Tips for Stopping Menstrual Cup Slippage and Discomfort

Understanding Why Your Menstrual Cup Feels Like It's Falling Out

If you have recently made the switch to a menstrual cup, you may have experienced the unsettling feeling that it is slipping or falling out of position. This can be annoying, uncomfortable, and even a bit alarming if you are new to using a cup. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to fix this issue.

Common Causes of a Menstrual Cup Feeling Like It's Falling Out

There are a few key reasons why your menstrual cup may feel like it's sinking or slipping:

• The cup is too big - If the cup doesn't properly fit and seal against your vaginal canal, gravity can cause it to inch lower and lower. Getting a smaller cup designed for a light to medium flow may help.
• The cup is too full - When the menstrual cup fills up with your flow, it gets heavier. This added weight can cause it to descend or slide down. Try emptying it more frequently.
• Weak pelvic floor muscles - Having an underactive pelvic floor means less muscular support to keep the cup in place. Pelvic floor exercises can strengthen these muscles.
• Placement is off - If the cup isn't fully opened or inserted at the proper angle, it may feel loose even when empty. Adjusting the positioning can fix this.
• Intense physical activities - High-impact exercise and movement can jostle the cup, interrupting the seal. Some activities like running may require an emptier cup.
• Tilted uterus - Those with a tilted uterus may need to change the cup angle to get it to stay put. Pointing it towards your tailbone usually helps.

Tips for Getting Your Menstrual Cup to Stay In Place

If your menstrual cup constantly feels like it's close to falling out, try these troubleshooting tips:

1. Find Your Right Size

Size matters when it comes to menstrual cups. The cup needs to fit your internal anatomy or it won't stay put. Here are some sizing tips:

• Measure your actual vaginal canal length to determine the ideal cup length.
• Factor in flow - people with light flows need smaller cups.
• Consider vaginal tone - Loose pelvic floor muscles may require a wider cup.
• Have babies? You likely need a larger cup size now.

2. Position it Properly

The menstrual cup angle and placement impacts whether it will feel secure. Follow this ideal positioning:

• Point it horizontally towards your tailbone, not straight up.
• Aim to get it seated right below your cervix.
• Make sure it fully opens and seals against the vaginal walls.
• For high cervixes, push it up as far as is comfortable.
• For low cervixes, keep it lower to avoid pressing on the cervix.

3. Start with a Dry Run

Try inserting your menstrual cup on light flow days or when not on your period. You can ensure proper placement and fit without spill mess.

4. Relax those Muscles

Being tense or straining impedes cup insertion and placement. Take deep breaths, calm your mind, and relax the body. This helps your pelvic floor relax for easier cup positioning.

5. Change Positions

Get into a deep squat, lift one leg, or try lying on your back with bent knees during insertion. Opening up your vaginal canal this way allows the cup to get seated deeply.

6. Turn it Inside Out

Some brands have a firmer outer rim that prevents folding. Flipping it before insertion can make it open and seal easier.

7. Empty it Sooner

Don't wait for your cup to get completely full on heavy days. The extra weight can jostle it out of position. Change it every 3-4 hours if needed.

When to Worry About Menstrual Cup Slippage

Occasional slippage or wiggling is normal. But if your menstrual cup constantly feels like it's falling out, seek medical advice to rule out potential problems like:

• Weakened vaginal walls or pelvic floor
• Vaginal prolapse
• An abnormality or growth
• Post-childbirth changes

Severe slippage may also indicate an ill-fitting cup size. Never force a cup in if it feels wrong or hurts.

Tips for Making Your Menstrual Cup More Secure

Along with getting the sizing and placement right, you can make little tweaks to help the cup hold its position better:

1. Use a Lubricant

Applying a water-based lubricant to the rim eases insertion and helps the cup glide into the ideal spot.

2. Try a Different Fold

Certain menstrual cup folds make insertion smoother for some anatomies. C or U folds tend to pop open best.

3. Angle it Towards your Tailbone

Pointing the cup rim diagonally down towards your tailbone directs it into the vaginal fornices for a more secure fit.

4. Check your Cervix Height

Low cervixes need shorter cups placed low. High cervixes do better with longer cups positioned high.

5. Wear a Pantyliner as Backup

Keep a pad or pantyliner on as leakage backup until you get the cup positioning figured out.

How to Tell if Your Menstrual Cup Fits Correctly

When your menstrual cup fits and sits right, you shouldn't constantly feel it. Here are signs it's positioned correctly:

• You don't feel any leaking.
• It's comfortable and you can't feel it.
• It doesn't press on your urethra or bladder.
• It pops open easily.
• You don't have to push it up or down repeatedly.
• It moves minimally when walking or exercising.
• It doesn't feel like it might fall out.
• Removing it is easy - no painful suction.

