I can't reach my menstrual cup with my fingers! Here's why and tips to make it easier to reach.

"I can't reach the menstrual cup and can't remove it."
What should I do if I can't remove the cup?

Have you ever been faced with such anxiety and felt confused?

Because menstrual cups are used inside the vagina, which is out of sight, you may feel like you can't reach them with your fingers or remove them until you understand how to use them.

However, if you understand the structure of the cup and how the body works, you can deal with the situation calmly.

In this article, we'll explain in an easy-to-understand manner the reasons why your fingers can't reach the menstrual cup and give you some tips to make it easier to reach.

Even if you are feeling anxious and wondering "What should I do...", reading this article will help you to calm down and deal with the situation. Please read to the end.

You can always remove your menstrual cup! First, take a deep breath.

It can be frustrating when you can't reach the menstrual cup with your fingers, but the first thing to do is stay calm and take a deep breath.

Due to its structure, menstrual cups are not designed to become stuck inside the vagina.
Comparing the length of the vagina and the menstrual cup, it looks like this:

• Average menstrual cup length (excluding stem): 3.5cm - 6cm

• Average vaginal length: 7cm to 10cm

By adding the stem (handle part) to the length of the cup, it is designed to be even easier to reach with your fingers.
Even if you find it difficult to reach at first, in most cases you can move it to a position where you can easily retrieve it by adjusting your posture or the amount of force you apply .

Don't worry, you will definitely be able to remove it if you take your time.

4 tips to make your menstrual cup easier to reach

To make it easier to reach your menstrual cup, first take a deep breath and then try these four things:

• Strain as if you're trying to pee

• Relax your whole body

• Try changing your location or position

• If you have just woken up, try moving around a bit and warming up your body before taking it out.

The ease of taking things out will vary depending on your ingenuity and posture. Please give it a try.

1. Push as if you're trying to pee

To gradually lower the cup closer to the vaginal opening, it is effective to push down as if you are urinating.

When doing this, try to focus on applying abdominal pressure to the front, rather than exerting force as if you were trying to "poop . "

If you can push properly, abdominal pressure will be applied to your vagina, and the menstrual cup will naturally drop.
Even if you don't reach it in one go, by repeating it it will gradually go down, so don't rush and keep trying.

Once you can feel the stem, move on to the next step.

2. Relax your whole body

Once the cup has dropped, take another deep breath and relax your whole body.
This is to relax the muscles around your pelvis (pelvic floor muscles) and prevent the cup from being pushed back . [1]

When the pressure on the vagina is released, the cups will be able to stay lower and your fingers will be able to reach them more easily.

Take a deep breath and then slowly push yourself again.

3. Try changing your location or posture

If you are having trouble reaching the cup with your fingers, it is recommended that you try changing your location or posture.
Since it's difficult to maintain a stable position in a small toilet and you may feel anxious, try moving to the bathroom if possible .

The bathroom makes it easy to try out the following postures:

• Stand on one knee with one foot on the edge of the bathtub

• Squat-like crouching position

Among these , many people find the squat position easy to do because both feet are spread apart and firmly on the floor, making it easy to stabilize .
Finding a comfortable position and posture is key to a smooth removal process.

4. If you have just woken up, try moving around a bit or warming up your body before taking it out.

If you use a menstrual cup while you sleep, your body may be stiff and it may be difficult to reach it when you first wake up in the morning .

If this happens, you may be able to remove it more easily by trying the following:

• Wash your face

• Drink a glass of water

• Do some gentle stretching

• Take a shower

• Drink a hot drink

These actions improve blood circulation, relieve muscle stiffness, and naturally relax you.
If you try again after relaxing your body and mind, you may find that it comes out surprisingly easily.

Also worth reading: How to Use a Menstrual Cup: How to Remove It

If you still can't reach the menstrual cup with your fingers after trying these solutions, consult your gynecologist.

Due to its structure, it is possible for a menstrual cup to become stuck in place, but if you still cannot reach it with your fingers and are unable to remove it, one option is to consult a gynecologist before forcing it .

