Welcome to Cup Basics! This guide will help you learn everything about menstrual cups. Whether you're brand new to cups or already use one, you'll find helpful information here. We'll guide you step by step to find the perfect cup for your body and lifestyle.

What Is a Menstrual Cup?

A menstrual cup is a small, flexible cup made from soft medical-grade silicone or other safe materials. You insert it into your vagina during your period to collect menstrual blood. Unlike pads or tampons that absorb blood, cups collect it. When the cup is full, you remove it, empty it, rinse it, and put it back in.

Menstrual cups are reusable. One cup can last for years with proper care. This makes them better for the environment and your wallet.

Why Choose a Menstrual Cup?

Women around the world are switching to menstrual cups for many reasons:

Save money: One cup replaces thousands of tampons or pads over time
Better for the planet: Less waste in landfills
Longer wear time: Cups hold more than tampons, so you can wear them up to 12 hours
More comfortable: Many women forget they're even wearing a cup
Healthier option: No bleach, fragrances, or chemicals touching your body
Freedom: Swim, sleep, exercise, and live your life without worry

What Makes Shiro Different?

Shopping for menstrual cups can feel overwhelming. Every brand uses different sizing names. One brand's "small" might be another brand's "medium." It's confusing!

Shiro solves this problem. We created a universal sizing scale that works for all brands: S, M, L, and XL. We measure every cup and translate each brand's sizing into our standard scale. This makes comparing cups incredibly easy.

Instead of guessing which brand's "size 1" or "size A" fits you, just look for your Shiro size. Our Cup-Figurator quiz will tell you exactly which size you need. Then you can compare all the cups in your size to find your perfect match.

This universal sizing system is explained in detail in Chapter 9: Cup Sizes Explained.

What You'll Learn in Cup Basics

This guide covers everything you need to know about menstrual cups. Each chapter focuses on one important topic. You can read from start to finish or jump to the chapters that matter most to you.

Here's what we'll cover:

Introduction to Menstrual Cups – You are here!
Beginner vs Experienced Users – How experience affects cup choice
Age and Life Stages – Finding the right cup for your age
Childbirth and Body Changes – How birth affects your body and cup needs
Understanding Your Flow – Light, medium, or heavy flow explained
Cervix Height and Cup Length – Why cervix height is the #1 factor in cup fit
Activity Level and Firmness – Matching cups to your lifestyle
Bladder Sensitivity – Solutions for pressure and frequent urination
Cup Sizes Explained – How Shiro's universal S/M/L/XL sizing works
Capacity and Measurements – Understanding volume and dimensions
Cup Materials – Silicone, TPE, and other safe materials
Firmness Levels – Soft, medium, or firm cups
Stem Types – Ball, ring, flat, and other stem options
Air Holes – How holes affect suction and removal
How to Insert and Remove – Step-by-step instructions and tips
Cleaning Your Cup – Daily care and deep cleaning methods
Storage – How to store your cup between periods

Finding Your Perfect Cup

Every woman's body is unique. The cup that works perfectly for your friend might not work for you. That's completely normal! Your cervix height, flow volume, activity level, and other factors all affect which cup fits best.

The good news? Shiro makes finding your perfect cup easy. Our Cup-Figurator quiz asks about your body and lifestyle. Based on your answers, we recommend cups that will work well for you.

The quiz takes just a few minutes. You'll answer questions about your cervix height, flow, age, activity level, and preferences. Then we'll show you personalized recommendations with detailed comparisons.

Ready to Get Started?

You have two great options:

Take the quiz: Go to the Cup-Figurator for personalized cup recommendations right now
Learn first: Read through the Cup Basics chapters to understand all the details before choosing

Both approaches work great. Some women like to learn everything first. Others prefer to get recommendations and then learn more about why those cups work for them.

Either way, you're in the right place. Shiro is here to help you find the perfect menstrual cup for your body and your life. Let's get started!