The disc: Beginner’s guide
The menstrual disc is a flexible, long-lasting alternative to tampons and pads that fits into a different part of the vagina: the vaginal fornix, the widest part of the vaginal canal. Opposite to the cup, the menstrual disc sits comfortably just underneath the cervix, leaving the vaginal canal completely free!
In this article, you will discover pro-tips about
- How to easily insert the disc?
- How can you empty it (even automatically)?
- And how to remove it peacefully?
How to insert it?
- Boil the disc for 5 minutes. The easiest way to do this is to place the disk in a cup, pour boiling water over it and leave it there for about 5 minutes.
- Wash your hands.
- Hold the disc between your thumb and index finger and squeeze it together at the double edge.
- Insert it towards the cervix.
- Now push the front edge up behind the pubic bone so that the disc sits securely.
How to empty it?
Every 12 hours or when you go to the toilet, you can empty the menstrual disc without taking the disk out completely:
- Hook your index finger on the front edge (the best way is from above),
- Pull the disk a tiny bit out of your vagina so that it can empty. It helps to alternately tense and release the pelvic floor. This will empty the disk completely.
- Don’t forget to push the double rim back up behind the pubic bone when you’re re-inserting the disc.
Ever heared about autodumping?
For some women, the disc empties itself into the toilet. It's a special feature of the menstrual disc! This is because the pelvic floor muscles you use to go to the toilet also exert pressure on the edge of the menstrual disc, allowing it to empty itself.
Maybe this happens automatically to you, but maybe you have to consciously push a little or contract your pelvic floor muscles. But don't worry, the menstrual disc doesn't suddenly and automatically empty while you're doing yoga, swimming or squatting. It only really happens when you're in the toilet position, and your pelvic floor is tense.
Emptied, use a clean finger to push the disc back up behind your pubic bone again in order to secure the disc back into place.
How to remove it?
- Wash your hands.
- Relax your pelvic floor muscles by taking a deep breath
- Either sitting, squatting, or standing with a leg up, slide your index into your vagina until you feel the front edge of the disc.
- Remove the disc slowly by pulling on the double rim with your index finger.
You should remove the disk completely every 12 hours, empty it fully into the toilet, and wash it briefly with cold water. And for some extra-tip: personally, I prefer to remove the disk in the shower so that I can easily wash off the blood and reinsert the freshly cleaned disk.
It’s as simple as that! With a little practice, the menstrual disc can be a reliable and comfortable companion throughout your cycle.
Disc went deeper after sex?
If the disc has slipped a little deeper into the vagina, you can squat with your legs apart and relax to make it easier to remove. The menstrual disc cannot disappear in your vagina, so you will always be able to get it out again!
Want to learn more about the disc? Here are some additional links that might interest you:
- Why you should definitely try the disk!
- How to clean the disk: Goodbye, brown spots on the disk!
- We answer your most frequently asked questions.
About the author
Meet Ambre, a passionate biomedical scientist with a spark for creative marketing, dedicated to spread awareness and love about women’s health and care. She will happily transform your questions or worries into an educative article to help you and other women seeking answers to their question <3