Menstrual Cup FAQS

When inserted correctly your JuJu should not cause you any discomfort. Check if you have inserted your JuJu too high. Alternatively, if your JuJu is beside rather than beneath the cervix, the cup will cause immediate discomfort. If this occurs, remove the cup, rinse it and reinsert it.

Check that you have selected the correct model number.

If your cup is sitting low and the stem is causing any discomfort, please see information on trimming the stem below or you may require a Model 4 if you have a particularly low cervix and feel like the cup is being pushed out or slips out.

In some cases, people with a tilted uterus, pelvic organ prolapse or poor pelvic floor tone may find a menstrual cup too uncomfortable to wear or you may find one particular brand of menstrual cup works better for your anatomy than another; this is often referred to as finding your 'goldilocks cup'. 

If discomfort persists, please discontinue use of your menstrual cup and seek the advice of your medical practitioner.

There may be a number of reasons for a menstrual cup not opening. These include incorrect sizing, anatomical differences from person to person or due to insertion technique. Refer to our article with tips on how to get your menstrual cup to open.

Your menstrual cup stem may protrude if you have a cervix that sits particularly low or that sits low during the earlier stages of their cycle. Your JuJu may also sit low if you have lost some pelvic floor tone.

It's important to know that this is not uncommon and the stem has been designed so it can be trimmed and the node points on the stem if you find it too long.

No part of the stem should be outside your vagina, as this will cause discomfort to your labia.

JuJu has been designed with 'nodes' which act as trim points on the stem.

If the stem is too long, remove and disinfect your JuJu and a pair of scissors to trim it. Only trim a small amount at a time; trimming only to the base of the first node on the stem. Try wearing your JuJu again for an hour to see if it's more comfortable. If not, remove, clean and trim the stem on your JuJu again, trimming to the base of the next node up the stem. Repeat until you find a comfortable stem length. Disinfect the scissors after trimming your stem.

If you prefer, you can try turning your cup inside out and wear it before trimming the stem to see if you find this more comfortable. Only try this method if and when you are comfortable removing your JuJu.

Most leaks are a result of not have a good seal around your JuJu. Use your vaginal muscles to clench and release your JuJu, to help it find the right position and form a seal. You can also pinch the base of your JuJu and try to adjust it with a few turns and swirl your finger around the outside of the cup to check if it has opened properly.

Ensure the holes are at the top of your JuJu are not clogged, as this may prevent a good seal. Blood left on the labia after insertion can be wiped with some tissue or rinsed with water to prevent spotting.

Spotting can also occur if blood is left in the vagina after your JuJu has been inserted. Once the cup has opened, swirl your finger around the cup to remove any excess blood left in the vagina.

If you have a Model 1 JuJu, you may need to replace it with a Model 2.

If you have a Model 2 JuJu or Model 4 JuJu, you may like to try pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles which hold the cup in position.

Insert your JuJu at a 45-degree angle, pointing at the base of your spine. Do not insert JuJu straight up, as this is not the natural shape of the vaginal canal.

If you have read the instructions in the user guide and are still having difficulties removing your JuJu cup, don’t panic. Check out our article with extra tips on how to remove your menstrual cup.

It is not uncommon for you cup to 'travel' and sit higher in the vaginal canal than where you originally placed it depending on the location of your cervix or other anatomical differences such as a retroverted uterus (aka a tilted or tipped uterus). Refer to our detailed tips on how to reach and remove your menstrual cup.

If you are removing your JuJu in a public toilet or at work and you cannot get to a sink to rinse the cup, just wipe it clean with some tissue and reinsert it. You can also take a bottle of water into the cubical with you if you would prefer to rinse rather than wipe your cup. Additional tips can be found on the Menstrual Cup Public Bathroom Hacks page.

Give your cup a good clean when you next have access to clean running water.

It can be easy to lose your grip on a menstrual cup and accidentally drop it the toilet.

Nasty pathogens and viruses such as E. coli, Staphylococcus, hepatitis and norovirus may be present in and around toilets. Some people believe boiling alone will kill these germs but this depends on your personal level of comfort with doing this.

