Having trouble removing your menstrual disc?
Don’t worry, it happens, and we’re here to help you get it out.
The most important thing when this happens is to stay relaxed. Relaxing is key to successfully removing your menstrual disc.
Remember, your vagina is a closed space, the disc can’t get lost inside your uterus.
Also, it’s okay if your disc stays in a little longer than 12 hours once in a while. No need to panic.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Take a deep breath and relax.
- Sit down on the toilet with your legs elevated.
- Bear down with your pelvic muscles and use a finger to hook and pull the disc out.
If that doesn't work, follow the extra tips we share in this article, like the “spoon trick” and you’ll be just fine.
Is Your Menstrual Disc Stuck After Waking Up or After Sex?
It’s pretty common for your disc to shift higher up in your vagina after a night of sleep or following sex.
This happens because your vagina can stretch during penetration or the disc might move slightly while you're sleeping.
More information about having sex with a menstrual disc here!
In these situations, get up and walk around or simply stay standing for 30 minutes or 1 hour. Gravity will help bring the disc back down into an easier-to-reach position, and your vagina will return to its normal size.
Then, try removing your disc again by following the steps in the menstrual disc guide.👈
If it’s still tricky to remove, don’t worry, we share some super effective tips in the next section to help you out!
How to Remove a Stuck Menstrual Disc
Step 1: Relax and Release Your Muscles
Everyone who’s been in this situation agrees: relaxing is key.
If you’ve been trying to remove it for a few minutes and are starting to get stressed, take a break and do something that helps you unwind.
You can also try a simple deep breathing exercise:
Inhale slowly through your nose, letting your belly expand, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat this a few times until you feel calmer.
Here’s a quick 10-minute guided relaxation exercise you can try.
Once you're relaxed, wash your hands and move on to the next step.
Step 2: Find the Right Position
Before removing your menstrual disc, make sure your hands are clean.
Then, find a comfortable position, such as:
- Sitting on the toilet with your feet elevated on a stool.
- Squatting in the shower.
- Standing with one leg raised on a chair or the edge of the bathtub.
These positions shorten your vaginal canal, making it easier to reach your disc. Once you're comfortable, move on to Step 3.
Step 3: Engage Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
Push down with your pelvic floor muscles, like you're trying to pee or have a bowel movement.
This will help unhook the disc from behind your pubic bone and push it lower into your vaginal canal, it’s the same movement you use for auto-dumping.
Read our article to learn how to empty your menstrual disc without removing it, using the auto-dumping technique. 👈
Once you've pushed down, hold the contraction and move on to Step 4 to actually grab and remove the disc.
Step 4: Insert Your Finger to Remove the Disc
With clean hands, insert a finger into your vagina until you can feel your disc.
If the disc moved lower during Step 3, it should be easier to reach. Just pull it out.
If the disc still feels stuck, push a little harder with your pelvic muscles and slide your finger under the rim of the disc.
Hook your finger under the front edge and pull downward (as shown in the image below).
If the disc still feels stuck, don't worry. You can:
- Push a little harder with your pelvic muscles.
- Slide your finger over the top rim of the disc (palm facing down), hook the rim, and pull it downward, like shown in the image below.
With these techniques, you should be able to remove your disc.
If it still won't budge, go back to Step 3: push again with your pelvic muscles and try hooking and pulling with your finger.
Take breaks if needed, relax again before retrying.
We’ll also share more tips in the next section, including tricks other users found super helpful.
Other User Tips for Removing a Stuck Menstrual Disc
The Spoon Trick 🥄
This technique involves using a sterilized teaspoon.
Boil the spoon in hot water for a few minutes to eliminate any bacteria.
After sterilizing and rinsing it, insert the spoon into your vagina and try to hook it behind the rim of the disc to dislodge it.
Use a Little Lubricant 💧
Apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to your fingers and the disc.
This will make it easier for the disc to slide out smoothly.
Take a Warm Shower 🚿
Warm water can help relax your pelvic muscles, making it much easier to remove the disc.
Remove the Disc with Two Fingers ✌️
Hook one finger above and one finger below the rim of the disc, forming a “pinch” or “hook” motion, and pull it out.
When Should You See a Doctor?
It’s recommended to change your internal protection every 8 hours to reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). However, if you’re not at high risk, it’s generally safe to occasionally go a little over 12 hours.
That said, if you’re unable to remove your menstrual disc after 12 hours, it's important to contact your midwife or gynecologist, or head to the emergency room for assistance.
You can also reach out to our customer support team, and we’ll do our best to help you. However, since we’re still a small team, we might not be as fast to respond as specialized healthcare providers.
Have you ever experienced this?
Feel free to share in the comments how you managed to remove your menstrual disc, your story could really help other women!
