Hello Period

Measuring your cervix is easy. Because your cervix can move during your cycle, for the most accurate results, we recommend following the below steps on day 1 - 3 of your period. 

Step 1:  Wash your hands 

Step 2:  Insert a finger into your vagina and feel for your cervix (sometimes a gentle sweeping action will help find it). Your cervix will feel a bit like the tip of your nose - kinda soft and springy.

Step 3:   Take note of how far your finger is in and then remove it. Measure the length against a ruler. 

Step 4:   Check your measurement with our guide below to determine your cervix height.

PRO TIP: Measure your cervix when you are in the shower!

You can find more information here.

With proper care your Hello Cup will last you around five years. There are no set rules around when you should replace your cup. If you want to replace it every year, that is fine too.

Between uses store your cup in its organic cotton bag and / or somewhere out of direct sunlight.

Hello Cups™ are made from top notch medical-grade TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). They are hypoallergenic and free of BPAs, silicone, rubber and latex. Colours used are certified food grade and comply with EU and FDA standards. Hello Cups™ are vegan certified.

Yes! Hello Cups™ are vegan certified. Hello Cups™ do not contain animal products and are not tested on animals.

The TPE material we make our cups from is recyclable. If you live in New Zealand or Australia and would like us to recycle your cup please sterilise it and send it back to us at Hello Period, PO Box 8257, Havelock North, Hastings.

Please send us an email to let us know to expect the returning cup. When we receive your cup we will send you a voucher for a 50% discount off your next Hello Cup™. We are currently looking to establish depots in other locations for our international customers to be able to easily return their cups too at the end of their life. Watch this space!

Hello Cups™ are the perfect travelling companion! We wish we'd known about cups when we were backpacking around the world! Not only will you have more money to spend but you'll have more room in your bags and you'll never be caught short no matter where in the world you are. 

Brilliant.

There is absolutely no reason teenagers can't use cups. Users can start using Hello Cups from when they first get their period. Our small size ('S') Hello Cup™ is our smallest and softest cup and a great starting point for younger, first-time users. Some websites suggest menstrual cups may interfere with the hymen. Essentially inserting a cup is no different to inserting a tampon. The hymen will stretch and / or break naturally at some point, not necessarily during sex. Some people prefer not to use cups or tampons for personal or cultural reasons.

The risk of getting TSS (toxic shock syndrome) while using a menstrual cup is extremely low. TSS is a rare but serious condition caused by toxins released by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms include fever, chills, dizziness, fatigue, muscle aches, or rash. If you experience any of these symptoms – remove your Hello Cup™ and seek medical advice. Ensure you do not leave your cup in for more than 12 hours to keep yourself safe. TSS can only occur if the toxin enters your bloodstream. This can happen if you have an abrasion – which could be caused by sex, nails, tampons or cups being inserted without sufficient vaginal lubrication. If you are aware you have an abrasion, avoid wearing your cup (or tampon) until it has healed. Wash your hands before and after changing your cup. 

Yes! While some people get the hang of them straight away, for others it may take a bit of practice – in the same way tampons take a bit of practice the first time around. Once you've got the hang of it you'll find your Hello Cup™ is super easy to use. 

We recommend a shallow punchdown fold as the best fold for the Hello Cups™. Because the rim is internal, we do not tend to recommend the c fold which some other menstrual cup brands suggest as it can result in your Hello Cup™ staying folded. 

Once inserted, give your Hello Cup™ cup a gentle tug to help it form a seal.

Sometimes first-time users like to try inserting it in the shower. The water helps with the lubrication and you don't have to worry about any mess. You can also use water-based lubricants if needed.

We strongly recommend you use a shallow punchdown fold with your Hello Cup™ - and when we say 'shallow', we mean it! Try to make sure the fold doesn't go too far past the 'hello.' logo on the side of your cup. If the fold is too deep, it can stay folded - which isn't the aim of the game! To do a shallow punchdown fold push a small indent into one side of the cup – push in then scoop it backwards. You should have a spout at one end and the other side should have a fold that begins half way up the cup, starting near the 'hello' lettering. The shallower the fold, the easier you will find your Hello Cup™ opens. It can be fiddly to begin with, but once you've got the hang of it, you won't look back!

Wash your hands. Fold your Hello Cup™ using the shallow punchdown fold (see above). Keep the fold pinched and insert the pointy end first in a scooping motion.  

Angle the cup towards your spine and let go of the fold once you can feel your fingers are just inside the vagina entrance. 

Aim to have the end of the toggle sitting about 1cm inside the vagina entrance. Watch our cute insertion video here. 

Place your fingers on the grip ring and squeeze the base of your Hello Cup™ menstrual cup to break the suction. Gently pull your menstrual cup down. Some find removing their cup on a slight angle is more comfortable, so that one "side" is removed before the other.

Ideally your cup will come out upright. This means it will be a mess-free experience. Tip the contents down the loo, rinse with cold water and reinsert. If you are not near a tap, it is fine to wipe your menstrual cup with toilet paper and reinsert. 

