A menstrual cup should not cause ongoing pain. Insertion and removal can feel unfamiliar while you are learning, but sharp, persistent or worsening pain is not something you should push through.
Where and when the pain occurs can help you work out whether the problem is the cup’s length, diameter, firmness, position or removal technique — or whether something else may be contributing.
Why is my menstrual cup hurting?
| What you feel | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Pain or burning during insertion | Friction, vaginal dryness, an uncomfortable fold or pelvic floor tension | Use a smaller fold, relax your pelvic floor and apply a small amount of water-based lubricant |
| Deep aching or cramping | Pressure against the cervix, cup length, position or the cup’s seal | Remove and reinsert the cup, check your cervix height and consider a shorter cup |
| Bladder or bowel pressure | The cup may be too firm, wide or poorly positioned | Remove the cup and try a softer, narrower or differently shaped cup |
| Stem irritation | The stem is too long or the entire cup sits too low | Trim the stem if permitted or choose a shorter cup |
| Pain during removal | The seal has not been released or the rim is being removed while fully open | Break the seal before bringing the cup down and fold the rim slightly during removal |
Pain when inserting your menstrual cup
Menstrual cup insertion should not require force. If inserting your cup feels painful, stop and try again when you feel relaxed.
Try a smaller menstrual cup fold
Some folds create a narrower insertion point than others. The punch-down fold is a popular option because it creates a relatively small tip, but there is no single fold that works for everyone.
Experiment with our different menstrual cup folds to find one that is comfortable to hold and insert.
Aim the folded cup gently towards your tailbone rather than pushing it straight upwards. Allow it to unfold once it is comfortably inside your vaginal canal.
Use a small amount of lubricant
Friction or vaginal dryness can make insertion uncomfortable. Apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to the rim of the cup, taking care not to make the whole cup too slippery to hold.
Check the instructions supplied with your cup before using any lubricant with it.
Give your pelvic floor time to relax
Rushing, anticipating pain or repeatedly attempting insertion can cause the pelvic floor muscles to tighten.
Try sitting on the toilet, squatting or standing with one leg raised. Breathe slowly into your abdomen and avoid holding your breath or clenching your pelvic floor.
If vaginal penetration is frequently painful or difficult — including using tampons, inserting fingers or having a cervical screening test — an overactive or hypertonic pelvic floor or a condition such as vaginismus may be contributing. Do not continue forcing the cup into place.
Pain or cramping while wearing a menstrual cup
If your cup causes a dull ache, cramping or deep internal pressure, remove it and see whether the discomfort settles.
The cup may be too long
Cervix height can affect how much room is available for a menstrual cup. A cup that is too long may feel crowded, press against your cervix or sit too close to the vaginal opening.
Your cervix can also move during your period, so a cup that feels comfortable on one day may feel different on another.
You can measure your cervical position and compare the body length, total length and shape of different cups using our menstrual cup comparison chart.
If you have a relatively low cervix, a shorter menstrual cup may feel more comfortable.
The cup may be pressing against your cervix
There is no single position in which a cup must sit. It may naturally move higher after insertion and, for some people, the cervix may sit partly inside the cup.
This is not necessarily a problem if the cup is comfortable and leak-free. However, direct pressure on the cervix or a strong seal around it may cause cramping or a deep ache.
Remove the cup, allow your body to relax and try reinserting it at a slightly different angle. Do not force it high into the vaginal canal.
The cup may be too wide or firm
Cup fit involves more than choosing a small or large size. Diameter, shape and firmness can all affect how a cup feels.
A firmer cup may open easily, but it can feel more noticeable if you are sensitive to pressure. A wide cup may also feel uncomfortable even if its length is suitable.
Our guide to soft and firm menstrual cups explains how firmness can affect opening, pressure and comfort.
Bladder pressure and stem irritation
Why is my menstrual cup pressing on my bladder?
A cup that is too firm, wide or poorly positioned may press against the vaginal wall beside the bladder or urethra.
You may notice:
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Slower urine flow
- Difficulty fully emptying your bladder
- Bladder discomfort
- Rectal pressure or difficulty having a bowel movement
Remove the cup if it is making it difficult or painful to urinate. If the symptoms disappear after removal, consider trying a softer, narrower or differently shaped cup.
Seek medical advice if pain or urinary symptoms continue after the cup has been removed.
What if the stem is rubbing or protruding?
If your cup’s stem sits close to or outside the vaginal opening, it may cause rubbing, pinching or irritation when you walk or sit.
