As a menstrual cup user, you may have encountered the frustration of your cup refusing to cooperate during insertion or your menstrual cup getting stuck halfway. It is essential to remember that you’re not alone in this experience, and there are practical solutions available to help you overcome this problem.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cup user, this guide will address the issue of a menstrual cup that won’t go in, offering insights, tips, and techniques to help you out in this stuck situation with confidence and ease.  

Understanding the Issue: Why Won’t My Menstrual Cup Go In?

Let’s figure out why you are experiencing difficulty in inserting your menstrual cup. Here’s what might be causing the hold-up:

Size Trouble

Menstrual cups come in various sizes, and choosing the right size is crucial for a comfortable fit. If your cup is too big or too small, it may not sit correctly in your vagina, leading to insertion issues. If you’re not quite sure if you have the right Ivy Cup size, take the quiz again to find out.

Tension and Anxiety

Your body senses your stress levels, and guess what? Stress and anxiety can cause your pelvic floor muscles to tense up, making it harder to insert the cup. Learning relaxation techniques can help alleviate this tension.

Dry Situation

If your vagina is dry, the cup may not glide in easily, leading to discomfort. Just like a slide needs water to be slippery, your cup needs lubrication to go in comfortably. You can opt for good old clean water to wet your cup or use a water-based lubricant around the rim of your cup for easy glide.

Angle Issue

Inserting your cup is like solving a puzzle – it’s all about finding the right angle. If the cup is not positioned correctly, it may not open properly inside the vagina, causing insertion difficulties. Tip: You should insert your cup almost horizontally – towards your tailbone – and not vertically or straight up. Find out more on that in our post on insertion.

Practical Solutions: Easy Tips for When Your Cup Won’t Go In

Now that we’ve got the basics down, let’s check out some simple tricks to make putting in your cup a breeze. 

Relax and Unwind

Before diving into cup insertion, take a moment to calm yourself. You can take these steps to properly relax and unwind: 

• Pelvic Floor Exercises: Doing exercises to strengthen and relax the muscles in your pelvic area can be helpful. These exercises, like Kegels, can make it easier for the cup to go in smoothly.

• Visualize Relaxation:  Take a moment to imagine your body relaxing before you try to put it in the cup. Close your eyes and picture your muscles becoming loose and calm. This can make it easier for the cup to go in without any tension.

• Use a Mirror : Using a mirror to see what you’re doing can be really helpful. It lets you see where the cup is going and how it’s positioned. This way, you can make sure you’re putting it in the right way.

Find Your Perfect Position

Ever heard the saying “different strokes for different folks”? Well, the same applies to cup insertion! Experiment with different positions – whether it’s squatting, sitting on the toilet, or even standing with one leg raised – to discover what feels most natural and comfortable for you.

Fold Like a Pro:

Master the art of cup folding to find the perfect fit. Whether it’s the C-fold, punch-down fold, or 7-fold, experiment with different techniques to see which one works best for you. If you want to explore the various folds, find more information on that here.

Take Your Time

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is cup insertion mastery. If, at first, you don’t succeed, take a breather and try again later. Patience and persistence are key!

Try Different Cups 

If you’ve tried lots of different ways to put in your cup and it’s still not working, you might want to try a different cup. Every person’s body is different, so finding the right cup for you might take some experimenting.

Seek Support

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you’re feeling stuck. Whether it’s consulting a friend, a supportive online community, or a healthcare provider, there’s plenty of assistance available to guide you through this journey. Of course, our customer service at Ivy Cup is here to help you out. Reach out to us via email, Instagram, or give us a call!

You’ve Got This

It might seem really frustrating when insertion isn’t working out. But do not panic. Try out these tips, and relax or take a break, then give it another shot. You’ve got this!