Teens & Menstrual Cups: Tips for Beginners
How old is old enough to use a Lunette Menstrual Cup? The answer is...if you are old enough to menstruate, then you are old enough to use a Lunette Cup. Teens as young as 14 have successfully used a Lunette Cup for their period. However, sometimes a little extra practice is needed to get used to the process if your a menstrual cup beginner.
LUNETTE SIZE 1 - DESIGNED FOR YOUNGER USERS
We designed our smaller Lunette Menstrual Cup (size 1) specifically for younger users. Not only is it smaller and shorter -- it is squishier in consistency for easier insertion.
If I'm a virgin, can I still use a Lunette Cup?
If you're a virgin, you can definitely still use a Lunette Cup. However, young teens and virgins might need to practice a bit more in the beginning because they are usually not as familiar with their anatomy. While virginity is not an obstacle, the vaginal muscles are tighter and insertion can be a challenge until your body has adapted to accommodate the cup. Younger people who menstruate with intact hymens should be aware that inserting the cup may rupture the hymen. By medical standards, virginity is not defined by the state of the hymen; they will remain a virgin until they participate in sexual intercourse.
Tips for menstrual cup beginners
- Relax and take your time: Choose alone time when you can focus without distractions or interruptions. Perhaps after a warm bath when you are relaxed. If you are too nervous, the vaginal muscles will tighten, making it uncomfortable, if not impossible, for successful insertion.
- Get Acquainted with yourself: It is always a good idea to know your own body. Take some time to locate the vaginal opening and even insert a finger to locate your cervix. It feels exactly like the tip of your nose. Knowing where your cervix is will help you to position the cup properly and not insert it too high.
- Practice during your period: The vagina is more flexible and the blood works as a lubricant. OR . . .
- Take a "dry run" before your period: You might be more comfortable practicing before your period if you feel squeamish about touching blood. In this case, use water as a lubricant.
- Try different folds that accentuate the insertion point: Most people use the typical C-fold. However, there are many ways to fold a Lunette Cup. The video here will show you nine different folds.
- Proper insertion direction: Be aware that the direction of insertion needs to be aimed towards the small of your back -- not straight up.
- Be patient: Know that it may take several times before you are successful. If you begin without the expectation of perfect insertion, you are more likely to be relaxed and pleasantly surprised when success happens.
- Assess the stem: Once inserted, you will need to decide whether or not to keep the stem. If it protrudes, it will be uncomfortable. In this case, you likely won't need the stem and can trim it off. However, if not, you may need it to assist with removal.
Tips for first time menstrual cup removal
- Again - RELAX: Just as with insertion. Take your time!
- Do NOT pull on the stem: The stem is used to gain access the bottom of the cup. If you pull on the stem, it will hurt! It will also create a mess since the cup won't be supported or controlled when it exits.
- Squeeze bottom to release suction: This is the key - the bottom of the cup has ridges for gripping. Grip the bottom and tweek the cup to the side. The idea is to pull an edge away from the vaginal wall to release suction. You will hear it when this happens.
- Rock gently: Once suction releases, gently rock the cup from side to side as you pull it out. This technique might not be necessary, but helps with removal if the cup is feeling stubborn to come out.
Information resources for girls and parents
As a teen or as a teen's parent, it is helpful to do research and learn, not only about your body, but about healthy menstrual options that are available for teens today. For information about the female anatomy, Lunette's site offers information under "Anatomy 101 by Lunette" to allow teens who menstruate to learn about the intricacy of their anatomy form with the assistance of a medical diagram.
If this was helpful in helping you decide to purchase a menstrual cup then check out our menstrual cup range.
52 comments
hi! i’m 14 and a virgin i’m using a diva up model 0 i know this is not their website but just wondering if you could help. i can insert my diva cup but once it’s in it feels a little uncomfortable and a bit painful at times not sure if this is because i’ve never used it before, or if i’m doing something wrong ? :/
Hi Gracie! How exciting that you’ve switched to a menstrual cup! There is a learning curve with cups and it typically takes a few cycles to become a Cup Master, so not to worry! I’m confident we can troubleshoot this. :) You can try wearing the Cup higher or lower to see if this has an effect on how much you feel the Cup. You can also reach out to us at info@lunette.com for 1-on-1 guidance with our Menstrual Mentors for Cup use. <3
-Team Lunette
Hi Magica! Thank you for reaching out – I’m sorry to hear your parents aren’t excited about menstrual cups! Let your parents get to know our website and encourage them to contact us if they have anything to ask! Highlight all the good qualities menstrual cups have and tell them why you would like to try one out. :)
-Team Lunette
Hi Kaitlyn! Thanks for your questions! If the stem of the cup feels uncomfortable you can trim it shorter, or cut it off completely. :) If you find it difficult to get the cup open after insertion, try these tricks:
-Wiggle or rotate the cup from side to side
-Push it a bit higher and pull very carefully from the bottom
-When inserting the cup, push out with your pelvic muscles and place the cup inside so that the bottom stays outside. Rotate the cup so that it fills with air – you can feel with your finger that the bottom of the cup is completely round. Then tense your pelvic muscles in and push the cup inside the vagina.
