Why your menstrual cup might be leaking
Menstrual cups have become increasingly popular among women as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional tampons and pads. However, despite their numerous benefits, some people may experience leakage when using menstrual cups, which can be frustrating and uncomfortable. There are several reasons why a menstrual cup might be leaking, ranging from improper insertion and sizing to issues with the cup itself. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of menstrual cup leaks and provide tips on how to prevent them...
You’re using a menstrual cup for the first time
Many people experience a learning curve when using a menstrual cup for the first time. This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to menstrual cups. When you try something new, even if you’ve done your research, sometimes it just doesn’t work as you expect it to. At first, it can feel like the new product is defective or faulty, but that’s not actually the case.
You could actually call it the ‘learning period’. Learning to use a menstrual cup is different from other methods of period care, like tampon use. Check out our blogs all about how to insert a period cup and how to remove it for a step-by-step guide.
You haven't inserted your menstrual cup correctly
Yes, your cup might not be inserted correctly. This is a common cause of leaks. Before using your cup, make sure that it is inserted correctly and that the cup is fully open so that suction can be formed to help prevent a leaking menstrual cup. If you’re using our period cup, we recommend two types of insertion methods; the 'U/C' shape and the 'punchdown' fold. Watch this video to see all the period cup folds.
U/C shape
Begin by creating a ‘U’ shape with your cup opening – press and hold the sides of your cup together, then fold it in half to create a ‘U’. Find a comfortable position and relax your pelvic floor muscles, then gently push the cup into the vagina with the tip approximately 1cm into the vagina. The cup will now pop open inside your vagina and create a seal. Use your finger to check if the cup is fully unfolded to prevent leaks.
Punchdown fold
For those with slightly tighter vaginal walls, we'd suggest the punch-down fold as it opens more easily when inside. On one side of the cup, push down with your index finger until the wall of the cup touches the base of the cup. Then insert as above. If you’re having difficulty inserting your cup, try wetting your cup with room-temperature water or using a bit of organic lubricant.
You’re wearing the wrong menstrual cup size
It's important to do your research before buying a menstrual cup to determine which size will be most comfortable for you. You may have the wrong size period cup if you believe you have inserted it correctly but still experience leaking.
Check your size
You can choose from three different sizes of the period cup according to your life stage:
- Teen – Perfect for those under 18 or in their early 20’s with strong pelvic floor muscles
- Size B – Perfect if you are aged 18 to 30 and have not given birth vaginally
- Size A – Perfect if you have given birth vaginally or are over 30 years old.
If you order a size Teen or B and find it wiggles or leaks, get in touch, and we’ll send you a larger size free of charge.
Top tips: If you can feel the cup moving around, you likely need a larger size. If you find that the ‘Large’ size leaks, then pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the surrounding pelvic floor muscles. Other possibilities are that you have an unusually positioned cervix. We've got a blog all about how to measure your cervix for further help.
Your menstrual cup might be full
When your cup is full, it can leak. Although your period cup can be worn for up to 12 hours, if you experience a heavier flow, then you may need to empty and clean your menstrual cup every 4-6 hours. You may need to only do this during the first few days of your period when your flow is generally heavier.
Fake leaks or wiping leaks
Seeing blood on your pants right after you have cleaned and reinserted your period cup may seem like it’s been leaking. A lot of the time, when this happens, it is because there may be some leftover water droplets on the outside of your cup that may mix with your period blood.
Normally, if you have one of these leaks, it won't get any worse, and you’ll get a slightly annoying blood stain on your pants. But don’t worry; you can always rely on your favourite remüvie™ stain remover to save the day.
We want to make sure your experience with a menstrual cup is amazing. And that means making sure you understand how to use it. Most of the time, leaks are caused by user error – and it's not your fault. We've all been there, feeling frustrated and a little lost on what to do.
However, now that you have read this article, we hope you have a better understanding of why your menstrual cup might be leaking and what you can do to fix it so that you can go back to having a worry-free, leak-free period again.
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