ORGANICUP FAQ
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q1: Which size should I use?
OrganiCup is available in two sizes
Size A: For those who have not given birth vaginally
Size B: For those who have given birth vaginally
The difference between size A and B is very small (size A is 0,4 cm smaller than size B) but still it is very important to use the proper size to prevent leakage.
The vagina is 100% unique to the individual and the cup will never be a ‘one size fits all’ product. Therefore, we have chosen before and after vaginal birth as the primary factor because even if you might not notice a difference after having given birth vaginally things have changed and your vagina will probably not return completely to its pre-birth shape, which is completely fine.
Q2: Can virgin uses OrganiCup?
Yes, if you are a virgin you can still use the OrganiCup. In fact, you can start using a menstrual cup as soon as you get your period. Although there is no age limit; it does however require that you are comfortable with your body and period. Virgins and young girls’ vaginal muscles tend to be tighter, which can make insertion a bit more difficult. Therefore, you might want to practice in the beginning. If it feels uncomfortable don’t force it, but take a break, relax and try again later.
Will my hymen stay intact?
You might have grown up believing that the hymen can “rip” or “break” during sexual intercourse or inserting a menstrual cup. This is not the case with the hymen as it has been widely misunderstood until recently.
The Hymen is actually made up of tissue that will gradually be worn away with time. During the early years, the hymen thins and widens as a result of athletics, self-exploration and other activities – even activities as simple as walking.
Q3: For how long can I use OrganiCup?
OrganiCup should be emptied every 8-12 hours.
In the beginning, we recommend that you empty it more frequently while you are getting to know your cup and flow.
OrganiCup can contain 3 times as much as an XL tampon, so usually it can be worn for long periods of time.
Q4: Can I use OrganiCup with heavy period?
OrganiCup works really well for women with heavy periods or menorrhagia, since it can contain 3 times more than a XL tampon.
In the beginning while you’re getting to know your cup and flow, we recommend you empty the cup more frequently to see how quickly it fills up. If you have a heavier flow, you might have to empty your cup more often than twice a day.
Q5: Can I use OrganiCup with prolapse/tilted uterus?
Prolapse:
Since the degree of prolapse can vary greatly, we advise you to talk to your gynaecologist whether the OrganiCup will be applicable for you or not.
Tilted uterus:
Most women with a retroverted / tilted uterus can use the OrganiCup, however, it may be a bit more difficult for you to find the optimal position for it once inserted. Therefore, we recommend that you use a pad the first couple of times until you’re certain to have found the best position for the OrganiCup.
Some women will not be able to use the OrganiCup with a retroverted / tilted uterus. If you are experiencing issues with leakage or discomfort, please contact us at support@organicup.com.
Q6: Will the blood flow back into my uterus or flow around inside me?
If I lay down or do a handstand, will the blood in the menstrual cup flow back into my uterus?
No, it’s very unlikely that the blood collected in the menstrual cup will flow back into your uterus – even if you’re upside down.
You may have noticed the relatively thick consistency of the flow so it doesn’t slosh around inside you, it simply stays in the cup.
So you can lay down or do a handstand without a worry.
Q7: Can the OrganiCup get stuck or disappear inside of me?
The menstrual cup can’t get lost in the vagina; it will ultimately slip down by force of gravity.
If you have problems reaching the cup, the first thing to do is relax and breathe. If the menstrual cup has worked its way higher inside the vagina, it’s important to relax the muscles as tensing up will only make removing it more difficult.
Try squatting and use your abdominal muscles to push the cup downwards until you can reach the stem of the cup. Pull down gently on the stem until you can reach the bottom of the cup and grasp it with your fingers and pinch it to release the suction, and gently ease it out.
Q8: Can I do sports (running, swimming, horseback riding, yogo etc) while wearing OrganiCup.
You definitely can! OrganiCup is fantastic if you have an active lifestyle as the cup can contain more than 3 times as much as an XL tampon! So you can swim, run, do yoga, scuba dive without a worry.
