FAQS
Bellow you’ll find many faqs for the Ruby Cup, Ruby Kegel Trainer and much more.
Ruby Cup FAQs
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your cup.
- Before inserting, you have to fold the cup. There are 3 folding methods you can try. Allow yourself some trial and error with each method to find the one that works best for you.
- Now you have folded your cup, find a preferred position to insert your cup. Try squatting, standing with one leg up or sitting.
- Gently push the Ruby Cup into your vagina with the rim first. Insert it in a horizontal, rather than a vertical, direction in line with your vaginal passage. You can use your other hand to separate your outer labia if that is helpful.
- Push the cup inside until the body of the cup is all the way inside your vagina.
- Once inside, the cup will unfold to create a suction that keeps it well positioned and prevents leaks. You may sense it popping open.
- You can test that the cup is fully opened and has created a suction by trying to pull or wiggle the stem very carefully. It should not move more than a few millimeters. If you feel resistance when carefully pulling it, it means that the suction is created.
- You can also run a finger along the base of the cup (not the stem). If you feel that the walls are still collapsed inside, rotate the cup at the base of the cup to reposition it to pop open.
- You can also run your finger along the rim to check for creases. Wiggle the stem to remove any creases as these will cause leaks.
Follow these steps to measure your cervix:
1- Wash your hands carefully
2- Squat on the ground, or lift one leg up onto the toilet seat or side of the tub.
3-. Insert your longest finger into your vagina
4- Feel for a round, raised circle with a dimple in the middle. It should feel like the tip of your nose — it’s most likely to be at the top of the front vaginal wall (closer to your belly button than to your back).
If you can insert your longest finger almost all the way up before touching it or you can’t touch anything at all, you have a high cervix.
There are different ways of folding a Ruby Cup before insertion.
Here are 3 of the most popular folding methods:
C fold: Squeeze the walls of the cup together and fold into a c-shape.
Punchdown fold: Pinch down one wall of the cup into its base so the cup forms a triangle shape.
7 fold: Squeeze the walls of the cup together and fold one top corner so the cup forms a 7 shape.
Check out the videos on our beginners’ guide.
Your Ruby Cup should sit lower than a tampon.
It’s ok for the stem to be all the way inside the vagina as well but it should be close to the vaginal opening.
If the stem is too long, sticks out from the vaginal opening, and feels uncomfortable when the cup has been inserted, you can shorten it with a pair of scissors. We do not recommend shortening the stem on your first try.
Do not shorten the stem when the Ruby Cup is inside the vagina.
Give yourself some time to make sure that shortening the stem is the right choice for you.
When your cup is correctly inserted, you will not be able to feel it, and there will be no discomfort. Use your finger to push your cup higher or lower until it sits comfortably. Many women find that twisting their cup helps it to sit in the correct place, and that with a little time the silicone material softens with your body heat
1. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling your cup.
2. We recommend sitting when removing the cup as it works best when the muscles are relaxed but you can also squat or stand with one leg raised.
Locate the stem but don’t pull it. You can use the stem as a guide to locate the base of the cup.
If you cannot reach the base of the cup, you can gently use the stem to wiggle the cup downwards in the vagina until you can reach the base of the cup but do not pull.
Once you have a grip on the base of the cup, press the walls of the cup inwards to release the suction.
Then gently pull the cup out with a firm grip and empty it.
If you’re having trouble removing the cup or you can’t reach it, take a moment to relax and try again. Remember the learning curve is completely normal.
Your Ruby Cup should be emptied every 4 to 8 hours, depending on your menstrual flow. With a heavy flow, you will have to empty the Ruby Cup more frequently than with a light flow. In the beginning it is advisable to empty your Ruby Cup more often – every 4-6 hours, until you get to know how heavy your flow is. If your cup is not full, you can leave it for longer next time.
The Ruby Cup should be emptied at least every 8 hours. This will depend on how heavy your flow is – it may take a couple of cycles to get to know how often you need to empty your cup.
Some women do find that the stem protrudes out the opening of their vagina. This can be due to the fact that their cervix sits low, or their vaginal length is short – and this is very common. The stem of your cup should not be outside your vagina as it can be uncomfortable and cause some irritation to your labia throughout the day. If the stem is too long, you can trim it until you find a comfortable fit. Cut a small amount at a time until it is the right size.
Ruby Cup is:
Designed with love in Barcelona
Made with precision in China
Packaged with care in England.
Very often “Made in China” is associated with low-quality products and a harmful work environment. But for Ruby Life it means something completely different. It means a high-quality product made with precision and ethics. It means a unique seamless design and silky soft medical-grade silicone that creates the most comfortable menstrual cup on the market.
