Can a menstrual disc get stuck?

Q: Can menstrual cup get stuck inside?

If youve ever wondered: Can you get a menstrual cup stuck? The answer is yes, but you can totally get it out without asking your bestie for help (though many people have used a helper or a doctor to dislodge a stuck cup). While you might have a moment of panic, youre going to be just fine.

Q: How do I know if my menstrual disc is in?

You should not be able to feel your menstrual disc once its in place. If you can feel it or its uncomfortable, it may not be inserted correctly or positioned high enough in the vaginal canal. A disc should sit directly under the cervix, in the upper part of the vagina known as the vaginal fornix.

Nobody wants to think about their menstrual cup becoming stuck inside them. The good news is that your menstrual cup won’t get stuck or lost forever - there’s only one way in and out! If the unthinkable happens and your cup won’t budge, here’s what to do.

Step 1: Relax

It’s probably the last thing you want to be told, but it really is important to relax your muscles when it comes time to remove your menstrual cup. Tensing your vaginal or pelvic floor muscles will only hold onto the cup tighter, or pull it further up the vaginal canal. So try your best to chill out and remind yourself that it will come out eventually.

Step 2: Search with your fingers

Insert one of two fingers and get an idea of where your cup is placed within the vagina (use a little lubricant if this makes it more comfortable for you). It could be sitting higher, or perhaps a little off to the side. Once you’ve located your cup, you’ll know what you’re dealing with. Can’t find your cup? Head to tip number 3 below!

Step 3: Bring your cup within reach

If you have a high cervix or are using a shorter menstrual cup, it may be trickier to reach. Bearing down with your muscles (like you’re going to the toilet) and squatting down should bring the base of your cup within reach. Remember: if you have a high cervix or a long vaginal canal, you should choose a longer cup so it’s easier to remove. We recommend the Lily Cup, JuJu Model 3, Diva Cup or Moxie Menstrual Cup.

Step 4: Make sure the seal is broken

Menstrual cups work by creating a seal with the vaginal walls. This is a good thing - it’s what keeps you leak-free! You should always break the seal by squeezing the base of the cup before attempting to remove your cup. If you don’t, you will experience a lot of resistance (and probably some discomfort) when trying to pull it out. You may hear a noise that will indicate the seal has been broken. If you can’t quite reach in with two fingers to squeeze, try sliding your index finger up alongside the cup and pushing inwards. This should break the seal, then you can wiggle is down within reach with your fingers.

Step 5: Take a break!

If you’re not having any luck, take a break. Breathe, relax and try again in 15 minutes. If you’re having trouble removing your cup first thing in the morning, waiting 15-30 minutes after waking up and walking around can help gravity do its thing and bring your cup lower.

Step 6: If all else fails…

While it is rare, some people might find their cup just won’t budge. It could be suctioned to your cervix, or it could be up too high and out of your reach. If this happens, don’t worry. It’s best to head to the emergency department at your local hospital and ask for assistance. There is no shame in asking!

As your period phone-a-friends and curbers (is that a word?) of all kinds of period drama, we’re here to help - whatever your period drama may be!

Now first things first – we don’t want to alarm you – not everyone who uses a menstrual cup will experience it getting or feeling 'stuck', BUT it is super common and can happen even to the most experienced cup user. If you are a cup or tampon user, you will likely know that your cup can't get 'lost' inside you - IT LITERALLY HAS NOWHERE TO GO. Your vagina is not a bottomless pit– there is only so far a cup can go.

If you feel like your cup is stuck, or you’re having trouble getting it out, it’s likely sitting too high, sitting sideways, or perhaps the suction seal this time was super strong when you inserted it.

If you’re reading this, you may have already read our guide to menstrual cup removal HERE. If not, check it out and try the basics first. If you’re new to cups, insertion and removal can be a bit tricky and take a bit of getting used to - we've penned a handy lil' guide on some top tips for easy(er) cup use, HERE.

If you’re still having no luck, try this handy little guide, below, to help you remove a stuck cup!

Before we dive in (so to speak) – know that you.are.not.alone. A lot of us have our very own stuck stories and whilst it was a super intense experience at the time, we can look back and laugh about it now. The stress! The anxiety! The panic! How could this little silicone device cause such drama?! Stress less – we’ve been there before and we survived to tell the tales. And you will, too. Here’s how…

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO REMOVING YOUR MENSTRUAL CUP

1. FIRST, WASH YOUR HANDS.

Obvs. You’re going to have to reach in there at some point and you want clean hands and nails doing it. Our vaginas are precious! We don’t want to invite in any unwanted bacteria.

