I just had the worst period of my life. After using a menstrual cup for the last six months, I was forced to use tampons again.
See, somehow in the midst of traveling, I lost my menstrual cup. I think I left it at my brother’s house and I didn’t realize it was missing until I was about to start my period again. Talk about bloody timing.
As the days on my period went by, I watched the trash bin fill up to the brim with all of my period waste from changing my tampon every 3-5 hours. This also meant I had to deal with my least favorite thing, the smell. I know I’m not the only one… Yuck!
Before I bought my first menstrual cup, the idea of using a menstrual cup always seemed scary, and honestly, just too intimate. But I wanted to try a more sustainable way to manage my period and find a solution to enjoy the outdoors while on my monthly cycle. After taking a menstrual cup comparison quiz and more research, I decided to purchase the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup.
In this post, I’m going to share my personal review of the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup.
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What is a menstrual cup?
A menstrual cup is a reusable feminine hygiene device that you insert into the vagina during your period to collect menstrual fluids. You can use it in place of other feminine hygiene products, like pads and tampons. Once the cup is full, you empty it and reinsert it.
Can I use a menstrual cup if I have an IUD?
Yes, you can use a menstrual cup if you have an IUD. I’m actually doing this myself. You may find it more comfortable to trim the strings on your IUD before using a cup. Always be sure to break the suction seal before removing a menstrual cup.
My Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup Review
This was my first experience using a menstrual cup. I decided to buy the Saalt Soft after taking the Put a Cup In It quiz. The quiz asks you questions about your body, age, history, and activity level. One of the biggest differences in cup results is based on if you’ve ever had a child (I have not).
Based on my answers, I was recommended the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup.
Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup Product Details
- 100% Medical Grade Silicone, BPA, Latex and Chemical Free
- 12 Hour Capacity
- Made in the USA
- Hypoallergenic and Biocompatible
- Lasts 10 years
- Easiest to open, leak resistant shape
- Easy to clean rounded edges and seams
- Slip-resistant shape
- Most comfortable sensation free stem and design
The Saalt Soft Cup is a reusable menstrual cup made with ultra-soft silicone designed to be both gentle and super comfortable for those with bladder sensitivity, cramping or discomfort with firmer cups. It is also vegan and cruelty free.
Ease of Use
I’m just going to say that there is definitely a learning curve to using a menstrual cup. It’s not as simple as inserting a tampon. It takes a little bit of practice and experimenting. It may take 2-3 period cycles to really get the hang of it. Be patient and don’t give up! It’s so worth it once you figure out what works for you and your body.
Insertion & Removal
As a first-time user, I really struggled with the insertion and removal of my menstrual cup. I didn’t know if I should stand, sit, or squat, how far it needed to go in, and how the f*** I was going to get it out. It took me a really long time to do both, initially.
After inserting the cup for the first time, I walked out of the bathroom, and told my boyfriend, “I just went to war with my vagina.” This is how it felt. It was so foreign to me and I couldn’t figure out how to get the cup to pop open and seal. As a first-time cup user, it was discouraging. Once I got it to work, I was so excited!
I’m going to share tips on inserting and removing a menstrual cup later on.
“I just went to war with my vagina.”
Comfort
Once I got the hang of inserting the menstrual cup, it was so comfortable. If you insert the cup correctly, you won’t be able to feel it at all. It’s actually amazing and unexpected but the silicone is just so soft and flexible. The stem design is soft and comfortable and will help you locate the cup, but you may decide you want to trim it.
Lifestyle
I’m a physically active person. I’m often hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or on a bike. I used my menstrual cup during an overnight kayaking trip that involved a lot of carrying kayaks overhead far distances and squatting to get in and out of the kayak. I had no leaks while using the Saalt cup. Because it was designed to fit snugly inside your vaginal canal, you can maintain the same level of activity that you do when you’re not menstruating!
Knowing how much easier it was to be on my period and still enjoy all of my crazy outdoor adventures was really what got me hooked on this menstrual cup.
Cleaning
Cleaning your menstrual cup is super simple. When you first get it, you just boil your cup in hot water. You can continue to do this after each period cycle. Or you can also buy silicone menstrual cup wash which is made by Saalt, but sold separately. I personally haven’t used this. The nice thing about the natural grey color option is that it helps to conceal any staining of the cup.
Sizing & Capacity
The Saalt Cup comes in two sizes:
- Small: 2 to 3 tampons capacity (25 mL)
- Regular: 3 to 4 tampons capacity (30 mL)
What’s Included With The Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup?
The Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup comes in recyclable packaging which is super awesome. It includes one menstrual cup and one carry bag.
The carry bag is made out of cotton and you can use it to store your cup. It’s super cute and easy to wash as normal laundry when it starts to smell. Click here to see if it’s still included.
What Size Saalt Cup Should You Get?
The small size is best for first-time users, with a low cervix and a light to normal flow (2 to 3 tampons). The regular size is best for experienced users with a high cervix and a heavy flow (3 to 4 tampons).
If you’re a younger person, very petite, or haven’t comfortably inserted anything in your vagina before, you may consider starting off with a size small. If you’ve carried a pregnancy to term, you may prefer the size regular.
How to Insert a Menstrual Cup
Inserting a menstrual cup was difficult at first. Over time, I realized that I was inserting the cup way too high and this was causing me all of my trouble. I find the best position to insert and remove a cup is to sit on the toilet.
Here’s how to insert a menstrual cup:
- Fold and hold your cup with clean hands
- Insert your cup toward your tailbone
- Let it open and rotate it slightly, creating a light seal
PRO TIP: Position your cup a little lower than a tampon.
The cup stays in place by creating a seal between the cup and your vaginal wall. There are a few different folding techniques that you can try, but I found the c-fold to work for me. Once your cup is filled, you simply empty, rinse, and reinsert the cup for another 12 hours of protection.
If you’re working about leaking during the day or night, wear a panty liner. This will help you adjust and gain confidence in using a menstrual cup.
How to Remove a Menstrual Cup
The Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup removal gave me just as much trouble as the insertion. I felt like I was shoving my whole hand in my vagina but this was because I was inserting it too far in the beginning. The cup stem has grip rings to help with the removal.
Here’s how to remove a menstrual cup:
- Relax and find the base of your cup with your fingers
- Pinch the base of the cup to break the seal
- Remove & empty
PRO TIP: Your first few times, practice removing it in the shower.
I find it easiest to change and clean a menstrual cup when the toilet is right next to the sink. But if you’re not in the comfort of your own home, it may be intimidating to change your cup in a public bathroom. I actually skipped the whole public bathroom step and took my menstrual cup camping. As long as your hands are clean, it’s okay to empty and reinsert your cup without washing it, if needed.
When to Change Your Menstrual Cup
At the very least, you should change your cup every 12 hours. However, I’ve gone longer than this and didn’t have any issues. During the days that I have a heavier flow, I usually have to change my cup one extra time (usually in the middle of the day).
I can tell my cup is full because it kind of feels like there’s a little bit of pressure and it’s going to drop, similar to when you need to change a tampon. It’s the feeling of trying to squeeze your legs together and waddle off to the bathroom so you don’t pee your pants.
Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup Pros & Cons
There were so many things that I loved about the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup, here’s some pros:
- You’ll save a bunch of money. I easily use one box of tampons during each cycle. I save over $100 on period care per year, and thousands over the course of my life.
- You’ll help the environment. It’s insane how much period waste you create from tampons and pads. Saalt has a waste calculator you can use to see how much impact you will have.
- It’s better for your body. Have you heard of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)? Well, you can’t get TSS using a menstrual cup.
- It’s convenient. Even the smallest size holds three times the amount of a regular tampon. You get to spend less time going to the store buying tampons and frequently changing them throughout the day.
- Say goodbye to smelly waste. This is probably my favorite thing. Being able to flush the waste is so much nicer than smelling it in the trash bin.
To be honest, I didn’t really find any faults with the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup, but here’s a couple of things I would have liked:
- The purchase doesn’t include the wash. It would be nice to have a small amount included so you can use the menstrual cup wash before the first use.
- Huge learning curve. If you’re a first-time cup user you may have difficulty figuring it all out. This applies to all cups.
Conclusion: I Love The Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup
Overall, I love the Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup and I think it really works for my body. I won’t go as far as to say that I’m excited to have my period every month but it has definitely helped me manage my period. I’ve also saved a lot of money on period care since I started using it.
The Saalt Soft Menstrual Cup is seriously the best menstrual cup for beginners as I experienced first-hand. I highly recommend this menstrual cup if you’re a first-time cup user.
I never thought I would ever say this but I actually miss my menstrual cup. The good news is that I’ve already ordered another one, but this time I’m going to try the Saalt duo pack to see the difference in using a regular size cup during my heavier days.
Thank you for reading this review. I hope it answered any questions you may have but if you have anymore, please leave me a comment below.
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Do you have any questions about the Saalt Soft Menstural Cup? Share them in the comments!
