FAQs

A menstrual cup is small cup often in the shape of an upside down bell  and usually made from silicone that is inserted into the vagina during menstruation to collect menstrual fluids. They are a great alternative to a tampon and are considered much safer, healthier and more comfortable.

Yes! Well, mostly yes, but sometimes no. Anyone can use a menstrual cup, but there are a few exceptions. You should not use a menstrual cup if you are pregnant. Nor should you use a menstrual cup for postpartum bleeding. Please consult your GP before using a menstrual cup if you have recently given birth or have an IUD.

Not really. You shouldn't find them any more messy than pads or tampons. In fact, you will probably find them less messy than other products as your menstrual flow is contained inside the cup. Removing over the toilet or in the shower should ensure that any "mess" isn't all over the place :)

When you choose the correct size cup, you shouldn't be able to feel it. If you can feel the cup inside you, it's usually because you can feel the stem (which can be trimmed) or it hasn't been inserted properly (remove and re-insert). If neither of these things helps, you may need to try a different size.

No. The vaginal canal is only about 4 inches long so it doesn't have far to go (less if you have a low cervix). It absolutely cannot go beyond the canal and into your cervix. If you cannot find it or you are having trouble removing it, RELAX. Being tense can make it more difficult to remove. Bear down and push your muscles outward (as if having a bowel movement). Reach inside and feel for the stem. Grab hold of the cup just above the stem and pinch to release the suction, then pull out.

Nope. Blood starts to smell when it comes in contact with oxygen so given that the cup holds your menstrual flow inside you until removal, it shouldn't smell.

No, the cup is not designed to be used during penetrative sex.

Yes, absolutely! It's one of the advantages of using a cup.

Before purchasing a menstrual cup, you will need to know what size is best for you. To do this, you will need to measure the height of your cervix.

To do this, first wash your hands thoroughly. Then, insert one finger inside your vagina until you can feel your cervix. It will feel different to the vaginal wall and is often described as feeling a bit like the tip of your nose.

• Half or more of your finger fits = Mid Height Cup
• Half or less of your finger fits = Mini Cup

You only need to have one cup for your entire cycle. However, some women choose to purchase more than one for convenience.

Yes. Fialuna's menstrual cups are FDA registered and made with 100% Medical-Healthcare Grade Class VI Silicone that is non-allergenic and non-toxic.

100% Medical Grade, Class VI Silicone is the same material used in baby bottle nipples and medical devices. This class of silicone meets very strict requirements for bio-compatibility.

TSS is a release of toxins into the bloodstream from a bacterial infection (Staphylococcus aureus, or group A streptococcus). It has been linked to tampon use because they can cause dryness and can scrape the vaginal walls allowing the bacteria to get into an open wound. TSS is very rare. A recent study found no increased infection risk compared with other sanitary items such as tampons. However, if you experience sudden fever, sunburn-like rash, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms while using your cup, remove it and immediately seek medical attention. Without early treatment, TSS can be fatal.

Concerns have been raised that using a menstrual cup with an IUD (Intra Uterine Devices) may cause the IUD to become dislodged. Unfortunately, for some IUD users, the body naturally expels the IUD or an incorrect placement leads to expulsion. Concerns have been raised that the suction from using a menstrual cup can cause an IUD to dislodge. However, there is no evidence that women who report using menstrual cups had higher rates of early IUD expulsion than those that do not. If you have concerns about using a menstrual cup alongside your IUD, you should consult your physician.

Step 1

Sanitize your cup by boiling it in water for 5 minutes. Place your cup on a clean surface like a plate or in a clean container of your choice.

Step 2

Go somewhere private like the bathroom. Bring your cup with you.

Step 3

Wash your hands thoroughly. Always wash your hands before and after inserting and removing your menstrual cup.

Step 4

Fold your cup into a C shape or other appropriate fold. Relax and squat down. Using one hand to spread your labia, use the other to slowing insert the cup into your vaginal canal. The cup should open as you insert and will form a seal inside your vagina. You can leave your cup in for up to 12 hours. However, we recommend emptying your cup at least twice per day.

Step 5

Remove your cup (wash your hands first) by squatting down and inserting your thumb and forefinger inside your vagina. Pinch just above the stem to break the seal and pull down carefully to avoid spilling.

Step 6

Empty your cup into the toilet and rinse with clean water and mild soap. If you don’t have access to clean water, you may use a clean paper towel or a clean washable wipe.

Step 7

Use again following the steps above or clean and store for your next cycle.
You do not need to sanitize by boiling between each use, but you should between each cycle.

You can wear your cup for up to 12 hours and even overnight. We recommend that you empty your cup at least 2 times per day. Twelve hours is the maximum amount of time you should use your cup without emptying it.

This is a very individual question as everyone has a different flow and it can vary by what day you are on in your cycle.