12. BREATHE AND GET COMFY.

Just like when you first inserted it. If you’re tense, your pelvic floor muscles will tense up, too, making removal that much more difficult. Take a few deep breaths and find a comfortable position. Squatting (in the shower is good because spills) is a tried-and-tested position because it helps open-up the pelvis and makes the vaginal canal shorter, often helping your cup lower itself a little.

3. LOCATE YOUR CUP.

We know – it’s in your vagina – but where exactly? With a clean finger (index finger usually works best), reach in and locate it’s whereabouts. Can you feel the toggle, or stem at the base of the cup? Is the cup facing the right way (as in, with the toggle angled towards the opening of the vagina)? If your cup is at an angle, or is somehow sitting sideways, use your finger to slightly guide it so that it’s sitting upright. This will make removal easier. Note to self: Don’t pull on the toggle! This will not release the suction.

4. PRACTICE YOUR PELVIC FLOORS.

Also known as ‘kegels’ – we’ve talked about these a bit on the blog and even on the podcast but for those who are unfamiliar with them, here’s a quick 101: your pelvic floor muscles are the ones that keep everything inside you in place (your bladder, uterus and bowels). Pelvic floor exercises are when you contract and release those muscles (feels a bit like holding in a wee, then letting it out) repeatedly, which helps strengthen them. We recommend doing 10 of these at least once a day (as a very general rule of thumb – please see a doc if you have more specific concerns, like incontinence, bladder control issues or anything else that might impact your pelvic area).

Ok so back to it…

Doing the ‘release’ part of the pelvic floor exercise can help push your menstrual cup down the vagina and towards the vaginal canal. As you push downwards, reach into your vagina with your thumb and index finger, and see if you can grab at the base (just above the toggle/stem), just enough to pinch it slightly and release the suction seal. If you’re able to reach it and release the suction, you should easily be able to slide it out.

Still no luck? Onto step 5…

5. REACH IN AND BREAK THE SEAL.

Insert your index finger again and attempt to break the seal of the cup by running your finger around the sides, or by pushing down on the rim, if you can reach it. If the cup is fully ‘open’ and you feel like it might be too big to remove, try folding it whilst inside you (pushing down on the rim, similar to the punch down fold, might help).

If that doesn’t work…

6. TAKE A BREAK.

Got the sweats? Feeling a little hyped (in a stressed way?). It might be time to take a little breather, Moxette. Step away, make a cup of tea and take 5 to re-group. Then come back to it with a clear head (and clean hands) and try again.

If you’re STILL not having any luck...

7. TRY A DIFFERENT POSITION.

... like sitting on the toilet, or propping one leg up on the toilet whilst standing. Changing angles can help change the position of your cup, making it easy to reach.

And if all else fails…

8. THE LAST RESORT.

It might be time to phone a friend/partner to help give you a hand (make sure they wash their hands first, too!) or visit a health professional like a doctor or a gyno, who should easily be able to get your cup out for you. THERE IS NO SHAME or embarrassment in asking for help or seeking medical attention. It happens to the best of us.

Whatever you do, PLEASE REMEMBER: To never leave your Cup in for more than 8 hours at a time – so make sure you can remove or have it removed within that window.

⭐ HOW TO PREVENT YOUR CUP GETTING STUCK AGAIN ⭐

Inserting and removing your cup will get easier as you get used to it. Here are some top tips to help reduce the likelihood of it getting your period cup stuck the next time…

How do I get a stuck disc out of my period?

Problem: Menstrual Disc Is Hard To Remove Solution: If you consistently have issues removing the disc sometimes it can help if you bear down very gently. This helps the disc dislodge from the pubic bone. If you're having issues reaching your disc, try squatting in the shower then reaching for the rim.

Can menstrual cup get stuck inside?

If you've ever wondered: Can you get a menstrual cup stuck? The answer is yes, but you can totally get it out without asking your bestie for help (though many people have used a helper or a doctor to dislodge a stuck cup). While you might have a moment of panic, you're going to be just fine.

Can menstrual discs get lost?

No, Softdisc cannot get lost inside of you. The cervical opening is far too narrow to allow an object to pass through. If you have trouble removing Softdisc, don't panic. Try sitting on the toilet and bearing down with the pelvic muscles which will push Softdisc towards the vaginal canal.

How do I know if my menstrual disc is in?

You should not be able to feel your menstrual disc once it's in place. If you can feel it or it's uncomfortable, it may not be inserted correctly or positioned high enough in the vaginal canal. A disc should sit directly under the cervix, in the upper part of the vagina known as the vaginal fornix.