What Are Menstrual Discs and How Do They Work?

Did you know that there are more than 3.9 billion women on the planet? Considering this number, dealing with menstrual cycles is an important issue.

Many women opt to use tampons or other disposable feminine hygiene products, but these products can be expensive and can even be harmful to the environment. 

This is not to mention that certain products like tampons can cause harmful health reactions such as toxic shock syndrome. Menstrual discs, on the other hand, are safer and easy to use. Some of them are even removable. 

But if you've never heard of a reusable menstrual disc before, you may not know what to expect from it or how to use it. What is the difference between a menstrual disc vs cup? What is the best menstrual disc for you?

To start answering these questions, let's take a look at what a menstrual disc is in the first place. 

What Is a Menstrual Disc

Many people tend to confuse menstrual discs with menstrual cups, and while they are similar, they are not the same thing. A disc is a plastic device (or a device made of other materials) that is designed to be inserted into the vaginal canal where it will sit between the cervix and the vaginal canal. This is different from the design of a menstrual cup because cups sit against the cervix while extending into the vaginal canal. 

Menstrual discs, on the other hand, are much more compact and can be much more comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Unlike tampons that you can wear for only 8 hours or even less, you can safely wear menstrual discs for up to 12 hours. This makes discs extremely convenient for those who have a busy schedule and don't have time to be changing their menstrual products all the time. 

Of course, depending on the heaviness of your flow, you may need to change your menstrual disc more or less often. A flex menstrual disc can be very versatile as well. Many women enjoy menstrual discs because they can engage in sexual intercourse without making a mess. 

The reason this works is that menstrual discs can act much in the same way as a diaphragm. For this reason, neither you nor your partner should be able to feel the menstrual disc during sex. In some cases, there may be leakage, but the overall experience should be much less messy compared to period sex without the menstrual disc. 

Many menstrual discs are also eco-friendly thanks to their reusability. However, not all menstrual discs are reusable, so if you are concerned about the environment, be sure to buy reusable instead of disposable menstrual discs.

How to Insert and Remove Menstrual Discs

You might like the sound of menstrual discs so far, but you now might be wondering how to insert a menstrual disc. Fortunately, the process isn't difficult at all. Before you touch the menstrual disc, be sure to wash and dry your hands so that they are completely clean. 

After all, you don't want to introduce any unpleasant bacteria into your body. Once that's done, you'll need to choose a position in which to insert the disc. Many women find that the easiest position is to squat over the toilet or to elevate one leg on the side of the bath. 

From there, grab your menstrual disc and squeeze it on either side so it folds up. This will make it smaller and easier to insert, much like a tampon. Take the disc and slowly insert it into your vaginal canal. You will want to position it so when you stop pinching it, it will open up and cover the opening to your cervix. 

This is a vital step for preventing leaks. Your best bet for inserting the disk is pushing it as far as it will go. Once you can't push it any further, you can be sure that it is firmly positioned against the cervix. 

Once you have the disc inserted, you don't have to worry about it for the rest of the day. Just be sure to remember to take it out before you go to bed. If it's a reusable disc, don't forget to wash it so bacteria doesn't grow on its surfaces. 

But how should you go about the menstrual disc removal process anyway?

Removing the Menstrual Disc

Removing your menstrual disc is just as easy as inserting it in the first place. Again, before you touch anything, you should wash your hands. When you remove your disc, you don't have as many options in terms of position. 

In fact, you should only sit over the toilet. This will ensure that you won't leak anywhere once you remove the disc. Once you are on the toilet, insert one or two fingers into your vaginal canal until you come in contact with the disc. 

Then, curl one finger around the disc and pull it out. Once you remove it, you can pour its contents into the toilet. If it is a disposable disc, simply throw it out. 

On the other hand, if it is reusable, make sure to wash it well and dry it before putting it in a clean, dry place. Considering that a menstrual disc can hold up to 4 times more fluid than a tampon, you won't have to go through the removal process all that often. 

Everything You Need to Know About Menstrual Discs

If you were unsure about menstrual discs before, you should now know all about them and how they work. Menstrual discs are comfortable and easy to use as well as reusable in some cases. What else could you ask for?

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