The soft material of the cup is flexible, so once it’s positioned correctly you won’t feel a thing – giving you comfortable and leak-free period protection for up to 12 hours at the time.
Q9: Can I use OrganiCup while having sex?
OrganiCup should not be worn during penetrative sexual intercourse, and cannot be used as a method of contraception.
However, OrganiCup does have some intimacy benefits. When wearing OrganiCup, you will benefit from having no tampon strings, meaning you can sleep naked at night.
Also, OrganiCup is so discreet and convenient that you can enjoy oral sex with your partner.
Q10: Can I use OrganiCup while traveling?
Absolutely! When using OrganiCup, you don’t have to change your period product every 2-3 hours throughout the day, which can make traveling and especially backpacking much more easy and convenient for you. You only have to change your cup a couple of times a day.
The most asked question when it comes to using OrganiCup while traveling is “what to do when you haven’t got access to clean water or a bathroom?”
Answer: When cleaning the OrganiCup between uses, you must clean it with cold running tap water, but if you’re traveling the most rural parts of Vietnam, make sure to bring some bottled water with you or bring an OrganiWipe with you to disinfect your cup. If you don’t have either, you can simply wipe it clean with toilet paper and clean it when you get access to a bathroom or clean running water.
Q11: Can I pee while using OrganiCup?
Yes, no problem!
The menstrual cup doesn’t collect your urine.
The cup is inserted into the vagina and your urine comes from the urethra so the two do not interfere and you don’t have to remove the cup when you pee.
Unlike tampons, which have a string that can end up soaking up unwanted fluids, you can go to the bathroom without a worry.
ORGANICUP HELP
Q1: I'm having trouble inserting Organicup
Inserting a menstrual cup correctly takes time, patience and practice. We recommend that you try a few different folds until you find the fold that works best for you. You can use water or water based lubricant to make insertion easier.
A good tip is to try and let the OrganiCup pop open just inside the vaginal opening and slowly push the cup up until it falls into position. When in place, try to pull the stem a bit, if you feel some resistance, the suction seal has been created and the cup has been placed successfully!
If it feels uncomfortable or you can still feel it inside, push the cup up a bit higher till you don’t feel it any longer. If you find the stem uncomfortable, you can cut it shorter; some remove the stem completely.
We advise you to wait with cutting off the stem until you are 100% comfortable with removing the cup.
Those with a strong pelvic floor muscle or high cervix might experience that the cup naturally finds its own optimal position after insertion. Some find that the ideal position for the cup will be high in the vaginal canal, which is totally fine, however, removal may take more practice.
Q2: I'm having trouble removing Organicup
If you are having issues removing the OrganiCup, take a deep breath and try to relax. If you get frustrated or stressed, your muscles will tense up, making removal more difficult.
Remember the OrganiCup cannot get stuck or disappear, but it can move up slightly. If you are having difficulties reaching the base or stem of the cup, we recommend that you try the following:
- Relax your body, and try to remove the cup while you sit in squat position.
- Sit down on the toilet seat and try to reach the stem or base of the cup.
- Push downwards with your abdominal muscles, like when you are making a bowel movement, while trying to reach for the base of the cup.
- lf you are still unable to reach the base of the cup try to slide your index finger up along the side of the cup and hook it on the rim to break the seal.
When you reach the base of the OrganiCup, grasp it tightly with your index finger and thumb and pinch it to release the suction seal. Then wiggle it back and forth and gently pull it out.
Q3: The Organicup is leaking.
If your OrganiCup is leaking, it may have not been correctly inserted.
There can be various reasons for leakage:
OrganiCup didn’t open properly
Clench your pelvic floor muscles after inserting the cup to help release it and create the suction seal. You should also try to pinch the bottom of the cup, twist it back and forth and run your finger around the bottom of the cup to check if it has opened properly.
Spotting from excess menstrual blood left in the vagina
After insertion, simply run a finger along the edge of the cup to remove any excess menstrual blood.
