has been inserted correctly!
Rotate
If you feel any dents or folds on the base of your menstrual cup and you’re not sure the suction seal has been created, then gently grip the base of the cup (not the stem) and rotate to make it unfold.
Once your menstrual cup is in place, try to pull the stem a bit, if you feel resistance, the suction seal has been created and the cup has been inserted correctly!
Step 2: Wearing a menstrual cup
Wear for up to 12 hours
One of the benefits of using a menstrual cup is that you can use it for up to 12 hours at a time, so once inserted you can leave your cup in all day and night.
Depending on how heavy your flow is, you may have to empty it more often than twice a day.
That’s why we recommend you empty your menstrual cup more often in the beginning to get to know the cup and your flow.
Capacity
The cup can contain more liquid than 3 super tampons.
According to the NHS (National Health Service, UK), on average, you lose 5-12 teaspoons of blood during your period. Because the cup collects the flow, rather than absorbing it and expanding (like tampons and pads), you might be surprised about how little you actually bleed!
Step 3: Removing a menstrual cup
Wash
Again, start out by washing your hands with warm water and a mild soap.
Relax
Find a comfortable position that works for you: lie down, squat, sit on the toilet or stand up. Being relaxed is essential, as removing your menstrual cup will be more difficult if you tense up.
Remove
When removing your menstrual cup, pull slightly on the stem until you can reach the base. Give the base of the cup a gentle pinch (or insert your index finger alongside it) to release the suction seal and ease it out.
Avoid removing your menstrual cup by pulling the stem as this might cause discomfort.
Empty and rinse
Once you have removed your menstrual cup, empty the collected flow into the toilet or sink and rinse the cup with water (remember the air holes) and re-insert.
If you’re in a bathroom without access to clean water, you can use a sanitising wipe or toilet paper to clean your cup and rinse it with water at a later time.
Re-insert or store
When your menstrual cup is clean, re-insert it as outlined in Step 1.
However, if your period has ended, boil the cup for 3-5 minutes in a pot with water or simply use a sanitising wipe to disinfect it and store it in the AllMatters cotton bag.
Tips for first time cup users
Read the instructions thoroughly
It might seem obvious, but reading the instructions inside the cup's packaging is an important step. Many of us get so excited to try it out, that we forget all about the instructions and jump right in without fully knowing what to do.
Wear a pantyliner until you feel comfortable
Until you feel 100% comfortable with your menstrual cup, you might want to wear a pantyliner so you don’t have to worry about leaking.
Try to locate your cervix
We all have differently positioned cervixes and the cup should be placed below the cervix, if not, it will most likely leak. Try to locate your cervix with your finger, you should feel for a slightly firmer area of tissue and position your cup under it.
Trim the stem of the cup
If you can feel the stem and find it uncomfortable after using the cup a couple of times, you can cut it shorter. However, do not trim the stem while the menstrual cup is inserted!
Practice before your period
No one expects you to be an instant menstrual cup expert, so we recommend practicing inserting and removing your cup before you get your period.
Use lubricate
You can use water or a water-based lubricant to make insertion easier.
The pros and cons of menstrual cups
Menstrual cups are becoming an increasingly popular choice around the world. But what are the pros and cons of menstrual cups?
And are there any significant pros and cons regarding using menstrual cups instead of conventional products that you haven’t already considered?
Keep reading to explore the pros and cons of menstrual cups, and how they measure up to disposable menstrual hygiene products.
Pro: Don’t splash your cash
A box of tampons or pads can be expensive, especially when you need to buy a new box every month. In the US, the average individual will spend over $1,000 on menstruation products during their lifetime.
However, by using a menstrual cup, you can save money and not have to think about purchasing tampons or pads every month.
The AllMatters cup’s material has been tested to last up to 10 years, meaning that your single purchase can last a long time, without you needing to purchase disposable pads or tampons.
You may notice that your cup becomes discoloured or stained after a while, which is perfectly normal.
But, even if you do decide to replace your cup after a few years, you will still have saved money on buying disposable tampons and pads.
Pro: Change isn’t always good
The manufacturers recommend that you change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours, and pads normally every 8 hours or so.
