Why is it said that periods sync among friends or roommates: what’s myth and what’s statistical coincidence, with the menstrual cup as a way to manage your cycle even if it doesn’t sync with anyone.
31 de August de 2026
Switching from menstrual cup to menstrual disc: the changes you’ll experience
5 de October de 2026
Has your menstrual disc gotten stuck and you can't reach it? Why it happens, how to remove it step by step, what mistakes to avoid, and when to seek medical help.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- The menstrual disc has gone up, and I can't get it out, what should I do?
- Common mistakes when removing the menstrual disc that make it even more complicated
- If this happens to you often, check size, handle, and placement
- A disc with a pull tab designed to find it without searching
- Frequently asked questions about how to remove the menstrual disc
The menstrual disc has gone up, and I can't get it out, what should I do?
You sit on the toilet, put your finger in searching for the rim, and it doesn't appear. Neither the rim nor the pull tab. First of all, what is most reassuring to know: the menstrual disc cannot get lost inside the body. It's still there, just a bit higher than you expected.
This happens a lot in the first cycles, and also to those who have been using it for months and one day place it in a hurry. It almost always gets resolved at home. Let's see why it happens, how to remove the menstrual disc when it seems to have gone up, and when it's advisable to seek help.
Why the menstrual disc gets stuck so high
The disc is positioned higher than a cup. It rests on the vaginal fornix, the space that surrounds the cervix at the back of the vagina, with the front rim tucked behind the pubic bone. It stays in place by positioning, without suction. This has a good part (there's no vacuum to break to remove it) and a less comfortable part: the rim is at the end of the finger's reach, and with little change, it can become out of reach.
Several reasons often come together. The height of the cervix varies from person to person and throughout the cycle, so the disc that you easily touched yesterday may be farther away today. Tension does the rest. As soon as you notice you can't reach it, you tighten up unconsciously, and a tense pelvic floor lifts and holds it even more. And if you trimmed the pull tab too soon, you've lost the guide that led you to the rim. The PapayaDisc menstrual disc manual recommends using it with a pull tab for at least three cycles before shortening it, precisely because it greatly facilitates removal.
"It was my second period with the disc. In the morning I took it out without a problem, and at night there was no way, I couldn't find the pull tab. I got nervous, left it for half an hour, took a hot shower, and squatting I reached it on the first try."
Nuria, 28 years old, Barcelona
How to remove the menstrual disc when you can't reach it
If you're wondering how to remove the menstrual disc when there's no way to reach it, this is the sequence proposed by the PapayaDisc manual, with some practical details added. The order matters because the first steps help the menstrual disc to lower before you go looking for it.
6 steps to remove the menstrual disc when it has gone up
If it slips with one finger, pinch the edge between your index and middle fingers. And keep in mind that some blood may fall, so the shower is a good place.
The position changes more than it seems
Many times, to remove the menstrual disc, simply changing position is enough. The manual includes three options, and it's worth trying them all:
| Position | Why it helps | When to try it |
|---|---|---|
| Squatting in the shower | Shortens the vaginal canal and makes it easier to push down | First option if you can't reach the edge |
| Sitting on the toilet, leaning forward | Relaxes the pelvic floor and blood falls directly into the toilet | Daily empties and bathrooms away from home |
| With one leg resting on the toilet or bathtub | Opens the angle and gives more room for the hand | If you lose balance or get tired while squatting |
"I used to insist on doing it standing, like with tampons. One day I tried with one foot on the edge of the bathtub and pushing a bit, and the edge appeared right under my finger. Since then, I always remove it this way."
Ainhoa, 35 years old, Pamplona
Common mistakes when removing the menstrual disc that make it even more complicated
When the menstrual disc doesn’t appear, the instinctive action is often exactly what doesn’t work. Here are the most common mistakes:
| Common mistake | What it causes | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Pulling the menstrual disc forcefully by the handle | It slips between your fingers or drags the edge still fitted, causing discomfort | Use the handle only to reach the edge |
| Searching for it while standing and in a hurry | The pelvic floor tightens and the disc rises | Squat and take a couple of minutes to relax |
| Inserting fingers straight up | You end up in front of the cervix without touching the edge | Direct your fingers slightly backward, towards the anus |
| Using tweezers or other objects | Risk of injury to the vaginal wall | Only clean fingers, and if it doesn't come out, consult |
For everything else, clean fingers and patience. The Tua Saúde guide on how to use and remove the menstrual disc, the health portal of the Rede D'Or hospital group, describes the same gesture: insert your index finger until you touch the front edge, bend it like a hook, and pull the disc out horizontally to avoid spills. Also remember that the disc does not create a vacuum, so there’s nothing to detach, just reach the edge. And no matter how high it goes, at the top, there’s only the cervix, with no space to slip through.
