Nobody really prepares you for the moment you try to remove your menstrual cup and realize it’s… not budging. You’re in the bathroom, maybe one foot propped up like some confused ballerina, doing deep breathing that would make your yoga teacher proud, and the cup just won’t move. And while the internet loves to say things like “Just relax!”, when you’re speed typing ‘menstrual cup stuck’ into every forum you can find, that advice feels about as useful as someone telling you to calm down when you’re already crying.
So let’s talk about this in a practical, honest way.
First off: This happens. A lot.
Research shows that it can take around 3 cycles for 90% of women to get the hang of using menstrual cup.
Bodies are fluid, muscles respond to stress, and the vagina is this incredible, dynamic canal that can tense, soften, lift and drop. It’s a whole ecosystem, not just an empty tube. So when we talk about how to remove a menstrual cup, it’s not just about technique. It’s also about physiology, psychology, routine, and trust.
First: You’re Safe
Before we get into any menstrual cup removal tips, here’s something to anchor you: The cup cannot disappear inside you!
Your cervix is the end of the road. The cup can shift higher if your pelvic floor tenses or if you’re nearing the end of your cycle (the cervix moves — yep, she travels, she has moods), but it can physically not go past the cervix.
So it’s going to stay put. If the goal is to get it out, you don’t need to yank or fish, it’s encouraging your body to soften so your cup naturally moves lower again.
Why is the menstrual cup stuck?
There are a few very common reasons your cup might feel stuck:
- Suction: Menstrual cups form a seal, that’s how they stay leak-proof. If that seal isn’t broken, it can feel like the menstrual cup won’t come out.
- Pelvic floor tension: Stress, frustration, or even anticipation can make those muscles clench, making the cup ride higher.
- Position shifts: Your cervix can sit higher at certain points in your cycle, making the cup follow and move upwards, making it harder to reach.
- Technique: Nobody taught us the proper period cup removal technique, so most of us just wing it at first.
And to be clear: feeling stressed when you have a stuck period cup is normal. But stress creates tension, and tension makes removal harder, so we need to work with the body instead of against it.
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Step-by-Step: How to Actually Remove It
Let’s talk actual, usable steps. No vague encouragement. Real mechanics.
Change Positions
Your pelvic floor shifts based on posture. If you’ve been hovering over the toilet, stop. Your body needs grounding.
Try any of these:
- Sit on the toilet fully.
- Squat in the shower (the steam helps relaxation).
- Put one leg on the bathtub/sink edge.
As you do this, breathe into your belly. On each exhale, suck your belly in, this will drop your pelvic floor, think about the sensation of letting go.
Find the Base, Not the Stem
The stem is not a handle. Tugging it can actually make the suction stronger. Instead, reach for the base of the cup, that’s your real grip.
If you can’t reach it yet, don’t panic. That’s where relaxation and breathing come in. The cup often naturally lowers when your muscles soften. Take your time. Try step one repeatedly and calmly. Eventually, you’ll feel it.
Break the Seal First
This is where the magic phrase ‘menstrual cup suction release’ matters.
Pinch the base. Even a partial pinch helps.
If you can’t pinch the base yet, slide a finger up alongside the cup and press inward on the rim. This releases the seal.
No seal = no vacuum = no resistance.
Slow, Gentle Removal
Once the seal is released, the cup should come out with minimal force. Keep it angled slightly sideways to ease it past the vaginal opening.
And if you feel removal discomfort or pain, slow down. And remember, the pain is a sign of tension, not failure.
If It Still Feels Stuck
Okay, say you’ve tried all that and you still have trouble removing your menstrual cup.
This is where patience matters.
Your pelvic floor is a powerful group of muscles. When you panic, they respond by tightening (they’re just trying to protect you — thanks, evolution). So instead of forcing anything, give your body a moment.
Try:
- A warm shower.
- A few minutes of deep, slow breathing.
