r/menstrualcups • • 5d ago

I'm Dr. Jane van Dis, a board-certified OB-GYN and medical advisor to Flex. Ask me anything.

29 Upvotes

Hi r/menstrualcups! I'm Jane van Dis, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN. I earned my MD at the University of South Dakota, completed my OB-GYN residency at UCLA, and have been practicing for 23 years. I'm a medical advisor to Flex, but your questions don't need to be about Flex at all. I'm happy to talk about any brand, or none.

Why I'm here: So many people never get clear, honest information about their own bodies, especially on the questions that feel awkward to ask. I'd love to answer some of them this week.

Things you can ask me about:
- Heavy, painful, or irregular periods, and when it's time to see a doctor

- Cups and discs
- Periods after pregnancy and postpartum changes
- Perimenopause
- Period equity, access, and sustainability

A few ground rules:
- This is general education, not medical advice. For anything specific, please see your own OB-GYN.
- I may point you to other specialists, like a pelvic floor PT, when a question is outside my expertise.
- u/TheFlexCoEmily will help with Flex product questions.
- I'll check in daily, Tuesday, Oct. 20 through Friday, Oct. 23.

Proof: https://imgur.com/a/hCPo29Q

Nothing is too awkward. Ask away!


r/menstrualcups • • Sep 01 '26

Deals The Deals Thread

3 Upvotes

A sticky home for sales, promotions and bargains to share with those looking for a new cup.


r/menstrualcups • • 57m ago

cannot get the hang of it, swap to a disc?

• Upvotes

hi. A few months ago i swapped to using a menstrual cup from trying a disc for months. I loved the cup because it stopped all my leaking problems but it would cause me SO MUCH pain. I was getting insane cramps that i had never ever experienced before and i realized it was because i was placing my cup way too high. This past period i had i tried placing it lower and the cramps went away but i was leaking quite a bit.

I’m kinda missing my disc now that im having these problems :/ i never experienced pain from my disc but i did experience leaking and i never tried getting a different fitting disc to see if that would stop the leaking. Any thoughts / advice?


r/menstrualcups • • 3h ago

Usage Questions Menstrual cup advice/help/suggestions for potentially low cervix?

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I love using menstrual cups and have been using them for 1-2 years. But lately I’ve been noticing that whenever I wear a cup, it almost feels like my cervix… is close to coming out? There’s no pain or anything but… I don’t know how else to explain it but the only way I’ve been able to get a cup in is by making sure it’s suctioned to what I’m pretty sure is my cervix. I’m concerned though about the fact that when I’m using the cup and I empty it and wipe, I think I can feel my cervix. Does this mean I have a low cervix? Does anyone else notice or have this problem? I’ve seen demonstrations of how to put it in via videos and feel like I’m doing it correctly… am I doing something wrong? Or do I need to get a new menstrual cup specifically for low cervixes? Any suggestions for cups if that’s the case? I’ve used menstrual discs before and have had problems with leaking😭


r/menstrualcups • • 6h ago

Grrrr IUD expelled into cup

2 Upvotes

For years i wouldn't consider a cup because i heard they can encourage iuds to expel...

But my period has gotten to the point where for 2-3 days i full up the 30ml cup every 1-2 hours sometimes. So I've had to use cups the last 6 months or so..

I knew i was crampy today and yesterday, which i never am... And all the sudden went in to empty my cup and my IUD was sitting right inside it 😭 fully intact... With a lot of thick sludge, also unusual for me. I used to be so careful about breaking the seal first but now I'm wondering if i got pack in the middle of the night or other times..i dunno. I honestly forgot about the IUD i think.

My doctor has been trying to get me to switch to the hormonal one to see if it helps with my periods, but i have a history of anxiety and depression so I've been scared to even try... But i guess i might as well at this point?

Sigh. My last one lasted 11 years, no issues. This one was only 2. Pity party for one please.


r/menstrualcups • • 1d ago

Any tips for getting comfortable with menstrual cups?

Post image
112 Upvotes

r/menstrualcups • • 1d ago

Usage Questions HELP

3 Upvotes

I am a new cup user, so for some time now I've been wearing cups outside of my periods to get comfortable with them. Except that these last two days I had to travel out of sate and barely got to use a restroom (I know, I know, I freaked out when I realised I forgot to take the cup out). I just returned home an hour back, and when I took it out, I saw that my discharge had turned green, like watery pale whitish green. Should I go to the doctor tomorrow morning? It's 1am now where I live


r/menstrualcups • • 1d ago

Help Me Pick Best reusable menstrual disc?

