There are a few reasons why menstrual cup leaks. Read on to figure out why your cup is leaking.
1. Unfolded Cup: The most common reason for cups to leak is that it didn’t unfold properly, once inside. If the cup does not unfold, suction is not formed with the vaginal walls and there is enough room for blood to slip out.
2. Soft Cups: Some people prefer softer cups over hard ones. However, for women with strong vaginal muscles, soft cups tend to leak. You can see a softness comparison of menstrual cups in the below picture. You can try using a harder cups as they will form stronger suction.
3. Position of the Cup: The menstrual cup is to be placed just inside the vagina, unlike a tampon which sits a lot deeper. Your menstrual cup can leak if it is inserted deeper. If you are facing leakage despite wearing the cup low, the reason might be a poor seal. If you have a very high cervix and the cup rides up a lot causing leakage, you should try a longer cup.
4. Poor Seal Formation: A menstrual cup is designed to collect the menstrual blood by forming a seal with the walls of your vagina. If a proper seal is not formed, blood can drip around the outside of the cup. If you find that your cup is not forming a proper seal you can try the following:
- Twisting / rotating the cup.
- Pinching the base.
- Try different folding methods.
- Tense around the menstrual cup with vaginal muscles a few times.
- Ensure that the small holes in your cup are not blocked.
5. Full Cup: If the cup is not emptied regularly and it gets too full, it will start to leak. Try and empty the cup when it’s full till the air holes.
6. Diameter Size: Cup can also leak if the diameter is too small for your body type, as it will not form a seal with the vaginal walls. A bigger diameter cup can help. If the diameter is too big for your body, the cup will not unfold once inside. This can also cause the cup to leak.
7. Cover the Cervix: For some women, the cervix might not be located in the center but slightly towards left or right. If your cup is not covering the cervix, it will leak. You can try placing the cup at different angles to ensure it covers the cervix.
8. Reduced Pelvic Floor Tone: A recent delivery, excessive weight, aging, or even long hours of labor can lead to reduced pelvic floor tone. This may prevent the vaginal wall from properly holding a menstrual cup.
To improve this condition, you may do regular Kegel exercise that can also help prevent the cup from leaking. Kegel exercise can take up to three to four months to show results.
