Scared to Use a Menstrual Disc? Read this first!

There is a first time for everything! I still remember the first time my college friend told me about REUSABLE menstrual cups, and I looked at her like she had gone mad but deciding to jump on the reusable menstrual care bandwagon was one of the greatest decisions of my life, and now Pixie Cup has created a menstrual DISC! Keep reading to learn more about this bloody brilliant product.

If you are hesitant about the idea of reusable menstrual care products, that’s okay; everyone gets nervous trying something new, and guess what?! We’ve been there! But we’ve come out on the other side, living in complete “I can’t believe I forgot that I’m on my period” freedom. If you end up needing a different size or aren’t completely satisfied, Pixie Cup will make it right with either a full refund or a replacement product. We’ve got you with our 100% Happiness Guarantee and TMI is always welcome!

Now that you can rest assured that Pixie Cup will answer all your questions and work with you to have the best experience, let’s answer some frequently asked questions about discs.

How is a disc different from a cup?

I am so glad you asked! A menstrual cup and menstrual disc have some commonalities, but some stand out differences! They are both products inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid versus absorb menstrual fluid. The number one difference is the placement or fit of the disc compared to the cup. Let’s have a quick anatomy review, shall we?

Anatomy and Fit

The Cervix is the protective door to the uterus and sits between the vagina and uterus. The cervix is a dynamic structure; as you move through different cycle phases, your cervix moves up or down! As you near menstruation, your cervix drops lower and becomes firmer to the touch, like the tip of your nose. At this time, you may insert a menstrual cup, and it will sit snuggly right below the base of your cervix and extend into the vaginal canal.

An anatomical structure you may not have heard much about is the Vaginal Fornix/Fornixes. Without getting too “science-y,” the vaginal fornixes are the vaginal spaces in front of and behind your cervix, and it is in this space that a menstrual disc is placed. The menstrual disc hugs the cervix, and instead of being held in place by suction, it is held in place by the pubic bone, minimizing leaks.

Another difference to note is anatomical differences between women. Some women have a higher or lower cervix that can determine the individual size you may need for a menstrual cup.

Pixie Cup has several different menstrual cup sizes to fit your needs, but the Pixie Disc comes in two different sizes.

How do you insert a menstrual disc?

1. Wash your hands, friend!
2. Use your thumb and pointer finger to squeeze the rim of Pixie Disc, so it looks more like a
figure eight.
3. You’re going to want to position yourself so your cervix is easy to reach. This is best
achieved by sitting on a toilet, one leg up on the shower ledge, or squatting. Use your pointer finger to insert the disc’s rim and push as far back as is comfortable. Angle the disc
back and down so the edge of the disc tucks around the backside of your cervix.
4. Move your finger to the front rim, and push up, tucking the edge behind your pubic bone.
This will secure the Pixie Disc and catch your flow.

How do you remove a menstrual disc?

Make sure you wash your hands and sit over the toilet. (hint: many of us like taking it out in the shower!)

1. Make sure your hands are freshly washed.
2. Relax your body and remember Pixie Disc is the only period disc on the market with a removal pull-string! Feel around for the thin silicone string and a gentle pull. You should feel the disc dislodge.
3. If you have cut off your string, insert your finger and hook it behind the front rim of the disc
4. Pour your menstrual fluid into the toilet, wash your cup thoroughly with Pixie Wash, and reinsert.
If it’s not possible for you to wash your cup, like you’re in a public restroom or camping, you may reinsert if your hands are clean. We recommend not going more than 24 hours without washing your cup. This will keep bacteria, odor, and staining at bay.

What if my disc gets “stuck?”

Since the Pixie Disc does not use suction to stay in place, you are less likely to experience the “stuck” feeling, but if you do, here are some tips:

RELAX! When we get stressed, our pelvic floor musculature gets stressed and tense. Take 3-5 deep belly breaths and relax your jaw. Did you know that a fascial line connects our jaw to our pelvis? Yep! Look it up! Our pelvic floor musculature will mirror what the jaw is doing. If we tense our jaw, our pelvic floor musculature will tense and hold onto that disc too tightly. If this still does not help, try squatting or getting into a “happy baby” position and doing more deep breathing. Also, our Pixie Disc has a silicone string with a grip tip attachment to make removal hassle-free.