Our recommendation is to replace your menstrual cup if you have dropped it in the toilet as this is the safest option.

Read more on What to do if you drop your cup in the toilet.

Menstrual cups should be emptied every 8 hours. If you have a heavy flow you may need to empty your cup more often.

Set an alarm if you are prone to forgetting to remove and empty your menstrual cup.

Empty your cup before going to sleep and after you wake.

Our previously recommended empty frequency of 12 hours was updated to a minimum of every 8 hours in 2017. This followed a review of the user guide by TGA clinical evaluators and is intended to minimise the risk of bacterial growth. You can read more about this on our blog titled How often should I empty my menstrual cup?

The most popular fold is the 'C' or 'U' fold, however, there are many folds you can experiment with. Visit the Menstraul Cup Folding Methods page to view videos on popular menstrual cup folds.

Yes, you do not need to remove your menstrual cup when you urinate or have a bowel movement. Read more on our blog Can You Pee with a Menstrual Cup in.

There should be no discomfort when using your JuJu cup, however, some people do experience a sensation of needing to urinate when first starting out. This is usually because the cup is pressing slightly on your bladder/urethra and can be due to one or a combination of the following;

• Positioning of the cup
• Anatomical differences from person to person
• An incorrectly sized cup

Check out our article about peeing with a menstrual cup for more advice.

If your menstrual cup is slipping down or falling out, it’s an indication that your cup is too small for your body, or that you may have a weakened pelvic floor or pelvic organ prolapse. Read our article on the three reasons why your menstrual cup might be slipping down and how to fix it.

JuJu Cleansing Wash has been specially formulated for use with your cup.

If you choose to use another brand of soap or wash, please use a mild soap and avoid;

• oily or moisturising soaps which may cause an oily residual build-up on the cup
• highly fragranced soaps which may irritate the delicate skin of the vulva or vagina 

If you suffer from a skin condition such as dermatitis or psoriasis we recommend you continue to use your prescribed soap or wash on your cup.

Always thoroughly rinse your cup after washing ensure there is no residue left on the cup.

After your period ends, disinfect your JuJu by boiling it in water on the stove, or use our Menstrual Cup UV Steriliser.

The holes in the rim of your cup allow for the suction seal to release easily. Unclean holes may harbour bacteria so it is important to keep the holes of your cup clean.

To clean the holes in your menstrual cup, fill your cup with water soapy water and place your hand over the rim of the cup. Turn the cup upside down whilst sealing the rim with your hand then squeeze the cup with your other hand. This will force the soapy water to squirt through the holes.

You may also like to use a toothbrush or interdental brush (similar to a toothpick but with a small brush on the end) to remove debris from the holes of your cup. Discard the toothpick or brush after use.

Thoroughly rinse your cup after washing with soap or any cleansers to ensure no residue is left on the cup as this may upset vaginal pH levels.

Staining or discolouring on your cup is due to residual build-up and is completely normal.

Staining does not indicate your cup needs to be replaced, however you may wish to try the following tips to remove surface staining on your menstrual cup;

• Use rubbing alcohol such as Isocol, with a soft cloth, then thoroughly rinse your cup
• Liberally apply JuJu Cleansing Liquid Wash to your cup and leave for a couple of days before rinsing, or
• Place your cup in a heatproof container and cover with boiling water from the kettle. Add a dash of white vinegar and a ¼ teaspoon of bicarb soda. Soak your cup until the water has cooled, then thoroughly rinse your cup.

Always completely dry your menstrual cup after cleaning it and before storing it. Store your cup in the pouch provided in a well-ventilated space.

This can happen if a menstrual cup is left in too long.

The recommended use for a menstrual cup is 8 hours so it's a good idea to set an alarm to remind yourself to empty and wash your cup every 8 hours if you are likely to forget you are wearing it.

To remove the odour from your menstrual cup, try the following tips;

• Use rubbing alcohol such as Isocol with a soft cup to thoroughly wipe your cup inside and out, or
• A mild sterilising solution such as Milton can also be used. It is important to follow the manufacturer's directions on the strength and length of time to sterilise items as leaving your cup in the solution for too long or make the solution too strong may cause a residual build-up of chemicals on the cup which may degrade the silicone or cause vaginal irritation. 