Inserting OrganiCup from the wrong angle
Make sure to insert your OrganiCup at a 45-degree angle pointing towards your spine, as this will be the most common and natural shape of your vaginal canal.
Leakage due to improper positioning
OrganiCup should be placed a bit lower than a regular tampon. Your cervix isn’t necessarily located at the top of your vaginal canal. It can be positioned at an angle or to the side. It can also move higher and lower throughout your cycle. If the rim of your cup isn’t below your cervix, it will most likely leak. So you need to locate your cervix, which you do by feeling for a slightly firmer area of tissue in your vagina.
The air holes are clogged
Ensure that the 4 small air-holes aren’t clogged, as this may prevent a good seal. To clear the holes:
- Clean the air holes with a small brush
- Fill your OrganiCup with warm water, put the palm of your hand on top of the cup covering it completely and squeeze the base until the water escapes through the air holes, unblocking them in the process.
Q4: I find OrganiCup uncomfortable
It is important that you’re using a cup in the right size for you, and it’s important that the cup sits in a position that is right for you. It can take a while for the body to get used to the cup and the light suction seal, and it’s very normal for a cervix to “dip” or sit lower during certain days of your cycle.
If you feel discomfort when using the cup, there can be several reasons for it:
Maybe the positioning / placement isn’t entirely optimal for you, and you’ll have to place it at an angle/higher/lower. Maybe your body is just getting used to the cup.
Maybe the size is not right for you, if the cup doesn’t unfold and creates the suction seal, you will feel the cup and it will not be comfortable. If that’s the case, please get in touch with us and we will exchange the size for free.
Maybe you accidentally scratch yourself or irritate the inside of the vagina when inserting / removing the cup, or the stem could be poking the outside of the vagina in this case you can shorten the stem.
Check and see if you have inserted the cup too high. If the OrganiCup has been placed beside your cervix instead of underneath, it will cause immediate discomfort. If this happens, remove the cup and reinsert, making sure to place it beneath the cervix instead.
When inserted correctly, the OrganiCup should not cause any discomfort.
MENSTRUAL CUP SAFETY, HYGIENE, AND CARE
Q1: How do I clean the OrganiCup?
During menstruation, you must simply rinse your OrganiCup with water when you empty the cup and before reinsertion. You don’t need to sterilise your cup between uses while on your period.
You will need to sterilise your OrganiCup after your period:
- In a pot, boil the OrganiCup in water for 5-7 minutes.
If you don’t have access to boiling water:
- Use OrganiWipes, which are made specifically for disinfecting your cup when you don’t have access to boiling water.
How do I remove staining/discolouration from my OrganiCup?
Discolouration of your OrganiCup is due to the residual build-up and it is very normal. However, it is possible to make it look “as new” again with the following steps:
- Buy some hydrogen peroxide 2% either online or in your local pharmacy/drugstore
- In a bowl, mix 1/2 water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide. Submerge the cup and leave it overnight in the mixture.
This should make your cup appear almost as new. Just remember to clean it thoroughly before use!
Q2: How do I clean the OrganiCup in public toilets?
When cleaning the OrganiCup between uses, you must clean it with cold running tap water.
If you’re traveling and do not have access to clean running water for longer periods of time, make sure to bring some bottled water with you or use a disinfecting wipe such as an OrganiWipe.
If you don’t have either, you can simply wipe it clean with toilet paper and clean it once you have access to a bathroom.
Q3: How long can OrganiCup lasts?
The menstrual cup is reusable for years. After a while of usage, the cup might get slightly stained or discolored – and that’s completely fine. Even if you replace your cup every third year, you’ll be spending way less money than you would on disposable period products and you’ll save the environment for a great deal of waste!
Q4: Can I use OrganiCup with IUD?
A question we get a lot! That’s why we have consulted with several gynecologist on the subject, and the short answer is: yes! However, as with any other gynecological concern, we recommend that you consult with your doctor before starting to use a menstrual cup with an IUD.
