More desire for sex before your period? You’re not alone, and orgasms could relieve your cramps.
October 27, 2026
8 benefits of the menstrual disc and tips to make the most of them
October 27, 2026
The pull tab is just a guide. Learn how to remove the menstrual disc by applying pressure on the edge, without damaging the pull tab and without making a mess.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Guide to removing the menstrual disc without complications
- What the menstrual disc tab is for (and what it’s not)
- Why you shouldn’t pull on the tab
- How to remove the menstrual disc step by step
- How to Remove the Menstrual Disc Without Making a Mess
- Common Mistakes When Removing the Menstrual Disc
- If the Pull Tab is Already Damaged or Cut
- Frequently asked questions about how to remove the menstrual disc
Guide to removing the menstrual disc without complications
If when removing the menstrual disc you pull on the tab all the way, as you would with a tampon string, you are applying force in the wrong place. The tab is there to reach the disc, not to pull it out. The force should be applied with your finger on the edge of the disc.
In summary
To remove the menstrual disc, use the tab only as a guide: gently pull until you feel the edge, place a finger on the edge of the disc next to the tab, and apply force on the disc, not on the tab. Then remove it horizontally to avoid spills. This is indicated in the PapayaDisc manual, which reminds you that the tab is not meant to extract the disc completely.
Updated in October 2026
What the menstrual disc tab is for (and what it’s not)
To understand how to remove the menstrual disc, you first need to know how it is held in place. The disc is positioned at the base of the cervix and its front edge fits behind the pubic bone. It does not create a vacuum like the cup: what keeps it in place is that fit.
In PapayaDisc, the tab of the menstrual disc is a long, narrow bridge of 57 mm, with non-slip beads for easy locating. In our user manual, we make it clear: you should pull gently only until you reach the edge, because the tab is not meant to completely extract the disc, but serves as a guide to reach the base.
The parts of PapayaDisc
Edge here is where you place your finger to remove the disc Bowl Tab 57 mm in both sizes Non-slip beadsWhy you shouldn’t pull on the tab
When it comes to removing the menstrual disc, the tab is a thin piece designed to guide you. If you use it to drag the whole disc, all the force is applied to it while the edge remains fitted behind the pubic bone. Thus, in addition to the fact that you can damage the tab, the disc does not come out better: as we explained in the article about the stuck menstrual disc, pulling hard can cause it to slip between your fingers or drag the edge still fitted, which is uncomfortable.
There’s another reason to do it carefully: a full disc holds quite a bit of liquid. A study published in BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health compared 21 menstrual products with real blood and found that discs had the highest capacity, 61 ml on average, compared to 20 to 50 ml for tampons, pads, and cups. In PapayaDisc, the size S has a capacity of 45 ml and the L has 60 ml. The fuller it is, the more important it is to remove it level.
Where to apply force when removing the menstrual disc
Force goes to the tab
Force goes to the disc
How to remove the menstrual disc step by step
Knowing how to remove the menstrual disc is simple when you know where to place your finger. The important change is in steps 4 and 5: the finger goes to the edge of the disc, next to the pull tab, and the force is applied there.
How to remove the menstrual disc in 6 steps
Watch it in video
How to remove the menstrual disc without damaging it, in 38 seconds
If this is your first cycle, take it easy. In the manual, we recommend using the disc with a pull tab for at least three cycles, as it makes removal much easier while you learn to reach the edge. If you’ve never used it before, start with the menstrual disc guide, which also explains how to insert it.
How to Remove the Menstrual Disc Without Making a Mess
To remove the menstrual disc without making a mess, the key is your position and keeping it level. Remove it sitting on the toilet or squatting in the shower, and carry it horizontally until it’s empty. With a full disc, something may always spill, so doing it in those places saves you from surprises.
You also don’t need to remove it more than necessary. According to the manual, the disc should be emptied and rinsed every 8 to 12 hours at most, depending on your flow, and there’s no need to remove it to urinate or use the bathroom.
Common Mistakes When Removing the Menstrual Disc
Most mistakes are related to rushing or using the pull tab for something it’s not meant for.
If the Pull Tab is Already Damaged or Cut
The disc works the same without the pull tab, because what holds it in place is the fit of the edge, not the tab. To remove the menstrual disc without the pull tab, insert a finger and hook the front edge, the one behind the pubic bone, and gently pull it out while keeping it as horizontal as possible. We explain this in the article on when and how to cut the pull tab of the menstrual disc.
If you can't reach the rim, don't pull on what's left of the handle. Breathe, squat down, and apply a gentle downward pressure. If you try several times without success, seek medical help. And don't worry: the disc cannot get lost inside the body.
First time with the disc?
Watch the complete PapayaDisc manual, from insertion to removal, in 1 minute and 18 seconds
A pull tab to find the disc, a rim to remove it
PapayaDisc features a textured pull tab that guides you to the rim and can be trimmed once you can remove it with just your fingers.
- ✓ 57 mm pull tab with non-slip beads
- ✓ Up to 12 hours of protection
- ✓ German surgical silicone
- ✓ Sizes S and L
Frequently asked questions about how to remove the menstrual disc
Can I remove the menstrual disc by pulling the tab?
Not entirely. The pull tab is meant to reach the rim: gently pull until you feel it, then place a finger on the rim next to the pull tab, and apply force on the disc.
How do I remove the menstrual disc without making a mess?
Remove it while sitting on the toilet or squatting in the shower and keep it horizontal until you empty it. Something may always spill when the disc is full.
What should I do if I can't reach the rim of the disc?
Take a deep breath, squat, and apply slight downward pressure, as if you were about to urinate. Then calmly search for the pull tab or the rim. If after several attempts you still can't reach it, seek medical help. The disc cannot get lost inside the body.
Can I continue using the disc if the pull tab is damaged?
Yes. The disc is held by the rim's fit, not by the pull tab. Without it, you can remove it by hooking the front rim with a finger and gently pulling horizontally.
How do I remove the menstrual disc the first time?
Calmly and with the full pull tab. We recommend using it for at least three cycles, as it makes reaching the rim much easier. To remove the menstrual disc, follow the same steps: pull tab to the rim, finger on the rim, and force on the disc.
How often should I remove the menstrual disc?
You should empty and rinse it at most every 8 to 12 hours, depending on your flow, and do not wear it for more than 12 consecutive hours.
Do I have to remove the disc to urinate?
No. According to the PapayaDisc manual, it is not necessary to remove it to urinate or defecate.
Removing the menstrual disc is easier when you stop thinking of the pull tab as a string. Use it to reach, place your finger on the rim, and apply force there. In just a few cycles, the gesture becomes automatic. At papayacup.com, you can find PapayaDisc in sizes S and L.