It is very important to us that all Ruby Cup products are of the highest possible quality. We want our customers, and the girls we donate menstrual cups to, to receive a product that is comfortable, effective, long-lasting, and, above all, safe. To achieve this, Ruby Life had to first find partners who could produce items to the standard needed.
First, Speaking to medical-grade silicone experts
When Ruby Life’s founders started the Ruby Cup, they were just students at Copenhagen Business School, with very little knowledge about silicone. Research begin with a Coloplast, a silicone expert . Coloplast is a Danish company, and a world leader in intimate health care products. Coloplast invented the first-ever adhesive colostomy bags, which they still make, along with catheters, wound dressings and more. Coloplast is an authority on the use of silicone for medical devices, and their silicone and injection moulding experts guided us in producing the first Ruby Cups.
The Requirement: make a seamless, soft, high-quality menstrual cup for absolute comfort.
One of Ruby Life’s closest advisors was based in China, working for Coloplast, and he helped in the development of the Ruby Cup, in finding a supplier and a product manufacturer. This process was crucial: silicone is like water, and will flow along the path of least resistance, so any tiny cracks or unevenness in a mould will lead to inconsistent results.
Subsequently, it is tricky to make silicone products that are absolutely smooth, without lumps, bumps or seams where the mould parts meet. This seamless finish is part of what makes the Ruby Cup so comfortable. The manufacturer chosen is experienced in making delicate and complicated devices that must work exactly right—including oxygen masks for children and blood pressure air pumps—which is how we knew our cup production would be in good hands.
Later, There Was Trialling with European manufacturers
Ruby Life tried to move the production of Ruby Cups to Europe, spending close to two years in product development process with a European manufacturer. The two-year process proved futile as European suppliers did not match the original manufacturer in China, both in terms of silicone smoothness and overall quality. Consequently, manufacturing remains in China.
Production happens on a small scale supervised by skilled craftsmen working with a high level of precision. Liquid silicone rubber—sourced from a leading raw material supplier—is processed and injected into specially made moulds. The finishing touches are added manually, every cup is tested visually, and each batch is tested for quality assurance. The result is a product made of medical grade silicone which surpasses safety standards and is built to last.
Buy One, Give One
Each time someone like you makes a purchase, we donate a Ruby Cup to a girl or woman without access to period care products. This simple act of giving is one that can transform a young woman’s life. Like you, she’ll also enjoy up to 10 years of safe, convenient, and fuss-free periods.
And it does not stop there.
Breaking Taboos, Building Confidence
In many countries, periods are still considered an off-limits, taboo topic. This means that many young girls start their periods without knowing what is happening to their bodies or who to speak with about it. When you Buy One, you also Give One, but you are giving much more than just a cup. You are giving women and girls access to educational workshops and mentorship, where they will learn about menstrual care and reproductive health, and how to use their new cup.
With the help of partners, Ruby Life has created a comprehensive curriculum, trainers’ handbook, and other teaching resources to enhance the success of our distribution and education programs. The education provided helps dismantle dangerous and outdated beliefs about the female body, and enables women and girls to make safe and informed decisions about their health. Every woman has a right to receive this essential information, your donation will help them get it.
Sustained Support
The aim of Ruby Life is not to simply donate cups and then say kudos for a job well done. It is fundamental that each donation is always paired with education and ongoing support. To this end, Ruby Life works closely with partner organisations to provide sustained support in the form of follow-up visits, peer mentorship, and the Ruby Cup champions program, all of which help provide support to girls whilst they are learning how to use the cup.
Ruby Cup’s Buy One, Give One mission began in 2012, by giving menstrual cups to schoolgirls in East Africa. Less than ten years later, the Buy One, Give One programme has donated 100,000 cups in 13 countries around the world.
Ruby Cups and Ruby Cleans are made of medical grade silicone produced in strict accordance with European standards UNI EN ISO10993-1: 2010. Ruby Cup is also tested for and adheres to the EU regulations for volatile organic matter (VOM) in silicone products. In Europe, menstrual cups are not considered as a medical device, so it is not possible to obtain a CE marking.
Ruby Life’s personal commitment to their own quality assurance: to treat Ruby Cups as a class II medical device as they are inserted in the body. The premium medical-grade silicone we use for both the Ruby Cups and Ruby Cleans is tested for biocompatibility, just like a Class II medical device. These tests consider cytotoxicity, irritation, and sensitisation. The silicone we use is resistant to bacteria and easy to sterilize. Used externally or internally, or intravenously, silicone materials do not generate unwelcome byproducts or trigger allergic reactions making them ideal to use in menstrual hygiene.
