Menstrual cup - survival replacement

If the fear of changing your menstrual cup in survival conditions (i.e. outside the privacy of your bathroom) is keeping you from using it, you've come to the right place! We'll show you a few ways that might change your mind and take your cup with you on any unforgettable adventure.

How often should you empty your menstrual cup?

It depends on, among other things, the volume of the cup , but above all: on the amount of your bleeding .

If your bleeding is less heavy, you can safely empty the cup up to 12 hours after insertion.

You can learn more about how often to empty your menstrual cup in our article .

It's worse when those 12 hours on the clock strike when you're not at home and the whole operation will require much more advanced gymnastics from you...

Replacing the cup in different conditions

Changing your cup during your period isn’t always possible to plan. You’ll probably be surprised by unusual circumstances in which you’ll have to deal with it. That’s why it’s worth being prepared for every eventuality!

Access to running water = half the battle

Replacing the cup with access to water makes the entire process much easier and more efficient.

Washing in a sink , bidet or shower is convenient, intuitive and effective.

You can learn how to properly wash and care for menstrual cups before first use and during menstruation in our article "How to clean a menstrual cup?" .

Menstrual cup - public toilet

Before using the toilet, make sure you have tissues, toilet paper or paper towels available .

• Wash your hands thoroughly before entering the toilet . When entering the cabin, try not to touch the door with your bare hands.
• In the bathroom sink, lightly dampen a tissue or paper under running water.
• Protect the surrounding area, for example by placing dry paper under the wet material.
• Remove the menstrual cup and pour its contents into the toilet.
• Wipe any remaining fluid from the cup with dry toilet paper or tissue.
• Use a damp piece of tissue or paper to clean the cup and gently moisten it.
• Before using the cup, check whether any paper or tissue residue is stuck to it.
• Apply the cup.
• Wipe your hands on paper towels and then, trying not to touch the stall door, wash your hands in the sink in the shared toilet area.

Once in a while you can allow yourself to wipe the cup with paper towels, but next time you have the opportunity, wash it under running water!

If you are one of those cup lovers who feel more comfortable when the cup is in contact with water before each application , feel free to rinse it in the sink before application.

Is a cup flying with us?

Unusual conditions also include those while traveling!

You have access to running water, heck, even a sink within arm's reach. But the turbulence in a plane, the shaking in a train toilet or the rocking on a ship are real challenges!

When changing your menstrual cup in such conditions, try to do it carefully.

A full cup, an unsteady position, and spontaneous movements around you can cause the contents of the cup to end up where they shouldn't be.

There is also a risk of the cup touching the toilet (when pouring) and the sink (when washing). If this happens, make sure to wash the cup thoroughly!

Another good idea is to determine your cup replacement needs before your trip and empty it before boarding.

Choose a cabin for people with disabilities – they usually have sinks right next to the toilet.

Of course, before using such a toilet, make sure that no disabled person needs it more!

If you are worried about whether the cup might leak, check out our guide " Leaking menstrual cup - how to fix it? "

What if there is no access to running water?

For some, it is an unbridgeable chasm, and often a turning point when using a cup and returning to the safe oasis of tampons or pads.

However, a few tips and a creative look at your surroundings can be a bridge that will allow you to continue your journey with your cup!

Washed or protected hands

A visit to a public toilet without access to a sink, in the forest or other natural circumstances is also a challenge for maintaining the cleanliness of your hands . And as you know, this is crucial and mandatory when dealing with intimate areas.

• A campsite tap or a beach shower are objects worth paying attention to. Wash your hands in them, and then – without touching other surfaces – go to the chosen place to exchange a cup.
• Always carry an antibacterial gel with you. It removes bacteria, but it often contains alcohol, which can irritate the vagina. So always rinse your hands under water (from a bottle, for example) after using an antibacterial gel!
• Pack disposable gloves with you! Properly applied, they will minimize the risk of bacteria and microorganisms finding their way inside your body. Remember that there are many disposable glove materials available on the market. Those made of latex can cause allergies when in contact with the vaginal walls. Nitrile or vinyl gloves reduce this risk.