For extra cleanliness, you can wash with Hello™ Wash and/or spray with our Hello Go Sterilising Spray before reinserting.

Check out our removal video here!

As long as your Hello Cup™ is the right size, is inserted correctly and emptied when needed, it shouldn't leak. However, like tampons, leaks can happen from time to time – especially if your cup hasn't opened out properly. Some users chose to wear a Hello Liner™ as a backup buddy while they get used to cup life, but most find cups to be far more reliable than tampons. If you feel you've done everything and your cup is still leaking – it may well be a sign it's too big (if there's not enough room for a cup to unfold it can stay folded), the 'punch' of your punchdown fold needs to be shallower or you need to tweak the angle you are inserting your cup on. Get in touch with us if you need some help! hello@helloperiod.com

Way less than you would have to with tampons – but everyone's flow is different.

On heavy days you might need to empty your Hello Cup™ up to four times a day but later in your cycle you will likely find you only need to take it out once a day. It is not recommended you leave your Hello Cup™ in for more than 12 hours – ideally you should empty it every 8 hours. You can wear your Hello Cup™ overnight as well as while swimming and exercising.

You only need to sterilise your Hello Cup™ before you use it for the first time and at the end of each cycle. After removing your Hello Cup™, empty it and rinse with cold water. Cold water helps prevent stains from setting in. Clean your cup with Hello.™ Wash and rinse. 

If you're not near a sink, it's fine to simply empty the contents of your cup into the loo, wipe your Hello Cup™ out with toilet paper and reinsert.

For extra cleanliness, we recommend using our Hello Go™ hand and cup sterilising spray before reinserting. Just spray your cup and let it dry (takes a few seconds). This protects your cup from any bacteria (you can use it on your hands too!).

While you can leave your Hello Cup in for up to 12 hours, we recommend changing it every 8 hours if you can. If you are travelling in countries where tap water is not safe to drink, we recommend rinsing your Hello Cup™ with bottled water or using our Hello Go™ sanitising cup and hand spray.

At the end of your period, wash with Hello.™ Wash and sterilise your cup before you put it away. We recommend popping your clean Hello Cup™ into a full pot of water (try the whisk hack!) and boil for at least for 3 minutes (use a timer so that it doesn't boil dry!). You can also soak your Hello Cup™ for 15 minutes in a glass of cold water containing 1/4 sterilising tablet (Milton is the most common brand and is available in most Australasian supermarkets and pharmacies). Do not leave your cup soaking for longer than 15 minutes as this may damage the cup. If you want to sterilise your menstrual cup in a microwave steamer or UV steriliser, follow the manufacturer's instructions for menstrual cups or baby bottle teats. 

Make sure your Hello Cup is fully dry before you store it. For more tips on cleaning your cup have a look at our blog here.

While you can use a menstrual cup when you have an IUD, studies suggest there may be an increased risk of dislodging your IUD. It is a personal choice and we recommend that you talk to your doctor in advance. If you want to use your cup while your IUD is in, we recommend waiting three months after your IUD has been inserted (to allow it to settle in). It's also a good idea to get your strings cut. Always make sure you break the suction fully before you start removing your cup. If you have an IUD, you could also look to try our Hello Disc™ which does not need suction to stay in place.

Yes you can! Hello Cups™ can be worn for up to 12 hours at a time so they are perfect for overnight. It can be a good idea to back your cup up overnight for the first few times to be sure that you have nailed the no leak life.

Yes you can! Because your Hello Cup is worn internally and forms a seal, there is no way for the blood to escape. Woohoo!

Yes! Hello Cup™ can be used when you are camping or in a toilet cubicle, or anywhere you don't have access to a tap. Simply wipe out with loo paper and reinsert. Or, you might prefer to use a small squeezy water bottle which you can rinse the cup with.  

Our cleaning hero, Hello Go can also be used in these situations. You can either spray the cup and your hands in the morning to protect them all day, or after you wipe the cup when you are out and about you can spray with Hello Go (wait for it to dry so it is effective) and then insert your cup again. Easy.

No - if your cup is inserted correctly, a seal will have formed and this will prevent your cup from leaking. Because they hold more blood than tampons, your Hello Cup™ is perfect for overnight.

Unlike tampons and pads, the blood doesn't mix with the air. It is this combo that can make having your period literally a stink time. Cups are pretty much odour free. Yay. If you do find your cup a bit wiffy, try changing it more regularly. Here are a few other tips to combat odour:

Dry your cup in indirect sunlight for a few hours

Boil your cup for three minutes (like you do at the end of each cycle)

Soak your cup in a mix of lemon juice and water or a 1/2 & 1/2 white vinegar and water solution for an hour - then rinse thoroughly.

Using a Hello Cup™ is very clean because blood is captured inside the cup. While you're getting the hang of things and nailing your technique, you might find it's a bit messy - but not messy like a scene from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. To remove the cup, locate the base and squeeze it gently. This will release the suction. Pull the cup out keeping it upright. Simply tip the contents down the toilet, rinse or wipe out the cup and reinsert. Simple.