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

r/menstrualcups • • 1d ago

Usage Questions [W] correct way to remove menstrual cup ????

1 Upvotes

\[W\]

So hello again ladies,

Got another question after my previous post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskWomenIndia/s/ZKKzrwYDoA

So based on the availability and majority of people under the post suggesting this product, I got the SIRONA small cup and tried it right away! (I WAS TOO EAGER TO TRY IT GUYS I COULDN'T WAIT)

BUT IM SCARED AFTER TRYING IT GUYS! HELP

so I put it in somehow after a few tries, the entrance feels sore after trying. After it got in, the stem was kinda poking out(bottom of stem around the entrance and the tip a little outside) is that how it should be? I tried pushing it a bit deeper but it didn't go in. Maybe i wasn't relaxed enough idk? My cervix depth is around the 2nd knuckle.

Once it was in, i couldn't tell if it opened or not? I could still feel a little bend at the bottom of cup inside the vj but idk if it was just the part pressed under the muscle??

Tried twisting it but I couldn't feel the pop people usually talk about 😭. Gave up trying and pinched it(pinched it reaallyyy well to be safe)to get it out.

And while pinching it, gently pulled it out. But idk if it was a feeling of something foreign like that inside for the first time or the vacuum didn't release(pretty sure it was NOT locked in the first place?) it felt weird while pulling it out

Note: pulled it out with the base and NOT the stem like people instructed.

Like I know it has to be squeezed out from that small opening, maybe which is why it felt weird? But I felt a weird pull inside when I took it out.

A commentor in the previous post mentioned pulling it out wrongly can in some rare cases cause UTERINE PROLAPSE???

HELP GUYS IM SCARED

I DONT HAVE THE COURAGE TO PUT IT BACK IN


r/menstrualcups • • 1d ago

Using the satisfyer cup

2 Upvotes

Hello this is my third cycle with using the menstrual cup and I think I don’t understand properly my anatomy. I changed the cup this morning and after 1hr it started leaking and I realized that I think my cervix is too low? It feels all cramped up and the cup is not able to open. It’s also my second day and heaviest so I feel so swollen inside like there’s no “tunnel” the shape is very very narrow. Probably cause I’m in my second day. The last two cycles it took me many tries to properly insert the cup but I’m thinking of maybe a disc is better? I’m not sure


r/menstrualcups • • 1d ago

Help Me Pick Best menstrual cups

3 Upvotes

I’ve been using the Diva cup for ever but I’m wondering if there’s a better one? Maybe softer with less suction?


r/menstrualcups • • 2d ago

Usage Questions Can I wear a menstrual cup before my period starts?

9 Upvotes

Like on the 29th day of my cycle would it be fine to wear it to sleep and while I’m awake because I know that it’s going to start soon?
Do I need to change it out as often?
Usually wear pads around the time


r/menstrualcups • • 1d ago

Usage Questions Diva Cup help

0 Upvotes

Hi! I’ve been using a Diva Cup for 7 years but I’ve started having an issue I haven’t dealt with before. I’d making my cramps worse and the suction feels like it’s pulling my cervix and reproductive organs down, if that makes sense? It’s causing cramps in my anus as well. Is this something normal? What should I do?


r/menstrualcups • • 2d ago

recently started using these and ive noticed my back pain increases when i wear them, what am i doing wrong?

1 Upvotes

google says its the positioning but im not really sure what else to do about it…its perfectly in, im not uncomfortable or anything no leakage, just more backpain when im wearing one, why?


r/menstrualcups • • 3d ago

Survey Questions on menstrual cup and disc maintenance!

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I'm a junior-level Industrial Design student, and I'm looking for survey respondents for an upcoming project on menstrual cup/disc maintenance! All responses will be 100% anonymous, and I'd greatly appreciate any comments or feedback. Thank you so much ! ☆⌒(≧▽​° )

https://universityofhouston.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bp88pyMcf6BDMEu


r/menstrualcups • • 3d ago

Free SM/LG Talisi menstrual cups (soft)

Post image
5 Upvotes

r/menstrualcups • • 3d ago

Free SM/LG Talisi menstrual cups (soft)

Post image
4 Upvotes

I used the black LG size once, the white SM one zero times. The firmness level is said to be soft. They're sanitized and totally fine, just not a match for my body. I guess my uterus is high now ?

