Objectives
The fundamental problem when first using a menstrual cup is “how should I insert it?”. Unlike tampons, the shape of the menstrual cup is difficult to insert into the vagina. The cup needs to be folded to be able to be inserted and settled into position. We need to find a fold that is best suited to the features of our bodies and our cup’s characteristics. The good news is that you do not need to worry about this on your own. Let’s explore some of the common folds shared by various menstrual cup sellers and users.
Knowing One Fold is Good Enough
There are various ways to fold a menstrual cup in this world but you do not need to know every one. You don’t need to fold it perfectly, nor does it need to look beautiful and exact. If the methods here don’t work for you, you can create your own fold. Finding the one fold that works for you is good enough.
1. C Fold
👉 Steps
- Press the menstrual cup together to flatten the cup.
- Fold the cup in half to create the “C” shape while the rim is completely flattened.
️🙋♀️ Recommended for: Those who have inserted thick tampons before or those who need the insertion to be quick and easy.
🎯 Recommended cup: Soft menstrual cup. A small-sized cup.
❤️ Pros: Easy and quick to fold. Springs open inside.
💔 Cons: The rim part of the cup is thick. Beginners may find insertion difficult.
2. Punchdown Fold
👉 Steps
- Place your index on the middle of the cup rim and push the rim down.
- Hold the cup with your thumb and index finger to fold the rim to be smaller.
- After inserting into the vagina, check the folded part and make sure it unfolds properly.
️🙋♀️ Recommended for: Those who find the menstrual cup too big for insertion. Menstrual cup beginners.
🎯 Recommended cup: Firm menstrual cup
❤️ Pros: The cup can be smaller for insertion. Easy to insert.
💔 Cons: Need to maintain a firm grip. Soft menstrual cups can be difficult to fold.
3. 7 Fold
👉 Steps
- Press the menstrual cup together to flatten the cup.
- Fold down one corner of the cup to create a “7” shape while the rim is completely flattened.
️🙋♀️ Recommended for: Those who need the insertion to be quick and easy. Those who experienced difficulty in unfolding the cup once inside while trying the punchdown fold.
🎯 Recommended cup: Firm menstrual cup
❤️ Pros: Easy and quick to fold. The rim of the cup can be smaller for insertion. Easy to unfold than the punchdown fold.
💔 Cons: The base of the cup is thick. Soft menstrual cups can be difficult to fold.
4. Triangle Fold
👉 Steps
- Press the menstrual cup together to flatten the cup.
- Take one corner and fold it down to be a triangle shape while the rim is completely flattened (modified version of 7 fold).
🙋♀️ Recommended for: Those who find the menstrual cup too big for insertion. Those who found that the 7 fold was slightly unsatisfactory.
🎯 Recommended cup: Firm menstrual cup.
❤️ Pros: Easy and quick to fold. The rim of the cup is smaller than the 7 fold.
💔 Cons: The base of the cup is thick. More difficult to unfold than the 7 fold.
5. Labia Fold
👉 Steps
- Hold the cup in one hand and using the thumb and index finger of the opposite hand, pinch together a small bit of the corner of the cup.
- Push down the small corner towards the opposite hand.
- With the hand holding the cup, squeeze the sides together to hold the folded corner in place.
🙋♀️ Recommended for: Those who want to fold the cup to be overall very small. Someone who is ready to try a fold that can be complex and challenging.
🎯 Recommended cup: Works with most menstrual cups.
❤️ Pros: The rim of the cup gets smaller. Springs open inside. Easy to transform.
💔 Cons: The middle part of the cup is thick. Difficult to fold for beginners. Need to maintain a firm grip.
6. Origami Fold
👉 Steps
- Place your index on the middle of the cup rim and push the rim down.
- Hold the cup with your thumb and index finger to fold the rim to be smaller. (*Same as punchdown fold up to this point)
- From the punchdown fold, take one corner of the cup and fold it down to the opposite side.
- Once it becomes a flower-like shape, press the lower part to make it smaller.
🙋♀️ Recommended for: Those who want to fold the cup to be overall very small. Someone who is ready to try a fold that can be complex and challenging.
🎯 Recommended cup: Works with most menstrual cups.
❤️ Pros: The rim of the cup gets smaller. Springs open inside.
💔 Cons: The middle part of the cup is thick. Difficult to fold for beginners. Need to maintain a firm grip.
7. Diamond Fold
👉 Steps
- Pinch the middle part of the menstrual cup.
- Pull the corner of the rim down to the middle to form an “O” shape.
- Bring both corners that form the “O” shape to fold vertically and form a diamond shape.
- From step 3, fold in half vertically to fold into a “half diamond”.
🙋♀️ Recommended for: Those who want to fold the cup to be overall very small. Someone who is ready to try a fold that can be complex and challenging.
🎯 Recommended cup: A menstrual cup that is not too small.
❤️ Pros: The rim of the cup gets smaller. The half diamond fold can overall reduce the size of the cup. Springs open inside.
💔 Cons: Difficult to fold for beginners. Need to maintain a firm grip. A cup that is too small can be difficult to use for methods that require multiple folds.
Summary
- Using menstrual cups can be easier once you find the fold that fits the characteristics of your cup and the features of your body.
- Try different menstrual cup folds to discover your own folding method.