Ruby Cup is a convenient alternative to traditional menstrual products Whether you are looking to for a more sustainable and eco-friendly way to manage your periods or ready to use a high-quality 100% medical grade modern feminine hygiene solution. A woman in her menstrual lifetime can contribute between 12,000 – 24,000 traditional hygiene products to a landfill. As a woman we can reduce our carbon footprint by choosing a more sustainable product. Using a Ruby Cup means your environmental footprint will reduce from at least 12,000 down to at least 4 ruby cups. Please check out: What quality standards does Ruby Cup meet and how was the Ruby Cup engineered for more details.
If you have a low cervix or light flow, we recommend you choose our Ruby Cup Small
If you have a high cervix or heavy flow, we recommend you choose our Ruby Cup Medium. Alternatively, you can order both sizes at the same time for your light versus heavy days.
The simple answer to this question is yes. As soon as you start menstruating, you can use a menstrual cup. Which means that Ruby Cup is an ideal choice for people with periods of all ages.
Ruby Cup FAQs Questions raised by Parents:
The answer is so simple: yes! The moment she has a period, she is old enough to use a menstrual cup.
- Fear of losing virginity.
Unfortunately, most societies sexualizes a girls’ body from a very early age onwards. In some parts of the world, society still gives significant meaning to the concept of virginity, which means the thought of inserting a period product produces a mental barrier for many parents – and also for some kids themselves. Virginity is a social construct, and we cannot say this clearer: using a menstrual cup will not take away the virginity status.
- Fear that the menstrual cup will stretch the vagina.
The second biggest fear is that a young girl‘s vagina is still too small for a menstrual cup. The moment the body starts menstruating, puberty is in full bloom. This means that the whole body is transitioning into adulthood, making pregnancy and birth possible. To give birth, the vaginal canal must be elastic and is designed by nature to eventually press out a little human being. Compared to a newborn, a menstrual cup seems tiny, don’t you think? The flexibility of the medical-grade silicone most menstrual cups are made of will adjust itself to the vagina of the person wearing the cup.
- Menstrual cups are easier to insert than tampons
The smooth, soft, silky medical-grade silicone of the Ruby Cup makes insertion almost effortless. Since a menstrual cup can be worn for 8 hours, your daughter can insert the cup in the comfort of her home in the morning, and take it out when she is back again.
Tip: For a pain-free insertion, try folding the cup using the punch-down-fold.
Extra tip: use a water-based lube to make inserting the menstrual cup even easier.
- Ruby cups don’t disrupt the balance of the vagina’s pH
Ruby cups have no reported adverse effects on the vaginal flora because instead of absorbing all fluids in the vagina the way traditional hygiene products do, ruby cups simply catch the menstrual flow. Unlike most traditional period products, Ruby Cups are blissfully free from plastics, latex, toxins, and bleaches. This means that there is no dryness, no leftover fibres in the vagina, less irritation and less likelihood to infections. These are the main reasons that make wearing a menstrual cup so comfy.
- Ruby cups are ideal for light and irregular flow
A person’s first periods are often defined by irregularity and a light flow. This is exactly why using a ruby cup for the first period beats traditional period products. If your daughter is expecting her period, she can insert the cup at home upfront to be prepared and to avoid bloodstains in class. Even if no period arrived that day, she did not waste a period product.
- With Ruby cups you can avoid frequent bathroom breaks
Especially for young girls at school, needing to ask for a bathroom break several times a day, or worse, several times during the same lesson to change a single use period product due to fear of leaking, can be nerve-wracking and drastically impede concentration in class.
- Using a Ruby cup can mean fewer menstrual cramps
This almost sounds too good to be true, but many customers, and even members of the Ruby Cup Team have reported that since using their Ruby cup, their menstrual cramps have decreased in intensity and/or frequency.
- No trash from tampons or pads
When girls get their period at a very young age, it can lead to stressful situations when there is no bin to privately dispose of used single use period products. The only options in this scenario are to flush it down the toilet or wrap the product in a bag and take it with you. Neither of which are recommended and can be avoided completely when using a ruby cup.
- Ruby cups are a plastic-free period products
Young kids are more conscious about our environment than ever and enthusiastically seeking new solutions to old problems. Single-use period products are one of the biggest culprits for marine-based plastic pollution, and kids and teens have had enough of it. Using a menstrual cup for just one year already saves 200 tampons or pads and their plastic wrapping from going to the landfill.
- Take part in any social activity no matter which day of the month
Remember when you had to sit out on swimming class or gym lessons because of your period while everyone else was having fun? No more of that with a Ruby Cup. With a Ruby Cup, you can go swimming, to a pool party, birthday party, excursion or even hiking.
