Quick Guide: Using a Menstrual Cup After a Vaginal Infection
- You can safely use a menstrual cup again once all symptoms of the infection are gone and any prescribed treatment is completed.
- Avoid using your cup during treatment, especially with creams or medications that may affect the silicone.
- Always clean and sterilise your cup thoroughly after an infection before using it again.
- Menstrual cups are non-absorbent and made of medical-grade silicone, which may help support a healthy vaginal microbiome.
- You don’t need to replace your menstrual cup after an infection—proper hygiene allows safe use for years.
- Check with your healthcare provider if unsure, and avoid use if symptoms persist or worsen.
Believe it or not, vaginas are healthiest when they have a mix of tiny organisms invisible to the naked eye. These microbes, as they are called, live in a balance. Vaginal infections happen when this happy balance shifts. Vaginal infections are very common – at least 1 out of every 3 women will have at least one vaginal infection, called vaginitis, in their lifetime. Many people wonder whether it is safe to continue using a menstrual cup after having a vaginal infection, and if so, how and when to do so safely.
Can I use my menstrual cup after a vaginal infection?
Yes. Menstrual cups, such as Ruby Cup, Diva Cup, or Moon Cup, are safe to use after vaginal infections. There are several different types of vaginal infections, but the three most common are:
- Candidiasis, sometimes called thrush or a yeast infection.
- Bacterial vaginosis, often abbreviated to BV.
- Trichomoniasis, sometimes called “trich.”
What is most important when deciding whether or not to return to your period cup after an episode of vaginitis is whether or not you are still having any symptoms.
How do I know if it is ok to use my menstrual cup after a vaginal infection?
It is safe to return to your Ruby Cup or other menstrual cup if you are no longer having any symptoms. So what are the symptoms of vaginitis? The most commonly-reported symptoms that bring people with vaginas into see their healthcare providers are:
- an itchy or sore vagina
- vaginal discharge that's a different colour, smell, or thickness than usual
- vaginal dryness
- pain when peeing or having sex
- light vaginal bleeding or spotting
- sore, swollen, or cracked skin around your vagina
If you take any kind of medication to treat your vaginitis, as you might for a yeast infection, BV, or trichomoniasis, make sure to take all of your medicine as prescribed before returning to your cup.
Because trichomoniasis can be a sexually-transmitted infection (STI), you also need to make sure that all of your sexual partners have been tested and treated with medication to avoid reinfecting one another. STI-treatment guidelines recommend that you and any infected partners retest for trichomoniasis three months after your treatment because people commonly get reinfected with it.
It’s always a good idea to get the go-ahead from your healthcare provider when deciding whether or not your vaginal infection has gone away and if is ok to use your menstrual cup. And remember, if you have vaginal discharge with a fever, pain, or foul smell, stop using your menstrual cup and see your healthcare provider.
Your menstrual cup may actually help your vagina’s health
For those of you who are new to menstrual cups, it is helpful to know some reasons why they may support a healthy vaginal ecosystem, sometimes called the vaginal microbiome.
- Most menstrual cups, such as Ruby Cup, are made from medical-grade silicone. This material does not have pores (tiny holes in its surface) where harmful bacteria or dirt can collect.
- Menstrual cups are easy to clean and sterilize. (more on silicone cup care later)
- Menstrual cups are non-absorbent, unlike tampons.
Tampons are designed to soak up as much menstrual fluid as possible. But, especially on low- flow days or if you are using super absorbancy tampons, they can also soak up the healthy microbes and the protective coating they secrete, called a biofilm. Wearing tampons for too long can also make it easier for harmful bacteria to move into your vagina, putting you at risk for toxic shock syndrome.
The real superstars of your vagina’s microbiome are a type of bacteria called lactobacilli. These lactobacilli produce lactic acid and some of them also produce bactericides. Bactericides are substances that actively keep other bacteria and fungi away. Any shift in the number of lactobacilli in your vagina increases your risk for other infections, namely bacterial vaginosis and some STIs.
Research studies in parts of the world where women do not have access to safe menstrual hygiene products show that, when provided with menstrual cups, women have lower rates of BV and STIs and a healthier vaginal microbiome. We at Ruby Cup are thrilled to provide women with access to healthier periods (and vaginas) through our Buy One Give One Programme. Since 2012, we’ve partnered with organizations like CARE International, Save the Children, and UNHCR, donating over 155,000 Ruby Cups worldwide.
How do I properly clean a menstrual cup after an infection?
Two advantages of silicone cups, like Ruby Cup, are that they are:
- Super easy to clean.
- The medical-grade silicone they are made of is non-porous, meaning there are fewer cracks and crannies for infection-causing microbes to hide out in.
Even with these advantages, you may still get a vaginal infection at some point in your life. So, it’s a good idea to revisit reusable period cup hygiene. Besides sterilising your menstrual cup after every menses, it is also a good idea to sterilise your cup any time after a vaginal infection. Sterilisation makes sure your cup is germ-free. It is also easy to do in a few simple steps. Ruby Cup even has a helpful video you can watch to quickly learn your go-to cup-cleaning routine.
