How do I empty my menstrual cup in a shared bathroom?
Hi there! I have recently become interested in the Diva Cup, however Iâm not quite sure about the emptying of it and if you rinse it out before putting it back in. The thing is, Iâm in college with a communal sink and then the toilet is in a separate room with the shower. There is no way I can walk out of the bathroom and rinse my cup out in the sink when my roommates are there. Do you have any advice for this?
I know how you feel! I get cup anxiety, too â especially if Iâm in a public place or with people who might not know exactly what a menstrual cup is. (For those who donât know, a menstrual cup is a little silicone cup that you put in your vagina when you have your period. Some people use these instead of tampons or pads because theyâre reusable, more eco-friendly, and save you money over time.) People can have all sorts of reactions to menstrual cups, and periods in general, but here at Planned Parenthood we know that talking about periods and the products we use to deal with them is a normal part of life.
Although menstrual cups seem to be the sensation thatâs sweeping the Period Nation, not everyone knows what they are. Â And yes, that might mean an awkward moment if you walk out of a stall holding a bloody cup. Â One way to break down those barriers and feelings of insecurity might be talking with your roommates about menstrual cups.
Period blood happens. Let your roommates know that menstrual cups are one way to deal with it, and ask them to be cool. If they seem âmeh,â tell them youâll let them know if youâre coming out of the toilet to rinse your cup out in the sink. Then they can duck out of the room or just stay and deal.
If they donât react maturely or if youâd still rather deal with it in private, you do have a few alternatives:
Rinse and reinsert your cup while youâre in the shower.
Carry a water bottle with you into the toilet and use that to rinse out your cup before reinserting.
Dump the cup contents into the toilet and clean out what remains with a wipe or tissue.
Be sure to follow all of the directions that come with your cup to make sure everything stays sanitary. Many brands recommend that you wash your hands, remove the cup, discard the contents, then rinse it with warm water and soap about twice a day while youâre using it. Cleaning your cup more thoroughly between periods â by boiling it in a pot with water for 5-10 minutes â is also a good idea.
If you try the cup and itâs not for you, donât worry! Theyâre not for everyone. Tampons and pads are still there to help you keep your period blood at bay.
While weâre on the subject of periods, check out Spot On, our brand new app that helps you know whatâs up with your menstrual cycle, birth control, and sexual health. Get it for free for iOS in the App Store (Android version coming soon)!
-Chelsea @ Planned Parenthood
