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Questions & Tips

Here you will find all the information and answers to your questions about our products.
What is a menstrual cup? Plus
Menstrual cups are small cups used to collect menstrual fluid. Menstrual cups are inserted vaginally during your period. Unlike tampons, they sit just above the vaginal opening but below the cervix, thus collecting menstrual blood. When the cup is full, or after a maximum of eight hours of wear, the menstrual cup is removed, the contents are emptied into the toilet, and the cup is reinserted after a brief cleaning under running water.
How does the ELANEE menstrual cup differ from other cups? Plus
Unlike conventional menstrual cups, the ELANEE menstrual cup has a discreet, patented pull tab that makes it easy and more hygienic to remove. However, the menstrual cup can also be removed like conventional cups.
How do you choose the right menstrual cup size? Plus
The right menstrual cup size depends on many factors: age, childbirth, physical activity, pelvic floor strength, bleeding intensity, and the height of the cervix. If you have strong pelvic floor muscles, it's usually recommended to choose a menstrual cup made of a harder material so it can expand optimally after insertion. Detailed explanations on how to measure the position of the cervix can be found online. Depending on the height of the cervix, you may need a shorter or longer menstrual cup.
Can a menstrual cup be used if an IUD is used for contraception? Plus
Can a menstrual cup be used if an IUD is used for contraception?
What should you do if your menstrual cup doesn't open? Plus
Reinsert the menstrual cup, following the instructions in the user manual (section 6) step by step. Relax your vaginal muscles. Grasp the menstrual cup at the base (not the handle or the hearts) and twist it half a turn or gently squeeze the area to open it.
What can you do if your menstrual cup is leaking? Plus
Reinsert the menstrual cup, following the step-by-step instructions in the user manual (section 6). Check that the menstrual cup is positioned correctly by making sure it has fully expanded ("popped") after insertion and is resting against the vaginal wall. If there is no blood in the menstrual cup, check the position of your cervix (instructions for this are available online). It may be that the cup is not sitting properly under your cervix. Adjust the position of the menstrual cup accordingly or choose a different size. If you only notice a little blood in your underwear, it could be blood from changing the cup. However, if a lot of blood is leaking past the menstrual cup, the cup may be full and should be emptied more often.
Can you feel the menstrual cup while wearing it? Plus
If the menstrual cup is inserted and positioned correctly, you usually won't feel it. If you experience discomfort while wearing the menstrual cup, there are several possible causes: The cup is sitting too high or too low. The cup hasn't fully expanded. The selected size isn't right. The material isn't thick enough. If the pull tab is too long or uncomfortable, you can cut off one of the hearts.
Can you wear a menstrual cup for longer than 8 hours? Plus
To minimize the risk of developing toxic shock syndrome (TSS), good menstrual hygiene is essential. Therefore, we recommend wearing it for a maximum of 8 hours. Proper cleaning (only with reusable menstrual products) and hygienic use (e.g., washing hands) are also particularly important.
What is TPE and why is the ELANEE menstrual cup made of TPE? Plus
TPE (thermoplastic elastomers), like silicone, is a plastic. The advantage of TPE menstrual cups is that they adapt better to the individual vaginal wall. Silicone menstrual cups tend to form a rigid ring after unfolding, without taking individual anatomy into account. TPE adapts better to this, especially at body temperature. Various factors led us to choose medically approved TPE as the material for our menstrual cups.
How hard is the material of menstrual cups? Plus
The range of cups available is just as diverse as their hardness. We've chosen a softer (size 1) and a slightly firmer (size 2) material to meet the different needs of our users (pelvic floor strength, etc.).
Why does the menstrual cup only need to be cleaned for 3 minutes? Plus
During the development of our menstrual cups, we conducted various tests to determine how long the menstrual cup needed to be boiled to kill the bacteria most commonly found in the vaginal flora. The result: the menstrual cup should remain in boiling water for 3 minutes. Incidentally, some of these bacteria die upon contact with oxygen.
Can the menstrual cup also be cleaned in the microwave? Plus
The tests to determine the boiling time of our menstrual cup were conducted in a pot of boiling water. This makes it easy to determine at what point the water boils and how long the menstrual cup must remain in the boiling water. Regardless of the wattage, microwaves have different power levels. The boiling time can therefore vary from appliance to appliance. If you still want to clean your menstrual cup in the microwave, we recommend a slightly longer cleaning time (more than 3 minutes) to ensure the water in the container boils.
What is TSS and is the risk higher with menstrual cups or tampons? Plus
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria in a wound or in the mucous membranes. There are no clear study findings or expert opinions on whether the risk of developing TSS is higher or lower with tampons or menstrual cups. The topic of maximum wearing time is also controversial. The basic rule is: Good menstrual hygiene is essential, regardless of which hygiene product is used during menstruation. Since menstrual cups are reused, correct cleaning and hygienic use (e.g. washing hands) are particularly important. To keep the risk of infection as low as possible, we recommend wearing them for a maximum of 8 hours and cleaning the menstrual cup before and after sleeping.

How do you insert a menstrual cup?

Tip before first use: Knead our menstrual cup in one hand for about 30 seconds to soften and flex the material. Wash your hands thoroughly before inserting the menstrual cup. When folding the menstrual cup, you have the following options:
C-shape

Fold your menstrual cup into a "C" shape.

shell shape

Fold your menstrual cup to form a "shell."

The introduction

Experiment to find the position you find most comfortable: standing, squatting, with one leg raised, or sitting on the toilet. Relax your vaginal muscles and spread your labia with your free hand. Insert the folded menstrual cup toward your tailbone until the grip is about 2 cm above your vaginal opening. The menstrual cup will open before it is fully inserted and will sit at the base of the vagina.

The length of the pull tab

To check if the menstrual cup is properly seated, grasp the bottom (not the handle) and turn the cup half a turn in either direction. If the menstrual cup turns easily, you're sure it's fully opened. If you feel the pull tab is too long or uncomfortable, you can cut off one of the hearts.

How do you remove a menstrual cup?

Depending on the heaviness of your flow, you should empty the menstrual cup several times a day to prevent overflow. We recommend removing and cleaning the cup after a maximum of 8 hours. Before removing the menstrual cup, wash your hands thoroughly and assume a comfortable position. You can work standing, sitting, or squatting—find the position that is most comfortable for you. Make sure you relax to make removing the cup as comfortable as possible.
Variant 1

Relax your vaginal muscles and grasp one of the heart-shaped pull tabs with your thumb and index finger. Gently pull to slowly lower the cup.

Using the pull tab, pull the cup down until it sits loosely in your vagina. Release the center of the pull tab and grasp the cup by the gripping surface to remove it completely from your vagina.

Make sure to pull the cup out slowly and without unnecessary pressure to avoid discomfort.

Variant 2

You can also remove the ELANEE menstrual cup like a conventional menstrual cup.

Relax your vaginal muscles and gently pull on the grip until you can grasp the bottom of the cup. Then squeeze the cup and gently pull it out of your vagina.
Alternatively, you can place two fingers between the vaginal wall and the menstrual cup and then pull it out. Make sure you do this slowly and without applying unnecessary pressure to avoid any discomfort.
The filling level can be read using the markings on the inside of the cup:

Size 1: 10 ml and 20 ml
Size 2: 15 ml and 25 ml


Empty the contents down the toilet. Clean the menstrual cup and reinsert it.

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