Finger covers are also available, which not only protect against introducing contaminants into the vagina, but also make it easier to remove and insert menstrual cups.

A secluded place

In unusual situations, there may be rush and stress , the combination of which causes tense pelvic floor muscles and complicates the entire process .

Depending on your situation, find a private place where you feel comfortable enough to ensure proper hygiene and correct removal and insertion, and thus continue using the cup.

Taking out the cup and pouring out the liquid

Let's not forget about emptying the menstrual cup. In a bathroom setting, this is something that is not given much attention. However, in survival conditions, it is different!

• If you are replacing the cup outdoors, you can prepare a small hole in the ground in advance (for example, with your shoe). Pouring menstrual blood into the cup and then covering it with a layer of soil will reduce the interest of animals and their possible contact with the substance. Blood and menstrual fluids are natural and safe for the environment, so you do not have to worry about its deterioration.

Imagine a holiday bath in the sea, lake or pool. The changing room by the reservoir is sometimes the only place that offers privacy. Often these are four walls, where it is seemingly impossible to change a menstrual cup... unless you plan for it in advance!

• When you are in a place where you can't get rid of menstrual fluid in a standard way, a box or bag comes in handy . You can seal the fluid from the cup in it and "smuggle" it to a place where you can pour it out!

Preparing the cup for application

Menstrual cup emptied, but the remaining secretions and blocked pressure regulating holes are not a desirable condition for re-insertion. Straight from our "Diary of a cup_traveler_nik" we're sharing a few ways to clean your cup in unusual conditions!

Paper, tissues and paper towels

Easily available products will wipe off the residue, thus preparing the cup for reinsertion. However, along with the dirt, you will also get rid of the slip. You can, however, add it by lubricating the edges of the cup with lubricant .

Wet wipes and tissue paper

The moistened form seems ideal for cleaning the menstrual cup. Unfortunately, moistened paper and wipes, even those for intimate hygiene, are intended for external use . The substances that remain on the cup after them should not be introduced into the vagina.

Fortunately, special wet wipes for cleaning menstrual cups have appeared on the market, the composition and pH of which correspond to the inside of the vagina, making them safe for health. What's more, these wipes are often compostable ! Thanks to this, you can share them with the environment without any scruples.

Bottle of water

You can take the previously prepared water in a bottle with you on any survival. After removing the cup, simply rinse it with water from the bottle and you're done!

The drops remaining on the cup will add slip and provide a feeling of freshness.

Foam bath

If you plan on changing the cup without access to water, you can prepare a container with a solution of water and cup cleaning fluid . Placing the cup in it and shaking it vigorously will thoroughly clean the cup.

There are special shakers for cups on the market, adapted for travel. However, your shaker can be a regular plastic container or even a jar .

Remember to pour the contaminated solution down the drain at the first opportunity!

Sterilizer

More and more menstrual cup fans = more and more solutions that make it easier to use the cup. A sterilizer is a useful device that works well in home and survival conditions.

This portable, travel-friendly and versatile device will clean your cup of bacteria and microbes in seconds. Menstrual cup sterilizers may require batteries or an electrical connection , so before taking it on a trip, check whether it will be possible to use it!

A spare menstrual cup or other hygiene products

Have more than one cup? Take a spare with you and wear them interchangeably! Cleaning a dirty cup will then take place in the conditions convenient and chosen by you.

If you know you have a survival period or an unforgettable travel experience ahead of you, consider buying a spare cup or stock up on other hygiene products , such as pads ortampons , just in case .

Use a clean cup according to your preference, experience or instructions from our article .

Ahoy, adventure!

We hope that the above survival guide to menstruating with a cup will make many of your journeys together easier!

Remember: If you know that you can't follow the rules of hygiene and keep the cup clean, it's better to choose another form of hygiene product. Your safety and physical and mental comfort are the most important!

You will find more answers about menstrual cups in the article "Menstrual cup – we will dispel ALL your fears" .

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