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Why wait three cycles before cutting the disc's pull tab, when to cut it halfway or completely, and how to remove the disc from the edge once cut.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- I want to cut the pull tab of the menstrual disc, when can I do it?
- What the pull tab of the menstrual disc is for
- Why we recommend waiting three cycles before cutting it
- Partial Trim or Complete Cut: When Each Makes Sense
- How to Trim the Pull Tab of the Menstrual Disc
- How to remove the menstrual disc without a pull tab
- What changes in daily life when there's no pull tab
- Frequently asked questions about the menstrual disc pull tab
I want to cut the pull tab of the menstrual disc, when can I do it?
The pull tab makes extraction much easier during the first cycles, and once cut, it cannot be reattached. That's why it's worth considering it a bit before grabbing the scissors.
In this article, we explain the purpose of the pull tab of the menstrual disc, why in our manual we recommend waiting at least three cycles, the difference between partial trimming and complete cutting, and how to remove the menstrual disc once the pull tab is gone. Everything we explain comes from our manual, the disc brochure, the PapayaDisc data sheet, and our blog.
What the pull tab of the menstrual disc is for
To understand the pull tab, you first need to know how the menstrual disc works. The disc is placed at the base of the cervix, not in the vaginal canal like a cup, and it does not create a vacuum. The front edge sits behind the pubic bone, and that is what holds it in place. As we explain in our blog, removing it can seem a bit tricky at first, and that's where the pull tab comes in.
In our PapayaDisc, the pull tab is a long, narrow extraction bridge with non-slip beads, measuring 57 mm in both sizes according to our size guide for the menstrual disc. In the manual, we make it clear: it is designed to help you during your first uses, to locate the disc, and to extract it. It is not meant to pull it out entirely, but rather as a guide to reach the edge.
In the brochure that accompanies the disc, we summarize it this way: gently pull the stem with clean fingers, and when the disc shifts, pinch the front part of the edge to keep it level and carefully remove it to avoid spills. This means that even with the pull tab, the final stretch involves holding the edge. In the data sheet, we describe it as a removal similar to that of a tampon, and in the brochure, we add that if you find it difficult to remove, stay calm, squat down, and hold the extraction tab.
The parts of PapayaDisc
Edge Bowl Pull tab, 57 mm beads"The first month it saved my life. Without the pull tab, I wouldn't have known where to start looking for the edge."
Alba, 25 years old, Tarragona
Why we recommend waiting three cycles before cutting it
In our PapayaDisc manual, we recommend using the disc with the pull tab for at least three cycles because it greatly facilitates extraction. And we add an important warning: once trimmed, the pull tab cannot be reattached.
With these two ideas together, the recommendation makes sense. Before cutting the pull tab of the menstrual disc, you need to know how to remove it without it. If you cut it while still relying on it to reach the edge, you lose the help just when you need it the most, and there's no going back. The criteria we provide in the manual for trimming or removing it align with this: we talk about taking the step when you can already remove the disc with your fingers without any problem, or when you feel completely confident removing it only with your fingers.
Use the pull tab as a guide to the edge.
Continue using the pull tab while getting the hang of it.
You have completed the three cycles we recommend.
Can you remove it easily with just your fingers? If not, not yet.
It's also worth remembering that cutting it is not mandatory. If you do not plan to have penetrative sex with the disc in place and the pull tab does not bother you, there is no need to trim it.
Partial Trim or Complete Cut: When Each Makes Sense
In the manual, we distinguish between two options. You can partially trim the pull tab of the menstrual disc to shorten it, or cut it completely if you prefer to do without it. Here are the cases we describe in the manual for each:
| If… | What We Recommend |
|---|---|
| You feel slight pressure or rubbing at the vaginal entrance | Partial Trim |
| You have a low cervix, but the pull tab does not protrude much | Partial Trim |
| You can already remove the disc with your fingers easily and want an intermediate step | Partial Trim |
| You want to have penetrative sex during menstruation without discomfort | Complete Cut |
| You have a very low cervix and the pull tab protrudes even after trimming | Complete Cut |
| You feel completely confident removing the disc with just your fingers | Complete Cut |
| You prioritize discretion and total comfort | Complete Cut |
| You do not plan to have penetrative sex with the disc in place and the pull tab does not bother you | No need to trim it |
| In any case, once trimmed, the pull tab cannot be reattached. | |
Regarding sexual intercourse, we indicate the same in the product sheet and in the manual: the PapayaDisc can be kept in during penetrative sex, but only if the pull tab has been trimmed beforehand. Also remember that the disc is not a contraceptive method and does not protect against pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
There is another case where the pull tab matters. If you use a vaginal ring, in the FAQ section of the product sheet we explain that the disc could theoretically be compatible, but it depends on the size and position of the ring, and the influence of the pull tab cannot be predicted accurately. Therefore, we recommend consulting with your gynecologist before using both at the same time.