Following the use of any product on your menstrual cup, thoroughly rinse your cup.

If possible, set your menstrual cup out in the sun (out of the reach of animals) for as long as possible.

It is easy to forget about a pot on the cooktop so we recommend setting a timer when boiling a menstrual cup to avoid boiling your menstrual cup too long.

If you have over boiled a menstrual cup, it may still be safe to use but you should still exercise caution if determining if your cup needs to be replaced.

Silicone, by nature, is fairly inert so if there are no changes to the properties of the cup (colour, smell, surface texture or ‘squishiness’) it is most likely still safe to use but the safest option is to replace it if in doubt.

If the water boiled dry, the cup may stick to the bottom of the pot causing it to change shape, melt or catch fire.

Regular over-boiling of a menstrual cup may prevent it from springing back into its original shape, cause it to have lower tensile strength and tear resistance or may cause it to harden and crack. Cracks may harbour bacteria as they are difficult to clean so please replace your menstrual cup if it has any cracks.

If you are in an area with ‘hard water’, boiling a menstrual cup for too long may also cause a build-up of mineral deposits like calcium on the surface of the cup which may cause it to turn white/opaque in colour. You can try removing the build-up with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol like Isocol which is available in most supermarkets and pharmacies or boil your cup with a spoonful of apple cider vinegar. Always be sure to rinse your cup thoroughly after using any other cleaning agents on your cup. 

The lifespan of a JuJu menstrual cup varies from person to person, depending on how you care for and clean it, how much it is used and even your vaginal pH! With proper care, your JuJu cup will last for many years.
Some people choose to replace their cup after a couple of years because they do discolour over time, however, this is a personal choice as a discoloured cup is still safe to use.
To extend the life of your JuJu cup, follow the cleaning and storage instructions included with your cup or in the cleaning section of the user guide page or the additional cleaning tips provided on our website. 
Correct removal of your menstrual cup is also key to extending its life. Don’t try to remove your JuJu cup by pulling on the stem, or digging your fingernails into the stem - this may cause it to weaken and break. Follow the removal instructions in your user guide .
If your cup develops any cracks, holes, strong odours that can’t be removed, or changes texture, it’s time to replace it.

If you haven't found the answer to your question here in the FAQs section, we are here to help. Please email us with the following information and we will get back to you as soon as possible;

• your age
• if you have had children
• if you have any know gynaecological issues
• the model number JuJu Cup you are using
• the nature of the issue you are experiencing
• if you have managed to get the cup to work for you on any occasion
• any tips you have already tried

We are able to offer tips on using your cup however our support team are not qualified medical practitioners and as such are not able to offer medical advice. We strongly recommend you seek the advice of a medical practitioner if you have any health, medical or gynaecological concerns.

If you would like to connect with other JuJu Cup users, join the JuJu Cup Converts Facebook Group or the LiveJournal Menstrual Cup Forum, a fabulous group of supportive cup users who use a range of brands. Community members are very knowledgeable and chances are, if you have a question, it would have already been asked in this community. You can view previous menstrual cup topic tags to see if your question has already been covered. If you choose to post in this community, please note this is a moderated community and there are certain ways members are expected to conduct themselves respectfully within the group - please read the Community Rules prior to posting in the forum. 

While there is no evidence a menstrual cup increases the risk of thrush, preventative measures can be taken to reduce the risk of its onset. See more on thrush or yeast infections. If you are suffering from thrush, please discontinue the use of your menstrual cup immediately and do not use any internal creams in conjunction with your menstrual cup.

Menstrual cups will deteriorate over time. The lifespan of a menstrual cup varies from person to person.

It is time to replace your menstrual cup if it;

• has an odour
• is dramatically discoloured
• has a sticky film or residual build up on the surface of the cup
• has any rips or tears, or
• is causing your any vaginal irritation

If it is time to replace your cup or you no longer have the need for your cup, please wash your cup with soap, cut you into a few smaller pieces and dispose of it in the rubbish bin. Silicone is not recyclable.