Is the menstrual cup painful? Here’s a disclaimer: experiencing menstrual cup pain of any kind is not normal. Even that “tad bit of discomfort” which you might dismiss as a “part” of your initial “cupversion” journey means that something is not quite right. Trust me, menstrual cups are genuinely as fabulous as they have been portrayed to be. Not only are they environment-friendly, but they also provide leak-proof protection for eight hours straight and keep you super-comfy all day long. Having experienced the goodness of this reusable period aid for almost a year now, I almost forget I am on my period–thanks to the cup’s no-wear feel. But the experience is not the same for everyone. So do menstrual cups hurt? If you experience sharp pain when inserting a menstrual cup, here are five pointers you should check why is inserting a menstrual cup painful!?
Why Menstrual Cup Hurt When Inserting?
Menstrual cups are genuinely fabulous if you use them properly. The most important thing about menstrual cups is you should feel comfortable during your period. But is the menstrual cup painful while inserting? Yes, many people experience pain and get hurt when inserting menstrual cups. This could either be due to vaginal dryness or wrong size. So let us help you know about all the possible reasons why you experience sharp pain when inserting a menstrual cup!
Fear
Let us know the first possible reason for pain while inserting a menstrual cup. Biologically speaking, your vagina is made of mucosal and muscle tissue. It is flexible enough to expand and squeeze out a baby and regain its shape. So it most definitely can accommodate a small menstrual cup too. However, the tightness you may feel while inserting the cup could be due to vaginismus, i.e. your muscles’ response to the fear of inserting anything into the vagina. It can make your vaginal opening contract and feel tighter while inserting a menstrual cup.
Vaginal Dryness
Yes for many women, a menstrual cup hurts to put in and one of the factors behind it could be vaginal dryness. Factors like hormonal imbalance and stress can sometimes lead to vaginal dryness which may make menstrual cup insertion a painful experience. While the vagina can still accommodate the cup in this case, the opening isn’t as flexible and may become stiffer during insertion. However, applying a lubricant to the opening can ease the process and save you a great deal of menstrual cup pain.
The Cup’s Stiffness
A menstrual cup is wider at the rim and needs to be folded into a C-shape before insertion. Once it’s inside the vagina, it expands into its original shape and creates a suction grip with your pelvic floor muscles. For this process to go on smoothly, you need to make sure that your menstrual cup is made of soft, flexible material. If it’s too stiff, you may face difficulty folding it properly or it might not open up easily once inside.
Wrong Cup Size
Is a menstrual cup painful due to the wrong cup size? Yes, it can be painful to insert a menstrual cup that is bigger than the actual size you need. Once inside, it is likely to exert an outward force that can be felt by the vaginal walls and seem painful. Now, finding your perfect match comes with some trial and error. But you can take this quiz to get it right faster.
Cup Cleanliness
A menstrual cup has suction holes to create a firm grip with your pelvic floor muscles. If you don’t clean the cup thoroughly before each use, these holes may get clogged. As a result, the cup may get displaced and cause leakages and pain. So always make sure to use a mild cleanser and a soft bristle brush to unclog its holes.
Tips to avoid menstrual cup pain during insertion
Is the menstrual cup painful for you during insertion? If yes, you need not to worry. We’ve got you covered with some tips. These tips will help you reduce or ensure no pain during menstrual cup insertion. Read on:
- Position plays an important role during menstrual cup insertion. For some, a menstrual cup hurts when sitting, for some when they squat, whereas some people are even reported succeeding in inserting a menstrual cup in the shower. So make sure you find the best position to insert your cup.
- If you relax your body, it loosens the muscles of your vaginal canal and makes menstrual cup insertion smooth.
- You can also spread some water based lubricant around the rim of the menstrual cup as it eases the insertion process causing less or no menstrual cup pain.
- You can also choose a folding method that has a small insertion surface. We suggest trying the punch-down fold that can ensure better insertion without any menstrual cup pain.
- Keep your cup folded until it gets completely inside your vagina.
- Make sure you choose the right size of menstrual cup that fits your body properly.
- Look for menstrual cups with a softer material.
- If you are a first-time user, get comfortable inserting one finger in your vagina before you try the menstrual cup. Try inserting the menstrual cup slowly and at an angle.
Sirona Recommends Best Products For Smooth “Cupversion”
Sirona Menstrual Cup
Is a menstrual cup painful? Yes, it is for many women but if you use a good-quality cup in the right way, it does not cause any pain or discomfort. This Menstrual Cup is ergonomically designed to make your transition from tampons or pads to a menstrual cup a smooth one. It is made with super-flexible, medical-grade silicone and can be folded easily into a ‘C’ or a ‘U’ shape for seamless insertion. The funnel-shaped device has suction holes that create a firm grip with the pelvic floor muscles once the cup opens up inside the vagina. It also comes with a grooved stem for easy access during its removal. With a whopping capacity of 28ml, the cup provides leak proof protection for eight hours straight, keeping you fresh and comfy all day long during that time of the month.
Sirona Moisuturising Lube Tube
Applying a pea-sized amount of menstrual lubricant on the vaginal opening can enable painless and seamless insertion of the menstrual cup. Packed with the goodness of natural ingredients like Tasmanaian pepper fruit and riberry fruit, it can help you a great deal during the initial phase of getting used to a menstrual cup. The best part? It doesn’t disturb the natural acidic pH down there and is safe to use multiple times in a day.
Sirona Menstrual Cup Wash
Your menstrual cup may not stay in place or open up properly inside if its suction holes are clogged. Enter Menstrual Cup Wash Made with mild and natural surfactants, it removes microbes and unclogs the holes without degrading the silicone of the menstrual cup. It also deodourises the cup and is super-safe for the skin.
How To Remove A Menstrual Cup Without Pain
- Most menstrual cups have a long stem at their base but this is not what you should use to remove your menstrual cup. If you simply tug the stem to remove your menstrual cup, it can end up causing discomfort and pain as the cup creates suction inside your vaginal canal. So always make sure you pinch the base enough to bring the rim away from your vaginal wall, thus breaking the seal to remove.
- Now another cause behind menstrual cup pain while removing could be the size of the cup. A lot of users fold the cup to insert it but it is not folded when it is removed. This can be painful for a lot of users, especially for cups that have a wider diameter. So instead of this, you should angle the cup while removing it at the widest part, the rim, while it exists on your body. This eventually reduces the overall size.
- Another option to remove a menstrual cup without pain is to fold it in half while removing it. Just make sure to position your body over your toilet or do this process in the shower. This is a messy but effective option.
So the whole debate is are menstrual cups painful? No, they are not if you use good quality ones in the right way. But I am not saying that your cup-version journey would be smooth from day one itself. It does take time. But if you keep at it, you’ll definitely get a hang of using a menstrual cup properly and will never look back, I promise.
Featured Image: Pexels
Also Read
Busting myths about menstrual cups: Do myths about menstrual cups affect you? If yes, it is time we bust those myths with the truth for you. Read on!
Can menstrual cups cause urinary tract infections: The most asked menstrual cup question is answered. Hit the link and learn what causes UTI while using a menstrual cup and how to prevent it!
How to Use a Menstrual Cup: The best way to use a menstrual cup is explained. Hit the link to find out the tips and steps to use a menstrual cup correctly.
Period Essentials: My Top 5 Period Must-Haves!: These period products are sure to make shark week easier to survive.
Busting Myths About Menstrual Cups: It’s time to clear the air and bust all the myths surrounding menstrual cups–the best period aid ever!
How to prepare your Daughter for her First Period: Here’s everything you need to make your daughter’s first period smooth and easy.