5 ways to fold your menstrual cup for easy opening and insertion!

"I want to know how to fold a menstrual cup to suit me."
"I can't get my menstrual cup to go in properly. Maybe I'm folding it wrong?"
Some people may be having trouble using a menstrual cup and are struggling with this.
If you can't insert it easily, you might think about giving up using it altogether.
Changing the way you fold your menstrual cup may solve your problem.
The ease of opening and inserting a menstrual cup varies depending on how you fold it.
However, there are several ways to fold it, and it can be difficult for beginners to decide which one is right for them.
In this article, we will introduce folding methods for different problems that even those who are not familiar with menstrual cups can use, and also explain what to do if the cup won't open or if you experience pain when inserting it.
We hope that this will help those who find it difficult to insert a menstrual cup to use it more comfortably.
5 Recommended Ways to Fold a Menstrual Cup | Cup Features Based on Important Points
There are various ways to fold a menstrual cup, and it can be difficult to get used to it. Until you get used to it, we recommend trying it out, focusing on how easy it is to fold and how easy it is to insert into the vagina .
|
Key points |
How to fold |
Features of the easy-to-fold menstrual cup |
|
Ease of folding |
C-fold ・Sevenfold |
・All-purpose (regardless of hardness) |
|
Ease of vaginal insertion |
・Labia fold Punchdown ・Diamond fold |
・Soft |
The folding method shown in the table is the method used for general menstrual cups.
If you are using a murmo menstrual cup, it has an "easy line" so there are other ways to fold it that are easier to use.
If you are using a Murmo menstrual cup, please see "4 Recommended Ways to Fold a Murmo Menstrual Cup" at the bottom of the page.
Two easy ways to fold a menstrual cup
Here are some recommended folding methods to easily fold your menstrual cup.
|
How to fold |
Features |
|
C-fold |
Easy to fold Easy to open |
|
Sevenfold |
Easy to fold You need to manually unfold the menstrual cup |
Regardless of its hardness or size, it is easy to fold.
If you want easy opening, choose a menstrual cup that is firm and flexible.
If the cup has strong elasticity, it will tend to return to its original shape, making it easy for the cup to open.
However, being too hard can have disadvantages such as increased discomfort during insertion and being difficult to fold.
If you are a beginner and not used to folding, try starting with a softer cup, as this will make it easier to use.
3 ways to fold your menstrual cup for easier insertion
There are three ways to fold your menstrual cup to make it easier to insert:
|
How to fold |
Features |
|
Labia fold |
The entire menstrual cup becomes thinner Easy to open |
|
Punchdown |
The tip becomes thinner ・Has corners |
|
Diamond fold |
The tip becomes thinner Difficult to fold |
If you want easy insertion, we recommend a menstrual cup with a soft, slim shape.
However, if it is too soft, it may not open inside the vagina and may remain crushed.
Also, since the shape is easily distorted when inserted, it may not go in smoothly.
Try out different softness and shapes to find the most comfortable fit for you.
4 recommended ways to fold a murmo menstrual cup
For murmo menstrual cups, we recommend folding them as follows:
-
C-fold
-
Labia fold
-
Easy Fold
-
"No" character roll
Each step will be explained clearly with images, so please try them out together.
C-fold
This is the most conventional folding method. It is easy to fold, but the rim at the tip is thick, so it may be a little difficult to insert for people with a narrow vaginal opening or those who tend to have dry vaginas.
We recommend that you first try this folding method, and if you find it difficult to insert, try a different folding method.

How to fold
-
Place your index finger along the easy line and fold it in half so that the groove becomes a valley.
-
Remove your fingers from the grooves and keep it folded.
-
Once you can hold the bifold in one hand, you're done!
Labia fold
It is straight from the rim at the tip to the butt, with no sharp corners, and is tapered overall, making it easy to insert . However, the folding method is complicated and requires a strong grip.

How to fold
-
Fold along the easy line to make the cup flat.
-
Fold the rim on the easy line side towards the middle of the opposite edge.
-
Hold the overlapping part in the center and you're done.
Easy Fold
This is a folding method using the easy line of the punch-down fold. It folds easily and you can make the rim thinner . The bottom part will be thicker, but once you get the hang of pushing the corners of the bottom part in when inserting it, it's a very easy method to put on.

How to fold
-
Hold the cup in one hand and press the index finger of your other hand against the rim along the easy line.
-
Push it along the easy line as far as it will go at the bottom.
-
Use your other hand to hold the cup, including the part you pressed in.
"No" character roll
When viewed from above, the cross section looks like the Japanese character "no." The cup narrows in a straight line, making it easy for even beginners to fill.