On the other hand, these symptoms can mean poor fit or placement:

• Constant slipping, sinking or descending of the cup
• Leaking around the cup or through overflow
• Feeling pressure in the bladder
• Having to push it back in place often
• Pain or cramps upon insertion
• Not being able to urinate with the cup in
• Messy, difficult removal

Improving Your Menstrual Cup Technique

It takes most menstrual cup users 3-4 cycles to perfect their insertion and positioning technique. Be patient with yourself as you go through this learning curve. These techniques can help:

1. Figure Out Your Anatomy

Your cervix height, uterine tilt, vaginal shape, and pelvic floor all impact how the cup fits. Take the time to understand your anatomy for better placement.

2. Master Insertion

Practice different folds, relaxation methods, and positions until you find the ideal ritual. Having a set routine makes it easier.

3. Use an Insertion Guide

Print diagrams of menstrual cup positioning tailored to your anatomy. Use them as a reference to perfect your technique.

4. Try Different Cups

If you still have issues after a few cycles, experiment with different cup sizes, shapes, lengths, firmnesses and features until you find ‘the one’.

5. Strengthen your Pelvic Floor

Doing kegels and pilates moves strengthens those muscles to keep the cup in position better. Yoga poses also increase pelvic floor awareness.

What to Do When Your Menstrual Cup Feels Loose

It’s frustrating when your menstrual cup never seems to sit right. Here are some quick fixes when it starts feeling loose or wiggling lower:

• Relax and take deep breaths, then slowly tug it out and reinsert using ideal positioning techniques.
• Try a fresh fold method - C, punch down and 7 folds often work best.
• Gently twist the cup as you remove or insert it to provide a better seal.
• Run your finger around the upper rim after inserting to check it’s fully open.
• Empty the cup sooner if heavy flow is making it feel loose.
• Wear a thin pad or panty liner as backup until it stabilizes.

If these on-the-go adjustments don't help, it's time to take a closer look at whether you need a different size cup or just more practice.

When to See a Doctor About a Loose Menstrual Cup

Severe, frequent menstrual cup slippage or an inability to keep it in place could potentially signal underlying health issues. See your gynecologist if:

• It falls out immediately upon inserting and won't stay put.
• Your pelvic floor or vaginal walls feel very weak.
• You experience frequent urinary incontinence.
• You suspect vaginal prolapse.
• Insertion is painful every time despite relaxation.
• Leaking persists despite correct cup use.

A pelvic exam can check for pelvic floor dysfunction, change in vaginal depth or tone, infections, cysts, growths or other abnormalities that may impact using a menstrual cup.

When to Switch to a Different Menstrual Cup

Having to constantly reinsert or reposition an ill-fitting cup gets tiresome. It may be time to consider switching menstrual cup brands or sizes if:

• It never seems to open or seal properly.
• It becomes loose and slippery when it gets heavy.
• You have to cut the stem off entirely and still feel it.
• Leaking occurs often.
• Cramps and discomfort persist.
• It pops open before sealing against the vaginal canal.

Further explore different sizes, lengths, shapes (bell, tulip, etc.), firmnesses, features, folds, insertion techniques and assistance tools like discs until you find the goldilocks cup that fits ‘just right’.

FAQs About Menstrual Cups Feeling Loose

Why does my menstrual cup feel loose?

Common reasons for a menstrual cup feeling loose or wiggly include an improper fit, weak pelvic floor, overly full cup, incorrect positioning, physical activities, or structural abnormalities. Finding the right size cup and perfecting your insertion technique usually resolves this.

Where should a menstrual cup sit?

Ideally, a menstrual cup should sit low against the vaginal wall just below the cervix. The exact positioning depends on your anatomy - those with a high cervix place it higher while those with a low cervix keep it lower without pressing on the cervix.

How do I know if my menstrual cup is too big?

Signs your menstrual cup is too large include it feeling loose, leaking around it, constantly slipping down, difficult or painful insertion, needing to trim the whole stem off, and discomfort from it pressing against your bladder or vaginal walls.

How do I know if my menstrual cup is too small?

Clues that your menstrual cup is too small include leaking, having to empty it very frequently, it feeling overfilled quickly, discomfort from it getting heavy, and menstrual blood around the base because it doesn't seal properly against your vaginal walls.

Why does my menstrual cup move when I pee?

You may feel the cup shift or wiggle when peeing due to the muscles relaxing or pressure from urine. As long as it resets into position after and doesn't leak, this movement is normal. Peeing before insertion can minimize this.

Can menstrual cups fall out?

It’s rare, but some factors that can cause a menstrual cup to fall out fully include using one too large for your anatomy, weak pelvic floor muscles, inserting it incorrectly, and physical activities or bathroom habits that affect placement. Getting the right fit and angle prevents fall out.

The Takeaway

It takes some trial and error to find the perfect menstrual cup for your body. Be patient, get familiar with your anatomy, try different techniques, and don’t force anything. With a little practice, your cup will start feeling secure and comfortable for leak-free periods.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.