The diameter of the XS is 38mm and the overall length including the toggle is 57mm. It holds 17.5ml (to the holes). The diameter of the S/M is 41mm and the overall length, including the toggle, is 59mm. It holds 21mls (to the holes).
The Hello Cup is one of the best menstrual cups on the market right now. Menstrual cups are much more convenient, healthy, and economical than other menstrual sanitary products. For those of you who have never tried a period cup and are looking for something that looks cute, saves the environment, and will be a much better option for your body than chemical-filled tampons and pads, then this is the cup for you!
There are two incredible women behind the company, Robyn and Mary who have come up with this remarkable design and concept after testing many menstrual cups on the market. They’ve created highly user-friendly menstrual cups in cute colours, which aim to take the stress away from your time of the month.
They’re appropriate for beginners, such as teenagers who have never experienced intercourse and also women who have never used menstrual cups before, as they come in various sizes from XS to L. As a general rule, a woman will usually lose around 2.5 tablespoons of fluid per cycle (35mls). Over a 4-day cycle this would equate to an average of around 8.75ml per 24-hour period. Based on this, you will see that all of the menstrual cups should very easily allow for hours of use before requiring removal. The XS holds 17.5ml (to the holes). The S/M cup holds 21mls (to the holes).
Menstrual cups generally require a C-fold or Punch down fold for easy insertion.
The Hello Cup requires a SHALLOW punch down fold, Use your finger to push the lip of the cup down towards the base of the cup but not touching the base, then remove your finger as you squeeze the edges in together. See the diagram below from the hello cup website:
With the hello cup, you need to insert it in far enough that the toggle isn’t sticking outside and you shouldn’t be able to feel it once it has been put in. As well as this, you need to ensure the cup has fully opened to be able to catch everything and prevent leakage. A good way to do this is to run a clean finger around the cup to check for any folds and if there are, try doing a quarter turn with the cup to move it or otherwise pull it down a little to create a seal and you will feel it open up, then insert it higher.
This cup is super easy to use, and the material is more stiff than other cups, thus allowing the cup to pop open more easily. I find that the more flexible and soft cups do not open completely inside me and are more prone to leakage during the day/night. For example, the diva cup and rebel kate cup.
The knob/toggle assists in easy removal, pull on this toggle to wiggle down, grip and pinch the base of cup and squeeze to release seal and pull it out into the toilet or the shower.
Clean the cup with a mild cleanser + water and then re-insert! If you’re in a public place with no access to a sink, wipe off with a cleansing towel/wet wipe/ toilet paper and re-insert.
A good way to schedule your changing times is insert in the morning during your shower, and remove when you get home (based on a 9-5 work day). You can leave the hello cup in for up to 12 hours, but perhaps on your more heavy days it can be changed every 4-5 hours. In my experience, even on heavy days I was able to leave it in for 8 hours, so it just depends on your body and flow.
Me after a work day and gym session with unkempt hair and my activewear matches my cups 🙂
There is nothing toxic or unhygienic about period blood that has come from your own body. You tip the contents down into the toilet or shower away from your body. Touching it will be fine as long as you are aware of how to do this correctly. Here are some factors to consider:
Cleanliness – Ensure you insert with clean hands, you know as this already applies to tampons and you’d wash your hands changing pads as well, right?
Water Quality – Ensure you have clean water to wash the cup. Luckily many countries like Australia, New Zealand and America have clean tap water (Check this if on holidays or living in another country)
Sterilising – One you have finished your period and given it a quick rinse, boil it in a pot that you have designated to your cup and store it in its bag when not using it. Otherwise, there are antibacterial sterilising tablets which you can buy and use. The nature of the medical grade TPE means that it does not hold any odour and can be used for 5 years.