Other FAQs:
The simple answer is yes. You can use your ruby cup if you have an IUD fitted. If you have or are having an IUD fitted, we advise that you tell your healthcare professional that you are either using or are thinking of using a Ruby Cup – and ask them how soon you can start using the menstrual cup after your IUD has been inserted.
We’ve compiled some simple menstrual cup tips to make sure that your IUD and menstrual cup work well together in this article, ‘Your Guide To Using A Menstrual Cup With An IUD’. We also explore how to check on the strings of your IUD to make sure that you are creating a watertight seal with your menstrual cup. As well as advise you on how to check that the cup’s suction is properly released before it is removed and emptied, since removing the suction you have created will mean the Ruby Cup will come out smoothly and easily.
If you are perimenopausal or menopausal, you may well be experiencing a very different menstrual cycle to the one you have been used to. When it comes to thinking about changing to using a menstrual cup instead of pads and tampons during the menopause, Ruby Life’s contributing writer, Dr Alice Bryram has written a detailed piece for us titled, ‘Why it’s never too late to change to a menstrual cup’. In the piece she says, “The perimenopause is sometimes challenging and not knowing when your period will come and whether it will be a heavy or light flow is just one added stress.” Dr Byram explores how using a menstrual cup could help make it easier to manage the different frequencies of your period – and different levels of menstrual flow. She also cites research, published by medical journal, The Lancet, which concludes that menstrual cups are an effective and safe alternative to other menstrual products. When it comes to working out which menstrual cup is best for helping you manage the menopause, at Ruby Cup, we have two soft cup sizes. Our largest menstrual cup – the Ruby Cup Medium is suitable for a heavier flow, while our smallest menstrual cup – the Ruby Cup Small – is perfect for those days when your flow is lighter.
Unlike single use period products, Ruby Cups collect your period blood inside you and can be worn for up to 8 hours at a time, giving you unparalleled freedom when compared with traditional period protection. This level of protection makes your Ruby cup the perfect choice for exercising, for travel and for days when you’re on the go from morning until night.
And, when it comes to travelling when you have your period, using a Ruby cup rather than traditional period products can make your life much more manageable – wherever you are in the world. Travel enthusiast and blogger Heather Pringle explains that travelling with a menstrual cup means you can:
-Pack light and save space for the important things – using a menstrual cup means the end of packing boxes of tampons and packages of pads.
-Be ready for anything, anytime, anywhere with hours of period protection
-Be free of any discomfort with hypoallergenic materials that are comfortable, even if your flow is super light.
-No bin? No worries. Ruby cups are reusable, so you won’t need to find a rubbish bin or worry about leaving any waste behind.
-Be carefree because you can’t run out of supplies – your Ruby Cup is reusable, time and time again.
Yes. Definitely. Today, over 200K people with periods around the world use a Ruby Cup – are you ready to join them?
“I am amazed that so many women still use pads an tampons when the menstrual cup is an absolutely amazing alternative. I haven’t disposed of or purchased menstrual products in over 3 years, since the Ruby Cup is reusable and sustainable. This company is doing amazing things! I bought 2, and therefore donated 2 to girls in underprivileged countries and that warms my heart. I wish more people would considering trying this; totally a life changer.” –Julia
Many new users experience some leaking during their first few cycles of wearing a cup. Initially we recommend double protection, until you get fully accustomed to your ruby cup, that means, pairing the cup with a traditional pad, to give you that added layer of security until you have mastered your cup. Remember, when using your ruby cup for the first time, there will be a learning curve. If you experience leaking during use, follow these instructions.
– Incorrect seal – Your cup can leak if it has not opened up properly inside the vagina and created a suction. Try to push the wall of the cup inwards with one finger to feel if it pops back out. If it does not, try to rotate the cup, move it slightly from left to right and pull gently downwards. Feel again with one finger to see if it has opened up fully.
– Incorrect positioning -Your cup can leak if it is not positioned right under the cervix to collect the fluids. It is possible for your cervix to move position and swell a bit during menstruation. If you push the cup up too high you can risk pushing the cup to the side of the cervix. Try placing it low in the vagina. You can also run a finger around the rim of the cup to feel if the cervix is inside or just above the cup opening.
– Overflows – When you start out, you can remove your cup more often until you get to know your flow and how many hours you can wear the cup before it’s full. If you have a Ruby Cup size small, consider whether you need to try a Ruby Cup medium that has more capacity.
– Spotting or fake leaks – After emptying and inserting your cup, there can be leftover drops of water that mixes with blood sitting on the vaginal walls. Make sure you dab yourself dry properly after reinserting a newly emptied Ruby Cup.
