Everything you need to insert, wear, remove and clean your Ivy menstrual disc. Most people get the hang of it within one to three periods, so be patient with yourself and your body.
Updated September 2026
A menstrual disc is different from a menstrual cup. Instead of sitting in the vaginal canal, it slides all the way back and rests in the widest part of the vagina, just below your cervix. The front rim tucks up behind your pubic bone, which holds it in place. There's no suction, and when it's in the right spot, you shouldn't feel it at all.
Your Ivy Disc also has a soft, flexible stem with small ridges and a rounded tip. The stem sits inside you and points towards your vaginal opening. It's there to make removal easier, so you don't have to reach as far.
Haven't picked your size yet? Take the Menstrual Disc Sizing Guide first.
Use soap and clean water. Short, smooth nails make everything more comfortable.
Place it in a pot of boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes, fully covered, and stay close so the water doesn't boil dry. You can also use the Ivy Sterilizer or the Ivy Electric Steamer.
Give it a few minutes before you use it. Then have a practice run before your period starts, when there's no pressure.
Sit on the toilet with your knees apart, squat, or stand with one foot raised on the toilet seat or the edge of the bathtub. Take a deep breath and relax your muscles.
Pinch the sides of the rim together so the disc folds into a long, narrow shape. Keep the bowl side facing up and let the stem hang down towards you.
With your other hand, gently part your labia. Slide the folded disc in, rim first, aiming towards your tailbone, and keep going until it won't go any further. The stem follows behind.
Use one finger to push the front of the rim up and behind your pubic bone. This is the step that stops leaks, so don't skip it.
Run a finger around the rim. You should be able to feel your cervix through the soft centre of the disc. The stem should sit fully inside, with the tip just within reach of your finger. Stand up and walk around. If you can feel the disc, or the stem pokes or presses, it's probably sitting too low, so push it back and tuck again.
Empty your disc at least every 12 hours. On heavy days, you may need to empty it sooner.
Work, sleep, exercise and travel as usual. Your disc goes where you go.
Pee and poo as normal. Pushing can shift the disc and release a little blood into the toilet. This is normal. Just wash your hands and re-tuck the front rim afterwards.
While you're learning, wear a panty liner or Ivy Period Panties as backup.
Discs can spill a little as they come out, so the toilet is the easiest place to remove yours.
Push down gently with your pelvic muscles, as if you're having a bowel movement. This brings the disc lower and easier to reach.
Slide a finger in and find the stem. Hold it between two fingers, using the ridges for grip, and pull slowly downwards to bring the disc lower.
Once you can reach it, hook a finger under the front rim to release it from behind your pubic bone. Don't pull the whole disc out by the stem alone.
Draw it out gently by the rim, keeping the disc as flat as you can so the contents don't spill.
Pour the contents into the toilet, rinse the disc, and put it back in. Or clean it and store it if your period is over.
Rinse with cool water first, since hot water can set stains. Then wash with warm water and a mild, unscented soap or Ivy Intimate Wash, running your fingers along the stem ridges and around the tip where blood can collect. In a public toilet, wipe it with tissue and clean it properly when you get home.
Sterilise it in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes or in the Ivy Sterilizer or the Ivy Electric Steamer. Let it dry completely, then store it in its breathable pouch.
Never use bleach, vinegar, alcohol, antiseptics like Dettol or Savlon, scented soaps, oils or a dishwasher. Never store your disc in an airtight container or plastic bag.
Some discolouration over time is normal and doesn't affect safety. Replace your disc if you notice tears, holes, a sticky feel, or a smell that won't wash out.
For step-by-step boiling, microwave and steamer instructions, see our Menstrual Cup and Disc Care Guide.
The most common cause is a front rim that isn't tucked behind the pubic bone. Remove it, reinsert it, and make sure it goes all the way back before you tuck.
If it's full, empty it more often. If it still leaks after a few tries, you may need the other size. Check the sizing guide.
A disc in the right spot shouldn't be felt. It's likely sitting too low. Remove it and reinsert, aiming further back towards your tailbone before tucking the front rim.
If the stem still bothers you once the disc is sitting correctly, you can trim it. The ridges are there as cutting guides. Using clean, sharp scissors, cut between two ridges, one section at a time, and try it again before cutting more. Leave enough stem to grip comfortably, then wash and sterilise your disc before wearing it.
No. Your disc can't get lost, because your cervix blocks the way. If you can't reach it, take a few deep breaths, squat, and bear down gently until you can feel the tip of the stem. Pull the stem slowly to bring the disc down, then hook the rim.
If you still can't reach it after several tries, see a healthcare provider.
Go slowly and keep the disc level as it comes out. Removing it over the toilet makes spills a non-issue.
This is normal and is sometimes called auto-emptying. Just re-tuck the front rim afterwards so it sits securely again.
Yes. You can wear your disc overnight for up to 12 hours. Put in a freshly emptied disc before bed and empty it when you wake up.
Yes. Once it's tucked in properly, your disc stays in place while you work out, dance or swim. If you feel it shift during exercise, re-tuck the front rim.
Yes. People who have never had sex can use a menstrual disc. Being a virgin is about sexual experience, not about whether you use a period product. Go slowly, relax your muscles, and take the sizing guide to find your fit.
Send us a message and we'll talk you through it. No question is too small. We're based in Lagos and deliver nationwide across Nigeria.
WhatsApp or call +234 812 730 0348
Email support@theivycup.com
