Using the Hygina
Q. Are there any folding suggestions?
A.
The 'U' Fold:
Press the sides of the cup together and then fold it in half again.
The 'Push Down' Fold:
Holding the cup between your fingers, place your index finger on the rim of the cup. Punch down one side of the rim into the base of the cup to form a triangle. The opposite, remaining side will now appear as a small tip that is easy to insert.
Q. How do I know when to empty The Hygina?
A.
The Hygina holds 30 ml of menstrual blood. According to Mayo Clinic, the entire average monthly flow is around 30-40 ml. By monitoring the fullness of the cup over a couple of periods, you will quickly learn how often to empty it according to your specific needs. Most women find that the cup is not even half full after 12 hours. For those with heavier flows, the cup is simply emptied more often. The Hygina is emptied, washed and reinserted 2-3 times per 24 hours day. It can be worn up to 12 hours at a time, but it must be emptied, washed and reinserted at least 2 times a day (twice in a 24 hour period). It can be worn up to 12 hours overnight. Most women need only to empty it in the morning and again in the evening.
It is not necessary to remove it for urination or bowel movements; however, The Hygina must be removed prior to intercourse.
If you have a fairly regular cycle, The Hygina may be inserted right before your period to avoid spotting.
On the rare occasion you need to empty the cup in a public washroom, you can use a dry or damp tissue to clean the cup. Wash it well with warm, soapy water at the next convenient opportunity.
Q. I am having trouble removing The Hygina, what should I do?
First wash you hands prior to removal of The Hygina. Pull gently on the tail until you can reach the base of The Hygina and remove. The contents should not spill during removal. Empty the contents in the toilet wash it well with hot soapy water, rinse and re-insert. It is advisable that on heavy flow days to check every hour or so. If you are still experiencing trouble removing The Hygina, bear down with your pelvic floor muscles and push down.
The Hygina should have moved lower down the vaginal passage. Grasp the base of The Hygina firmly between your fingertips, squeeze gently to release any suction that The Hygina still has and remove it. If the grasping the bottom of The Hygina doesn't work, slide your finger against The Hygina so that your fingertip is near the rim and push inwards - this should break the suction seal. Some women find that folding the menstrual cup(similar to the way they put it in) while it is inside them and pulling it out while holding it folded works just as well.
Q. Is it possible to leave the cup in for long periods of time, such as over 24 hours?
A. The cup should be removed, emptied, rinsed or washed and then reinserted at least every 12 hours. Do not wear the cup for 24 hours without emptying.
In situations like traveling for an extensive period of time, it is possible to remove it, empty, simply wipe it, and then reinsert it. It can be thoroughly washed once it is convenient.
Q. Can I insert The Hygina when I am not bleeding for a few hours to see how it feels?
A.
Your body is different during your menstrual cycle, so we do not suggest you try The Hygina for a “practice run”. If you still would like to try it before your cycle begins, please use water to aid insertion.
Q. Do you have to remove The Hygina before using the bathroom?
A.
If inserted properly, The Hygina will stay in place during urination or a bowel movement.
Q. What should I do if the stem irritates my vaginal opening?
A.
If the stem irritates the vaginal opening once it is positioned correctly, you may remove the cup and trim the stem slightly. Please use a sharp embroidery or fingernail scissor to round the hard edge to prevent further irritation.
Q. Can I use a water-based lubricant to insert The Hygina?
A. Some lubricant ingredients can be damaging to the silicone, so we suggest using only water as a lubricant! Otherwise, the silicone may be compromised and may ruin the cup.
Cleaning and Care
Q. Is The Hygina sanitary?
A.
Yes, when used as directed, The Hygina is more sanitary than pads or tampons. The Hygina is made from top quality, healthcare grade silicone, which is 100% latex-free, plastic-free, BPA-free and odorless. It is non-absorbent and does not disrupt one’s natural vaginal environment. The vagina is self-cleansing and continually producing fluid that “flushes” the vagina. Tampons (rayon and cotton) absorb this protective fluid and can disrupt the normal acidic vaginal environment.