If the cup itself feels comfortable and only the stem is causing trouble, check the manufacturer’s instructions to see whether the stem can be trimmed.
Trim only a small amount at a time using clean scissors. Take care not to cut into the base of the cup or leave a sharp edge and wash the cup before reinserting it.
If the base of the cup also protrudes, trimming the stem will not solve the underlying fit problem. You may need a shorter cup.
Why does my menstrual cup hurt when I remove it?
Removal can be uncomfortable if the cup’s seal has not been released or if the rim is pulled through the vaginal opening while fully expanded.
How to remove your cup more comfortably
- Wash your hands and find a position in which you can relax.
- Bear down gently with your pelvic floor muscles to help bring the cup within reach.
- Use the stem only to help locate the cup — do not pull the cup out by its stem.
- Pinch the base of the cup or slide a finger alongside it and press the cup wall inwards to release the seal.
- Keep the seal released as you gently move the cup lower.
- Fold or angle the rim slightly as it passes through the vaginal opening.
If the cup moves higher when you try to reach it, pause and relax. Repeated pulling and straining can make the pelvic floor tighten and make removal more difficult.
Read our guide on what to do if your menstrual cup is stuck for more detailed removal instructions.
Pelvic floor and other health considerations
Sometimes discomfort is not caused by the cup alone.
An overactive pelvic floor, vaginismus, vulval or vaginal pain, vaginal dryness and some pelvic health conditions can make internal period products uncomfortable.
A tilted uterus does not automatically prevent someone from using a cup, but the direction of the cervix may affect positioning. Similarly, pelvic organ prolapse can change the available space or how a cup sits.
If you regularly experience pelvic pain, pain with penetration, vaginal pressure, urinary symptoms or a vaginal bulge, speak with a healthcare professional or find a pelvic health physiotherapist.
What if you have an IUD?
If you use a menstrual cup with an intrauterine device, take particular care during removal.
Always release the cup’s seal before bringing it down and avoid catching the IUD threads between the cup and the vaginal wall.
Seek advice from your healthcare professional if you experience new or unusual pain, cannot feel your IUD threads, notice that they feel different or think the IUD may have moved.
Would a different cup or menstrual product be more comfortable?
If your cup continues to hurt, the answer is not necessarily a generically “smaller” size. You may need a cup that is:
- Shorter or longer
- Narrower
- Softer
- A different shape
- Easier for you to grip and remove
Cup choice should be based on your anatomy, cervical position, sensitivity and preferences rather than your age or sexual history.
A menstrual disc may also be worth considering. Discs sit differently from cups and do not use the same bell-shaped fit. Some people find this more comfortable, although disc fit still depends on individual anatomy.
You can use our Find Your Best Fit Quiz or explore the Menstrual Products Comparison Hub to compare your options.
When should you stop using your menstrual cup?
Stop using the cup and seek medical advice if you experience:
- Sharp, severe, worsening or persistent pain
- Pain that continues after removing the cup
- Difficulty urinating
- Unusual vaginal discharge or odour
- Bleeding that is different from your usual period
- New pelvic or abdominal pain
- Repeated pain with any form of vaginal penetration
Toxic shock syndrome is very rare, but it can be serious. Remove your cup and seek urgent medical help if you experience a sudden high temperature, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, confusion or a red rash that resembles sunburn.
Always follow the cleaning, care and maximum wear-time instructions supplied with your particular cup.
The bottom line
A menstrual cup may take a little practice, but it should not be something you have to tolerate through pain.
Where you feel the discomfort can provide useful clues. Changing your fold, insertion technique or removal method may solve the problem. If it does not, a different cup length, diameter, shape or firmness — or another type of period care — may be more suitable.
Most importantly, listen to your body. If something hurts, remove the cup and do not force it.
Not sure what is causing the problem?
Our interactive menstrual cup troubleshooter checks technique, capacity, placement and fit before suggesting what to try next.
Start troubleshooting →
Related reading
- How to Use a Menstrual Cup: Step-by-Step Guide
- A Guide to Different Menstrual Cup Folds
- How to Measure Your Cervical Position
- Should You Choose a Soft or Firm Menstrual Cup?
- What to Do If Your Menstrual Cup Gets Stuck
This article provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional if you have pain, symptoms or concerns about your health.
Sources
- Healthdirect Australia, Toxic shock syndrome
- Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, How to use tampons and menstrual cups for the first time
- van Eijk AM et al., Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Sexual Health Oxfordshire, Using a menstrual cup with an IUD or IUS