How long can you use a menstrual disc?

You can wear Pixie Disc for up to 12 hours. We recommend that you empty your Pixie Disc no
less than two times per 24-hour period. You might need to empty more frequently on your heavy flow days.

Can you use a menstrual disc with a heavy flow?

Absolutely! The Pixie Disc will be a great option if you are a heavy bleeder. A heavy bleed
would be anything over 80mL of menstrual fluid/blood loss during your period. The average loss is around 50mL. The Pixie Disc can hold approximately 36mL of menstrual fluid, and for
comparison, one soaked super tampon holds about 12 mL.

Can you have sex with a menstrual disc?

Another defining feature of the Pixie Disc versus the Pixie Cup is its ability to be still worn during penetrative intercourse due to its flat fit and higher position in the vaginal canal. Now, you can remove the disc during intercourse if you would like, but wearing the disc allows for mess-free intimacy.

Can you work out while wearing your menstrual disc?

You can work out, sleep, swim, have sex, ride a mechanical bull, MESS-FREE!

Can you use a menstrual disc with an IUD?

This is a great question. Unfortunately, there is a lack of scientific literature on this topic, but I am here to give you as much information as possible! First, there are several different IUDs in the US; they fall into two categories.

There’s the hormone-free copper IUD (a.k.a. ParaGard) and the hormonal IUD (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, Skyla), and the reason you chose one over the other is up to you and your doctor.

Why does it matter what period product you use when you have an IUD? An IUD is inserted through the cervix and has a small string that hangs outside of the cervix and slightly into the vaginal canal to allow for removal later. “Exactly how far down the strings hang depends on the IUD itself, whether your provider trimmed the strings after insertion, and your unique uterine, cervical, and vaginal anatomy.” Since you are inserting a menstrual disc into the vaginal canal, there is a SLIGHT risk that it could get caught and dislodge your IUD, but NOT LIKELY (Madden, 2014). There is less risk of dislodging an IUD with a menstrual disc versus a menstrual cup because it is not held in place by suction but rather the pelvic bone is holding it in place. A study showed that IUD expulsion rates were 14.3% among menstrual cup users and 4.7% among non-cup users (Long, 2020).

When removing your menstrual disc, be mindful of feeling for the IUD strings to ensure that they are out of the way. If you have any concerns whatsoever about using a menstrual disc with an IUD, call your doctor who inserted the IUD.

Are there any risks?

There are some minor risks associated with improper use of a menstrual disc/cup/tampon/etc. The first is irritation, but the Pixie Disc is made from 100% medical-grade silicone, which is great because it is FDA approved to be used within the body without causing any concerning reactions unless you are allergic to silicone. An infection could also be a risk if you leave the menstrual disc in for longer than it should be or do not clean it properly. Using a Pixie Steamer to sterilize your disc at the beginning of each cycle, and our carry cups, washes, and wipes to cleanse your disc between uses ensure that your disc is clean and cared for for years to come.

Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

ABSOLUTELY! And if you are still concerned or have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to someone on the Pixie Cup team! We are here every day to help you find the perfect reusable menstrual product for your anatomy – TMI always welcome!

Use code pixieblog15 at check out to get 15% off your order!

References

Madden, T., McNicholas, C., Zhao, Q., Secura, G. M., Eisenberg, D. L., & Peipert, J. F. (2014). Association of age and parity with intrauterine device expulsion. Obstetrics and gynecology, 124(4), 718–726. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000000475

Long, J., Schreiber, C., Creinin, M., Kaneshiro, B., Nanda, K., & Blithe, D. (2020). Menstrual Cup Use and Intrauterine Device Expulsion in a Copper Intrauterine Device Contraceptive Efficacy Trial. UC Davis. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5kz1t720