Troubleshooting Tips: What to do if your Menstrual Cup gets Stuck

9 min read
Troubleshooting Tips: What to do if your Menstrual Cup gets Stuck

If your menstrual cup feels stuck, try not to panic. A menstrual cup cannot pass through your cervix into your uterus, but it can move higher in the vaginal canal or become difficult to remove while its seal is still intact.

In most cases, relaxing, gently bearing down, reaching the base of the cup and releasing the seal will help. If you cannot remove it easily, stop rather than repeatedly pulling or causing yourself pain. A GP, practice nurse or other qualified healthcare professional can help remove a retained cup.

Quick steps if your menstrual cup won't come out

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Get into a comfortable position and relax.
  3. Squat or gently bear down as though you're having a bowel movement.
  4. Reach in with clean fingers and locate the cup.
  5. Pinch the base or press one side inwards to release the seal.
  6. Gently wiggle the cup from side to side as you guide it down and out.
  7. If you cannot remove it easily or are becoming sore, stop and seek medical help.

Why can a menstrual cup feel stuck?

A menstrual cup may be harder to remove if it has moved higher in the vaginal canal, you cannot comfortably reach the base or the seal has not been released.

Your cervix can also change position during your menstrual cycle, so a cup may sit higher on some days than others.

If the cup feels higher than expected, it has not disappeared into another part of your body. The cervix forms the opening between the vagina and uterus, so the cup remains within the vaginal canal.

How to remove a menstrual cup that feels stuck

1. Wash your hands and get comfortable

Wash your hands with soap and clean water before trying to remove the cup.

Choose a position that gives you comfortable access. Sitting on the toilet, squatting or standing with one leg raised can all work. Some people also prefer removing their cup in the shower.

If you notice yourself tensing, stop for a moment and take a few slow breaths. Trying to remove a cup while rushing or uncomfortable can make reaching and relaxing more difficult.

2. Gently bear down

If the cup is sitting higher than you can comfortably reach, gently bear down as though you're having a bowel movement.

This can help move the cup lower in the vaginal canal so you can reach its base.

You do not need to push hard. If bearing down causes pain, stop.

3. Locate the base of the cup

Insert one clean finger and feel for the cup.

You may reach the stem first. Use the stem as a guide to help locate the cup rather than pulling firmly on it.

Work your fingers towards the base of the cup so you can release the seal before removal.

4. Release the seal

Pinch the base of the cup between your thumb and finger if you can reach it.

If you cannot get two fingers around the base, slide one finger alongside the cup and gently press the cup wall inwards. This can help release the seal.

Once the seal has released, gently rock or wiggle the cup from side to side while guiding it downwards.

Avoid pulling firmly on the stem alone.

5. Remove the cup slowly

Once the seal is released, keep a gentle grip on the base and slowly guide the cup out.

If you feel significant resistance or pain, stop rather than forcing it.

You can take a short break and try again when you are relaxed, but avoid repeated attempts if the vaginal tissue is becoming sore or irritated.

What if you can't reach your menstrual cup?

If you cannot reach the cup, try squatting and gently bearing down. A different body position can sometimes bring the cup within easier reach.

If this happens repeatedly, the length or removal design of your cup may not suit your anatomy. A relatively high cervix can make shorter cups particularly difficult to reach.

See The Best Menstrual Cups for a High Cervix for more on cup length and removal features.

If you're comparing another cup, look at actual dimensions rather than size labels alone. Cup body length, diameter, shape, firmness and removal design can all affect how easy a cup is to insert and remove.

What should you not do?

If your menstrual cup feels stuck:

  • don't pull hard on the stem
  • don't use tweezers, hooks or another object to try to remove it
  • don't use excessive force
  • don't keep trying if you are causing pain, bleeding or significant irritation

Using another object can injure vaginal tissue or introduce infection. If you cannot remove the cup easily with clean fingers, seek medical help instead.

When should you seek medical help?

