Menstrual cup for virgins: everything you need to know
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Exercising on Your Period with a Menstrual Disc
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Discover how to insert and use the menstrual disc step by step, even during sex. Complete guide with charts and tips. Start today!
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- Menstrual Disc: Placement, Use, and Sexual Relations Guide
- What is the menstrual disc and how does it differ from the cup?
- How to insert the menstrual disc step by step
- How to use the menstrual disc during the day
- Menstrual disc for having sexual relations
- Common mistakes when using the menstrual disc
- Advantages of choosing PapayaCup for your menstrual disc
- In summary: is the menstrual disc right for you?
- Ready to try it?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Menstrual Disc: Placement, Use, and Sexual Relations Guide
If you're wondering whether the menstrual disc is right for you, or if you already have one and aren't quite sure how to insert it, you're not alone: it's one of the intimate hygiene products that raises the most questions at first, and the one that gains the most fans once you get the hang of it. We explain how to insert it, how to use it daily, and why it's the only menstrual option designed for mess-free sex.
What is the menstrual disc and how does it differ from the cup?
The menstrual disc is an alternative to the menstrual cup: a flexible and reusable device, shaped like a wide and shallow ring. Unlike the cup, which is placed in the vaginal canal, the disc sits at the base of the cervix, without creating suction or vacuum.
Protection up to 12h
Leak-proof rim design suitable for light and heavy flows alike.
Reusable for up to 10 years
With proper care, much more sustainable than disposable pads and tampons.
Textured pull tab
With non-slip beads that make it easy to find and remove, similar to a tampon.
Disc vs menstrual cup
| Feature | Menstrual disc | Menstrual cup |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Cervix base (higher up) | Vaginal canal (lower down) |
| Holding | Anatomical fit, no suction | Suction seal |
| Penetrative sex | Yes, by cutting the pull tab | Not recommended |
| Removal | With pull tab, like a tampon | With fingers, breaking the seal |
| Usage duration | Up to 12 hours | Up to 12 hours |
Still unsure between the two? Check out our menstrual cup vs disc comparison or the PapayaCup menstrual disc page.
How to insert the menstrual disc step by step
It has a learning curve, but with practice it becomes automatic. Also, check the menstrual disc usage manual with videos and detailed instructions.
Wash your hands and sterilize the disc
Before the first use, pour three fingers of water into the included sterilizer, insert the disc, and place it in the microwave for a maximum of 3 minutes. Longer times may damage the silicone.
Find a comfortable position
Resting one foot on the toilet makes insertion easier. If needed, use a little water-based lubricant.
Fold the disc and insert it
The vaginal canal is not oriented upwards, but slightly backwards, towards the anus. Insert the folded disc in that direction.
Release the disc and check that it fits
It should unfold and fit snugly under the cervix. If you feel it folded, pressed, or uncomfortable, remove it, add lubricant, and try again.
If it’s positioned correctly, you shouldn’t feel discomfort when walking, sitting, or moving normally. If you feel pressure, try again.
How to use the menstrual disc during the day
Once inserted, you can go about your normal life: sports, work, sleep. It’s not necessary to remove it to urinate or defecate. It is recommended to empty and rinse it every 8-12 hours depending on your flow, without exceeding 12 consecutive hours.
Get into position
In a squat, sitting on the toilet, or with one leg elevated.
Locate the pull tab
Gently pull only until the edge of the disc. Do not pull hard: the pull tab is a guide, not meant for fully removing it.
Extract horizontally
Hold the edge and remove it while keeping it level to avoid spills before reaching the toilet.
At the end of your period, wash the disc with warm water and mild soap, sterilize it again if you wish, and store it dry in its cloth bag.
User testimonial
I’ve been using a cup for years and switched to the disc for convenience at work. The first few days I struggled to find the right angle, but by the second cycle I do it almost without looking.
Carla, 29 years old · Valencia
Menstrual disc for having sexual relations
This is the big difference compared to other menstrual products: you can use it during penetrative sex, something that the cup does not allow. Positioned above the vaginal canal, the disc remains outside the penetration zone.
Before having intercourse with the disc in place, you must cut the pull tab, or it may become uncomfortable during penetration. It is recommended to use it with the pull tab for at least three cycles before trimming it — and once cut, it cannot be reattached.
Check that the disc is properly positioned before intercourse, use water-based lubricant if needed, and remember that the disc is not a contraceptive method: it does not prevent pregnancy or protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
User testimonial
I had been avoiding having sex during my period due to stains. With the disc, after cutting the pull tab in the third cycle, it stopped being a problem. My partner doesn't even notice it.
Elena, 33 years old · Zaragoza
Common mistakes when using the menstrual disc
| Common mistake | Why it happens | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Feels folded or pressed | Incomplete placement | Remove it, add lubricant, and reinsert |
| Leaks in the first cycles | Exceeding 12 hours or poor placement | Check every 6-8 hours until you master the technique |
| Discomfort during intercourse | Uncut pull tab | Wait 3 cycles and trim it if needed |
| Difficulty removing it | Pulling hard on the pull tab | Squat, press down, and locate it calmly |
The disc cannot get lost inside your body. Breathe, relax, and try again; if you can't after several attempts, seek medical help.
Advantages of choosing PapayaCup for your menstrual disc
The PapayaDisc is made from surgical silicone manufactured in Germany, biocompatible, hypoallergenic, and free from BPA, phthalates, and latex. It does not alter vaginal pH and lasts up to 10 years with proper care.
Empty and rinse the disc in time to maintain optimal hygiene throughout your cycle.
Available sizes and packs
| Product | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| PapayaDisc 2 Discs S+L | Both sizes, bag, and video tutorial | 25.90 € |
| Comfort Pack | Both sizes, bag, tutorial, and microwave sterilizer | 29.90 € |
Size S usually fits better with a low cervix, under 30 years old, or without vaginal births; size L is for a high cervix, over 30 years old, or with births. Check the size guide for more details.
In summary: is the menstrual disc right for you?
The menstrual disc is a solid option if you're looking for more hours of protection, less waste, and the ability to have sex without stains during your period. It has a slightly steeper learning curve than the cup, but once you master the placement, it becomes a product you won't want to stop using. If you have doubts about which size to choose, the S+L pack of our PapayaCup menstrual disc allows you to try both without guessing. Discover the entire range at papayacup.com.
PapayaCup menstrual disc
Ready to try it?
German surgical silicone, sizes S and L, up to 12 hours of protection, and compatible with sex. Read the user manual before choosing.
Frequently Asked Questions
It shouldn't. If you feel persistent pain, it’s probably not positioned correctly; remove it, use lubricant, and try again. If it continues, consult with a doctor.
Between 8 and 12 hours depending on your flow, but never exceeding 12 consecutive hours.
In most cases yes, as they are in different areas, but if the IUD strings are long, they could touch the disc. Consult with your gynecologist before combining them.
If the pull tab is not trimmed, it may feel uncomfortable. That's why it's recommended to cut it, after at least 3 cycles, before having sex with the disc in place.
Locate the pull tab, gently pull only to the edge, and remove it horizontally, without pulling hard.
No. It only collects menstrual flow; it does not prevent fertilization or protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
