Since our first menstrual cup came onto the market, we've noticed one thing: you have a lot of questions. One that kept coming up was: menstrual cup and IUD - is that a good idea?
Summary
In principle, you can use a menstrual cup with a coil.
However, you should follow some rules and be careful with it.
If something goes wrong and not only the cup but also the IUD needs to be removed - go to the gynecologist!
Table of contents
Contents
1. Menstrual cup & IUD - What's the problem?
Combining a menstrual cup with an IUD can indeed be difficult, but it is not fundamentally impossible . It often depends on several factors, including the position and type of IUD, the size and shape of the menstrual cup, and the individual anatomy and experience of the user.
The position of the IUD in the uterus can vary , and it can be located near the cervix or deep in the uterus. If the IUD is placed too close to the cervix, there is a risk that the menstrual cup will touch or pull on the IUD, which can be potentially uncomfortable or even painful.
Menstrual cups come in different sizes and shapes . If the cup is too big or has an unsuitable shape, it could affect the IUD and shift the position of the IUD or even pull it out.
Using a menstrual cup requires some practice and experience to place and align it correctly. If you are new to using a menstrual cup, you may have difficulty positioning it correctly.
If you want to use a menstrual cup, it is advisable to speak to a healthcare professional first . They can check the position of the IUD, assess your individual anatomy and possibly make recommendations as to whether using a menstrual cup is safe and appropriate in your case.
In some cases , the combination of menstrual cups and IUDs can work well , especially if the IUD is placed high in the uterus and the cup is inserted correctly. Still, it is important to be cautious and seek medical advice if necessary to avoid potential complications. A doctor can also help choose the best menstrual cup for an individual situation.
2. What you should pay attention to
If you don't want to do without your menstrual cup, you should at least pay attention to a few things.
The menstrual cup and the coil become inseparable if the negative pressure is not released properly. When removing the menstrual cup, it is therefore extremely important that you do not just pull and jerk wildly.
- When removing the menstrual cup, it is best to press one or both sides with your finger. Squeeze the cup a little and then carefully (!) take it out. This should keep Madame Spirale in place.
One of you power women gave us a professional tip via Instagram:
"You should be careful when squeezing the cup, for example when pulling it out in a C shape. You can get the thread caught. But that can only happen if the thread is long. You can also have the thread shortened."
- To be on the safe side, double-check and look at the contents of your cup as you empty it (it's interesting anyway). If there's nothing spiral-like floating around - all good!
3. And what if an accident does happen?!
OUCH! It happened . Did you actually manage to painfully pull out your IUD using your menstrual cup? Then go see a doctor and don't touch it yourself again.
In this case, a visit to your doctor is essential. To prevent the coil from being pulled out by the menstrual cup, we generally recommend that you wait a little while before using the menstrual cup when inserting the coil for the first time. This has the advantage that everything fits in well and your uterus can get used to the foreign body.
The same applies to the copper chain. This is not always a good thing about the menstrual cup either. But that's another topic!
Whether you decide to use a menstrual cup or an IUD is up to you. As you can see, problems can arise, but they don't have to. Of course, you can also simply switch to organic tampons instead of a menstrual cup.