Remember to wash and rinse your hands before inserting and removing your Hygina. Wash your Hygina well with water before insertion. It must be washed with mild soap after each cycle. Also, it should be boiled for 20 minutes at the end of each cycle. Please review the Cleaning and Caring category in the FAQs for boiling instructions.
Q. How do I clean The Hygina?
You can clean your Hygina with a rinse through of warm/hot water. Cold water is ok (for example when in a public toilet and carrying a water bottle). Re-rinse The Hygina with warm/hot water at the next convenient time. Some women use mild/antibacterial/ or non-smelling soap to rinse their menstrual pod between changes. The tiny holes below the rim should be kept clean by holding the rim between two hands and rubbing backwards and forwards which will create a circular motion to ensure proper cleaning. It is not advised to use any chemical such as peroxide nor bleach when cleaning The Hygina, as this may damage the quality of the product as well as be harmful to you. Always be aware of the ingredients used if purchasing a "cleaning" product!
Q. What if there's no clean water available?
A.
You can simply wipe out The Hygina with toilet paper on the inside. Make sure it is cleaned properly at a more convenient time. It is best to carry a small water bottle during times when using The Hygina to avoid this.
Q. What if The Hygina starts to discolor?
A.
Menstrual cups can sometimes discolor from the flow. If The Hygina starts to discolor, it can be submerged in an open pan of boiling water (continuous rolling boil) for no more than twenty minutes. Do not leave the boiling pot unattended.
Q. I dropped my Hygina in the toilet – can I still use it?
A.
Anytime The Hygina is exposed to unsanitary conditions such as a toilet, please replace it with a new one.
Q. How often and how long can I boil The Hygina?
A. At the end of each menstrual cycle The Hygina should be washed and rinsed as specified and then submerged in an open pan of boiling water twenty minutes. The boiling pot must not be left unattended.
Q. Can I store The Hygina in an plastic bag or plastic container?
A.
The Hygina should not be stored in a plastic bag or other plastic container. It’s impossible for moisture to evaporate when using plastic storage. Its best that Hygina is stored in an cotton bag so that the bacterial growth can be avoided.
Q. What if I boiled my cup for too long and burnt it ?
A.
You will need to replace the cup, because the silicone is compromised once the boiling water has evaporated. Please review our Cleaning and Caring category in the FAQs.
Sports and Travelling
Q. Will The Hygina work for an active lifestyle?
A.
Yes! It's fantastic for swimming, aerobics, cycling, traveling, dancing, hiking, biking, running, camping, etc. It is perfect for extreme sports also. You will feel fresh, secure, and liberated. No feminine hygiene products to pack (or run out of). No worries about staying close to a bathroom. No restrictions on physical activity. Because you can wear The Hygina longer than tampons or pads, you have the convenience of not having to think about your period all day long!
Q. Is The Hygina convenient for traveling?
A.
Yes! The Hygina is great for traveling. It weighs so light and there are no bulky supplies to pack or run out of. From business trips to family vacations to backpacking across the world, The Hygina is all you need!
Q. Can I use The Hygina on an airplane?
A.
There should be no problem using The Hygina on an airplane. For the best results please ensure that your cup is inserted properly.
Q. Could the flow reverse back into your body while performing very active sports or headstands?
A.
The Hygina holds 30 ml. According to Mayo Clinic, the entire average monthly flow is around 90 to 120 ml. Theoretically, the flow could spill around inside the cup and reverse out of the cup slightly, but it cannot travel back through the small cervical opening from which the flow expels. It's fantastic for swimming, outdoors enthusiasts, aerobics, cycling, traveling, camping, etc. It is perfect for extreme sports also. You will feel fresh, secure, and liberated. No feminine hygiene products to pack (or run out of). No worries about staying close to a bathroom. No restrictions on physical activity.
Materials, Lifespan and Regulations
Q. Is the silicone material that The Hygina is made from safe?
A.
The Hygina is made of a high quality, soft healthcare grade silicone that starts as a liquid. Then the molecules are bound together (or vulcanized) with very high heat to form a solid stable piece of silicone (similar to the feel of soft rubber). The Hygina is cured after production in an oven at a very high temperature to make sure all the molecules are bound and “chain linked” together. Since the end product is a solid material yet flexible and durable, there is no possibility for anything to leak into the body (no leaching). This form of silicone is odorless, has antibacterial properties, is latex-free, plastic-free and BPA-free. It has been used safely in healthcare applications for over 50 years.