Many OrganiCup users already use both OrganiCup and IUD (coil). However, there has been cases where an IUD has become dislocated, most likely due to usage issues or anatomical circumstances.
Moreover, 5% of IUD (coil) will get naturally rejected by the body within the first 3 months after the device has been inserted.
Should you decide to use OrganiCup in conjunction with your IUD (coil), we recommend that you;
- Wait at least 2 full cycles after the IUD (coil) has been inserted before you start using the OrganiCup. This will give your IUD (coil) plenty of time to settle.
- Ensure that you break the vacuum seal before removing the OrganiCup.
- Place the OrganiCup near the vaginal opening and as low as possible. You can also ask your gynaecologist to shorten the IUD string for you
Q5: What is OrganiCup made of?
OrganiCup is made of 100% FDA approved medical grade silicone.
Q6: Where is OrganiCup made?
OrganiCup is made at a top grade facility that is audited regularly to make sure they meet our quality and CSR requirements.
The OrganiCup is made from 100% medical grade silicone, and is completely safe to wear inside the body.
Medical grade silicones are tested for bio compatibility and are appropriate to be used for medical applications.
Our medical grade silicone is in compliance with US Pharmacopoeia XXII Class VI (safe to be used inside the body for <29 days) and 21 CFR 177.2600.
Further more, OrganiCup is certified hypoallergenic and toxin-free with Allergy Certified™ (AC104, AC223, AC382) and certified vegan with the Vegan Society (Member no. 024025).
Menstrual cups are not classified as medical devices in the EU, however the OrganiCup material meets EU bio compatibility standards and is tested according to select ISO 10993.
TSS is a rare, but serious, illness. TSS a complication of bacterial infections, which has been associated with individuals who have used intra- vaginal contraceptive devices (such as tampons and menstrual cups), but TSS is not solely linked to intra- vaginal contraceptive devices. To contract TSS, a person needs to have a specific strain of staph bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) in their vaginal flora. If the individual has that, the staph can multiply and produce a harmful toxin.
To reduce your risk of developing TSS make sure you clean and use your OrganiCup according to our instructions. The symptoms of TSS are sudden fever, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, a rash that looks like a sunburn, or in advanced stages, scaly skin. TSS can appear during the menstrual period or some days later. If you experience any of the symptoms, remove your cup and seek medical advice immediately.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, remove your OrganiCup and seek medical advice immediately.
- Acute High fever
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Dizziness
- A skin rash that looks like sunburn
- Muscular aches
- Headaches
- A sore throat
- Red eyes
- Fainting
A study conducted in Lyon, France claimed that menstrual cups may pose an even greater risk of TSS than tampons. We are aware of this study and we are of course interested in their findings. However, the study hasn’t been concluded yet. Furthermore, it was conducted using sterile plastic bags – not actual human vaginas – and we think it is safe to assume that the human body is more complex than a bag.
Menstrual cups have been a trusted period care product for decades. In fact, globally only 2 cases of TSS relating to menstrual cups have been reported and this was due to very prolonged use (longer than the recommended 12 hour maximum).
We recommend the following steps to reduce your risk of developing TSS:
- Sterilise your OrganiCup before using it for the first time. Remove your OrganiCup every 8-12 hours during your period and wash it thoroughly before reinserting
- Do not use the OrganiCup or any internal vaginal devices if you have previously been diagnosed with TSS
- Wash your hands with soap every time you handle the OrganiCup
On average, it can take up to 3 menstrual cycles to become entirely comfortable using the OrganiCup. Therefore, we offer a Satisfaction Guarantee in case you are still not satisfied after 90 days.
Our Satisfaction Guarantee allows you to receive a free size exchange and/or a full refund of the product (excl. shipping cost and handling fee).
In order to claim the Satisfaction Guarantee, you must fill out the following form and send it to support@organicup.com.
1. Your name:
2. Order number/copy of receipt:
3. The reason that you’re claiming the guarantee:
Our Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to these terms and conditions.