How to Insert and Remove a Menstrual Cup: All the Information You Need to Know
This short video found below explains really clearly how to insert and remove a menstrual cup. It’s far better than most of the other ones out there. Combined with the information from this article, you should be inserting and removing your menstrual cup like a pro!
Of course, you should be sure to read the directions that come with your menstrual cup. Companies like the Diva Cup or The MoonCup include some excellent instructions for how to insert and remove a menstrual cup.
They also have lots of helpful advice to deal with things like leaking and cleaning. It is highly recommend to thoroughly read this instructions before using your period cup in order to experience the least amount of frustration possible.
Keep reading for details on how to insert and remove a menstrual cup.
How to Insert and Remove a Menstrual Cup
Menstrual Cup Insertion Difficulties
If you’re having a hard time inserting your menstrual cup, just try again a bit later once you relax a bit. When you feel nervous, your muscles tighten up, include the ones in your pelvic region, so this will make it quite difficult to insert your menstrual cup.
It’s normal to feel nervous when you’re first starting out with menstrual cups. They are big and may seem like they might not fit into your vaginal canal. Trust us-they will! Take a few deep breaths and try as much as possible to relax. If you experience leaking with your menstrual cup, check out a few tips here: Menstrual Cup Leaking Help.
Menstrual Cups Folds
You can fold your period cup in lots of ways, but there are two main ones:
- Pushing it down on one side and scrunching it up. This generally makes it smaller and easier to insert, but it can be a bit harder for it to pop open easily, especially if you use a cup that is not so stiff.
- Pushing one side in, then the other towards it. The top of the cup will look like it has 4 little ovals. It’s a little bit bigger when you’re inserting it, but it can pop open more easily.
Experiment with Menstrual Cup Folding
It’s recommended that you experiment a little bit and see what works for you. You can also try using some water on the tip of the cup that you insert in order to make things go more smoothly. Most companies DON’T recommend using lube, because this can damage the materials in the cup.
Check out Menstrual Cup Folds on YouTube
Menstrual Cup Folds: More Details
If you need more information about this topic, then check out: How to Fold a Menstrual Cup. We give you the rundown of three popular menstrual cup folds to try out.
Don’t Give Up too Soon with Inserting a Menstrual Cup
Also be sure not to give up too early because it takes a few cycles in order to get the hang of things. When I first started, I hating wearing my Diva Cup because it just kept leaking.
These days though, it’s fine and I’ll never go back to pads or tampons. I had to figure out how to position it correctly and make sure that it was suctioned into place.
More details about Menstrual Cup Folding from Super Jennie
We love the advice on the Super Jennie’s website. In case you haven’t heard of this menstrual cup, it’s a newcomer to the scene. But, the Super Jennie is a top-quality cup that’s quickly becoming more popular. It’s made in the USA from medical grade silicone and if you have a heavy period, it’s one of the largest capacity cups.
Check out their excellent menstrual cup folding guide here (lots of pictures there too).
Menstrual Cup Folding: Advice from Lunette
The Lunette Cup is one of the most popular menstrual cups in the world. They’ve been around for years, and they have a reputation for producing one of the best menstrual cups you can buy.
Most people who try the Lunette, just find that it works. It’s easy to insert, and remove and it usually doesn’t leak.
Here’s some advice from Lunette on menstrual cup folding:
Should I Use Lube to Insert a Menstrual Cup
Some of the menstrual cup companies, as well as people who blog about cups advocate using water-based lube to help insert it. Some of their favourite brands that they recommend include: Shibari, Isabel Fay, Astroglide, Passion Lubes, and Slippery Stuff.
But, is this a good idea to use something like Astroglide to insert a menstrual cup? In general, no!
It’s fine to use water-based lube like Shibari to insert your menstrual cup a couple of times during your period. It’s the same as if you use lube to have sex a few times a week. Your body will probably suffer no harm.
However, most people take out and empty their menstrual cup 3-4x a day. So, if you’re putting lube into your vagina 3-4x a day for 5 days, that’s a lot of lube!
