Where to Empty Your Menstrual Cup (While at Home)

The experience of using a menstrual cup is already one that can be intimidating, but removing and emptying menstrual cups is always top of mind to new users, too.

Where is the best place to empty a menstrual cup that makes the potential “mess” factor less of an issue? As an experienced cup user and expert, my advice is to remove and empty your menstrual cup in your shower. This advice is exactly the same for menstrual disc users.

Here are a few good reasons why you should remove your menstrual cup in your shower, whether it’s your first time removing or your 50th.

Less Anxiety = More Relaxed Muscles

When your mind is stressed, it can cause your muscles to tighten and tense up. If you have any worries about emptying your cup, like the possibility of spilling blood all over yourself and everywhere, removing it in the shower will ease your mind. Less worrying will mean relaxed muscles and an easier removal.

Related Resource: How to Clean a Menstrual Cup in Public

You’re in the Splash Zone

By removing and emptying your menstrual cup in the shower, you have the freedom of not caring if and how much might spill during the process. Here’s some insider info that might help: Menstrual cup removals are usually low or no mess (especially with practice.)

For menstrual disc users, though, removals are messier than cups overall. Whichever product you’re using, the floor of your tub or shower is designed to rinse clean. And with the water running, it should be smooth sailing.

Freebleeding and Other Perks of Emptying in the Shower

For those with a heavy flow, the time between removing your cup or disc, washing it, and reinserting it may mean logistical issues.

What should you do while your cup is out? And if your toilet and sink are far apart, that poses other practical challenges. Do you shuffle with your pants down to the sink? Should you pull everything up and throw in a “toilet paper pad” for the interim, or always wear period underwear?

Removing your products in the shower solves for all of these practical concerns. You can also remove things as you start your shower and freebleed during that time if you prefer.

Advice for New Users Emptying Menstrual Cups in the Shower

I’ve emptied my cups and discs in the shower hundreds of times by now, and I have a few notes for new users.

@periodnirvana

Not real 🩸 Also avoid hair drain screens for clot reasons 😳 #singingtexttospeech #menstrualcup #periodtok #divacup

♬ Shower Sound – Relaxator

• Empty the blood by pouring it out close to the drain. This prevents small red splashes from going all over the floor or walls of your shower, and especially the shower curtain. Or you can just pour wherever if you like the murder scene!
• Remove any drain covers with screens/small holes that may catch clots. Trust me, this one is a mistake you don’t want to make twice. Stomping blood clots through a drain screen designed to stop hair is not a fun time.
• Keep a gentle soap in your shower. I keep a bottle of cup safe soap in my shower instead of using my body soap.