Disc: We answer your most frequently asked questions!

You are wondering whether the menstrual disc is meant for your or do you simply want to learn more about it? Well, be prepared to have all your curiosity filled and all your concerns washed away!

In this section, we are answering your most frequently asked questions including: 

• Which size is the right fit for you?
• Can you use the menstrual disc after giving birth?
• Where does the disc sit?

Stay tuned!

Which size is right for me?
Decide mainly based on your menstrual volume: If you have a light to medium flow, the small size S-M is sufficient (holds up to 4 tampons). If you have a rather heavy flow on the first two days, we recommend the larger Disk M-L (holds up to 6 tampons). For the large disc, you should check beforehand whether you can fully insert your index finger until you reach the cervix. If so, the large disk has enough space. However, if your uterus is rather low, we recommend you use the smaller disc.

Which size should I choose after a vaginal birth?
In contrast to the menstrual cup, with the disc you don't necessarily have to switch to the larger size after a vaginal birth. Here too, look mainly at the strength of your menstruation. The uterus often lowers slightly after a birth. If this is the case for you and you cannot insert a whole index finger until you reach the cervix, we recommend the smaller disk S-M.

Where does the disc sit?
If you compare a menstrual cup to a menstrual disc, the cup sits in the vaginal canal and is held in place by creating a vacuum seal. As it's located directly in the vaginal canal, its position is relatively low. The disc, on the other hand, is placed in the vaginal fornix, which is the widest part of the vaginal canal situated just below the cervix. Not only is this the widest part, but it's also the deepest! The disc is held in place by tucking it behind the pubic bone, leaving the vaginal canal completely free without creating any vacuum pressure. Far more comfortable than a cup!

Can I use the disc with the IUD?
Yes, since the disc works without vacuum or negative pressure, you can also use it with an IUD.

How long can I use the menstrual disc?
You can wear the disc for a maximum of 12 hours. Every 12 hours you should pull the disk out completely, empty it completely and rinse it briefly with water. In between, you can empty the disc when you go to the toilet without removing it completely.

You should treat yourself to a new disc about every five years for hygiene reasons. You should replace it beforehand if it has cracks or holes or is generally no longer in good condition.

How do I get the disk out after sex?
Exactly the same as always! Normally you can pull out the disc and empty it as normal. If you can't grab the edge of the disc at first, don't panic. The disc cannot be lost and you will definitely get it out again. Be patient, the disc will automatically move down over time as it fills up. Squat down in the shower to shorten the vaginal canal and press a little. This makes it easier for you to grab the front edge of the disc and pull it out.

Why doesn't automatic emptying work for me (so-called auto-dumping, self-emptying)?
Perhaps you belong to the category of women for whom the disc fits exactly and is very tight between the pubic bone and the cervix, meaning that automatic emptying is not possible.

No problem, you can still simply empty the disc, without removing it completely: To do this, detach the front edge from the pubic bone with your finger (preferably from above) and pull it out just a little.

What can I do if the disk does not fit properly and leaks?
It is completely normal that it takes some getting used to at the beginning until the disk fits perfectly. It was the same for me. Here are a few tips to hopefully keep the disk tight soon:

It could be that the disk is still sitting too far down and not yet enclosing the cervix, and therefore, the blood is flowing everywhere but into the disk. If you are used to cups beforehand, it can quickly happen that you don't push the disk far enough upwards. When inserting, really push it all the way back up until it doesn’t 'go further'.

The best way to do this at the beginning is to squat in the shower or bath. This shortens your vaginal canal and makes it easier to push the disk backward so that the rear edge of the disk sits behind the cervix. You should then be able to feel the cervix through the thin silicone layer of the disk.

It is then important to push the front edge of the disk upwards behind the pubic bone. You can recognize the pubic bone by inserting a finger and pressing it upwards towards the abdominal wall. There is a hard bone there, this is your pubic bone.

Alternatively, you could try the smaller disk if you are currently using size M-L. It may be that the large size has a little too little space for you and the disc is therefore coming loose. This is certainly not the case with the small size S-M.

Disc with or without a tab?
The discs at PERIOD don't have tabs, unlike some others, and there are 3 reasons for this.

1.  It might seem easier to remove the disc with a tab, but I assure you it's not! Once inside, the disc's tab isn't that easy to locate. It's much easier to remove your disc by grabbing the front edge directly.
2. Autodumping isn't possible with a tab! The inner rim of the disc makes automatic emptying difficult, if not impossible.
3. Tabbed discs don't have a double leak-proof rim, making them less watertight and more likely to leak accidentally.

For these 3 main reasons, you won't find tabs on our PERIOD discs!

How do I clean the menstrual disc?
Empty the disc and rinse it under warm water. You can also use some hand soap to wash off any remaining blood.

At the end of your period, boil the disc for 5 minutes. The easiest way to do this is to put it in a cup, pour boiling water over it, and let it stand for about 5 minutes.

I like to use an old toothbrush to thoroughly clean the double edge of the disc before boiling clean.

If you want to learn more about the deeper clean, go check our article on how to remove the brown spots on your disk

What is the disc made of?
The menstrual disc is hypoallergenic and consists of 100% medical quality silicone from Germany. This is free of BPA, plasticizers, phthalates or other chemicals and is ISO certified as a medical product. This means it does not negatively affect your vaginal flora and its PH value.

Where is the menstrual disc produced?
Our menstrual disc is made of 100% medical quality silicone from Germany and is produced by our socially responsible partner in China. We were in contact with various producers within and outside of Europe for two years and examined and tested different disc models and materials. We found by far the best disc quality (as thin as possible) from our current production partner in China. For the material, we chose a German silicone manufacturer of the highest medical quality. This is how we managed to combine the best material and the best manufacturing process. We pack the disc in our factory and design all the packaging ourselves.

We would love to produce everything in Switzerland. However, at the moment, this is still so expensive that we could only offer the disc at a considerably higher price. With PERIOD, we want to ensure that innovative menstrual products are made available to as many women as possible, which is why the production price plays a decisive role.

What is the best way to store the menstrual disc?
When the disc is completely dry, store it in the original packaging or another bag in a place protected from light and out of the reach of children.

What are the advantages over a menstrual cup?
In contrast to a cup, the menstrual disc works without negative pressure. This makes carrying and emptying easier. It can also reduce period pain.

The disc in size M-L also has an even larger capacity than most cups, making it the perfect solution for women with heavy flows.

With a little practice, the menstrual disc can be automatically emptied on the toilet. And even without “auto-dumping,” emptying is easier than with a cup with negative pressure because the disk does not have to be completely removed every time.

Does the disc have a contraceptive effect?
No, the menstrual disc has no contraceptive effect and does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

Want to know more about the disc? Here are some additional links that might interest you:

• How to use the disk: The disk: Beginner's guide
• How to clean the disk: Goodbye, brown spots on the disk!
• Why you should definitely try the disk!

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