Your vagina is happiest when you don’t put a whole bunch of random stuff in there (see: Things to Never Put Into your Vagina). This includes lube. By happiest, we mean not getting yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.
What are the alternative to water-based lube to insert a menstrual cup? Water. Just rinse your cup under some warm water and go for it! It works well enough.
What’s the Easiest Menstrual Cup to Insert?
Many people are looking for the best menstrual cup for beginners, that is, one that’s easier to insert and remove. Our general advice is to get a menstrual cup that is average-firm, instead of soft.
A firmer menstrual cup will usually just pop open and into place once you insert it into your vaginal canal. It usually doesn’t matter too much what kind of fold you use. Just put the cup in, and it’ll work, with minimal fuss or hassle.
The downside to firm menstrual cups is that for some people, it presses too strongly against the vaginal canal walls. This can cause some discomfort, and even cramps.
A softer cup is of course, more comfortable. However, you may have to fiddle around with it quite a bit to get it to open correctly.
For more details about the best menstrual cup for beginners, be sure to check out this menstrual cup firmness chart. Remember to stick with the average, or firm menstrual cups. The “extra-firm” ones aren’t really necessary for most people, unless you engage in some serious athletic feats!
Menstrual Cup Insertion: Troubleshooting Guide
If you’re struggling with how to insert a menstrual cup, here are a few quick tips for you:
- Firmer cups are easier than softer cups to insert. They’ll usually just pop open easily.
- Try a different fold. Look at the YouTube videos on this page for all the different ones.
- Try a different position—sitting on the toilet, standing, or squatting.
- Point it towards your tailbone, not straight up.
- Doesn’t “pop” open? Rotate it one direction a full circle. Then, the other way.
- Relax. Take some deep breaths. Try again later.
- It should be low in your vaginal canal. Don’t push it up. Just insert it until the stem isn’t sticking out of your vaginal canal entrance.
- Do you have the right size? Too big, or too small can cause big problems.
I Can’t Get my Menstrual Cup In!
There are some people who find that they can’t get their menstrual cup in. This is a more common problem than you might think, so don’t think that you’re alone. You’re certainly not.
Here are a few tips if you can’t get a menstrual cup inside.
- Relax. When your muscles are tense, the vaginal canal opening is smaller. Relax your jaw and face, and the rest of your body should follow.
- Get your menstrual cup wet. Water is best, instead of lubricant which most companies don’t recommend because it can damage the materials in the cup.
- It’s often difficult to get a menstrual cup in when you don’t have your period. We know that you may want to try it out when you first get one, but be patient and wait until there is some menstrual fluid. It will be much easier.
- If you are a virgin/teenager/smaller person, a regular size cup may not work for you. You might need a very small cup if you can’t get a normal one through your vaginal canal opening. Check out a smaller diameter cup, such as the FemmyCycle Teen.
Menstrual Cup Removal Difficulties
Menstrual cup removal: not as difficult as you might think! If you’re having a difficult time removing your menstrual cup, again, just relax and try again later. Wear a pad in case of leakage.
It helps if you push your pelvic muscles to push the cup further down the canal which will make it easier to grab. You can also push one side of it with only one finger so that you can break the seal and it will come out more easily.
It’s often not that easy to remove your menstrual cup first thing in to the morning because it’s usually moved further up your vaginal canal as your muscles have relaxed during sleep. In this case, wait and hour or two and try then. You’ll probably find it much, much easier. Again, just wear a pad if necessary until then.
Finally, if you really can’t get your menstrual cup out after repeated attempts, go to the hospital or doctor. They’ll be able to get it out in a few second. Don’t feel embarrassed! Doctors see this kind of thing all the time.
How to Remove a Menstrual Cup
Menstrual Cup Falling Out: Help!
Is your menstrual cup falling out? This can be a scary, messy situation. Here’s why it can happen:
Your menstrual cup is too small
Perhaps you’ve given birth vaginally multiple times, but are using a small menstrual cups? This can cause a menstrual cup to fall out. Does your cup slip and slide around you, and never really seal to your vaginal canal walls? This is likely why your menstrual cup is falling out.