Have a look at our page 5 reasons your menstrual cup is leaking and what to do about it
to get some extra helpful info.
No. It is not possible for a Ruby Cup to be lost inside your vagina, this is due to the shape and size of your anatomy. Read why it is not possible here. If you feel that your cup has moved higher in your vagina, or you cannot reach it, then stay relaxed and gently use your pelvic floor muscles to push down. These are the muscles that you use when you start and stop peeing, they will help the cup to move downwards. Remember, it will not get lost, stay relaxed, and don’t worry. When you can reach the stem, you can pull it down with your fingers, then press the walls to release the suction. Then gently pull out and empty.
Always start with clean hands. While on your period, there is no need to disinfect your cup between uses. Simply rinse it with water each time you empty it, before using it again. Tip: use bottled water if you are in a public bathroom with no sink. If this is not possible then just wipe it clean with a tissue. Avoid fragranced soaps that may alter the pH of your vagina.
Your cup must be disinfected before storing each month. Rinse your cup, and boil in a pan or pot of water for 3 minutes. If you do not want to use a pot for disinfecting, you can use the Ruby Clean Steriliser for boiling in the microwave or oven for 5 minutes. After boiling, wait until your cup is cool, dry thoroughly and store in the organic cotton bag that came with your Ruby Cup.
When boiling your Ruby Cup, make sure you don’t over boil it (no more than 10 minutes), otherwise the silicone will lose some of its bounciness and not open up so easily anymore when inserted, hence leading to potential troubles with leaking.
We recommend you store your Ruby Cup in the organic cotton bag that came with your Ruby Cup. The cotton material ensures a breathable environment for the cup, so any moist on the cup can evaporate. Do not store your cup in an airtight container, as it needs ventilation. You can wash the Ruby Bag in your machine’s delicate cycle or by hand, when needed.
Some soaps contain perfumes which can irritate your vagina and cause an imbalance to your natural pH, if you want to wash with soap, make sure it is a mild fragrance-free soap.
The white residue you might find on your cup, after you boiled it for 5 minutes, is due to hard water in your region. It is harmless and if you like you can just wash it off before you insert your ruby cu.
Some users have found that their cup becomes a little stained after a number of uses, it seems that the discolouration is related to the hormones and the unique natural chemical balance of each person’s vaginal fluids – some people notice staining and others don’t.
Don’t worry if your cup becomes a little discoloured. Washing with lemon juice can sometimes help remove stains as can allowing your cup to sit in the sun for a few hours.
If you have access to an oven or microwave you can use a Ruby Clean. If you get your hands on a kettle, you can use that and place your cup in the Ruby Clean and let boiling kettle water run over it a few times. If you are hiking and camping you might want to consider taking your Ruby Clean Steriliser for your cup. Another option is to use sterilising tablets, such as Milton sterilising tablets. We do not recommend the use of plain alcohol to sterilise it as it might be too strong on the material. Please make sure that wherever you go your hands are clean before handling the Ruby Cup!
That depends on a few things, like was it a public toilet or your private toilet at home, did you flush or do a poo beforehand? Generally, it should be OK to wash the cup thoroughly and sterilise it before you insert it again. However, circumstances can be diverse, and we can’t know for sure that you will not have problems, so if you are not comfortable using your Ruby Cup anymore we suggest that you purchase a new one.
Occasionally, it’s nice to clean your cotton bag where you store your Ruby Cup while you don’t have your period. You can easily do this by putting it in the washing machine. Make sure to not wash it hotter than 30°C or else it will shrink.
Ruby Cups are made from 100% premium medical-grade premium silicone and are blissfully free from plastics, latex, toxins and bleaches. Ruby Cups collect menstrual blood instead of absorbing it like traditional feminine hygiene products. This means that they do not disrupt your vagina’s natural bacteria balance. The vagina is a wonderful mechanism that is self-cleansing and continually produces natural lubricants that “flush” the vagina. Many single use period products contain chemicals, perfumes and bleaches, so they can appear white and hygienic – but these additives are not healthy for your body.
No. Your Ruby Cup is for your personal use only.
Physically, there is no reason why a virgin cannot use a cup. If your hymen (the thin membrane which partially covers the opening of your vagina) is still intact then using a Ruby Cup may not be as easy. When starting to use Ruby Cup as a virgin, it might be easier to start with the Ruby Cup Small. Using a cup may stretch or tear the hymen. Your hymen can also be stretched or torn through sports such as riding a bike, and this is very normal. Some cultures and religions require an intact hymen before marriage, and may not agree with the use of a menstrual cup. If this is not an issue for you, your family, or your religion, then using a Ruby Cup is no problem – just take time to find a comfortable way to insert.
