Inserting the Honey Pot menstrual cup takes a bit of practice, but most people get comfortable with it within two or three cycles. The process comes down to folding the cup small enough for easy entry, angling it toward your tailbone at about 45 degrees, and letting it pop open to form a seal. Here’s exactly how to do it, from first-time prep to troubleshooting.
Before Your First Use
The Honey Pot cup is made of medical-grade silicone, free from latex and phthalates. Before you use it for the first time, wash your hands and the cup with a mild, unscented soap. Then bring a pot of water to a boil and let the cup sit in the boiling water for up to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot and scorch. This sterilizes the cup and gets it ready for use. You don’t need to boil it before every period, but a quick wash with mild soap before each insertion is important.
Choosing the Right Size
The Honey Pot cup comes in two sizes, and using the right one makes insertion easier and prevents leaks.
- Size 1: 43mm diameter, 7cm long from rim to stem, holds 20ml. Designed for light to medium flow, generally recommended for ages 19 to 30.
- Size 2: 47mm diameter, 8cm long, holds 25ml. Better for medium to heavy flow or if you’ve given birth vaginally.
If you’re between sizes or unsure, flow intensity is the most reliable guide. A size that’s too large can feel uncomfortable going in, while one that’s too small may not seal properly and could leak.
How to Fold the Cup
Folding is the most important step. The cup needs to be as small as possible before you insert it. Two folds work well for beginners:
The C-fold (also called a U-fold) is the simplest. Press the cup flat, then fold it in half so the rim forms a tight C shape. This is easy to hold but creates a wider insertion point, so it works best if you’re already comfortable with the cup.
The punch-down fold creates a smaller tip. Push one side of the rim down into the base of the cup with your finger, then pinch the sides together. The narrow point at the top slides in more easily, which makes this fold a better choice if you’re new to cups or find the C-fold too wide. Hold the fold firmly near the rim so it doesn’t pop open in your hand.
Step-by-Step Insertion
Wash your hands with warm water and mild soap. Find a position where your pelvic muscles can relax. Sitting on the toilet works well, and squatting in the shower gives you more room to maneuver. Some people prefer standing with one foot up on the edge of the tub. If you’ve used tampons before, whatever position worked for those is a good starting point.
Hold the folded cup in your dominant hand with a firm grip near the rim. With your other hand, gently hold your outer labia apart using your index and middle fingers. Slide the folded cup into your vagina, angling it toward your tailbone at roughly a 45-degree angle. This follows the natural direction of the vaginal canal. A common mistake is aiming straight up, which pushes the cup against the front vaginal wall and makes insertion uncomfortable.
Once the cup is inside, let go of the fold and allow it to pop open. The stem should sit about half an inch inside your vaginal opening, though this varies depending on your anatomy. The cup sits lower than a tampon would. If the stem pokes out and bothers you, you can trim it slightly with clean scissors, but do this outside your body and only a little at a time.
Checking the Seal
A proper seal is what prevents leaks. After insertion, run a finger around the base of the cup. You should feel the silicone fully expanded into a round shape with no obvious dents or folds. If it feels collapsed on one side, the cup hasn’t opened completely.
To fix this, grip the base of the cup (not the stem) and rotate it gently. You can also try pushing against the vaginal wall next to the cup to give it room to expand. Some people find it helps to bear down slightly with their pelvic muscles and then release, which shifts the cup into place. A light tug on the stem should meet some resistance if the seal is good.
If you can’t get it to open, remove it and try again with a different fold. The punch-down fold tends to pop open more reliably than the C-fold for many people.
How Long You Can Wear It
You can wear the Honey Pot cup for 6 to 12 hours depending on your flow, including overnight. On heavy days, check it closer to the 6-hour mark. Always remove it by 12 hours. Leaving any internal menstrual product in too long, including cups, increases the risk of bacterial growth and, in rare cases, toxic shock syndrome. The risk with silicone cups is lower than with tampons, but the 12-hour limit still applies.
Removal and Reinsertion
To remove the cup, wash your hands first. Relax your muscles and bear down gently, the way you would during a bowel movement. This pushes the cup lower so you can reach the base. Pinch the base of the cup to break the seal before pulling it out. Pulling on the stem alone without breaking the seal creates uncomfortable suction. Tilt the cup slightly as it comes out to keep the contents from spilling.
Empty the cup into the toilet, rinse it with clean water, and wash it with mild soap before reinserting. If you’re in a public restroom without a sink in the stall, wiping the cup with toilet paper or rinsing it with a water bottle works fine until you can wash it properly.
Common First-Time Problems
Difficulty getting the cup in usually comes down to tension. Your pelvic floor muscles tighten when you’re anxious, which narrows the vaginal opening. Taking a few deep breaths and trying in the shower (where warm water helps you relax) makes a noticeable difference. A small amount of water-based lubricant on the rim of the cup can also help it glide in.
Leaking despite correct placement typically means the cup isn’t fully open or isn’t positioned around the cervix. Your cervix can sit off to one side rather than perfectly centered, so the cup may need to be angled slightly to catch flow properly. If you consistently leak with Size 1, the cup may be too small to seal against your vaginal walls, and Size 2 could solve the problem.
Discomfort or a feeling of pressure usually means the cup is sitting too high or too low. Reposition it so the base sits just past the vaginal opening. If the stem irritates you, trimming it in small increments helps. Some people trim it completely flush with the base of the cup.