How to fold
-
With the easy line in the center, make the cup flat.
-
Fold one end of the cup up to the easy line in the center.
-
Fold the folded part over to the other end
3 things to try if your menstrual cup won't open inside your vagina
Many beginners struggle with the problem of not being able to open their menstrual cup, even after trying different folding and shaping methods.
If your menstrual cup won't open, try the following:
|
method |
reason |
|
Gently pinch the bottom of the cup |
This allows air to enter easily, making the cup easier to open. |
|
Turn the stem (handle) |
The cups tend to fit in the correct position and may open naturally. |
|
Gently pull on the menstrual cup |
It can be adjusted to fit snugly inside the vagina |
When the menstrual cup opens, you may hear a pop or whoosh or the sound of air.
After inserting the menstrual cup, wipe around your vagina with tissue. If only a small amount of menstrual blood is found, it is likely that the cup is fully open.
The lack of discomfort is also a good indication that the device is fitting properly.
If you feel the menstrual cup coming out when you put pressure on your stomach, it may not be firmly attached to your vagina and may not be fully open.
If it still doesn't open properly, try removing the cup and reinserting it. Relaxing yourself and adjusting the insertion angle and folding the cup may help.
Also worth reading: My menstrual cup won't open! I don't know if it's open! What to do when that happens
It hurts when inserting a menstrual cup! 4 ways to fix it when it won't go in
If you experience pain when inserting your menstrual cup, it may be rubbing against the walls of your vagina.
If you experience pain when inserting the needle, try the following:
-
Fold the menstrual cup so that the tip is tapered
-
Relax
-
Using vaginal lubricants
-
Insert towards the anus
By knowing how to insert a menstrual cup comfortably, you can use it without putting strain on your body.
Fold the menstrual cup so that the tip is tapered
If the menstrual cup hits the entrance to your vagina and causes pain, try folding it in a way that tapers the tip.
The recommended folding method is as follows:
-
Punchdown
-
Labia fold
-
Diamond Fold
Of these, punch down is the easiest folding method.
However, the corners of the menstrual cup can easily get caught in the vagina, causing pain for some people.
In contrast, labia folds are less likely to cause pain because the tip is thin and has fewer sharp edges.
Another feature is that it is easy to open because it has many folded layers.
It's a little difficult, but with practice you'll be able to fold it smoothly.
Don't rush, just try it a few times.
Relax
Being relaxed during insertion may reduce pain.
If your body is tense, the vagina's pushing force will increase, causing resistance and pain during insertion.
People who are not used to using cups in particular tend to become nervous and tense up.
Try to relax and keep the following in mind:
-
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart
-
Squat
-
Take a deep breath
The insertion environment can also make your body tense up.
For example, if you insert it in the bathroom before you're used to using it, you might worry about getting blood on the surrounding area, which can make it difficult to concentrate on insertion, and you might tense up and tense up your body.
If you insert it in the bath where you can wash off any dirt, you will be able to insert it more relaxedly without having to worry about disturbing others.
Try dimming the lights in your bath, as this can be more relaxing and may reduce pain during insertion.
Using vaginal lubricants
If the menstrual cup rubs against your vagina during insertion and causes pain, you may find that using a water-based vaginal lubricant helps.
On heavy periods, menstrual blood may act as a lubricant, making insertion easier.
However, when your menstrual flow is light, your vagina may become dry and the menstrual cup may rub against your vagina during insertion, causing pain. Therefore, using a lubricant can help reduce the pain.
If you use a lubricant, use a water-based vaginal lubricant.
This is because most menstrual cups are made of silicone, and using oil-based lubricants can cause the cup to deteriorate.
The lubricant that can be used varies depending on the material of the menstrual cup, so it is best to read the instruction manual or check with the manufacturer before using it.
If you don't have lubricant readily available, simply wetting the menstrual cup with water can make it more slippery and less painful to insert.
Insert towards the anus
Inserting the menstrual cup diagonally backwards towards the anus can help reduce pain.
Because the vagina is tilted backward, inserting it vertically can cause friction against the vaginal wall, which can cause pain.
Even if you have previously experienced pain when inserting it vertically, by changing the angle and inserting it toward the anus, you will be able to use it without any discomfort.
Also worth reading: What to do if your menstrual cup won't fit!
summary
How you fold your menstrual cup is an important point that will greatly affect your experience when using it.
Choosing the appropriate folding method will make it easier to insert and open inside the vagina, making it more comfortable to use.
Try out the methods introduced in this article and find the folding method that suits you best.
For beginners who are unsure how to fold a menstrual cup, we recommend the Murmo menstrual cup.
The "Easy Line" design makes it easy to fold and insert, even for beginners.
To ensure you can use the service with even more peace of mind, we also have a support system in place via LINE.
Why not take this opportunity to try out the Murmo menstrual cup?