Feeling your menstrual cup during movement, such as walking or bending, is a common experience, especially for new users. This sensation, ranging from slight awareness to discomfort, usually signals a minor issue with the cup’s positioning or its size relative to your anatomy. Although the cup sits lower than a tampon, it should become completely unnoticeable when placed correctly. This issue is rarely a sign of a major problem and can almost always be resolved with simple adjustments or a change in equipment.
Identifying the Source of Discomfort
Understanding why the cup is noticeable is the first step toward a comfortable fit. The feeling of the cup moving or pressing can usually be traced back to one of three primary causes. The most frequent culprit is the cup’s stem. Although meant for retrieval, the stem can sometimes protrude or rub against the sensitive tissue near the vaginal opening, creating irritation or a pinching sensation when walking.
Another common reason is that the cup is sitting too low within the vaginal canal, dropping down near the entrance. If the cup is not fully seated, the wider rim or the body of the cup can press against the lower, more sensitive parts of the vagina. This sensation is often described as feeling like the cup is slipping or about to fall out.
Finally, the material’s firmness can also contribute to discomfort. If the cup’s silicone is too rigid for your vaginal walls or pelvic floor muscles, it can exert pressure that becomes pronounced when you move or sit. Determining which of these three sensations you are experiencing will guide you toward the most effective solution.
Immediate Adjustments for Proper Placement
Many discomfort issues can be resolved immediately by adjusting how the cup is inserted and seated. Unlike a tampon, which is inserted straight up, the vaginal canal is angled backward toward the tailbone. When inserting the cup, aim at a 45-degree angle toward the base of your spine to follow the natural curve of the canal.
Proper placement requires the cup to fully open and create a suction seal against the vaginal walls. Once inserted, gently run a finger around the base of the cup to ensure it has fully unfolded and is not pinched flat. If it remains folded, a slight twist or gentle push on the base can encourage the rim to pop open and secure the seal.
The goal is for the cup to sit comfortably below the cervix, not right up against it like a high-placed tampon. If the cup is sitting too low, try pushing it slightly higher, ensuring the stem is entirely inside the vaginal opening. If the cup feels like it is pressing against your cervix, gently lower it until it rests in the vaginal vault. A correctly seated cup should feel secure and unnoticeable during daily activities.
Equipment Modifications: Addressing the Stem
If the cup is correctly positioned but you still feel a poking or rubbing sensation, the stem is likely the issue. The stem is included only as a guide for locating the base of the cup during removal; it is not meant to be felt. If the stem is protruding even slightly from the vaginal opening, it will cause irritation when you move.
A simple solution is to trim the stem using a clean pair of scissors. Only trim a small amount at a time, reinserting the cup after each cut to check for comfort. The stem can be shortened or removed entirely if you can easily reach the base of the cup for removal without it.
If you remove the stem entirely, inspect the cut edges carefully. The medical-grade silicone should be smooth, and any rough edges should be filed down to prevent irritation to the sensitive vaginal lining. Users with a lower cervix may find that turning the cup inside out, which completely smooths the cup’s base, resolves lingering stem-related discomfort.
Long-Term Solutions: Sizing and Anatomical Fit
If positioning and stem modification fail to resolve the discomfort, the cup’s overall size or firmness is likely mismatched to your anatomy. The length of a cup is particularly important and is determined by your cervical height, which can be measured with a clean finger. If you can only insert a finger up to the first knuckle before touching your cervix, you have a low cervix and require a shorter cup.
Conversely, if you can insert your finger almost entirely before reaching your cervix, you have a high cervix, and a longer cup is needed for easy retrieval. Using a cup that is too long for a low cervix will cause it to sit too near the vaginal opening, leading to the sensation of slipping or uncomfortable pressing.
Cup firmness also plays a significant role in comfort. Cups designed for active people or those with strong pelvic floor muscles are firmer and can press against the vaginal wall or bladder. This can cause a feeling of pressure or an increased need to urinate. If you experience this noticeable internal pressure, switching to a softer, more flexible cup will likely alleviate the discomfort during activity.