Removal advice
I can't get it out!
If you cannot remove your Mooncup, the most important thing is to take your time and relax your vaginal muscles, as these are particularly sensitive to stress and will clench up around the Mooncup. (The pelvic muscles are situated between your vagina and anus. If you are unsure where this is, think of the muscles you would use if you were trying to stop yourself passing urine or opening your bowels to pass a motion).What techniques do you use when you try and relax? You can begin by doing the exercises that you are used to, like counting your breath, or having a warm bath for example. Be assured that if you cannot feel your Mooncup inside you there is no urgency to remove it immediately. However, if you are experiencing constant pain inside your vagina or cervix and you are unable to remove your Mooncup you should contact the Advice Centre 0044 (0)1273 355022 (Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 16.30 pm) or if we are closed, seek medical advice.
Getting the correct position - one that is comfortable and that you can maintain for a while. You may also wish to get in these positions in the bath or shower.
- Squatting makes the vaginal canal shorter, so this is an excellent position for removal. Get right down towards the ground with your legs apart
- Equally good is sitting on the toilet with your legs apart, and your back upwards and straight
- Alternatively adopt another position that you find comfortable with your legs wide apart
- Use a sequence of small, downward pushes with your vaginal muscles. This should feel like you are opening your bowels but concentrate on using the vaginal muscles only, at the front. Try to be gentle and slow and remember keep breathing!
- As each small push is released, it can feel as though the Mooncup is rising up again, but trust your muscles and after about 5 to 8 small pushes (sometimes more) the Mooncup will be low enough to be able to reach the stem or bottom of the Mooncup, to release the seal and remove it
- Insert your clean index finger and squeeze the base of your Mooncup to release the seal. You may also be able to insert a thumb and finger and push both sides of the Mooncup in.
- You will feel the seal being released (there may be a slight sound, or you will feel the Mooncup fold down on itself), now pull the Mooncup down towards the entrance to the vagina. You may need to fold the Mooncup (as you did on insertion) to allow it to come out of the vaginal opening
- If you start to feel tense, just leave it and try again later