-Team Lunette
I’m 17 and a virgin. I’m using the smallest cup and I can feel it inside me. Is that because I’m not use to having anything in me or is it something else. This is my first time I’ve used this and I’m the first one in my family to use it so none of us really know anything about the cups.
Hi Sarvangi! Thanks so much for reaching out! Cramping associated with menstrual cups is typically due to the Cup touching your cervix, you can fix this by wearing the Cup lower. 😊 If it is still giving you trouble we are more than happy to assist, you can email us at info@lunette.com and out Menstrual Mentors will get back to you ASAP!
-Team Lunette
Hi Tina! Thanks so much for your question! It could be the hymen, it could also be spotting, which is totally normal before periods or during ovulation. ☺️ Or if you have long nails you could have slightly scratched yourself. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@lunette.com if there’s anything else we can assist with!
-Team Lunette
Dear lunette team, I’m 13 years old and I wanna use a menstrual cup, unfortunately, i’m an Indian and indians are squeamish about virginity and how tampons and cups must not be used by unmarried women. Is it really safe for me to use a cup? I’ve tried every way of convincing my mom to get a cup, she isn’t convinced. What should I say to convince her to get me a cup?
is it normal to feel uncomfortable around the tail, i am 16 and a virgin and what can’t i do to get my cup too unfold all the way?
i m 19 and i inserted my cup for the first time on my non period day. Insertion and removal was smooth but i got a few drops of blood coming out. Is it because of rupture of hymen? Or have i caused some internal injury.
i m 18! And m vargin too,i used a menstrual cup for the first time which is size small.the time i insert it its normal even after while walking, but while sitting i can feel the cup inside and its gave me period cramps like vaginal paining,leg paning,lower back pain….i want reason why it happened to me??
Hi Julia! Sorry to hear the Lunette Cup is causing you some trouble! To help the Cup slide in easier it might help to use water based lubricant to assist, or try practicing insertion in a warm shower. Please contact us at info@lunette.com and our Menstrual Mentors are more than happy to troubleshoot this for you so you can get comfortable with your Lunette. ☺️
-Team Lunette
Hi ! It’s my first time using the cup and I’m a virgin and I also have a small hole (can barely fit in two fingers without hurting). I have to put some force to push in the cup and it tends to hurt when I do so. When I also have it in, it kinda feels like air is being trapped in and I’m not sure if that’s safe??
Hi,Prachi! Please contact us at info@lunette.com and our Menstrual Mentors are more than happy to troubleshoot the insertion for you! :)
-Team Lunette
Hi, I’m 20 and virgin tried using menstrual cup but could not insert it because started feeling the pain also my urethral opening is large so it gets hard to find the vaginal opening and find too hard inserting in
Amazing content, very precise.
Hi, Jane! As this was your first time using the Cup it is likely that the soreness is due to this being a new situation. Make sure to not use the Cup for more than 8 hours at a time. (Remove, empty and clean every 8 hours). You can also use water-based lubricant, which can help to make the Cup insertion smoother. :)
-Team Lunette
Hey, I used the cup successfully for about 36 hours. When it time to insert the cup in for the 4th time I was too sore and sensitive down there. Is this normal? I used the cup for the first time (after practice) and I am not sexually active. Am I using the wrong size?
I bought a s size menstrual cup but since im a virgin and 23, I can’t insert the cup, my opening hole is very small, i can hardly fit two fingers, it hurts so bad, should i go back to pads and lev cup??
Hi Rimpi! You can contact us at info@lunette.com and we can help troubleshoot the issues you’ve been having. :)
-Team Lunette
I’m not 25 and a vergin..i use the s size.but I can’t insert..I get pain.what should I do?
Hi Kasey! Sorry to hear the cup has been giving you trouble! Go ahead and email us at info@lunette.com and our Menstrual Mentors are happy to troubleshoot the problem. :)
-Team Lunette
I can’t insert my cup without it hurting and if I use water as a lubricant it doesn’t really help because once I get it in the second half just won’t go in and it hurts so I push it harder and then it pops and comes out of my body.
Hi I can’t insert my cup, it seems that it keeps hitting the urethral opening and when I view my pubic region with a mirror it seems that the urethral opening occupies at least 2/3 of the whole opening making insertion difficult as the vagina opening is very small. It’s almost closed up and I can’t insert my finger in. I am still a virgin and I am completely relaxed. When I tried to insert my finger into vagina it hurts.
Hi Glint Kitty Star! You should not experience pain when using your menstrual cup- please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Menstrual Mentors at info@lunette.com so that we can assist and troubleshoot your issue. :)
-Team Lunette
