Introduction:
A menstrual cup is a feminine hygiene product that is used to hold the menstrual fluid during periods.
As the name suggests, menstrual cups are ‘cup-shaped’ objects that are flexible enough to be inserted into the vagina.
Unlike pads and tampons, menstrual cups hold the menstrual blood and do not absorb it.
What is a menstrual cup fold?
As menstrual cups are cup- or bell-shaped flexible objects, one needs to fold them in a certain way to make it easy for insertion and removal of the cup.
When it comes to menstrual cup folds, there are various types of fold one can use to insert the cup.
Although punchdown and triangle are the easiest and most popular folds, there are a lot of other types you can try.
Types of menstrual folds
The 10 best types of menstrual cup folds are:
1. Punch-down fold
Pinch the rim of one side of the menstrual cup and fold it inside the same side of the cup at the end.
2. Triangle fold
- Hold the cup with both hands.
- Pinch the cup with your index and thumb fingers and flatten it.
- Bring the right end of the cup to the bottom of the left side to form a triangle.
3. 7 fold
- Hold the cup with both hands.
- Pinch both ends of the cup with your index and thumb fingers and flatten the cup.
- Bring the right rim of the cup to the middle of the left side.
- Hold the cup between the thumb and forefinger firmly.
4. C-shape fold
- Hold the cup and pinch the centre of the cup with your finger, forming the ‘C’ shape.
5. Origami fold
- Hold the cup with the rim facing upward.
- With the other hand, press the centre of the cup to form a triangle.
- Fold the triangle again in half to create another smaller triangle.
6. Diamond Fold
- Hold the cup with the index and thumb fingers firmly and press.
- Bring the centre part of one side of the cup to the middle region.
- Pinch both ends of the cup to form a circle in the top part.
7. Double diamond fold
- Pinch the side of the top rim and fold it down, touching the centre part of the cup.
- Fold the left and right rims of the timer and roll them inward, making them touch each other.
- Fold this into half by making the left side end touch the right side end of the cup, forming a double or a half diamond.
8. S fold
- Flatten the cup by holding it with both your index and thumb fingers and form the cup.
- Pinch one of the cups and place it on the other end, forming an “S” shape.
9. E fold
- Flatten the end of the rim by holding it in between your thumb and index finger.
- Press it against the middle of the other end.
- With the other hand, press the two ends of the cup, forming an “E” shape.
10. Labia fold
- Pinch one end of the cup with your index and thumb fingers and press it to the middle of the cup.
- Squeeze the sides of the cup around this.
Conclusion:
Folding and inserting a menstrual cup can seem hard. But with practice and patience, one can master it and make the whole process of using the menstrual cup easy and smooth.
A menstrual cup is said to be better than other menstrual hygiene products, such as sanitary pads and tampons, as it is environmentally friendly and can go for 12 hours without the need to remove the cup.
With these above-mentioned menstrual cup folds, you can easily find the one fold that is easy and practical for you.
FAQ
1. Which is the best menstrual cup fold for beginners?
Although there are a lot of different types of menstrual cup folds, the most popular and easy ones are the punch-down fold and the triangle fold.
2. Why is my menstrual cup not unfolding?
Sometimes, menstrual cups do not tend to unfold if you are using poor technique to fold them, especially if you are a beginner. With proper technique and patience, you can make the cup unfold easily after insertion.
3. Why can’t I push my menstrual cup in?
Some women might find it difficult to push the menstrual cup inside. In that case, you can apply a little bit of water or lubricant gel to the rim of the cup to insert it smoothly.
4. How do I make sure my menstrual cup folds?
If the menstrual cup is too dry to fold, ensure to lubricate the cup with some water or a lubricant on the rims.
