Is a Menstrual Cup Painful?

Dr.Madhulika Sinha, 3 mins read

A menstrual cup is safe, durable, and painless if used properly. Plus, it is eco-friendly and cost-effective and you don’t have to worry about leaks. But you should also remember some other things to avoid problems or discomfort. This guide will discuss those aspects briefly. 

What Is a Menstrual Cup?

A menstrual cup is a small, flexible, and funnel-shaped cup that women can use during menstruation to collect the blood and prevent leakage. It is simply inserted in the vagina during menstruation and can be removed within 6 to 12 hours to reuse after washing. 

It is an alternative to a tampon or sanitary pad and is considered good for women with medium to heavy blood flow. Unlike a tampon or pad (which absorbs blood), a menstrual cup collects the blood. 

Menstrual cups come in different sizes, shapes, and materials (like natural rubber, silicone, or thermoplastic elastomers). These cups can be washed and reused even for a year or more. Some manufacturers also sell one-time-use menstrual cups.

Types of Menstrual Cups

• Stemmed menstrual cups: As the name suggests, they have a visible protruding stem at the bottom. Stem helps you to locate the cup inside the vagina for removal. 
• Unstemmed menstrual cups: These cups don’t have any visible protruding stem at the bottom. Some women experience discomfort and irritation due to stem, so they prefer unstemmed menstrual cups. You can still remove the cup by pinching its base to break the suction.

Shapes of Menstrual Cups

• Bell shape: The most popular shape; it is wider at the top and tapers down. Good for those with a low cervix. 
• V shape: Longer and narrower; suitable for those with a high cervix and high blood flow.
• Round shape: Wider than length and may be a good choice for those who experience variations in menstrual flow throughout their cycle.
• Asymmetrical shape: The vagina runs at a 45-degree angle, which may sometimes make placing of the above shapes in the vagina difficult. In such cases, an asymmetrical shape may be a good choice. This shape is longer than wide and comes with a slant design edge to fix the vagina at a certain rotation.  

Sizes of Menstrual Cups

• Teen-size: These are very small-sized menstrual cups and are good for teenage girls.
• Small-size: They are a little bigger than teen-size and are suitable for those who haven’t had a baby, are under 30, or have medium flow. 
• Large-size: They are suitable for those who have a baby, are 30 or above, or have a heavy flow. 

How to Insert a Menstrual Cup?

• Wash your hands properly with soap and running water.
• Apply a thin layer of water-based lubricant at the rim of the menstrual cup for easier insertion. 
• Tightly fold the cup, ensuring the rim faces upwards.
• Gently insert the cup, with the rim facing upward, into the vagina.  
• After proper insertion, rotate the cup to open and create a vacuum to prevent any leakage.

How to Remove a Menstrual Cup?

• Wash your hands properly with soap and running water.
• Gently insert your thumb and index finger inside the vagina to pull out the stem of the menstrual cup. 
• Gently pinch the base of the menstrual cup to release the airtight seal and pull down it.
• After removing it, throw the blood out into the toilet.
• Wash the cup with clean water and use it again. 

Is a Menstrual Cup Painful?

Menstrual cups usually don’t cause pain during insertion and removal. You can do normal errands without experiencing any discomfort or pain if the cup is properly placed. However, sometimes it can cause discomfort, especially if:

• Size is incorrect
• Lubrication of the rim is not proper
• Insertion is not proper
• Removed poorly
• Not emptied frequently and the cup has filled full 

So, take care of all these aspects and empty the cup within 6 hours. If you experience any problem with inserting or removing it, discuss with a doctor whether you should look for other alternatives. Also, if you experience irritation in the vagina, immediately talk to your doctor.