- A bit of gentle downward bearing — Sit on your haunches like you’re pooping Indian-style and put some pressure, not pushing hard, just nudging.
- Or lie on your back with your knees wide and hips relaxed.
Often, within a few minutes of releasing emotional tension, the cup lowers enough to grip.
The Role of Fit and Cup Design
Sometimes the issue isn’t you, it’s the cup.
Some cups have softer walls, deeper bodies, or longer stems. For beginners or for those prone to pelvic floor tension, a slightly firmer, more flexible cup can make removal easier because it breaks suction more easily.
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly, soft silicone option, Nua’s Menstrual Cup has one of the more forgiving designs — flexible enough to release suction without a struggle, but still structured enough to prevent leaks.
Cup choice is personal, but the material matters more than marketing.
And if you’re exploring options, it helps to know exactly what you’re putting inside your body. Nua’s Menstrual Cup is:
- 100% Biocompatible: Tested on vaginal cells for true internal safety.
- Made with Platinum Grade Silicone: The highest safety standard, flexible and gentle on sensitive tissue.
- Comes with an Anti-bacterial Pouch: Keeps your cup protected and clean, even when you’re on-the-go.
- Safe on Skin: Free from latex, BPA, phthalates, and irritants.
It also comes in 2 sizes (Medium and Large), and is trusted by gynaecologists. So if you’re new to cups or want a reliable, skin-safe option, this is something your body will likely appreciate.
“But It Still Won’t Come Out and I’ve Been Here Forever”
This is the moment where frustration spikes. Maybe even tears. Maybe your brain starts whispering dramatic scenarios.
Pause.
You’re not failing. Your body is reacting.
Drink a few sips of water. Shake out your arms and jaw. Tension gathers in weird places.
Then return. Slowly. Gently.
Most times when you get a menstrual cup stuck, it resolves within minutes once the seal is properly released.
When It’s Actually Time to Ask for Help
Very, very rarely, someone needs assistance. And to be clear, this does not mean something is wrong. It just means you need another pair of eyes and hands.
So here’s your reference point for when to seek help menstrual cup removal:
- If you’ve been trying for more than 45 minutes and your anxiety is rising.
- If you feel sharp pain or intense discomfort.
- If your pelvic floor is so tense you can’t insert a finger comfortably.
A nurse or doctor can remove it gently, usually in seconds, because they’re trained to help your pelvic floor relax. This is not embarrassing. It happens all the time.
Let’s Also Talk About Prevention (Because Yes, We Can Make This Easier Next Time)
Here are a few subtle yet effective menstrual cup removal tips for future cycles:
- Break the seal first every time, never pull straight down.
- Remove the cup in the shower when possible (heat = relaxation).
- Choose a cup material that works with your body’s tension patterns. Firmer cups = easier menstrual cup suction release (here’s a guide to help you).
- Practice insertion (here’s a guide) and removal when you’re not rushed.
Remember, this is a relationship between you and your body, it gets easier over time. Studies show that most women report the use of a menstrual cup as a positive experience eventually.
And If You’re Still Getting Used to Cups
Switching from pads or tampons to cups is not just a product change, it’s a body awareness shift.
It teaches you:
- Where your cervix sits
- How your pelvic floor responds to stress
- How your cycle changes your anatomy day to day
That’s powerful. That’s knowledge.
And if you’re new to cups, something like Nua’s Menstrual Cup is a gentle starting point — firm, beginner-friendly, and designed with flexible silicone that makes removal less of a struggle.
The (C)Upside
Having a stuck period cup does not mean you’re doing something wrong.
It means you’re learning.
Your body is not working against you, it’s reacting to tension, pressure, newness and uncertainty. With time, your body adapts. Your muscles learn the routine. The process becomes fluid, even easy. And you? You become that girl who’s like, “Oh yeah, removing my cup is easy. I got this.”
Because you do.
If today felt overwhelming, give your body grace. You’re building familiarity. You’re building trust. And trust always takes time.