—>Check out our Top-Rated BIG Menstrual Cup<—
Menstrual Cup is too Long?
Do you have a low cervix, and are using a longer menstrual cup? There just isn’t room “up there” and this could be why your menstrual cup is falling out. Try a shorter, low-cervix menstrual cup instead.
—>Check out the Shortest Menstrual Cup<—
Try a bigger, or shorter menstrual cup and that should solve the problem of your menstrual cup falling out!
Can a Menstrual Cup Get Lost?
Some people want to know whether or not a menstrual cup can get lost? When you’re trying to remove it, but it’s nowhere to be found, it may seem this way.
You reach up into your vaginal canal, but you can’t even grasp the stem. This can happen to you if you have a very high cervix/long vaginal canal.
Let us assure you—it’s impossible for a menstrual cup to get “lost” Your cervix is a barrier between the uterus and vagina. The only exception to this is if you’re giving birth.
Even if you can’t “find” the cup, it is not lost, and it’s in there somewhere. Push down with your pelvic muscles until you can reach the stem.
Menstrual Cup Removal: Troubleshooting Guide
If you’re have a hard time with menstrual cup removal, here are a few quick tips for you:
- Relax. Come back later if necessary.
- Grasp the base, if possible. Use the stem if necessary to pull it down.
- Push the cup down with your pelvic muscles if you can’t reach the stem.
- Don’t forget to break the suction seal. Squeeze the edges of the base together.
- Be VERY careful if you have an IUD. You MUST break the suction seal before removing your menstrual cup.
- Menstrual cup length is important. If you have a low cervix, get a shorter cup. If you have a high cervix, get a longer cup.
I Can’t Get my Menstrual Cup Out!
Maybe you’re frantically searching around on the Internet for some help because you can’t get your menstrual cup out. It may seem like it’s stuck in there, never to be removed again!
First of all, stop panicking (if you are). You will indeed be able to get your menstrual cup out of there, most likely (99% of the time) on your own. You may also want to get a partner to assist you. Finally, you can go to a doctor if you absolutely can’t do it on your own.
Check out the tips from the above section. Pay particular attention to the relax, and come back later if necessary. Put on a pad and try again when you’ve relaxed a bit. Take a bath. Listen to some music. You will get it out!
Menstrual Cup is Stuck?
How to Insert and Remove a Diva Cup
The Diva Cup is the most popular menstrual cup in the world. It’s often the first cup that women try out. Here is everything you need to know about how to insert and remove the Diva Cup (tips from the company):
Menstrual Cup Folding: Diva Cup
Fold Option #1: “U” Fold the sides of the cup together, and then fold it together once more.
Fold Option #2: “Push Down” Push the top of the rim down into the center of the cup with one finger. This makes the top rim much smaller to insert.
Diva Cup: “The Hold”
Hold the Diva Cup so that the stem is pointing inside your palm.
Diva Cup Insertion
Insert the Diva Cup horizontally into your vaginal canal, making sure that the stem is not too far from the opening. If it’s too high up, it might leak. Diva Cup insertion isn’t as difficult as you might think. If you’re struggling, relax for an hour or two and try again.
Seal and Rotate
Grab the base of the cup, not the stem and give it a full turn. This ensures that it’s fully opened inside of you. It should rotate easily.
Remove the Diva Cup
Pull the stem until you’re able to grasp the base. Squeeze it until you’ve broken the suction/seal. Pull out, empty, clean and then reinsert.
If you have a long vaginal canal, or high cervix, then you may not be able to reach the stem. In this case, push down with your pelvic muscles until you can grasp it. Alternatively, you could consider one of the longer menstrual cups.
Diva Cup Removal
How to Insert and Remove a MoonCup
The MoonCup is one of the most popular menstrual cups in the world. It’s similar to the Diva Cup, except that’s it’s manufactured in the UK. Here’s the advice they give for how to insert and remove a MoonCup.
MoonCup: The Fold
MoonCup recommends the same fold as the “U” Diva Cup one.