"I partially trimmed it because it was rubbing a bit when I sat down. Months later, when I could remove it without thinking, I took it off completely."
Lorena, 33 years old, Logroño
How to Trim the Pull Tab of the Menstrual Disc
The step-by-step cutting process is explained in a video. In our manual, you have the instructional video on how to trim the grip of the PapayaDisc, and you can also watch it directly in our video on how to shorten the extraction bridge. If you have any questions, write to us at info@papayacup.com or through the website chat before cutting.
If you're starting with the disc, the comfort pack of 2 menstrual discs S+L with sterilizer includes one disc of each size, the sterilizer, a carrying bag, access to a tutorial video that explains step by step how to use the disc and how to sterilize it, and online professional advice from experts.
How to remove the menstrual disc without a pull tab
Without a pull tab, removal is done directly by the edge. We explain it in our blog: insert a finger into the vagina and hook the front edge of the disc, which is behind the pubic bone. Gently pull outward, keeping it as horizontal as possible to avoid spills. Sitting on the toilet is usually the easiest position, as it relaxes the pelvic muscles.
Outside of our website, this Vozpópuli article on the menstrual disc describes the removal in the same way: insert a finger, grab the edge, and carefully unhook it from the pubic bone.
If one day you find it hard to reach, in the manual we give these guidelines: take a deep breath and relax, squat down and apply slight pressure downwards, as if you were going to urinate. The positions we recommend are sitting on the toilet, squatting under the shower, or with one leg resting on the toilet or bathtub. If you try several times without success, seek medical help. The disc cannot get lost inside your body.
"I thought it would be harder without a pull tab, but I always removed it by the edge. The only thing I noticed is that now I don't even remember I'm wearing it."
Patricia, 39 years old, Córdoba
What changes in daily life when there's no pull tab
The most obvious change is comfort. As we indicate in the manual, without a pull tab, the disc goes completely unnoticed, and it’s the option we consider if you want to keep it during penetrative sex. In exchange, you lose the assistance for which the pull tab is designed, which is to find and remove the disc. If one day you find it difficult, the guidelines from the manual remain: breathe and relax, squat down, and apply slight pressure downwards.
That’s why we insist on not rushing. If after trimming it you find it difficult to remove, you cannot go back with that disc, so it’s worth ensuring you practice several cycles first.
A pull tab that accompanies you until you no longer need it
Long and narrow extraction bridge with non-slip beads, which you can trim when you feel confident. Medical-grade silicone and two sizes.
Frequently asked questions about the menstrual disc pull tab
Can I reattach the pull tab if I change my mind?
No. As we indicate in the manual, once trimmed, the pull tab cannot be reattached.
Is it mandatory to cut the pull tab?
No. If you do not plan to have penetrative sex with the disc in place and the pull tab does not bother you, there is no need to trim it.
How many cycles should I wait to cut the pull tab of the menstrual disc?
We recommend using it with the pull tab for at least three cycles, as it makes removal much easier, and only take the step to cut it when you can remove it comfortably with your fingers.
Can I have intercourse with the pull tab on?
The PapayaDisc can be kept in during penetrative sex, but only if the pull tab has been trimmed beforehand.
How does the menstrual disc work without the pull tab?
Just like with it. It is held with the front rim behind the pubic bone, without creating a vacuum, and to remove the menstrual disc, you hook that rim with a finger and pull it out horizontally.
What should I do if I can't get it out after cutting the pull tab?
Breathe, relax, squat, and apply gentle pressure downward, as if you were going to urinate. If it does not come out after several attempts, seek medical help. The disc cannot get lost inside the body.
The pull tab is there to help you learn, and cutting it is the last step, not the first. Use it for at least three cycles, make sure you know how to remove the menstrual disc by the rim, and if you decide to trim the pull tab of the menstrual disc, start with what you really need. You can find our PapayaDisc in size S and L at papayacup.com.
