Is it Your Body or The Fit? 3 Reasons Menstrual Discs Won’t Work For You

I’ve long shared the gospel of menstrual discs as a nearly “one size fits all” period product and I stand by that. Compared the menstrual cups, menstrual discs are an easier product to get working and their design makes them more “works for and fits all” than cups. However certain anatomical differences can prevent a menstrual disc from working at all or consistently. A menstrual cup or external period care options will be a better fit for these users. How can you tell if a menstrual disc won’t fit you or why it doesn’t work for you?

1. A Backwards Facing Retroverted Uterus

Will menstrual discs work with a retroverted uterus? Maybe. If your cervix angles far back against the vaginal wall your chances of the disc working for you are much slimmer or even 0. A menstrual disc needs to be tucked under the cervix. The disc won’t successfully tuck if there is no room for it to fit under and/or behind the cervix.

Since we can’t see inside our bodies this does make it hard to determine if a disc is incompatible with your retroverted uterus. Just having a retroverted uterus doesn’t automatically signal that the disc won’t work but it does mean you might need to finesse the disc into place.

You can always ask your gynecologist to clue you in about your uterus position and cervix height. Ask them pointed questions like “Will a menstrual disc work for me?” If they don’t know what a menstrual disc is *sigh* rephrase your question. “Will a diaphragm fit under and behind my cervix?” Diaphragms have smaller rims than most menstrual discs but this gets the point across to your provider.

The “Upside Down” Menstrual Disc Technique

If you believe your uterus is retroflexed and you have a difficult time inserting your disc try “scooping” the disc by pointing it downward while inserting. This might help it fit below the cervix and then tuck behind it. If that doesn’t work, give the “upside down” method a try.

As shown in the video, you fold the disc and insert it upside down, the closed basket faces up. Then, while the disc is still in front of the cervix, you take a finger and push the front rim down and forward so that the entire disc flips right side up. This helps the disc tuck under the cervix. If you use a disc that has directionality, like a Hello Disc, Cora Disc, or Saalt Disc, you also need to insert it backward AND upside down. Insert the disc with the removal aid (notch or loops etc) first so that they are on the side of the disc facing your vaginal opening once the disc flips.

Yes, this sounds and is confusing. I felt like my head was exploding when I tried this myself but when you imagine what the result should be and the movements the disc needs to make to get there it does eventually make sense. I did my very best to explain this in the video embedded above or go right to the upside down demo.

Discs with a slimmer rim that is also firm can also be easier to place under and behind the cervix than softer/thicker rims. Disposable Soft Disc is a good example, or the Lumma Disc. The product you use can make things easier or more difficult. At some point, the trial and error can be exasperating. There is nothing wrong with using a product that is easy for you. If the struggle outweighs the benefits it’s not worth it. If you want to use an insertable reusable and your cervix doesn’t play nicely with the disc, menstrual cups are a better option because they sit below the cervix.

2. A Shallow Pubic Bone

Menstrual discs are held in place by the pubic bone, this acts as a “shelf.” If the shelf is too shallow there is a higher chance of the disc slipping down during wear, ultimately leading to untimely leaks.

This issue isn’t super common. In most cases a disc slipping out of place is a sign that the disc is either too large (it springs out of place during movement) or too small (it slips down because it has the space to) but I have worked with people who find out the hard way they have what can only be described as a “not prominent” pubic bone. If the disc is propped up against a flat or nearly flat wall there is nothing to prevent it from slipping during movement.

How Can I Find My Pubic Bone?

Look at a 3D model of a pelvis; you can imagine this as it relates to the tiny sliver I show in the plastic educational pelvis models I use. This visualization helps me understand how a disc stays slotted in against the pubic bone but also why in different people, it may not.

Now let’s find your “shelf.” If you can reach, insert a clean finger into the vagina (a thumb might be easier for you) and push up against the front vaginal wall. In most cases, you are going to feel something very hard behind the fleshy wall. You can take a finger or thumb and push while pulling down above where the hardness you feel begins. If you have a nice “notch” this is a good sign a disc will “lock in.” If the “shelf” is very shallow or if it feels flat your disc has a higher chance of slipping out of place.

This experiment is by no means scientific but if you have had struggles with your disc slipping, large or small, this investigation may be your “aha” moment.

3. Severe Uterine Prolapse

Unlike the first two anatomy features, you are probably keenly aware if you have a severe uterine prolapse. A uterine prolapse happens due to laxity in the pelvic floor hammock of ligaments and muscles that surround the uterus and is caused by many things:  pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes after menopause, obesity, history of pelvic surgery, or severe coughing and straining on the toilet. While viral videos claim menstrual cups cause prolapse, there are currently no studies or evidence that support these claims, but menstrual cup users should always break their seal before removing the cup as a standard safety practice.

There are 4 stages of uterine prolapse. If your prolapse is stage 2, where the cervix is inside the vagina but essentially right at the vaginal opening, a menstrual disc or cup will not have enough room to fit inside and work.

Smaller diameter discs work for a low cervix but the disc needs enough room to tuck securely behind the pubic bone. Each case will vary. You should understand the likelihood of a disc working in your body before making that $30 investment.

If you have or suspect you have a uterine prolapse it’s important to seek medical advice. Pelvic floor therapy can help and improve your quality of life.

Body Literacy

It is extremely common to have little or no information about your cervix height, the angle of your uterus, or where the heck your pubic bone is or why you need to know that. Like you, I had no idea about any of these things until I began using menstrual cups. I got more familiar with my body – to my benefit. Knowing more about your own body is empowering and can be a huge asset on your health and wellness journey. Noticing changes to your body is power and it can make using menstrual discs or cups much easier.