How to Insert a Menstrual Disc without Pain
If you have used menstrual cups and are trying out a menstrual disc for the first time, keep in mind that the two are very different, and it may take a couple of cycles to get it right with no leaks, as it did for me. However, I didn’t have these tips I’m about to share with you!
How to Insert Your Menstrual Disc in 3 Easy Steps
Step 1: How to Fold the Disc
You will want to pinch your disc in the middle so that it creates a figure eight. This will make the disc smaller and closer in size to a tampon. During this step, I add a little bit of water-based lube to the top of the disc for painless insertion. If the disc has a stem like the Pixie Disc, then you will want to insert the stemless side into your vaginal canal. With a stemless menstrual disc, it doesn’t matter which side you insert first.
If you prefer video from, what our video on how to use a menstrual disc HERE.
Step 2: Get into Position
There are three different positions that women like to use when inserting a menstrual disc: squatting in the shower, sitting on the toilet, or one leg up on the counter. Any of these will work, but squatting in the shower was easier for me the first time. You can also remove your disc in the shower for a less messy situation on the toilet, eliminating waddling to the sink to rinse your disc. Sometimes, squatting can make the disc easier to remove since it will naturally force the disc lower.
Step 3: Inserting the Menstrual Disc
Place the stemless end into your vaginal canal. Instead of moving the disc straight back, push the disc towards your tailbone as far as it will go. If you are hitting something and it causes discomfort or pain, that could be your cervix; try tilting the disc at a steeper angle downwards to position it under your cervix. Pixie Lube can help to place the disc into the correct position. Once the disc is behind your cervix, push the front (the end without the stem) up and behind your pubic bone. Don’t be afraid to push it as far up as it will go since the stem will make for an easy removal.
If you do have leaks, it is most likely due to the menstrual disc not being in the right position. Either it’s not behind your cervix, or it’s not tucked behind your pubic bone. It can take some practice to know when you have inserted it correctly, but over time, you will get it right consistently!
How to Remove
Watch our YouTube Video on how to remove a menstrual disc!
For most people, this part will be quite messy (messier than menstrual cups), so be prepared, but the more you practice, the less mess you create. If the disc has a stem, hold onto it and gently pull until you can slide your finger under the base of the disc. Then, pinch the middle of the menstrual product into a figure-eight shape, similar to when you inserted the disc, and remove it.
If the disc does not have a stem, try to hook your finger under the base of the disc and pull it out. Once removed, you can dump the contents into the toilet or the shower. Rinse with some natural soap, like Pixie Foam Wash, and reinsert or store for the next use.
Why Switch to a Menstrual Disc?
Women often switch to menstrual discs, especially post-birth.Let me explain. Menstrual Cups sit in the vaginal canal and use pelvic muscels plus suction to stay in place, if your muscels are not strong due to weakened pelvic floor muscles or prolapse the cup may fall out. This is sometimes referred to as “birthing a cup”. On the other end a menstrual disc sits in the vaginal fornix, staying in place behind the cervix and tucked behind the pubic bone. This requires less vaginal muscle strength for the disc to stay put. If you would like to read more about the difference between cups and discs, you can read our other blog post HERE!
