A users guide to menstrual cup folds

There are a number of menstrual cup folding methods designed to help make insertion easier. Try a few of these techniques to find the one that works for you. 

Different Menstrual Cup Folds

 

C or U Fold

C or U Menstrual Cup Fold

Pinch the sides of the cup to flatten it, then fold it in half to form the shape of a ‘C’ or a ‘U’. This is the most common menstrual cup fold and recommended for beginners as it opens more gently than the ‘punch down’ fold.

 

 

Punch Down Fold

Punch Down Menstrual Cup Fold

People who have difficulty getting their menstrual cup to open often find this fold works well for them as it springs open once inserted. To use the punch down method, hold your menstrual cup in one hand then use the index finger on your other hand to push one side of the rim down inside the cup. Pinch the sides of the rim together to secure the fold. 

 

 

7 Fold

7 Menstrual Cup Fold

To do this method, you are aiming to get your cup into the shape of the number 7. Flatten the cup by pinching the rim together. Once closed, pull one end of the rim of the cup diagonally across to the opposite side of the cup to form the number 7.

The double 7 fold follows the same steps as the 7 fold method above.  Thereafter, you will turn the cup around and bring the second top corner diagonally down toward the centre of the other side of the cup.

 

Origami Fold

Oragami Menstrual Cup Fold

Push the rim of the cup halfway down the inside of the cup then fold one corner of the cup diagonally over the pushed down fold.

 

S Fold

S Menstrual Cup Fold

To create the ‘S’ shape with the cup, pinch the sides of the cup together to close or flatten it, then take the two sides of the cup (while still closed) and push them in opposite directions to create an ‘S’ shape when looking at the cup from the top.

 

M, E or Squiggle Fold

M Menstrual Cup Fold

To create the ‘M’ shape with your cup, pinch one edge of the rim together to create a bulb-like shape, then push bulbous part of the cup down to create a ‘T’ shape and move each edge of the T to cover the centre fold. This is also known as a 'squiggle' or E-fold .


 

Triangle Fold

Triangle Menstrual Cup Fold

Pinch the rim of the cup together to flatten it. Once closed, pull one end of the rim of the cup diagonally across, over the opposite side of the cup to form a triangle. This is similar to the 7 fold however the corner is folded past the opposite side of the cup.

 

Diamond Fold

Diamond Menstrual Cup Fold

Pinch the middle of the cup closed. Pull the rim of one side of the cup open over the pinched middle to form an ‘O’ shape. Bring the opposite sides of the ‘O’ to overlap and form a diamond shape.

 

Another variation on the diamond fold is to fold the sides in, towards the centrer, once the diamond shape has been achieved.