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This article is edited and reviewed by medical professional Dr. Alice Byram, whom you can read more about at the end of the article.
Having problems with your menstrual cup? Wondering if you bought the right size? Tired of cramps caused by your period cup? Don’t give up just yet!
It can happen that the menstrual cup you purchase ends up being too big or too small.
We’ve got your back with the key signs that your cup is a bad fit for your cervix and what you can do about it:
- You can feel the menstrual cup
- Your menstrual cup causes cramps
- Your menstrual cup is leaking
- Is your menstrual cup difficult to reach?
Take our quiz to know your Ruby Cup size:
Signs that your menstrual cup is too big or too small
1. You can feel the menstrual cup
Can you feel your menstrual cup coming out of your vagina? Does your menstrual cup seem to be too long?
If the stem of the cup is poking out, the answer is definitely yes.
A menstrual cup is correctly placed when it sits fully inside the vagina and you don’t feel it. That’s why some cup-lovers say things like “It’s so comfy, I don’t feel it at all and I sometimes forget I’m even wearing it!”, which probably sounds unimaginable if you’re struggling with your cup.
How to solve this:
If you feel your menstrual cup, chances are high you have a low cervix and the cup is too long for your vagina. In our post about how to measure your cervix, we clarify that a low cervix means you have a short vaginal canal, and you will probably feel more comfortable with a shorter menstrual cup, for example, the Ruby Cup Small.
Because shorter menstrual cups often have less capacity, you can also get a Ruby Cup Medium if you have a heavy period and simply trim the stem. Carefully cut the stem of your menstrual cup with scissors and you won’t be compromising its function. Please do not cut the stem while wearing the Ruby Cup.
Related Post: Where Should a Menstrual Cup Sit & How to Insert It
2. Your menstrual cup causes cramps
If your menstrual cup is causing cramps or pain, you might be inserting it too high up. You should insert your cup lower than a tampon while making sure the cup still fits fully in your vagina without anything showing out.
Inserting the menstrual cup too high can lead to the cup suction irritating your cervix, causing cramps and discomfort.
How to solve this:
Is your cup too long if you insert it lower? Try trimming the stem to see if your cup has more space to be able to pop open. This means the suction will occur below the cervix, instead of on it. This might be a huge relief for your cramps!
If trimming doesn’t solve the issue, then it’s time for a shorter cup. We recommend a Ruby Cup Small. If you recently purchased a Ruby Cup Medium, use our no questions asked money-back guarantee, where you can switch size within 4 calendar months from your order date.
3. Your menstrual cup is leaking
Nobody wants to leak during their period. So when that happens with your menstrual cup, it’s really frustrating. Especially when everybody else seems to rave on about how their menstrual cup changed their life.
How to solve this:
Here are 6 of the most common reasons for a menstrual cup to leak and how to solve that. Your cervix can play a big role in causing leaks.
If you have a low cervix and push the cup past the cervix, this can lead to the period cup opening up next to the cervix instead of under it. This means that the cup cannot catch the menstrual flow.
Pay special attention to insert your menstrual cup low enough for it to open up below the cervix. Again, we recommend a Ruby Cup Small if you have a low cervix.
4. Your menstrual cup is difficult to reach
If you chose a small menstrual cup and have a very high cervix, chances are you’re struggling to get your menstrual cup out. Maybe you can’t even reach it. Don’t panic - it can’t go anywhere and we have some help with removing your menstrual cup.
How to solve this:
If you’re experiencing this, you don’t necessarily need to get a longer menstrual cup for a short cervix. Some menstrual cup users use the term “bearing down” to describe a position that can help you reach a menstrual cup that is hard to reach.
Squat down, and press the cup down with your pelvic floor or stomach muscles until you can reach it. Then insert your middle finger and thumb until you reach for the stem and wiggle the cup a little bit down. Once you can reach the base, pinch it to release the suction and pull it out.
But if you feel more comfortable with getting a cup that is easier to reach, opt for a Ruby Cup Medium. It’s a good fit for people with a high cervix.
Finding the right menstrual cup for your cervix
If you’ve tried all the tips and tricks from our menstrual cup beginners guide and the ones mentioned above, and you’re still struggling with your period cup, it’s time for a different menstrual cup size.
The Ruby Cup is known as a beginner-friendly and safe menstrual cup. Made from premium medical-grade silicone, it is soft enough to pop open easily and at the same time, it is rigid enough to make sure that it keeps its shape and avoids leaks when it is in place. Ruby Cup is available in two sizes, adapting to fit comfortably to all types of cervixes.
Using our guide to measuring your cervix will help you choose the right size menstrual cup. Knowing that it should not be quite right for you, you can use our 120-day no questions asked money-back guarantee to return your menstrual cup.
If you struggle to decide which size is best for you, don’t worry, we got your back: our Duo pack offers both menstrual cup sizes, so you can try both, or even use them for different times of your period.
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Edited and reviewed by Dr Alice Byram Bsc Med & Surg UMA MA Hons MML Cantab
Dr Alice Byram was born in England to a French-British family. Following on from a degree in Spanish from the University of Cambridge, she went to Spain to study medicine. On her return to the UK, she worked in Emergency Medicine for several years before recently returning to Barcelona.
