Breaking myths around menstrual cups

October 3, 2025

Using a menstrual cup can be quite intimidating for a first time user. However you would be quite surprised at how once you do your research, and actually try using a cup, not only is it easy to use, but it is also extremely comfortable.

There are a lot of myths surrounding menstrual cups - Is it safe? Will it get lost inside me? Can I pee with it?

Here are some common menstrual cup myths debunked so that you can put away your fears and make the switch!

1. A menstrual cup is not safe

Starting off strong with the biggest question. Is a menstrual cup safe to use?

Yes! A menstrual cup is actually one of the safest period products you can use, given that you use them properly.

The Asan cup is made from medical grade silicone, which means the menstrual cup is completely safe to insert inside your body.

As long as you make sure your hands are clean while inserting your cup and your cup is clean, you’re good to go. Depending on your flow, you can wear it for up to 12 hours without having to empty it.

2. Using a menstrual cup will stretch my vagina

A menstrual cup WILL NOT stretch your vagina! The vagina is a highly elastic passage that cannot be stretched by using menstrual cups. After using a menstrual cup, it comes back to its original size just like a rubber band.

Internal period products like cups, tampons and discs temporarily stretch the walls of your vagina, but once they're removed, it goes back to its original size.

Age and pregnancy are two factors which could affect the elasticity of the vagina. With age and having given birth vaginally your pelvic floor muscles can weaken for some people.

With a menstrual cup though you have nothing to worry about.

3. Using a menstrual cup will make me lose my virginity

Virginity is a social construct which is defined in different ways by different cultures.

A lot of cultures associate the tearing of the hymen with losing one's virginity and the reality is that your hymen can tear from a number of activities. Using a menstrual cup does not affect your virginity at all. It is a matter of choice for you and your body.

So, using a menstrual cup has no effect on your virginity, it is simply a choice for better, more comfortable periods.

4. A menstrual cup can get stuck inside me

A simple answer- no.

Your menstrual cup sits right below the cervix which acts as a barrier between your uterus and vagina. The cervix has a small opening to allow menstrual fluid to pass, but in no way can a menstrual cup go up that way!

So, while trying to remove a cup, take a breath and remind yourself that there is nowhere for your cup to go. It will be where you left it. All you need to do is locate it, and release the suction by pinching the bottom and then removing it.

The Asan cup comes with a specially designed removal ring which makes this process super easy, so all you have to do is locate the ring to locate your cup and then continue to remove, rinse and reinsert it.

5. I can’t wear a menstrual cup for more than 5 hours

The uncomfortable feeling of wearing a pad for more than 5 hours on the first day of your period is a feeling no one wants to think about. The reason it is so uncomfortable is because your pad is absorbing the blood, making it heavy and moist.

A menstrual cup does not absorb the blood, it collects it. So even on days with heavy flow, the blood is being collected inside your body, so there is no discomfort, foul smell or irritation.

You can wear the Asan cup for up to 12 hours! Which means 12 hours of comfort, no stress, no leaking, no irritation.

6. My periods are too heavy for a menstrual cup

A menstrual cup may look small, but it can hold a lot more than you think. Different cups have different sizing guides to help you choose the one which works for you.

At Asan we have two sizes of cups to choose from based on your flow. If you can wear your pad/tampon without leaking for up to 6 hours, the Light/Medium Flow cup is for you. It can hold up to 25ml of blood. However if you have a heavier flow, the Heavy Flow Cup is for you. It is firmer, and holds 30ml of blood.

Your periods are not too much for a cup. All you need to do is choose the right size, figure out what works for you, and your cycle will be so much easier.

7. You can’t pee while wearing a menstrual cup

On first thought this doesn't seem like a myth does it? But it's important to understand that females have three different openings in our pelvic region: the urethra (where you pee from), the vagina (where your period blood comes from), and the anus (where you poop from).

A menstrual cup sits inside your vagina.

So to debunk this myth, yes you can easily pee while wearing a menstrual cup.

It may seem like a big transition initially, but once you take the leap there is no going back. Switching to a menstrual cup will make your period experience easier, fuss free and a lot better for your body and the environment! Long term cost saving, plus reduced menstrual waste.

Frequently asked questions

Can a menstrual cup stretch the vagina?

No. While using a menstrual cup temporarily stretches the walls of the vagina, once it is removed the vagina goes back to its original size.

Is a menstrual cup hygienic?

Yes. A menstrual cup collects menstrual blood rather than absorbing it like pads or tampons which minimises the odour and chances of leaking.

As long as you make sure your hands are clean during insertion and removal, and your cup is emptied out well, there is nothing to worry about!

Does a menstrual cup affect virginity?

No. A menstrual cup has nothing to do with virginity. While virginity is a social construct, in a lot of cultures, the tearing of the hymen is associated with one's virginity.

The hymen can tear because of a lot of different activities, not just penetrative sex. So, using a menstrual cup is simply a choice and has no relation to a person's virginity.

Is it safe to use a menstrual cup with an IUD?

In most cases yes- proper usage of a menstrual cup should not interfere with an IUD.

An IUD sits in the uterine cavity, while a menstrual cup sits in the vagina. However, it is advised to consult your doctor for the best period option for you and your body.