If this happens to you often, check size, handle, and placement
Once might be a bad day. If every emptying turns into a search, it's time to review the menstrual disc you are using. The size guide for the menstrual disc from Papaya generally recommends size S for low cervix, those under 30, or without vaginal births, and size L for high cervix, those over 30, or with vaginal births. These are guidelines, with many exceptions. To know what your cervix is like, touch it during your period: if you can easily reach it with your fingertip, it’s probably low, and if you barely reach it, it’s high.
If you’ve never been sure which size is right for you, the comfort pack of 2 menstrual discs S+L with sterilizer is great for trying both sizes in different cycles and keeping the one that fits you best. Be careful with the handle: once trimmed, it cannot be reattached. If it has become more difficult since you cut it, keep the next disc whole until you can remove it easily with just your fingers.
Placement also matters. The vagina is slightly tilted backward, towards the anus, and the menstrual disc should be inserted following that line. If you push it vertically, the edge may end up in a place that’s harder to find. The manual includes a video on how to remove the menstrual disc that helps demonstrate the gesture.
When to stop trying and seek help
- You’ve tried several times unsuccessfully and it’s been close to 12 hours since you inserted it
- You feel severe pain, or pain that worsens with each attempt
- You have a fever, general malaise, or an odor very different from usual
- You’ve sustained a scratch or are bleeding in a way that doesn’t seem like a period
In the health center, in emergencies, or in gynecology, they can remove it in a few minutes, and no one will be surprised. The PapayaDisc manual states it clearly: if you try several times without success, seek medical help, and do not keep the disc in for more than 12 hours straight.
"Once, there was no way to get it out, and I was really stressed. I went to the health center, and the nurse removed it in two minutes. The next month, I used it again, but this time, without trimming the pull tab."
Elena, 41 years old, Madrid
A disc with a pull tab designed to find it without searching
PapayaDisc features a textured pull tab that guides you to the edge and comes in two sizes according to the height of your cervix.
- ✓ Textured pull tab that you can trim
- ✓ Sizes S and L according to your cervix
- ✓ Up to 12 hours of use
- ✓ S+L pack with sterilizer
Frequently asked questions about how to remove the menstrual disc
Can the menstrual disc get lost inside the body?
No. At the back of the vagina is the cervix, closed except for a tiny opening through which blood flows. The menstrual disc can be positioned high and difficult to reach, but it has nowhere to go.
Can I pull the menstrual disc by the pull tab to remove it completely?
Only gently and until you reach the edge. The pull tab is there to guide you to the base; removal is done by holding the edge with your finger and pulling it out horizontally.
How can I remove the menstrual disc without making a mess?
Remove it as horizontally as possible, sitting on the toilet or squatting in the shower. With a full disc, something may always spill.
I trimmed the pull tab and can't find the disc, what should I do?
Squat down, gently push down, and feel for the edge with your finger directed back and then up, just behind the pubic bone. If after several attempts you can't reach it, seek medical advice.
How long can I wait before going to the doctor?
The disc should not be worn for more than 12 hours straight. If you are nearing that limit and haven't removed it, go that same day. If you have a fever or general discomfort, do not wait.
Do I need to remove the disc to go to the bathroom?
No need. When you exert pressure, it may shift a little, so afterward, check with a clean finger that the edge is still behind the pubic bone.
Having the menstrual disc stuck up there is scary the first time and is almost never serious. Stay calm, squat, and apply slight pressure downwards to resolve most cases. If it happens to you often, check the size or if you trimmed the pull tab too soon. At papayacup.com, you can find discs in sizes S and L.
