Having a menstrual cup is a gift sent from the menstrual gods, but it can be really frustrating having to deal with leaking problems! No one wants to deal with menstrual cup leak, bloody underwear and an emergency bathroom call. Should you lose hope in all menstrual cups? Absolutely not! There are a few reasons we think your cup might be leaking, and we’ll tell you how to fix it!
Do you have the right size cup?
Lunette offers two sizes; Model 1 and Model 2. Model 1 is designed for those with a light to moderate flow, and is a little smaller in size than Model 2, which is for those who have a moderate to heavy flow. It doesn’t matter if you’ve just started your first period ever, or if you’ve had sex, if you have a light flow, Model 1 should feel right for you. Now, if you have a pretty heavy flow and you’re using the Model 1, the reason why you’re leaking might be because you need a bigger cup! Try using the Model 2 and see how that feels. It’s a little firmer, but it will hold more menstrual blood.
You might need to empty your cup more frequently
Although we say you can empty your cup every 12 hours, some people might need to empty it earlier than others. If you have a heavier flow and you’re already using the Model 2, try emptying your cup every 4 or 6 hours to see if that does the trick and stops the menstrual leak!
Locate your cervix
This might sound a little invasive (let’s be real, nothing is invasive for us), but knowing how low or high your cervix is might help you insert your menstrual cup correctly! During menstruation, the cervix may move from its normal position. If you have a low cervix, chances are you might have to cut the stem of your cup in order for it to fit comfortably in your vagina, and if you have a tilted cervix, you might have to tilt your pelvis up and sit back a little more so that you’re not directly inserting your cup straight up. One thing to keep in mind is that your cup might be placed too high and not directly below your cervix, which could result in leakage because blood isn’t able to flow properly into the cup.
If you’re feeling a little curious, locate your cervix when you’re on your period and when you aren’t so you can see if it’s moved around! It should feel like the tip of your nose, in other words…soft and squishy!
After inserting, rotate the cup and pinch the sides to make sure it fully opens
Rotating your cup should become second nature to you soon after inserting your cup! It will prevent those unwanted air pockets and will suction onto the walls of your vagina, preventing menstrual blood from leaking around the cup.
Try a different fold method
The all time favorite C-fold might not be the one for you! It could be causing some air between the cup and the vaginal canal. Try our other folding methods like the punch-down method or triangle fold! We have a handy-dandy how-to video that shows you all the folding methods!
Squat to make insertion easier
Sometimes standing up can be uncomfortable and awkward – try squatting over your toilet or in the shower! As mentioned earlier, it will cause your pelvis to tilt a little, which can make the cup hug the vaginal canal easier.
Every time you poop, you might be pushing it down
This might not be a problem for you, but when you use the bathroom to poop, you’re pushing your menstrual cup down too (especially if you have strong pelvic floor muscles). However, because your cup has a strong suction inside the vaginal canal, it won’t fully come out and fall into the toilet. All you need to do is push it back up a little so it can go back to its normal place. Oh, and don’t forget to wash your hands every time you adjust your cup!
The air holes on your cup aren’t getting cleaned properly
You know those tiny little holes at the top of your cup? Those allow for proper suction inside your vagina. If they are blocked by blood or other bodily fluids, the cup won’t form a proper seal inside, so make sure all four air holes are open and clean every time you rinse your cup!
Try pelvic muscle exercises
If your cup leaks after you have tried all of these tips, the culprit may be your pelvic muscles. If your pelvic muscles are weak, they cannot hold the cup tight against the vaginal wall. The cup usually leaks when you get up from a seated position. Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic muscles and prevent future problems like urinary leakage.
No one wants a leaky cup, so if these tips helped you in any way, let us know, and if we didn’t mention a solution that’s helped you, also let us know! We want you to feel supported every step of the way on your menstrual cup journey
Hi Serena,
it could be that your cervix is sitting in the menstrual cup, taking away some of its capacity. Therefore your cup may start to leak because it is (due to the cervix sitting in the cup) so to say already full.
You don’t necessarily need to start using the bigger cup. But you may need to think about emptying it after 6 hours.
You could try if you can place your cup a little bit lower in the vagina. Depending on how low your cervix sits, you might be able to avoid the cervix being in your cup when you place it a bit lower than you have done so far.
Best,
Team Lunette
Hello Lunette,
I’m 31, never had any kids, and I’m using a Lunette size 1 cup due to my light flow. It works really well until I’ve had it in for around 6 hours. After 6 hours, it starts to leak a little but it’s never more than halfway full. Should I use the bigger size even though my flow is light?
Please help!!
-Serena 😊
Hey Philippa,
We’re so happy you love your cup!! Yay!!
As far as your one day of leaking goes, it’s not uncommon for your cervix to sit lower on your heavier days. I have to wonder if maybe your cup is sitting too high on those days and possibly bypassing your cervix. If this is the case, you’ll want to wear your cup as low as you comfortably can.
Let us know how it goes at info@lunette.com. <3
Hi Lunette,
I love your cup, ever since I discovered it a good 5 years ago.
Ever since I had my copper IUD inserted, I have had one day during which my period is a lot more fluid and heavy than it used to be. This causes A LOT of leakage on these days, even after buying the bigger Lunette. I have tried everything you suggested, but nothing helps. I have resorted back to tampons (which I don’t really like) on that one day of my period. Is there anything else you can suggest?
Thanks a lot in advance!