The steps for cleaning your menstrual cup start with:
-
Clean your cup first by rinsing it with cold water to remove any blood or menstrual fluid each time you remove it during your period. If these dry on the cup, they are difficult to remove later. and mucus have proteins that can become breeding grounds for bacteria. This first quick wash also helps to prevent staining of your cup if you use the clear Ruby Cup.
-
Wash your cup with warm water and a mild, non-irritating soap. Avoid harsh cleaning or antibiotic soaps. You also want to stay away from heavily-perfumed soaps because these chemicals can cause vaginal irritation or damage your cup. Make sure to wash away all remaining soap bubbles or residue.
-
Disinfect your menstrual cup by boiling it for 3-5 minutes (making sure it doesn’t touch the pan’s sides or bottom) or microwave it in a cup steriliser, like the Ruby Cup steriliser.
If using a metal cooking pot, the period cup should not come to the bottom, because it often gets very hot and can damage the cup. Another possibility are disinfectant tablets or solutions that are dissolved or diluted in water and the cup is then soaked. Even afterwards, the cup should be rinsed well so that residues of the disinfectant do not irritate the vagina.
Finally, dry your period cup well and store it in a breathable container like the cloth bag that comes with your Ruby Cup. Remember, it is a breeding ground for unfriendly types of bacteria you don’t want to add to your vaginal microbiome. Keep bacteria away by always making sure your menstrual cup is dry before storing it and never storing it in a closed container, such as a plastic bag or a box without any air holes.
You don’t need to buy a new Ruby Cup after a vaginal infection
Great news! You don’t have to toss your beloved menstrual cup if you have had a vaginal infection. As long as you follow the easy steps of silicone cup care listed above, you can continue using your Ruby Cup for up to 10 years. That is great news for your bank account and the planet.
Can I use my menstrual cup while I am being treated for a vaginal infection?
In most cases, no. It is always a good idea to check with your prescriber or healthcare provider to let them know that you use a menstrual cup and to ask for their recommendation for when it is ok to return to your period cup.
Some of the antibiotic or antifungal creams used to treat some vaginal infections may be harmful to your menstrual cup. While there is not much research confirming this, we do know that oil and silicone-based sexual lubricants can cause the breakdown of sex toys made from medical-grade silicone. Many of the topical vaginitis treatments used inside of your vagina could potentially also cause a breakdown in your cup’s surface, further increasing your risk for future infections. This is why it makes sense to finish up all of those creams and lotions before using your menstrual cup.
If you are being treated for a yeast infection, you should first finish all of the treatment and make sure you no longer having any symptoms. After cleaning and sterilizing your period cup, you are good to go.
After a BV diagnosis, make sure to complete your prescribed treatment and clean and sterilize your cup. Because it is common for people to have repeat infections of BV (more than half of people have a recurrence), it is a good idea to check in with your provider about returning to menstrual cup use.
For sexually transmitted infections, such as trichomonas, it is best to talk with a healthcare provider before using a menstrual cup. And don’t forget about the importance of talking with all recent sexual partners to make sure they also get tested and treated for STIs.
How can I prevent a yeast infection?
Sanitizing your menstrual cup after candida (the type of fungus which causes vaginal yeast infections), bacterial vaginosis, or an STI is just one way to prevent future vaginal infections. There are other steps you can take to make it harder for the bacterial and fungal “bad guys” to return to your vagina.
Remember those helpful lactobacilli bacteria and their important role in keeping the microbiome of your vagina happy and healthy? Well, they are also helpful in keeping BV, yeast infections, and STIs such as HIV away. So, your infection prevention plan should include:
- Avoiding scented and perfumed soaps, menstrual products, shower gels, powders, or other cleaning products.
- Not douching and steering clear of vaginal deodorants and washes.
- Choosing showers over bubble baths.
- Not smoking.
- Using condoms and getting tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections with all new partners, and if you have unprotected sex.
- Choosing unscented laundry detergent for your underwear.
The chemicals in scented or strong cleansing products, detergents, soaps, and so-called feminine hygiene products can cause irritation and inflammation inside and outside of your vagina. They also can change how acidic your vagina is, making you more vulnerable to infection, especially yeast and BV.
And remember, if thrush or BV comes back more than 4 times in 12 months, it’s time to call your GP or healthcare provider, according to NHS guidelines. You should also seek their advice if you have completed treatment (prescribed or with an over-the-counter antifungal medication), but you still have symptoms.
You should always check in with your healthcare provider if you ever have:
- Pelvic pain (cramping) or pain with intercourse.
- A change in your vaginal discharge, especially if it is foul-smelling.
- Bleeding in between periods or after intercourse.
- Fever and chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Pain when you pee.
- Signs of a vaginal infection, and you are pregnant.
These can be signs and symptoms of a more serious type of infection that could have spread beyond your vagina and up into your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. This type of infection is caused pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Vaginal infections, especially STIs and bacterial vaginosis, during pregnancy can cause complications.
Healthier, happier periods with Ruby Cup
You will more than likely have at least one vaginal infection in your lifetime. It’s reassuring to know that using a menstrual cup like Ruby Cup does not increase your risk of infection. It is also good to know that you can return to your beloved period cup once your infection has been treated and you no longer have symptoms. Following a quick-and-easy cup cleaning and sterilising routine with your menstrual cup is key to keeping your vagina happy and healthy. Ruby Cup is happy to be part of healthier periods around the world.
