Is your menstrual cup hurting? Here are some reasons why it may be causing discomfort.
Experiencing pain when you use a menstrual cup can be a deal-breaker. Although there are so many other benefits that come with switching to a menstrual cup, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable on your period!
When inserted correctly, your cup should not cause you any discomfort. If you do happen to experience some discomfort with using your menstrual cup, don’t despair. Here are some reasons why your menstrual cup may be causing pain and some tips to try.
What causes pain when using a menstrual cup?
Problem: Wrong size menstrual cup
If you’re wearing a cup that is too big or long for your body, it could be sitting too high up in the vagina or pressing hard on the vaginal walls or cervix, causing pain and discomfort (including cramps).
The solution: Measure your cervix and check our menstrual cup comparison chart to help select the right size for your body. Regardless of age, some people find that they will need to select the smaller size, particularly if they have strong pelvic floor muscles, have an intact hymen or have not had vaginal intercourse.
Problem: The menstrual cup stem is too long for your anatomy
If you have a shorter vaginal canal or a low cervix, you may find that the stem of your cup is protruding outside of the vagina and causing irritation - ouch!
The solution: An easy fix is to trim the stem of your cup using a pair of clean scissors. If your cup is still too long and the base is protruding outside your body, you may need a shorter menstrual cup.
Problem: The menstrual cup is not inserted properly
It can take a few cycles to get used to inserting your menstrual cup. Inserting your cup too high into the vagina can cause discomfort and if your cup is sitting next to your cervix rather than beneath it, you will likely feel pain straight away. If your cup is pressing against your cervix, it may also cause a dull, achy pain.
The solution: When inserting your cup, allow it to pop open lower down in the vagina, then gently push it up into place. Your cup should sit lower than a tampon and be positioned directly below the cervix, never against it or beside your cervix.
Problem: The menstrual cup is too big
One of the most common reactions we hear when people are first introduced to the concept of using a menstrual cup is “that’s too big, how will I get it up there?!” However, if you use the right fold, the tip of a menstrual cup becomes not much bigger than the diameter of a regular tampon to insert!
Regardless, if you are 'tighter' down there, have an intact hymen or have not had vaginal intercourse, inserting a menstrual cup can still seem a little intimidating.
The solution: Experiment with different folds (the 'punch down' fold is one of our favourites for making your cup as small as possible) and don’t be afraid to use some pH-balanced, water-based personal lubricant on the rim of your cup when inserting. If you have never had vaginal intercourse, read our article on menstrual cup tips for beginners.
What to do if you’ve tried it all
When inserted correctly and provided it is the right size for you, your cup should not cause any discomfort. For some people, however, this simply isn’t the case. If you have tried the tips above and are still experiencing discomfort, stop using your menstrual cup and seek advice from your medical practitioner.
Our bodies are all different. In some cases, you may find one particular brand of menstrual cup works better for your anatomy than another. People with a tilted uterus, pelvic organ prolapse, poor pelvic floor tone or other health conditions may find that menstrual cups simply don’t agree with their anatomy.
If you feel like you’ve tried it all and are still experiencing pain with your menstrual cup, the good news is that there are still other comfortable, eco-friendly and cost-effective ways to manage your period. Menstrual discs are similar to cups in that they are inserted and collect menstrual flow however, they have a flat fit design and are often better suited to people with a tilted uterus or low cervix, so it may be worth trying a disc.
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