Q. What is the lifespan of The Hygina? When should I replace The Hygina?
The Hygina is reusable and has a lifespan of up to 10 years, but we recommend the cup to be changed every 2 years. Ultimately, it is still up to the consumer to decide when she feels it is necessary to replace the cup.
Q. Is the Hygina tested on animals?
A. There is no animal testing done in relation to The Hygina.
Medical Related Questions
Q. Are you aware of any cervical problems caused by a cup being suctioned onto the cervix?
A.
The Hygina does not “suction” onto the cervix. The Hygina is worn low at the lower part of the vaginal canal. It is not worn near to the cervix.
Q. Will using The Hygina affect the tightness of my vagina and/or stretch it out at all?
A.
Physically, The Hygina is suitable for women of all ages as the vagina is made up of very flexible tissue and muscles. Women's bodies are designed this way to be able to deliver a baby. After being expanded, after intercourse or childbirth, the tissue returns back to its normal size. Because of this, the tightness of the vagina would not be affected The Hygina.
Q. I pass large clots during some days of my period – can I use The Hygina?
A.
The cup would be emptied more often than every 12 hours during high flow. After a bit of trial and error, one would quickly learn how often to empty the cup to meet their specific needs.
Q. Can the cervix get irritated by having the cup next to it for several days in a row?
A.
The Hygina sits approximately two inches below the cervix; consequently it doesn’t touch the cervix nor is menstrual fluid held near to the cervix.
Q. Can The Hygina be used for lochia flow during postnatal bleeding?
A. Use of The Hygina during postnatal bleeding may cause inflammation of the vaginal muscles. We suggest you to contact your gynecologist before use after childbirth.
Q. How soon after childbirth can I use The Hygina?
A. We suggest you consult your physician before using The Hygina after childbirth.
Q. What do you mean by trimming the tail of The Hygina?
As vaginal sizes vary, The Hygina tail can be easily trimmed to "size". The tail should not protrude past the inner labia. If it causes irritation, cut the tail to a more comfortable length. The length of the tail is a personal comfort choice. The tail is designed to help insertion and removal. DO NOT trim off all the tail entirely.
Q. Is there an increased risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) when using The Hygina?
A. Menstrual cups are not associated with an increased risk of UTI. It is important to wash and rinse the cup and the stem thoroughly before and after use.
Q. Can The Hygina be used as a form of birth control or to prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)?
A.
Menstrual cups must be used only as a feminine hygiene product and not as contraceptives. The Hygina must be removed before intercourse.
Q. I am allergic to latex rubber. Will I be allergic to The Hygina?
A. Synthetic latex rubber and natural latex or gum rubber contain a protein called "nitrosomine". This is the chemical that produces the allergic reaction that many people have to latex. The Hygina is made from durable top quality, healthcare grade silicone that is suitable for use by women with latex allergies, because it is nitrosomine-and latex-free.
Q. Will I have an allergic reaction to The Hygina?
A.
One could have sensitivity to any substance, but it is extremely rare to have sensitivity to silicone. Studies indicate that silicone is biocompatible with the body. This is why silicone has been used in healthcare applications for over 50 years. If you experience skin sensitivity, we suggest that you not wear the cup for a full 24 hours – especially on light days. It may be best to “take a break” for this period of time.
Q. Can I use The Hygina while using vaginally-administered medication to clear up an infection?
A.
No, it is best to discontinue use until the infection has cleared up completely. Because we are not medically staffed, we do not know if yeast can be killed with boiling. Consequently, we suggest replacing the cup with a new one once the infection is completely clear.
Also, never use the cup at the same time topical medication is being used. The medication may compromise the silicone and ruin the cup. If this has happened, please replace the cup with a new one.
There is no increased risk of yeast infections with the use of menstrual cups if they are cleaned properly. Please review the Cleaning and Caring category in the FAQs.