When looking for the right reusable menstrual disc, you’ll want to understand how it works with your anatomy and which brand’s design is likely best for you! Let’s jump into how to insert a menstrual disc and about the menstrual disc vs. cup.
Why You Should Consider a Reusable Menstrual Disc Too!
The menstrual disc has many fantastic benefits, including:
- It’s reusable for up to 10 years
- You can wear it up to 12 hours day and night
- It has a higher capacity than tampons
- You don’t have to wear anything in your underwear, and it doesn’t feel like anything in your vagina
- It can sometimes auto-dump period blood when you push to pee or pass stool
- Enjoy mess-free period sex if desired
- They’re non-toxic
- They maintain your natural pH
- Reusable discs save you money
- You’ll never have to worry about ordering more tampons or pads in time for your period again!
Menstrual Disc vs. Cup?
Unlike the menstrual cup, the disc does not create a suction to work! This can be a perk if you have an IUD for birth control to eliminate any risk of the IUD coming out on accident.
Additionally, menstrual discs are generally easier to insert and remove than cups; however, they’re typically messier. Still, I have no issue with the insertion and removal process of the Saalt disc, and the mess on my hands doesn’t bother me.
If I dump the blood in the toilet and wipe myself before rinsing the disc off, I usually can avoid any mess. Then after re-inserting the disc, I get up, pull my clothes back on, and wash my hands like usual, and I’m all done!
The right menstrual disc or cup should be comfortable and leak-free. In that sense, cups are more challenging to succeed with than discs. Conversely, discs are so simple it’s mostly about finding what you like to insert and remove above sizing and firmness.
When choosing a disc, it doesn’t matter if you’ve had a baby or not, are active or not, or are prone to sensitivity. The vaginal fornix is a space right below your cervix which is perfect for a menstrual disc to sit and is practically identical to any other! Therefore, all menstrual discs are relatively similar. What may differ is a more flexible or firm circumference of the disc and basket, which can make it easier to put into place and insert.
How to Pick Your Menstrual Disc Size
I did not measure my cervix height before ordering the small disc, but now I understand that disc sizing has more to do with the height of your cervix than any other factor – even flow amount!
I initially chose the small because when I tried a menstrual cup, it recommended I get the normal/larger one since I had given birth before, but it was too uncomfortable to wear even once! But as we went over, the discs have a different design anyways!
Saalt recommends measuring your cervix height by using clean hands, inserting 1-2 fingers into your vagina, and feeling for the opening of your cervix. Your cervix will feel somewhat like the tip of your nose but softer and will have a tiny hole in the center. “If you feel your cervix when your finger is inserted with only the 1st knuckle inside your vagina, you have a low cervix; inserted to the 2nd knuckle is medium or average height; 3rd knuckle is a high cervix. We have a great tutorial for checking where your cervix is located here if you need help.” [1]
If you have a lower cervix, you may want to look for discs like the Saalt small disc or Lumma Short. And if you have a higher cervix, you may wish to the regular Saalt.
Why I Chose the Saalt Disc
I chose the Saalt menstrual disc after watching Period Nirvana’s YouTube video, where she talked about the firmness of the circumference and basket of the discs. I was set on a disc with a more flexible rim for more ease of inserting, removing, and feeling comfortable wearing it! And the Saalt disc was on the more flexible side of menstrual disc options, as Kim mentioned in her Period Nirvana video.
How to Insert Menstrual Disc
No, things cannot get “lost” in your vagina! Your vagina is a structure that leads to your uterus. Still, your uterus is closed off by your cervix – a donut-looking structure – and your cervix does not allow any object you put into your vagina to go into your uterus and “get lost.”
Still, your cervix can feel higher or lower throughout your menstrual cycle and even open more. However, unless you’re in labor, it won’t open more than 1cm at any point in your cycle.
Check out: The Complete Guide to Your Menstrual Cycle
How to Use a Menstrual Disc
To use a menstrual disc:
- First, the menstrual disc is inserted longways into your vagina. Pinch the disc to make it fit narrowly into your vagina.
- Then use your pointer finger to push it up and behind your pubic bone, and the disc will rest upright in the space right under your cervix, called the vaginal fornix.
When it’s time to take it out, the Saalt disc I purchased has a finger notch you can feel for (sometimes it turns a little to the right or left) and pull it down and out of your vagina.
No part of this process was uncomfortable for me using the small Saalt disc or the regular-size Saalt disc.
However, I did have issues with leaking the first couple of months because it took me time to learn when to dump and reinsert the disc on each day of my period according to my flow. Additionally, with my anatomy, I had to learn how to really push it as far as I could into my vaginal fornix. I even found it beneficial to bear down while placing it there so that the disc rose up extra high to my cervix when I stopped pushing down.
Still, I might be having issues getting the disc to stay in my vaginal fornix due to my pelvic bone anatomy not keeping it up there. Your pelvic bone will be a shelf for the disc to stay secure. However, for this reason, some women’s anatomies may not work well with the disc! If I continue having issues, I will be trying a small-diameter menstrual cup soon!
My First 24 Hours of Using a Menstrual Disc
I knew that my period was coming this evening because of my usual symptoms. I’ll get a few hours before my period comes. If you don’t already know about natural family planning/the fertility awareness method, I highly recommend checking it out! With this method, I can know precisely what is happening and when my period is coming because this method makes me so in tune with my body!
I’m usually home when my period comes, but my family and I were at the playground this day. Now I know that with a menstrual disc, I can easily insert it preventatively next time, which will be amazing since it’s not uncomfortable like pads or some organic tampons. Plus, it’s not potentially dangerous to have it in too long like tampons!
So, I got my period at the park, and we had to return to the car. I got in the back seat, slouched, and used the menstrual disc for the first time, and it went amazing! I was so excited and a little nervous about taking it out for the first time, but soon my nerves disappeared because I felt so confident and comfortable with how inserting it went.
Later that evening, at almost 8:30 pm, I wanted to try taking it out to see how it felt and how I did, and that also went great. I used the finger notch, which I had to find a little to my left at that time, and it was pleasant to remove and re-insert for the night.
Using a menstrual disc certainly has some learning curves, but I’m happy with my choice in purchasing and trying the Saalt menstrual disc.
Have you tried a menstrual disc or a cup? What are your thoughts and experiences? Leave a comment down below!
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Sources:
[1] https://saalt.com/blogs/news/saalt-menstrual-cups-and-anatomy-education
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
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