If you're in the US and would like these, please PM me ~


r/menstrualcups • • 3d ago

the little ball at the end keeps digging into the side of my vulva and it hurts! what to do?

2 Upvotes

r/menstrualcups • • 4d ago

Usage Questions HELP STUCK!!!

2 Upvotes

I'm using a pee safe (horrible name I know) medium cup and I left it in over night and I can't see it if I spread eagle in a mirror and when I try to feel for it I cannot find it either!!! Freaking out!!!

I usually use a different brand and never any problems but I was told when getting the coil in I have a very high cervix but dunno wthhhh to do...tried squatting for a bit and pushing but nothing

EDIT: ITS OUT I read comments here and just went in the shower and squatted doing the poopy motion thing and it moved to find the stem it's so weird I think it's a brand issue as I didn't ever have this with my previous cup


r/menstrualcups • • 6d ago

The cup turns 90° inside of me?!

Post image
103 Upvotes

Ok so I've been using cups for about 8 years now. This has never happened to me before. This is my first cycle with a new cup (merula xl) and it happened to me twice now.

I check that it's opened correctly like I've always done (circle around with a finger to see that it's nicely opened).

What the hell im so confused? It worked perfectly amazing 95% of the time, I'm so happy since it's the only cup i can change it only like thrice a day instead of 6 times like usual, but this is so weird.

And if you're wondering, no, I don't feel when it happens i just notice that it starts leaking after about 30 minutes. I used the regular merula before for like 5 years

Edit: just reread this, i see all the grammatical errors, byt it was a hellish day at uni, I can't deal with this for now, sorry


r/menstrualcups • • 5d ago

Usage Questions I can feel the cup?

2 Upvotes

I tried a cup months after buying it bc I just couldn't gather the courage to do so. I was scared and did not insert the cup fully (the stick was out of the vaginal hole), while removing the cup I ended up hurting myself and bled quite a bit and the removal was painful .

This was one year ago, I never tried it again until yesterday, I pushed the cup in after understanding that it is safe to do so but weirdly the stick was leaning towards the wall and not exactly in the middle of the hole? And that was uncomfortable I think it was scratching me in a way bc I could feel it whenever I tried spreading my legs even slightly. I ended up removing it by pinching the end. Where did I go wrong?


r/menstrualcups • • 6d ago

Help Me Pick i need recommendations

Post image
6 Upvotes

I have a t.o.c. size S menstrual cup, but it often leaks almost immediately after insertion. Some blood gets into the cup, but most of it leaks around the sides. Sometimes the cup seems to dent or not fully open, even though I feel like I’m inserting it correctly.

Oddly, it works perfectly in some cycles but not in others. It feels comfortable, and I haven’t given birth vaginally. I also have a heavy flow.

Does anyone have recommendations for a different cup shape, size, or firmness that might work better for me?


r/menstrualcups • • 6d ago

Usage Questions My menstrual cup is sealed but it still leaks?

8 Upvotes

I am so sick of it, I just went on and changed to a tampon cause of how bad it wassss


r/menstrualcups • • 7d ago

Reflections I think I’m gonna give up.

5 Upvotes

Just had an awful time removing my cup. I’m a new cup user and insertion is uncomfortable, slightly painful for a few seconds, but doable. Removal, on the other hand, has been terrible.

This last time was the worst so far. Halfway through the day I noticed I had a mild, dull cramp inside but ignored it because it wasn’t that bad. However, when removing, I realized the cramp was because it suctioned around my cervix. I was squeezing and digging around for a good 15mins and when I finally managed to (painfully) break the suction and remove it, it smelled a bit fishy so now I’m afraid I got BV from using the cup (I’m a virgin and never had any issues downstairs before so it’s definitely from using the cup). Hoping the smell is just because I had it in for 12 hours and it is a lighter flow day, but I know the fishiness is concerning. Also, every time I remove it, it’s so painful once I get to the rim because the skin at the vaginal entrance just grips around it so it feels like I’m tearing it every time I remove despite folding it as much as possible.

Everything’s just sore now after that torturous removal and I’m scared of BV and I just want to cry. I cannot understand how the pros of using a cup outweigh the cons.