My cup is leaking
If your menstrual cup is leaking, it may have not been correctly inserted.
Inserting a cup properly can take quite some time, patience and practice. We recommend that you check out our 'How to' guide here: https://www.allmatters.com/how-to-use
There can be a number of reasons for leaking/spotting:
- It didn't open properly: Clench your pelvic floor muscles after inserting the cup to help release it and create the suction seal. You can also try to pinch the bottom of the cup, twist it back and forth and run your finger around the bottom of the cup to check if it has opened properly and has no folds or dents.
- Spotting from excess menstrual blood left in the vagina: After insertion, simply run a finger along the edge of the cup to remove any excess menstrual blood.
- Inserting the cup at a wrong angle: Make sure to insert your menstrual cup at a 45-degree angle pointing towards your spine, as this will be the most common and natural shape of your vaginal canal.
- Leaking due to improper positioning: The cup should be placed a bit lower than a tampon. Your cervix isn't necessarily located at the top of your vaginal canal. It can be positioned at an angle or to the side. It can also move higher and lower throughout your cycle. If the rim of your cup isn't below your cervix, it will most likely leak. So you need to locate your cervix, which you do by feeling for a slightly firmer area of tissue in your vagina.
- The air holes are clogged: Ensure that the 4 small air-holes aren't clogged, as this may prevent a good seal.
To clean the holes:
- Clean the air holes with a small brush.
- Fill your cup with warm water, put the palm of your hand on top of the cup covering it completely and squeeze the base until the water escapes through the air holes, unblocking them in the process.