If you have tried gentle removal techniques and still cannot remove your menstrual cup easily, arrange medical help rather than continuing to struggle with it.

A GP, practice nurse or another appropriate healthcare professional can assess the situation and remove a retained cup if necessary.

Seek urgent medical care if you have a retained cup and develop symptoms such as:

  • a temperature of 38°C or higher
  • vomiting or diarrhoea
  • dizziness or fainting
  • confusion
  • difficulty breathing
  • a widespread rash
  • significant muscle aches
  • severe or worsening pain

These symptoms can have different causes, but they can also occur with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), which is rare but serious. If you think you may have TSS, seek emergency medical care.

What if the cup has been in longer than recommended?

Follow the maximum wear time stated by your cup manufacturer. In Australia, menstrual cup instructions must specify a maximum duration of use of no more than 12 hours, although individual products may recommend a shorter interval.

If your cup has been in longer than recommended and you cannot remove it easily, don't use excessive force. Continue with the gentle removal steps above and seek help if needed.

If you feel unwell or develop concerning symptoms, seek medical advice.

For more information about wear time, see How Long Can You Wear a Menstrual Cup or Disc?.

Could the problem be your cup's fit?

If removal is repeatedly difficult, the problem may be the cup's fit rather than your technique.

A cup that is too short for a high cervix may move beyond comfortable reach, while a cup that is too long, wide or otherwise poorly suited to your anatomy can also make insertion, wear or removal more difficult.

Use the Menstrual Cup Troubleshooter if you are not sure what is causing the problem.

You can also compare length, diameter, shape, firmness, capacity and removal features in the Menstrual Cup Comparison Chart or use the Find Your Best Fit Quiz to narrow down other options.

What if you use an IUD?

If you use an intrauterine device (IUD), avoid forceful cup removal and make sure the cup's seal is released before bringing it down.

Research has raised concerns about an association between menstrual cup use and IUD expulsion or displacement, although the available evidence does not answer every question about individual risk.

If you use an IUD, discuss menstrual cup use with the healthcare professional who manages your contraception, particularly if you have concerns about your strings or experience a change after cup removal.

See Can You Use a Menstrual Cup or Disc with an IUD? for a fuller discussion of the research and precautions.

Frequently asked questions

Can a menstrual cup get lost inside you?

No. A menstrual cup cannot pass through the cervix into the uterus. It can move higher in the vaginal canal and become harder to reach, particularly if you have a relatively high cervix.

Why can't I pull my menstrual cup out?

The cup may still have a seal or may be sitting too high for you to comfortably reach the base. Relax, gently bear down, work your fingers towards the base and release the seal before guiding the cup out.

Should I pull on the stem if my cup is stuck?

No. Use the stem to help locate the cup, but avoid pulling firmly on it while the cup is still sealed as is likely to increase the suction seal if the seal has not been released first. The correct removal method is to release the suction seal first by pinching the base of the cup with your index finger and thumb then remove the cup gently. If you are unable to reach the base of the cup with your index finger and thumb, slide your index finger only up beside the cup, and press the cup towards the cetre to release the seal before removing it. 

Can I use tweezers to remove a stuck menstrual cup?

No. Don't insert tweezers or another tool to hook or grasp the cup. This can injure vaginal tissue or introduce infection. If you cannot remove the cup with clean fingers, seek medical help.

How long should I keep trying to remove a stuck cup?

If gentle attempts are not working, you are becoming sore or anxious or removal is causing pain, stop and seek help rather than repeatedly reaching or pulling.

Does a stuck menstrual cup mean the cup is too small?

Not necessarily. Difficulty reaching the cup can relate to cervix height, cup length and removal design, while difficulty releasing it can relate to technique or fit. Look at the specific problem before assuming you need a different size.

The bottom line

A menstrual cup that feels stuck has not disappeared inside your body. Relax, change position, gently bear down, locate the base and release the seal before guiding the cup out.

If you cannot remove it easily, stop rather than using force or another object. A healthcare professional can help remove a retained cup.

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