The Hold
Hold the folded Moon Cup between your finger and thumb.
MoonCup Insertion
Insert the MoonCup into your vaginal canal, as close to the vaginal canal opening as is comfortable. There should be space between your cervix and the MoonCup. If any of the stem is sticking out, you may have to trim it (start small!)
MoonCup Removal
The first thing you need to do is break the seal. Grasp the base of the MoonCup, if you can reach it. If you can’t, push down with your vaginal canal muscles. Or, grasp the stem and pull. Then gently squeeze the cup, or insert a finger between the MoonCup and your vaginal canal. This will break the seal. Pull it out!
How to Insert and Remove a Lena Cup
Although a bit of a newcomer to the menstrual cup world, the Lena Cup is one of the most popular ones today. It’s cheaper than some of the other period cups, but it’s made from medical grade silicone, according to strict standards in the USA.
Lena hopes to put a menstrual cup in the hands of everyone who needs one, at a reasonable price. In terms of design, most people seem to find it easy to insert, and remove. Finally, the Lena Cup has some of the highest user ratings on Amazon.
Here’s the advice they give for how to insert and remove a Lena Cup:
Wash your Hands
You don’t want to introduce all sorts of germs into your vaginal canal, because this can lead to things like yeast infections.
Fold the Lena Cup
There are lots of different ways to fold a cup. Lena doesn’t recommend any specific one.
Insert the Lena Cup
Relax your pelvic muscles and guide the Lena Cup into your vaginal canal. Make sure it’s pointing up toward the base of your spine.
Make sure it’s Inserted Correctly
Let the cup pop open and make sure it’s opened. You can do this by running a finger along the base of the cup to ensure that it’s open. If it’s not, rotate the cup gently until it is. Grab the base of the cup, but not the stem so as not to damage the cup.
Lena Cup Removal
Wash your hands before handling the cup, or inserting your fingers into your vaginal canal. Relax, then grasp the Lena Cup from the base if possible. If not, grab the stem gently and pull it until you can reach the base. Pinch the bottom of the cup to release the seal, then pull it out.
Empty the Lena Cup into the toilet or sink, wash with warm water and soap. You can then reinsert it. If you’re going to store it, put it in the cloth bag it came in, but never in an airtight container.
How to Insert and Remove a Menstrual Cup
Which Menstrual Cup is Right for You?
If you’re looking for some solid advice about which menstrual cup is right for you, check out these top 10 menstrual cups brands, including reviews of popular cups like the Diva Cup, Moon Cup, and the Lunette Cup. There’s a menstrual cup that will work for almost every person on this planet!
The key is finding the right one for you and then learning how to insert and remove a menstrual cup properly. It takes time to get it right, but persevere! It will be well worth it.
You could also consider checking out our popular menstrual cup quiz. We’ve combined all the information from our detailed menstrual cup comparison chart, along with our extensive knowledge gleaned from reviewing ALL the cups and put it to work for you.
There are five simple questions that will only take a minute of your time. At the end, you’ll get our recommendation for the best menstrual cup for your body type. Check out the quiz here:
Menstrual Cup Quiz
Check out our Top-Rated Menstrual Cup, the Lena Cup
Or, just check out our top-rated cup here at Reusable Menstrual Cups, the Lena Cup. Manufactured in the USA, it’s an affordable, top-quality cup. It also has some of the highest user ratings on Amazon along all menstrual cups.
People who try the Lena Cup seem to love it. Check it out here:
We hope that you found the answer to your question, “How to insert and remove a menstrual cup.”
Have your Say about How to Insert and Remove a Menstrual Cup!
What are your thoughts about how to insert and remove a menstrual cup? Do you have any tips and tricks for doing it in style?
Do you find it more difficult to insert a menstrual cup, or remove it?
Leave a comment below and share your knowledge with us!
Jackie Bolen has been obsessed with eco-friendly period products for years and is the chief tester and expert here at Reusable Menstrual Cups. She thinks she might know more about menstrual cups than just about anyone in Canada!
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