It’s Okay to Get Period Blood on Your Hands

You’re watching a menstrual cup tutorial, and it goes straight from “take it out” to “rinse it.” Okay, but what about your fingers?

You might get a little of your own period blood on your hands when you empty a menstrual cup or disc, or when you change a pad. It’s okay if that happens. Wash your hands with soap and running water. CDC menstrual hygiene guidance

The part between “take it out” and “rinse it”

A menstrual cup or menstrual disc collects your flow, so you’ll see it when you empty it. That flow includes blood and tissue from the lining of your uterus. If you’re used to seeing it on a pad, seeing it in a cup can feel different. You can be curious and still think, “Okay, that’s going to take me a minute.” MedlinePlus on menstruation

If it’s your first time emptying a cup, try it at home when you have a few minutes to yourself. Sitting over the toilet gives any drips somewhere to go. A review in The Lancet Public Health found that getting used to a menstrual cup often took several cycles. Give yourself a little time to see how it feels. Menstrual cup research review

So, what do I do if it gets on my fingers?

In a public restroom. If the sink is outside the stall, bring a small bottle of drinking water and wash your hands before you go in. You can use the bottle to give your cup or disc a quick rinse over the toilet after emptying it. If you’d rather clean it properly at home, tuck it into a separate wrapper or wet bag and switch to a clean spare cup, disc, or pad. Got a little blood on your fingers? Rinse them with the bottled water, pat them dry with toilet paper, and wash your hands with soap and running water when you step out.

At the sink. Scrub with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds, including between your fingers and under your nails. At home, a small, clean nail brush can help if there’s dried blood under a nail. CDC menstrual hygiene guidance · CDC handwashing guidance

Pack a backup in case your cup hits the floor.  If that happens, or you’d simply rather switch to a fresh one, use a clean spare cup, disc, or pad. If you can easily rinse the used cup or disc, do that first, then tuck it into a separate wrapper or wet bag for the trip home. Clean it according to its instructions before you use it again. A spare pad is handy when you want to finish up and get on with your day.

And if you’re looking at a cup thinking, “Maybe later,” that’s fine too. A reusable cloth pad snaps around the underwear you already own.

Claudia
Founder, Hume’s Period Care