One of the many benefits of a menstrual cup is that you can wear it for up to 12 hours. This is due to the larger capacity of a menstrual cup, which is a strong advantage.
A night pad can hold between 10 to 15 millilitres of blood, whereas a super-absorbent tampon will hold 12 millilitres of fluid.
Depending on the size of your cup, the capacity can range from 25 to 30 millilitres. This means that you can go longer without having to empty your cup.
Pro: Keep everything in balance
We all know how important vaginal health is. Any slight disruption in the body such as stress, diet or medication can cause an imbalance.
Pads can create a warm, moist environment that encourages the growth of bacteria and can increase infections. These undesirable bacteria can end up causing a lot of discomfort and irritation.
On the other hand, tampons can also upset your body’s natural pH-balance. The high absorption in tampons can absorb all the natural (good) bacteria from your vagina, as well as menstrual blood.
The removal of this good bacteria, as well as blood, could create an imbalance in your pH level. A menstrual cup does not absorb anything but instead collects it.
So, any natural fluids that are produced by your body are collected and then emptied later — there’s no over-absorption, dryness, or discomfort.
This leaves you with a well-balanced, happy vagina. A pretty good pro when it comes to the pros and cons of menstrual cups.
Pro: No odour
Unfortunately, when blood is exposed to air, it has an unpleasant odour. And if you use pads, there is no way to prevent this from occurring. Even though it is completely natural, it’s something that many feel embarrassed about or ashamed of.
But there is a way to reduce odour and feel more confident during your period.
One of the great benefits of using a menstrual cup is the reduction in odour.
Since a menstrual cup collects the blood inside your body, the blood is not exposed to air. And, since there is no prolonged exposure to air, your blood cannot produce an odour.
Now that we’ve talked about the pros of menstrual cups, let’s move on to the potential cons of using a menstrual cup.
Con: Insertion takes time
Just like when you first used a tampon, although you think it will be easy, it actually turns out to be a lot harder than it looks.
But after using them during your next few periods, it becomes so much easier. You start to get the hang of it. Your body begins to relax, and before you know it, you can change your tampon with your eyes closed.
It’s the same with a menstrual cup. It takes a few times to get the hang of it. But once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you will be able to empty and re-insert your cup with no problem.
Some people might see this as a con, as it does take some practice, and it might take some time. But trust us, you will get there! Check out our step by step guide here for more information.
Con: Cleaning your cup
Unlike disposable menstrual products, you need to take care of your menstrual cup. This means sanitising your cup between each menstrual cycle and checking for signs of wear and tear. However, there is no need to sanitise your cup every time you empty it during your period. Dr Nathan Riley explains that the menstrual cup can be removed and replaced without cleaning and this will not increase the risk of infection.
But once your period is finished, you can easily sanitise your cup in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes – just be careful not to burn the silicone. This could be seen as a con in the pros and cons of using a menstrual cup argument – but at least you can rest assured that your cup is ready and clean for your next menstrual cycle. Read more about cleaning your cup here.
Con: It can be messy
Inserting and emptying your cup means that you have to use your fingers. You really have to get in there and feel around.
For some, this can be quite intimidating, especially if it is your first time. But after a while, you get used to it.
When you empty your cup, you may find it interesting to see how much blood your body produces, as part of its natural rhythm.
This could be seen as both a pro and a con for menstrual cups. Once you get used to using your hands, you will begin to realise just how amazing the human body really is.
The pros and cons of menstrual cups are many, but what do you think?
So, whether you are a seasoned cup user or a beginner, there’s no denying that the innovation and design behind menstrual cups are brilliant.
Maybe listing the pros and cons of menstrual cups has convinced you to try a cup or perhaps it confirmed what you already knew.
Menstrual cups are a great choice for some. It’s not for everyone and that’s okay!
Reusable menstrual products are becoming a reliable and sustainable option for many around the world. And together we are saving our planet and its oceans from more harmful pollution, one menstrual cup at a time.
Have you tried the AllMatters cup? Let us know how you are getting on. We’d love to hear from you.