How to Insert a Menstrual Cup: 3 Folds and a Calm First Try

Good news: insertion is the easy part — most worries are actually about removal (we redesigned that away). Here's how to insert your cup calmly, first time included.

Before you start

Wash your hands and your cup. If it's your first try, pick a lighter day of your period (the natural moisture helps), or wet the cup with water. Find a comfortable position: sitting on the toilet, squatting, or one foot on the edge of the bath.

Three folds to try

Your Elys cup has fold guidelines to make this easier.

1. C-fold. Press the cup flat, then fold it in half into a "C". The most intuitive fold — start here.
2. Punch-down fold. Push one point of the rim down into the cup. Creates the smallest insertion point — great for beginners and sensitive days.
3. 7-fold. Press the cup flat, then fold one corner down diagonally. A good middle ground that pops open easily.

Inserting

Hold the fold, relax, and guide the cup in aiming slightly back towards your tailbone — not straight up. Once the rim is inside, let go: the cup unfolds on its own. With Elys there is no suction seal to "set": air flows freely through the patented channel, so the cup simply rests in place, held gently by your muscles.

How do I know it's in right?

You shouldn't feel it. If you feel a poke or pressure, the cup may not have fully opened: run a finger around the base — it should feel round, not creased. A gentle rotation of the base usually helps it open. The tab should sit fully inside; if it pokes out, trim it — with no suction to break, the tab is pure convenience.

First-time tips

• Give yourself three cycles. Every new period product has a learning curve — cup users almost universally say it's worth it.
• Stress makes everything harder: pelvic muscles grip when you're tense. Slow breaths first.
• Wear a liner the first days if it reassures you.

Removal worries? Read what to do if a cup feels stuck — and why that can't really happen with a suction-free design. Ready to try? Meet the Elys cup.

This article is for general information and isn't medical advice.