Note: Using Ruby Cup when you are a virgin can affect your hymen but that does not mean that you will lose your virginity! You only lose your virginity after your first sexual intercourse – no matter whether your hymen was torn before.
No, the Ruby Cup is only for menstrual management and is not a form of birth control. It cannot protect against any sexually transmitted infections or HIV. You should remove your Ruby Cup before sexual intercourse. You can protect against STIs and pregnancy by using a condom.
Yes. The Ruby Cup is a great menstrual product to use for a heavy flow, as it has a much higher capacity than tampons or pads, and can hold more menstrual flow. This means fewer bathroom trips! The medium sized Ruby Cup has the same capacity as 3 super tampons. We recommend using one if you have a heavy flow or during heavy days.
Yes! During menopause, your periods may become heavier or lighter, or become irregular. Ruby Cups are perfect for dealing with all these changes as they are flexible.
Your Ruby Cup has a higher capacity than disposable products, so can manage a heavy flow with ease and because menstrual cups collect your flow instead of absorbing it, you can wear a cup during a light flow, or when you are spotting with no risk of irritation or dryness.
Using a Ruby Cup eliminates the need to buy a variety of other menstrual products and gives you the freedom to enjoy a varied lifestyle without menstrual worries.
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is a serious and potentially fatal illness caused by toxin-producing strains of staphylococcus aureus bacterium. Symptoms can include: High fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, fainting or rash during your period or shortly after. If you experience any of the above symptoms, remove your menstrual cup and contact your doctor immediately.
TSS has been linked to the high absorbency and prolonged use of tampons but using a menstrual cup does not exclude you from TSS risk. Although the occurrence of TSS is rare in menstrual cups and much lower than in tampon use, we recommend for you to remain cautious and reduce the risk by following these instructions:
– Remove and empty your Ruby Cup at least every 8 hours during your period.
– Always make sure that you have clean hands when inserting and removing your Ruby Cup.
– Make sure to keep your nails short when handling your Ruby Cup to avoid scratching your vagina.
– Disinfect your Ruby Cup after every period by boiling it for 5 minutes.
– Do not use any internal vaginal devices if you have previously been diagnosed with Toxic Shock Syndrome.
For more info please check: http://www.toxicshock.
No. The Ruby Cup is made from a medical grade silicone which is hypo-allergenic, so you should not experience any allergic reactions.
No. Thrush is caused by Candida, a yeast fungus and can occur when the natural balance of your vagina is disturbed. Unlike traditional feminine hygiene products, the Ruby Cup does not absorb or interfere with the natural pH of your vagina. We recommend that you avoid using perfumed soaps to clean your ruby cup and when washing your delicate vaginal area as this can also disturb your pH balance.
There is no evidence that menstrual cups increase the risk of bacterial infections but taking care to clean your hands and correctly rinse and sterilise your cup, will reduce the chances.
Many women who have a retroverted or tilted uterus use menstrual cups without any problems. Of course, it always depends on how drastically your uterus is tilted, since every woman’s body is different. But for many women a Ruby Cup fits just fine. You may have to work a little with the angle while inserting it, so that it covers your cervix and sits right without leaking – but after a few tries (which any new menstrual cup user must face), you will definitely figure out how it should be positioned so it fits best for you.
Using internal sanitary protection for the first six weeks after giving birth is not recommended. This is because of the increased risk of infection that results from tiny wounds on the vaginal tissues. We would advise you to consult your doctor when you feel you may be ready to resume using your Ruby Cup after giving birth.
There is a small risk that your IUD can be affected or moved out of position when removing Ruby Cup. But for most women the use of the Ruby Cup while having an IUD has not caused any problems. Still, we advise you to consult your doctor before use.
Try these top tips for using a Ruby Cup if you have an IUD fitted:
– Position: the Ruby Cup is designed to sit low in the vagina, and if placed correctly will not disturb your IUD strings. Get to know where your strings are and become familiar with where you need to place your cup.
– Release the seal: Your Ruby Cup will create a suction seal when inside your vagina – to prevent leaks. Before removing your cup take care to pinch the walls of your cup together to release the suction.
– Visit your doctor: If you have any concerns, if you have a low cervix, or feel that your IUD has moved position then visit your doctor or gynaecologist for a health check before using a menstrual cup.
The Ruby Clean can be used in both a microwave or conventional oven. No matter where you decide to use the Ruby Clean, please make sure to leave the lid open to create a steam hole.
That depends a little on your microwave. You may need to experiment until you find the right settings which will boil your cup inside the Ruby Clean without overflowing too much. However, in most cases a little water will flow out of the Clean and this is normal.