Leaving it in for a long period of time poses hygiene risks, so if you are unable to remove it after some time has passed, you should seek medical advice.

Additionally, if you are a murmo menstrual cup user, you can use the free chat support on LINE . Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Also worth reading: Questions about menstrual cups from obstetrician-gynecologist Kanako Inaba

Why you can't reach your menstrual cup with your fingers

Here are some common reasons why you might not be able to reach your menstrual cup:

• It's in the back

• Using a cup with a short stem

Check if your fingers can no longer reach the cup and compare it to the menstrual cup you are using.

It's in the back

One reason you may not be able to reach the menstrual cup with your fingers is that the cup may be stuck too far inside your vagina.

If you are using a particularly small cup, it may sit high inside the vagina, making it difficult to remove.

Also, if you wear it for a long time or move around a lot during the day, it is not uncommon for it to move deeper than when you first inserted it.

First of all, don't panic. Try the tips mentioned above, such as changing your position, straining as if you're trying to urinate, and relaxing.

Also read: How to Use a Menstrual Cup: How Far Should You Insert It?

Using a cup with a short stem

Menstrual cups with short stems can make it difficult to reach with your fingers.

Menstrual cups are designed to fit entirely inside the vagina, including the stem, so if the stem is short, your fingers may not be able to reach it, making it difficult to find.

In such cases, the basic strategy is to apply abdominal pressure to gradually lower the cup. Please stay calm and try the solutions we have introduced.

Also worth reading: Choosing the right size for your menstrual cup! Two features recommended for first-time users

If you're having trouble reaching your menstrual cup with your fingers, we recommend the Murmo menstrual cup.

The murmo menstrual cup is designed as follows to alleviate concerns about difficulty in reaching the menstrual cup with your fingers:

• Slim and long shape

• Longer stem design

• Soft and easy to use even for beginners

This is a safe item for those who worry about what to do if they can't get it out.

In addition, LINE support is available exclusively to purchasers. Knowing that there is an environment where you can get immediate help when you have a problem is one of the things that gives first-time users peace of mind.

If you have ever had trouble reaching your menstrual cup with your fingers or are worried about it, why not try the Murmo menstrual cup?

Common questions about not being able to reach your menstrual cup with your fingers

Below are some questions you may have about not being able to reach your menstrual cup with your fingers when removing it.
Please use this as a reference and consider your own situation.

I'm scared that I might not be able to reach the menstrual cup with my fingers again and again. What should I do?

First, start by practicing the tips we introduced, such as "straining as if you're trying to pee" and "relaxing," to get used to it .

After practicing at home a few times, you will get the feel and trick of how to reach the ball with your fingers.
Once you get used to it, you'll be able to respond calmly in an emergency.

If I can't reach it, how long can I wait?

Basically, as long as you limit your continuous use to 8 to 12 hours, it's fine to wait a while and try again .

If you feel anxious or scared, your muscles may stiffen and it may be difficult to lower the cup, so it is recommended that you reset your mind and try again.

However, it is not permitted to exceed the maximum wearing time.
Please be sure to follow the recommended usage time for your cup as this increases the risk of infection and deterioration of the cup.

Also worth reading: How long can you use a menstrual cup? Explaining the safe wearing time

summary

If you feel like you can't reach your menstrual cup with your fingers, the most important thing is to stay calm.

First, try methods such as "straining as if you are trying to urinate," "relaxing," and "changing your posture or location."

Also, smaller cups or cups with short stems can be difficult to remove due to their structure. If you are prone to such concerns, we recommend the Murmo menstrual cup.

It has a slim, long shape and a stem that is easy to reach with your fingers, making it easy to use even for first-time users.

If you're someone who never wants to experience the experience of not being able to reach your genitals with your fingers again, we recommend you consider using the Murmo menstrual cup.
Enjoy a comfortable period with a menstrual cup that you can use with confidence.

References
[1] Mind and body relaxation techniques | Fujita Health University Community Comprehensive Care Core Center