Folding methods
Inserting a tampon is one of the things that many young girls or even adult women fear most, and it is no different from inserting a menstrual cup for the first time.
Any concerns about inserting a Talisi menstrual cup are completely unfounded! Although the cup is slightly larger than a normal tampon, it is made of soft medical-grade silicone that can be folded easily to provide a safe, comfortable and painless vaginal insertion.
Although what we’ve listed here are the most tried-and-tested, there are even more menstrual cup folds out there. This loose set of guidelines is meant to help you choose, but ultimately, the decision lies with you. Every woman is unique, and you’d need to experiment with different folds and go with what feels right for your body.
Would you like to know how you can actually fold your Talisi menstrual cup and which method is best for you?
THE “C” FOLD (or "U" fold)
This is the classic fold that women turn to when they first start using a menstrual cup. Chances are, you’ll find it mentioned in the instructions that come with your cup. It’s a favorite among beginners because it’s incredibly simple—it’ll only take you a couple of seconds, and it’s practically impossible to get it wrong! However, many have commented that it can be difficult to insert because of the cup’s width, so we’d primarily recommend it for older women or those who’ve already given birth.
PROCEDURE:- STEP 1: Hold your cup with both hands near the rim.
- STEP 2: Pinch the cup so that it flattens out and the rim presses together.
- STEP 3: Fold the cup in half lengthwise. The rim should resemble a “C” or “U” shape.
THE PUNCH-DOWN FOLD
The punch-down fold is right up there with the “C” fold in terms of popularity. They’re both great for first-time users, but the punch-down fold’s strength is the “C” fold’s weakness, and vice-versa. This fold results in a cup that’s small and pointy, so insertion is a cinch. On the other hand, sometimes it takes a while to get into the right place!
PROCEDURE:- STEP 1: While holding the cup, place your thumb near the front side of the rim.
- STEP 2: Push down so that the front side of the rim sinks to the base of the cup.
- STEP 3: Squeeze the sides of the cup towards the center to hold the shape together. The folded cup should have a tiny, narrow top and wider base.
THE 7-FOLD
You can think of the 7-fold as a compromise between the “C” fold and the punch-down fold. It’s a lot narrower than the “C” fold, and it inserts more easily than the punch-down fold. Out of all the folds, it’s unique for having the most uniform shape from top to bottom. If you’re struggling with inserting your cup, then this might be the fold for you.
PROCEDURE:- STEP 1: Hold your cup with both hands and pinch the rim together so that it flattens out.
- STEP 2: Take the right-hand corner and pull it down until it reaches the opposite side. The rim should then be shaped like the number “7.” Yes, it’s that simple!
The basic folds above usually do the trick. But once you’ve gotten the hang of it and still find yourself searching for a better fit, you can branch out to these a couple of other folds that are slightly more complex.
THE ORIGAMI FOLD
For those who like the 7-fold but still struggle with it from time to time, consider this as Plan B. Although this fold is nowhere near as challenging as making delicate paper cranes, it does require a little bit more effort than usual. On the flip side, it comes with benefits such as a small insertion point and an easy fit.
PROCEDURE:- STEP 1: Pull down the front side of the rim halfway.
- STEP 2: Keep the rim thereby holding it down with your left hand.
- STEP 3: Use your right hand to grab the right corner and fold it all the way to the bottom, across the cup. The end result should resemble a tulip.
THE HALF-DIAMOND FOLD
Although not as well-known, the half-diamond fold can be the solution for those who want to be more comfortable when inserting their menstrual cups. It’s the smallest of all the folds, and you can take hold of the rim during insertion for easy adjustment. Fans of this fold also say that it releases consistently. There’s a variant called the diamond fold that’s wider and bulkier, but we still prefer the half-diamond for practical purposes.
PROCEDURE:- STEP 1: Pull down the front side of the rim to the base so that the rim forms an oblong.
- STEP 2: Bring the left side to the center, and do the same with the right side, forming a diamond.
- STEP 3: Fold the diamond in half lengthwise so that it becomes a triangle (or a half-diamond).