I first knew I needed to get a cup that was not made of latex. The Saalt Cup is made of silicone, which I found to be much softer, lightweight, and pliable.
How to Insert a Menstrual Cup
Inserting a menstrual cup is not at all like inserting a tampon. I use the non-applicator tampons, so I was used to being up close and personal with putting a finger up my vagina. With a cup, you need to fold it in half, then use your thumb and first two fingers to insert it. You need to apply more pressure than you would when inserting a tampon to ensure the cup doesn't unfold before it's all the way in. This takes a little practice, but so did inserting tampons when I was 13!
You have to get the cup in the right position by pulling on the little tab on the bottom, and wiggling it a little from side to side, but you'll know you got it perfect when you don't feel the cup at all! Your vaginal muscles hold it in place, just like a tampon, and instead of absorbing blood, the cup collects it.
How to Remove a Menstrual Cup
Taking it out is a little trickier because the cup creates a little suction. So you have to slide your finger up between the side of the cup and your vaginal wall, to break the suction seal. Then use your thumb and first two fingers to gently pull it out. Do this slowly or else the cup will fly out of you and the contents will pour out all over your white bathmat (yep, speaking from experience). You may want to do this in the shower for the first time just in case — I wish someone told me that!
If you're in a public bathroom, you can absolutely just dump the blood out into the toilet and insert it back in. But it's better if you have access to sink so you can rinse it off.