No, you must boil them one after the other to ensure both of them are disinfected and that you can handle them safely after the boiling process.
Yes! All Ruby Clean colour variants are registered with the Vegan Society. This means they do not contain animal-derived ingredients and the ingredients have not been tested on animals.
First ensure it is completely dry, air drying is fine. Then collapse the Clean and store it in a dry place out of the sun, any bag or cupboard is fine.
Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow FAQs
Ruby Cherry Stone Pillows are a natural pain reliever, but it does not treat all pain symptoms. Cherry Stones have been used in Europe for medicinal purposes for decades where they would be heated on warming plates or wood stoves and then used to relieve aches and pains and as body warmers. Even today, Natives, in some of the rain forest grind up cherry stones and take them for pain relief similar to the way we use aspirin or other pain relief products.
A Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow is a portable, non-electric heating pad or cold compress that is made with cherry stones (seeds) and wrapped in 100% organic cotton. The Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow will provide a soothing, comfortable, penetrating heat or cold to the area on the body where the pillow is applied. The Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow is most used to relieve most aches and pains, headaches, stress, tension, and much more. The heat or cold usually last for 20-30 minutes, which is the time most health care professionals recommend for therapy.
The high-quality cherry stone pillow can be used as a purely natural alternative instead of a hot water bottle or a cooling pad. The Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow gives off moist heat that goes straight into the muscle and activates blood flow.
Place pillow on saucer or wrap in something. Heat for 30 seconds, check temperature, repeat at 30 second intervals checking until desire temperature is attained. Check the temperature of the pillow on the crook of your arm / wrist. Alternatively, the Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow can be heated in the oven for 20 minutes at 150 deg. Celsius or 300 deg. Fahrenheit.
Place in a protective bag, then place in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 2 hours before using.
Yes. The Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow settles around the affected area.
Yes under the strict supervision of an adult.
Yes. Pay attention to the heating instructions given. Heating for longer times or at higher energy outputs can lead to damage or (risk of fire).
Cherry Stones do not degrade and remain dust free, making them perfect for persons with allergies. They have two little air chambers that trap the heat or cold, which then gets released slowly to the affected area.
Yes by gently rolling the cherry stones against the body.
Hand-wash the Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow with mild soap and water. Simply move the cherry stones from one side to the other, wash, then repeat for the other side. Lay the Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow flat and leave to air dry.
The Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow can be stored in an airy, cool, dry place. Alternatively, the Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow can be stored in a protective freezer bag and placed in the freezer.
The Ruby Cherry Stone Pillow can last for at least 10 years.
Persons with the appropriate allergy or those who have an immune-deficiency.
Ruby Kegel Trainer FAQs
Strong pelvic floor muscles help support the extra weight during pregnancy and help heal the perineum and pelvic organs after labour.
Many people find it easier to locate and exercise their pelvic floor muscles when using the Ruby Kegel Trainer. It is also helpful for more intense exercise routines.
Well looked after, it would last around ten years.
It really depends on the person, the labour (vaginal, C-section, single baby, twins etc). We advise that you discuss this with your doctor.
This would really depend on the person and the pregnancy: you should discuss it with your doctor.
Why are Kegel exercises important to you?
Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are the base on which all the urinary and digestive organs such as the bladder and rectum sit. There are openings to let out urine (wee) through the urethra and faeces (poo) through the rectum which the pelvic floor muscles control. If the muscles are toned, then they will be stronger and less likely to let urine and faeces pass through unintentionally. This is also known as incontinence and can affect anyone, not just women who have been pregnant. Symptoms of a weak pelvic floor muscle tend to show up earlier and faster in women than men. For a woman, as soon as the hymen is broken, gravity acts to weaken the muscle. The weaking of the pelvic floor muscle increases overtime and can be exacerbated by constipation, giving birth, aging etc.
How to find your pelvic floor muscles?
Before you start any exercises, you will need to know how to find your pelvic floor muscles. The best way to find them is making them work. The next time you go to urinate, try to stop the wee midstream. The muscles you are using to do this are your pelvic floor muscles.
Once you know what that feels like you can try to do it in another setting, sat at your desk or waiting for a bus, for example. Another way of finding them is by washing your hands and then inserting a clean finger into your vagina. Try to clench onto your finger. Again, these are your pelvic floor muscles which you are contracting.
Like any training program, the key is consistency, and it will take a few weeks to see and feel the results of your work. If you have had any pelvic floor surgery you should speak to your doctor about a programme tailored to your needs. These exercises can be part of a bladder retraining programme too.