We recommend that you empty your cup at least two times per day. For many this is first thing in the morning and then again in the evening before bed. If you have a heavy flow, you may need to empty more frequently than this.

If you experience spotting, check to see if your cup has reached capacity or if it is inserted properly. Empty, clean and then reinsert.

No. Many menstrual cup users do not use any form of back-up while using a menstrual cup. However, if you are just starting out or you have very heaving flow, you may wish to use a pantyliner or interlabial pad as back-up.

No, you do not have to remove your cup when urinating or having a bowel. If you find your cup has moved down following a bowel movement, you can simply push it back up slightly (with clean hands).

You should always sanitize your cup before your period by placing your cup in boiling water for at least 5 minutes.

Using potable (drinking) water, wash your cup with warm water and mild soap. Also ensure that you wash your hands.

Period pants are a form of period protection. They look just like a normal underwear, but are comprised of several layers of fabric including a leak-proof barrier. These layers of fabric will absorb and hold in your menstrual flow.

Period pants work remarkably well provided you use them to the appropriate specification. If you are trying to use period pants that are meant to hold a single tampon’s worth of blood for a heavy flow, the results will not be in your favour!

Absolutely. Period Pants can be used to absorb menstrual flow, vaginal discharge, sweat and bladder leaks.

Your period pants should not smell. Menstrual blood can have slight metallic smell, but it is not particularly potent.

However, leftover blood can start to grow bacteria and may cause foul odors. To avoid this, make sure to rinse and wash away all traces of blood before using or storing. 

Yes. As long as they’re cared for properly. Make sure to wash them regularly, and well, to avoid leaving behind blood stains that could start to smell. You should rinse them as soon as you are able to, until you get a chance to place them in the wash.

Yes, period pants breathe better than the plastic material that most disposable pads are made from and should not contribute to an overgrowth of yeast.

Yes! Purchasing a few pairs of period pants can completely replace disposable sanitary pads and other forms of period protection.

You period pants should last 3-5 years.

How long your period pants will last will ultimately depend on how often you use them. If you use them every day, they won't last as long as if you use them one week per month during your period. If you have 5-10 pairs on rotation they will last longer than if you have 2-4 pairs on rotation.

Period pants can be worn all day long. The beauty of period pants is that when you choose the appropriate absorbency, they can be worn all day without changing.

Yes. In fact, we recommend using period pants at night time over reusable sanitary pads because they have greater coverage in the back. Period pants are the ultimate option for night time period protection.

You can wear your period pants everyday. Some women find they are not as breathable as normal underwear. Therefore, whether you feel comfortable wearing them daily is a personal choice.

The short answer, is no. You can wear your period pants on their own. However, they will only work on their own if you choose period pants with the correct absorbency for your flow.

If you choose period pants with the correct level of absorbency, you shouldn't have to change your period pants when you are out of the house all day.

However, if you think they may not last all day, you should take a spare pair of period pants with you and use a wet bag to store soiled pants.

If you have a very heavy flow and do not feel confident that a single pair of period pants will be suitable for an entire day's worth of flow, we recommend using reusable sanitary pads or combining period pants with tampons or a menstrual cup.

• Rinse thoroughly following use
• wash within 24-48 hours, or cold soak until the end of your period (changing the water daily).
• wash in a decent wash cycle (at least one hour), using your normal washing powder combination
• Wash in a cool or cold wash. We recommend 30c or lower (higher temperatures may lead to fabric fading and some shrinkage). Some manufacturers allow for higher temperature washes. Check individual labels.
  
• DO NOT USE BLEACH
• DO NOT USE FABRIC CONDITIONER
• Leave to air dry, DO NOT TUMBLE DRY

An accidental or occasional tumble dry will not completely ruin your period pants. However, repeated tumble drying may cause shrinkage and will reduce the lifespan of your period pants.

Fabric softener reduces fabric absorbency. If you wash your reusable period products with fabric softener, their function will be reduced and over time you may find they do not work at all.

Reusable sanitary pads are exactly what they sound like. They are a pad made of several layers of fabric including a leak proof or leak resistant barrier. These fabric layers are used to absorb your menstrual flow. They normally attach to your underwear with wings and poppers. Instead of throwing them away after a single use, you wash them and use them over and over again.

This is very personal as everyone has a different level of flow and how often youchange them and wash them.

This is entirely dependent on your flow. However, think about your normal flow and what range of absorbencies you usually need. We also advise measuring the length of your usual pads and using that as a guideline for the length of pads you will need.

Reusable sanitary pads should last 5-10 years.

We can't guarantee that you won't get leaks, but provided you choose the correct absorbency and change your pad regularly you should not get leaks.

Of course! Just make sure you choose the correct level of absorbency.

Your reusable sanitary pads should not smell foul. You may notice the slight metallic smell of blood during use.

