A menstrual cup is a popular, reusable option for managing menstrual flow. Unlike disposable products, the cup’s effectiveness and comfort depend entirely on precise positioning within the vaginal canal. Understanding the correct depth and placement is the primary step toward a successful experience. The goal is a secure, leak-free position that feels comfortable and unobtrusive.
The Menstrual Cup’s Resting Spot
The menstrual cup is designed to sit relatively low in the vaginal canal, resting just above the pubic bone. It should not be inserted as high as a typical tampon, which is often pushed toward the upper end of the vaginal vault. The cup is intended to collect fluid at the base of the canal, not absorb it higher up.
The final resting place is low enough that the base of the cup, or the stem, is easily reachable for removal. Ideally, the stem should sit about a half-inch to one centimeter inside the vaginal opening and should not protrude. The cup’s wide rim forms a seal against the vaginal walls, which holds it in place and prevents leaks.
This general positioning is the starting point, but individual anatomy drastically affects the exact depth. The vaginal canal is a muscular tube that is not a fixed length, and the cup’s placement must accommodate the body’s specific internal topography. The length of the space available is ultimately determined by the location of the cervix.
How Cervical Height Influences Placement
The cervix, which is the narrow opening at the base of the uterus, acts as the natural boundary for the cup’s travel. During the menstrual cycle, the cervix can move, but its lowest position is the one that matters most for cup sizing and placement. You can determine this height by inserting a clean finger into the vagina until you feel the cervix, which feels firm and round, similar to the tip of a nose.
If you reach the cervix quickly, at about the first knuckle, you have a low cervix, meaning the cup must sit very low and may require trimming the stem for comfort. A high cervix is indicated if your finger goes in almost its entire length before touching the opening, meaning the cup will sit much higher in the canal. An average cervix falls somewhere in the middle, around the second knuckle.
Regardless of the height, the objective is to position the cup’s rim below the cervix so the cup can open fully and collect the flow as it exits. If the cup is pushed past the cervix or if the cervix dips into the cup, it can prevent the necessary seal from forming and cause leaks. A person with a low cervix needs a shorter cup, while a person with a high cervix may need a longer cup to ensure the stem remains reachable.
Achieving Proper Insertion and Seal
Proper insertion involves a specific angle and folding technique to guide the cup to its correct depth. The cup should be inserted horizontally and angled toward the tailbone, following the natural curve of the vaginal canal, rather than straight up like a tampon. Folding the medical-grade silicone cup, using techniques like the punch-down or C-fold, creates a smaller insertion point that helps the cup slide in successfully.
The cup should be inserted until the entire folded body is inside, and then it must be allowed to open completely to form the seal. If the cup opens fully before reaching its final resting spot, it can be rotated or gently pushed to settle below the cervix. A final check with a finger should confirm the cup has fully unfolded, feeling round and smooth without creases.
The essential step for secure placement is ensuring the cup has created a light suction seal against the vaginal walls. You can test for this seal by gently pulling on the stem; resistance confirms the suction is present and the cup is correctly seated. This vacuum effect keeps the cup from moving too far up or down and prevents leakage. If the cup is not fully open, the seal will not form, potentially causing leaks or allowing the cup to ride higher in the canal.
Signs of Incorrect Placement and Solutions
An incorrectly placed cup will often signal the error through discomfort or leakage. A cup that sits too low will likely cause discomfort at the vaginal entrance, with the stem possibly poking outside or causing a constant feeling of pressure. If the cup is too low, the solution is to remove it, relax the pelvic floor muscles, and aim for a slightly higher position during reinsertion, ensuring it is fully inside the opening.
Conversely, a cup inserted too high may cause difficulties with removal, as the stem becomes hard to reach. It may also lead to leaking if the cup has migrated past the cervix and is not positioned to catch the menstrual flow. If the cup is too high, squatting can help shorten the vaginal canal, and gently “bearing down” can move the cup lower, allowing you to reach the base to break the seal for removal.
Experiencing pain or cramping is another sign of incorrect positioning, often occurring when the cup’s suction irritates the cervix. In this case, the cup is likely sitting too high and needs to be placed lower so that the suction occurs only on the vaginal walls, not directly on the sensitive cervix. The ultimate confirmation of correct depth is an experience free from leaks and where the cup is completely unnoticeable during all activities.