Now you’re ready to start the step-by-step guide with 6 different routines that will take you from beginner to expert.
Phase One – Building up strength in your pelvic floor muscles
Routine 1 “Sit ’n’ squeeze”
Sit in a comfortable position, (you can do this anywhere). Then do:
5 quick squeezes
2-seconds long deep clench
Repeat three times = one set
Then let go, and relax your pelvic floor muscles for 10 seconds. This is one set. Aim to do three sets of per day.
Recommended: one set, three times a day, every day.
Tip: set yourself an alarm to remind you of your daily sit’n’squeezes.
Routine 2 “Long squeeze”
This routine is done while lying down, varying the way you contract your pelvic floor muscles as opposed to routine one which is done seated.
Lie down, and start activating your pelvic floor muscles by doing 5 short, tight squeezes.
Then do a 3-second-deep clench. You should feel this one going deeper, causing a pulling sensation.
Let go of the contraction for 3 seconds, then start tightening again.
Repeat this set three times.
Recommended: Daily before going to bed or getting up in the morning.
For best results, it is important to not only focus on short clenches but also to activate your pelvic floor muscles by doing deeper clenches. Your muscles should be strong enough to hold liquid while sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
Phase Two – Advanced Kegel Exercises using the Ruby Kegel Trainer
Routine 3 “Travel-up clench”
Lie down, find a comfortable position, and insert your Ruby Kegel Trainer into your vagina with or without lube. Lay your hands on your stomach, breathe normally, and bend your knees.
Now start clenching, pulling up the Ruby Kegel Trainer. Imagine it travelling up while doing the pulling-clench for approximately 5 seconds.
Once you feel you’ve reached the peak of your clench at second 5, hold for another 3-5 seconds.
Gently let the Ruby Kegel Trainer back down again, while exhaling for 5 seconds.
Repeat this set three times.
Recommended: three times a week.
Tip: Choose specific days for the Travel Up Clench. Try every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday morning. That way, you will start including the Kegel exercises into your routine. See below for more tips on how to incorporate these pelvic floor exercises easily into your routine.
Routine 4 “The Gravity-Travel”
Insert your Ruby Kegel Trainer while standing up, keeping your legs hip-distance apart.
Start off by standing with your legs hip-wide apart. Try to hold the Ruby Kegel Trainer inside. If you are finding it too difficult, we recommend that you continue with routines 1-3 again for another week.
Now do the 5-second travel up clench again, using the instructions in routine three.
You will find this exercise harder to carry out because gravity adds additional weight and resistance to the Ruby Kegel Trainer.
Recommended: three times a week. Use this one to gradually replace the “Travel Up Clench” part of your routine.
Phase Three – Toning Exercises For Even Stronger Pelvic Floor Muscles
Routine 5 “The Deep Clench”
Insert the Ruby Kegel Trainer and lie on your back. Pull your bent knees towards your chest.
Gently open up by letting them fall to each side, as far as they go. To be more comfortable, you can rest them a little further down.
Now take a deep breath and contract your pelvic floor, while imagining your pelvis moving diagonally upwards. Hold for 10 seconds, try to make the contraction stronger with every second which goes past.
Release and pull your legs back to the centre, allowing yourself 5 seconds to relax. Repeat this set 3-5 times.
Recommended: every night before going to sleep or every morning before getting up.
Routine 6 “Marching Kegels”
Insert your Ruby Kegel Trainer standing up, keeping your legs hip-distance apart.
Now, while keeping your pelvic floor muscles squeezed tight, lift your right leg (knee bent) up, as if you were running slow motion on spot.
Do that 10 times, clenching even tighter every time you lift your knee, making sure that you are not losing your Ruby Kegel Trainer.
Relax for 10 seconds, both feet on the ground. Then switch to lifting your left leg, doing the same exercise.
Recommended: three sets every second day.
Tip: This is a great exercise to add to your morning routine!
From Expert-Level Onwards
Experts will do their daily kegel exercises described above, then will leave in their Ruby Kegel Trainer for an additional 20 minutes while doing some errands around the house.
Experts will also be able to distinguish between the different parts of the pelvic floor muscles. You too will get to the point that you can do all the clench and squeeze exercises while targeting different muscle areas.
No Excuse Bonus Routines – To Do At Your Desk Or During Your Commute
Sit with your legs crossed over in a comfortable position. Take 10 short breaths through your nose and clench your pelvic floor muscles every time you do so. Then, exhale and relax for 3 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
And you have our promise: nobody will realise that you are doing your Kegels
The Best Kegel Trainer For Beginners
Ready to have healthier pelvic floor muscles? Order your Ruby Kegel Trainer here, in purple or turquoise.