So, you have decided to make the switch to using a menstrual cup and have said goodbye to disposable pads and tampons. You conquered the fear of a cup becoming stuck or lost inside you. Your period arrives, you insert your cup... and it starts leaking. What now?
First of all, don’t freak out. Using a menstrual cup can come with a bit of a learning curve, particularly when it comes to insertion, removal and finding the right size cup for your anatomy. We usually recommend you give yourself three full cycles to get used to using your menstrual cup and as we are all built slightly differently, it may take you a little longer than this.
While you are getting used to inserting your cup in the right place and making sure it opens properly to form a seal, it is a good idea to wear a panty liner for a couple of cycles, so you can relax about wearing your cup even if there is a little leak.
Before you decide to give up and return to the world of disposables, here are six reasons why your cup might be leaking, and how to resolve it.
1. Your cup isn't fully open
If your cup is open properly, you should hear or feel the ‘pop’ when it opens within the vagina. You can check if your cup is open by running your finger around the rim and making sure there are no bends or creases. If your cup isn’t fully open, it won’t form a seal within the vagina and menstrual blood will likely flow past the cup rather than into it.
Different folds can make it easier for your cup to open fully. Using the “punch down” fold rather than of the “U” or “C” folds will usually make your cup pop open easier. See other menstrual cup folds to find one that works for your.
If you are using a larger sized menstrual cup and still can’t seem to get it to open all the way, you may need to try a smaller size menstrual cup.
If you are already using a smaller sized cup and it still won’t open, try the following:
- Try running your cup under cold water before inserting it again. This will help make the silicone less ‘squishy’ and spring open
- Try doing a few kegel exercises or pelvic floor squeezes, this can often help open the cup.
2. You haven’t rotated your cup
Once your cup has opened inside you, grip the base and rotate it a full 360 degrees. This will help it to form a suction to the vaginal walls, which will prevent leaks. Allow your cup to open up lower in the vaginal canal so that you can easily grip the base and rotate it (you can always push your cup further up after you have rotated it).
3. Your cup is full
While you can wear your cup for up to 8 hours, you may need to empty it more often if you have a heavier flow. When your cup becomes too full, the suction holes will become compromised and will break the seal it has formed with the vaginal walls.
If your cup is leaking but isn’t quite full when you remove it, it may be because it is sitting further up in the vaginal canal and your cervix is sitting inside the cup. This means your cervix is taking up space inside the cup, leaving less room for it to collect menstrual fluid and causing an overflow. If this is the case for you, try positioning your cup lower in the vaginal canal or if you have a particularly low cervix, opt for a menstrual cup for a low cervix.
4. Your cup isn’t in the right position
Your cup should 'sit' lower than a tampon but sometimes will 'travel' and sit higher, particularly for those with strong pelvic floor muscles and/or a high cervix/long vaginal canal. You can find your cervical position by following this guide. If your cup naturally 'finds' its own position higher up in the vaginal canal than where it was positioned to start with, that's okay, but removal may take a little more practice.
The most important thing to consider when it comes to the position of your cup is making sure it is positioned underneath your cervix, as this is essentially where your menstrual flow is coming from. Some cervixes point down, while others may be angled to the left, right, forward or backward.
Wash your hands and use your index finger to find your cervix before inserting your cup (the position can change throughout your cycle). Insert your cup at the appropriate angle for your cervix and let it open lower in the vagina so that it is positioned underneath the cervix, rather than letting it open higher up where it might be beside it.
5. Your cup is too small for your body
If your menstrual cup is too small for your anatomy, it can’t form a suction with the vaginal walls. This means there is no ‘seal’ created and you are more likely to experience leaking.
Remember, sizing recommendations are only a guide. You may need a larger cup even if you are young or have not given birth (and vice versa). It all depends on your individual anatomy and pelvic floor tone.
You may also wish to consider a low cervix menstrual cup, providing you are already comfortable with removing a menstrual cup, as these models are shorter in length and can be harder to reach if you have a higher cervix. Larger and more rounded or bulbous shape cups can also be better suited for people with weaker pelvic floor tone or conditions such as prolapse.
6. The air holes on your cup are blocked
Always be sure to clear the four suction holes on your menstrual cup before you reinsert it. These holes can become blocked with menstrual fluid and as a result, your cup won’t be able to form a seal inside the vagina.
To clear the holes, fill your cup with water when washing it and place the palm of your hand over the top of the cup. Squeeze the base of the cup to allow water to push through the holes and clear any debris. If this still doesn’t work, you can use a toothpick to poke the holes clear.
When you have tried it all...
It is important to remember that although it is rare, sometimes menstrual cups just won’t work with certain anatomies. We all have different bodies, and things like the position of your uterus and cervix can determine whether or not you will have success with using a menstrual cup.
Sometimes you may need to try a completely different shaped cup or a cup with different firmness from another brand. The benefits of using a menstrual cup definitely make it worthwhile to explore your options!
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