How To Remove a Menstrual Cup: All You Need To Know

In this article, you’ll find all the essential information you need to know about removing a menstrual cup! 

My goal for this blog post is to relieve some anxiety around the thought of trying a menstrual cup, (because of the removing process) and perhaps give you the reassurance to try a cup on your next period. Let’s dive in!

Blog Disclaimer: This is a reflection of my personal own study, knowledge and experience. It is not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician.

Menstrual cups have gained popularity as a convenient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to traditional menstrual products. However, for first-time users, the process of removing a menstrual cup can feel a bit daunting.

But fear not! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of safely and comfortably removing a menstrual cup.

It can take a little bit of practice to get the hang of it. And this is much better done at home where you’re comfortable. That way, next time you have something on and you would like to wear it out of the house you’ll feel confident in your ability to wear it comfortably and insert it or take it out if necessary 🙂

How To Remove a Menstrual Cup

If you’re a beginner using a menstrual cup for the first time; give yourself space, patience and compassion as you go!

1. Wash your hands first in the bathroom.
2. Go into the toilet.
3. Push a couple of times.
4. You may feel like you’re not doing it right, but you will be!
5. Find the opening of your vagina and see if you can touch the stem of your menstrual cup.
   If you can’t, push a little bit more until you can (this will wiggle down the menstrual cup lower)
6. Place your fingers around the stem. Keep pushing until you can get your thumb and forefinger around the base of the menstrual cup. If it’s hard to do, just keep pushing and it will slowly come out.
7. Once you can grip the base of the menstrual cup with your thumb and forefinger you’ll want to push a little but and squeeze your fingers so that you are holding the cup firmly at the base and you just want to pull it out, straight down.
   Squeeze the cup and pull and it should come straight out.

You can hold it in your hand and turn the cup upside down to release the blood within the cup straight into the toilet.

Always prioritize cleanliness and hygiene during the removal process. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after removing your cup, and make sure to clean the cup properly before reinserting it.

Then What?!

Next,  If it’s still the day and you’d like to re-insert the cup.

If you’re at home you can get up and wash your hands and the cup in the bathroom basin and come back and insert it.

But if you are out and about, say in a public toilet, you can simply just reinsert it, and then with the toilet paper you can clean your hands before going out to the bathroom vanity and clearing them thoroughly.

Or if it’s nighttime, you may want to keep your cup out and put on some period panties and then clean your cup. 

Can a Menstrual Cup Get Stuck?

First, it’s probably not going to get ‘stuck’ there’s nowhere for it to go except down. If you feel like you can’t remove your menstrual cup, don’t stress. The best thing to do is get up from the toilet, wash your hands and try to relax.

If you’re nervous that the cup is full, put on a pair of period panties. Know that nothing has gone wrong and you don’t need to remove it. You can the cup will be perfectly fine for hours. {This should alleviate some anxiety right there. Stress and pressure can make us tighten our vaginas internally, so relaxing is the best thing to do here}

Distract yourself with something else. Then every now and again, push a little bit here and there. Even a little push will move the cup down. Do this a few times and in half an hour go to the toilet and try again to see if you can touch the step of your menstrual cup.

 

✰

If you encounter any difficulties or have concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for further guidance.

I hope this article has empowered you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate this process!. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few attempts to find your preferred technique. With time and patience, you’ll become a pro at removing your menstrual cup comfortably and efficiently.