Everything You Need to Know About Menstrual Cup Leaking

A hidden benefit of using a period cup is that you learn so much more about your body.How’s your menstrual flow? How does your vaginal wall and vaginal canal feel? Are your pelvic floor muscles strong? In this article, we describe how to gain that specific knowledge about your body and how to use it to prevent any menstrual cup leaks.

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Do Menstrual Cups Leak Often?

‍There’s an ‘yes and no’ answer to it. It’s fairly common in the sense that most users experienced a slight menstrual cup leak at the beginning of their journey. It’s mainly due to lack of practice in placing it correctly, or inappropriate size. However, you should know that cups don’t leak often. It happens far less than while using pads or tampons. The correctly created seal stays intact even at night or during all kinds of sports. Plus, they hold much more period blood than a tampon.If you experience leaking, have a look at the questions below and check whether you’re using it right. ‍‍

How Do I Know if My Menstrual Cup Is Sealed?

Your menstrual cup has to have a proper seal every time you insert it. It means that the cup and your vaginal walls create a vacuum. If that’s the case, the cup won’t change its position during gymnastics, horse riding, swimming, or any other activity. How will you know it’s sealed? Try to hold it and pull it down, you should feel resistance. If you don’t, you can squeeze it at different angles to make sure it’s open. Alternatively, reinsert it in a different position.

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Are the Holes Around the Rim Clogged?

Some menstrual cups have small openings at the top, which create a stronger seal. If the cup is leaking, make sure the holes are free of blood residues. A toothpick or a strong stream of water is useful in cleaning them.

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Is It Full?

‍A simple reason for the leakage :). You should empty your menstrual cup roughly every 4hours. If you feel it’s getting full much sooner, simply consider buying a larger size or empty it every 2 hours.

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Is It the Right Size?

Did you choose the size according to your age, birth history, and flow? Finding the perfect size may involve some experimenting. A cup that is too small won’t fit tightly in your vagina. A too-large cup won’t be comfortable to use. Some cups have an elongated base, which may not be fitting you, if you have a short vaginal canal. If you can’t find the rightsize, consult your gynecologist.

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Where Is It Placed?

The placement of your cup is important. Typically, it’s worn lower than a tampon, as the walls are narrower and it creates a stronger seal. However, for some women placing it higher (closer to the cervix) works better. You need to look at your unique anatomy. It’s fascinating to discover where one’s cervix is, and that it slightly shifts in place during the period.

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Is It a Fake Leak?

How can a leak be fake? It’s rather difficult to mistake menstrual blood on your underwear for something else. The phrase “a fake leak” is used to describe a one-time leak that was caused by pressure on the muscles and is not likely to be repeated. Your cup might be leaking, because of bowel movements during pooping or some sports activities. The pressure may squeeze the cup for a moment and you can leak a few drops of menstrual fluid. It shouldn’t be much bigger than that. Fake leaks are nothing to worry about!

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Do Your Pelvic Floor Muscles Keep Unsealing It?

Strong pelvic floor muscles are flexing without one’s conscious effort. Some people squeeze them more frequently, some strengthen them consciously. If your pelvic floor muscles are strong, they may squeeze the cup and break the seal. If that’s your case, consider buying a cup with a firmer structure, less soft, not so easy to bend.

Hopefully, this article helps you to find a solution to your problem. We’re curious to hear about your experience. Have you experienced any leaking? What have you learnt about your body after you started using a cup?