Stains can happen and vary between individuals. The best way to prevent staining is to rinse your cup in cold water each time you remove, making sure you flush out the suction holes and also rinse the base and around the lettering on the cup. Cold water halts stains setting in - whereas hot water can help them set in - so remember - cold always comes first! If you have existing staining, you can soak your cup in a 1:3 solution of household bleach and water (1 part bleach to 3 parts water) for 15 - 20 mins. Don't leave your cup in the solution for longer than the recommended time frame. A mixture of lemon juice and water (50/50) or white vinegar and water (50/50) can also help lift stains and odours.

No - it's basically a dead end street up there! If you are struggling to reach your menstrual cup, there's a chance you have a high cervix and your Hello Cup has moved up. It's a good idea to measure your cervix before you try a cup for the first time. We recommend measuring your cervix on days 1-3 of your period using our handy guide so you know which cup to buy.

If your menstrual cup is out of reach - don't panic. During the course of a day your cervix can move up and down and your cup can move up and down with it. While it's easier said than done sometimes, the key is to relax - the more tense you are, the more your muscles will clench around your Hello Cup making it harder to remove your cup. Take some deep breaths and focus on opening your pelvic floor muscles. Gently bare down like you are doing a poo (don't strain). The more you use your menstrual cup, the easier and faster removal will be. If you are still having issues, drop us a line at: hello@helloperiod.com.

Springing a leak is no fun. But, like with tampons, they can happen from time to time. Here are our pro-tips on how to resolve them:

1. Your cup hasn't opened out properly. This is normally caused by either the fold or the size being not right.

We recommend using a shallow punchdown fold rather than the 'c' fold when inserting your cup, angling it back toward your tailbone. Let the cup open when it is just inside the vagina and then manoeuvre higher with the toggle. It also pays to give the toggle a couple of gentle tugs after inserting your Hello Cup to help ensure a suction has been formed.

Despite what many think, a leaking cup can sometimes be a sign your cup is too big. If your cup doesn't have enough room to unfold properly, it may buckle and you might experience leaking down the side. Fit and petite users often find they are a smaller size regardless of age and whether or not they have had children. We do not recommend choosing a cup size based solely on your flow. Our handy size quiz will help you work out what's the best choice for you.

2. Your cup isn't sitting under your cervix.

Ideally you need your cup to sit just below your cervix but here's the catch - not all cervixes are centred! Next time you have a smear or vaginal exam, ask your doctor or gynaecologist where your cervix sits. If your cervix sits to the left, for example, you will want to angle your cup more to the left to ensure it sits below your cervix.

3. Your cup was wet when you inserted it.

If there's excess water on the outside of the cup it can mix with menstrual blood already in your vagina making you think you've sprung a leak when it is more of an 'existing situation' scenario. To avoid this, wipe your cup dry before you insert.

4. If your bowel is full, it can affect your cup (your mum says hi and to eat more fibre).

Similarly when you do a poo, the motion can sometimes cause a bit of leakage.

5. If your cup is nearly full, the weight of the cup can reduce the suction which may cause leakage.

While cups can be worn for 8-12 hours, if your flow is heavy you will need to empty more often.

6. Your cervix height can complicate things too! If you have a high or low cervix it may prevent the cup from opening fully. You can use our handy guide to measure your cervix and check to see what is happening for you!

Be patient with yourself. Cups can take a while to get the hang of - but don't give up! Some users chose to wear our washable Hello Liners as a safeguard while they get used to cup life. 

If you need any additional help drop us a line at hello@hellperiod.com

Not all menstrual cups are created equal. 

Multi-award winning: Our multi-award winning menstrual cups are super comfortable, cute and high quality. Hello Cups were named 'Best Menstrual Cup' 2022 by Cosmopolitan USA. 

Designed by people with vaginas for people with vaginas: We're a female-owned company. We are the only menstrual cup brand to have our cups designed by our own registered nurse.

Top quality materials: Hello Cups™ are made from top notch medical-grade TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). They are hypoallergenic and free of BPAs, silicone, rubber and latex.

Hello.™ Convenience: Your Hello Cup™ menstrual cup holds three times more than tampons – making heavier days just that much easier. 

Hello Cups™ for everyone: We offer specialist cups to cater for varying cervix heights - including low, regular and high sitting cervixes. 

Hello.™ Easier Periods: Hello Cups™ make having your period easier and cheaper. Unlike tampons which absorb your natural vjayjay moisture, a Hello Cup™ menstrual cup won't dry you out or leave nasty bleached fibres behind.

Hello.™ Happy Earth: One Hello Cup menstrual cup, over it’s lifetime, is equal to over 2,000 single-use tampons or pads. These take around 500 years to break down in landfills. We are proudly a certified B-Corporation and Climate Positive organisation. 

Did we mention that you'll save some serious moolah along the way too?