However, leftover blood can start to grow bacteria and may cause foul odors. To avoid this, make sure to rinse and wash away all traces of blood before using or storing. 

Yes. As long as they’re cared for properly. Make sure to wash them regularly, and well, to avoid leaving behind blood stains that could start to smell. You should rinse them as soon as you are able to, until you get a chance to place them in the wash.

Yes. Your reusable pads should breathe better than the plastic material that most disposable pads are made from and should not contribute to an overgrowth of yeast.

When you are out and about, change your pad just as you would normally. Instead of chucking the pad in the bin, you store your soiled pads in a wet bag.

A wet bag is a waterproof bag used for storing soiled pads*. Most will find this an essential accessory for using cloth pads.

Some brands are pattern side up and some are patterned side down. Please check the instructions for your pads or if you aren't sure. Please email us at hello@fialuna.com.

This isn't a silly question. If you wore them the wrong way up, you are not the first person to do this!

We hope that you find your pads easy to use. However, if you are struggling with them, please email us at hello@fialuna.com for assistance.

Some quick tips:

• If your menstrual flow is leaking off of your pads, please ensure you have pre-washed the pads several times. The more the pads are washed, the more absorbent they become. Also, check you are wearing them the correct way up.
  
• If you are bleeding off the front or back of your pad, you may benefit from a longer pad or an interlabial pad to control the flow.
• Please make sure you are not using fabric softener in your wash routine.
  

Reusable sanitary pads do not have adhesive like disposables so can sometimes be prone to shifting.

Things that can help:

• Wear tight/tighter underwear. 100% cotton doesn't normally cut it. Use your pads with underwear containing at least 5% spandex/elastane.
• Wear two pairs of underwear.
  
• Wear tight/tighter trousers. Shifting is more likely to happen when wearing loose fitting trousers or skirts or dresses. If you normally wear skirts/dresses or very loose trousers, period pants might work better for you.
• Some fabrics can shift more easily than others. Cotton and fleece backed pads sometimes shift less that PUL backed pads.

• Rinse thoroughly following use
• wash within 24-48 hours, or cold soak until the end of your period (changing the water daily).
• wash in a decent wash cycle (at least one hour), using your normal washing powder combination
• Wash in a cool or cold wash. We recommend 30c or lower (higher temperatures may lead to fabric fading and some shrinkage). Some manufacturers allow for higher temperature washes. Check individual labels.
  
• DO NOT USE BLEACH
• DO NOT USE FABRIC CONDITIONER
• Leave to air dry, DO NOT TUMBLE DRY

Yes, you may wash them with other items of clothing as long as you follow the wash guidelines.

Maybe.

Obviously lighter coloured pads are more likely to stain. This can be avoided with a good wash routine. Always rinse your pads until the water runs clear as soon as you can in COLD water. Hot water will set stains and make them impossible to remove. You may wish to use a stain remover.

Drying your pads in the sun can help remove stains.

An accidental or occasional tumble dry will not completely ruin your reusable pads. However, repeated tumble drying may cause shrinkage and will reduce the lifespan of your pads.

We aim to dispatch all orders within 24-48 hours. This depends on what day of the week you place your order and how busy our warehouse is. If you require your item urgently, please contact us at hello@fialuna.com.

We currently ship to the UK and Europe. Unfortunately, we are unable to ship to North America and other international locations at this time.

ALL UK ORDERS ship for FREE. However, you may upgrade your shipping to include a faster tracked service for an additional charge. We aim to dispatch orders within 24-48 hours. 

**Time frame - this is a shipping time frame and does not include dispatch. We aim to dispatch your order within 24-48 hours depending on what day of the week you order and how busy our warehouse is. You will receive a notification when your order is dispatched. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our shipping carriers may be facing delays.

We currently deliver to locations inside the United Kingdom and Europe.

Shipping costs:

United Kingdom

Europe

We only accept returns for unworn, unused items. For hygiene reasons, we cannot accept returns of menstrual cups where the box has been opened and seal has been broken. You must contact us within 14 days to return/exchange an item. To request a return, please email hello@fialuna.com quoting your order number. We will endeavour to reply to your query within 2 working days and we will advise you on what to do next.

You may read our full Sale Terms & Conditions here.

For missing or wrongly shipped items, please contact us at hello@fialuna.com and quote your order reference number. We will endeavour to reply to your query within 2 working days and we will advise you on what to do next.

We formed our company in 2018.

Our own label reusable sanitary pads, wipes and interlabial pads are made for Fialuna here in the UK.

Great question. There is really no correct answer here. Some people use menstrual cups, period pants and cloth pads alternating between them depending on their flow and some use one or the other depending on their own personal preference. Many people cannot or do not want to use an internal product, in that case, cloth pads or period pants are the obvious choice. They are all great options and most people that make the switch from disposable to reusable menstrual products never go back!