Yes! You can sleep with a menstrual cup in! In fact, compared to bulky pads or tampons, many DivaCup users prefer it. Tampons should never be worn for more than the recommended time (usually between 4 to 8 hours); the DivaCup can be worn for up to 12 hours. If you’re still unsure, or you’ve had trouble with leaking or discomfort when sleeping with a menstrual cup in in the past, don’t worry! We have a few tips to help ensure you get a great sleep while using the DivaCup. 

Common Concerns When Using a Menstrual Cup Overnight 

Can my menstrual cup get lost inside my body while I am sleeping? 

It is impossible for a menstrual cup to get lost inside your body, asleep or awake. The vaginal canal is an elastic, muscular tube only about 3-4 inches long until it reaches the cervix, which stops the menstrual cup from going into the uterus. It does not connect to other parts of the body so your menstrual cup will not get lost.  

What if I can’t reach my menstrual cup in the morning? 

First, do not panic. Your menstrual cup may have shifted upwards while you were sleeping but it is not lost inside of you (as mentioned above, that’s impossible). 

The vaginal muscles are what hold the DivaCup in place. Sometimes during sleep the muscles relax a bit more than when you are awake, which may loosen the positioning of your menstrual cup, causing it to slightly move. To help bring it back down, simply take a deep breath and relax your pelvic floor muscles. To do this, take a deep breath in, breathe out and release the pelvic floor muscles (like the feeling you have after having to urinate and finally being able to). Once relaxed and in a comfortable position (standing, sitting on the toilet, or squatting), gently insert your thumb and index finger into your vagina until you can reach the stem.  

To remove your menstrual cup, gently pull the stem horizontally until you can firmly pinch the base of the cup to release the air. Squeeze the cup gently, and angle it slightly sideways while moving it from side to side to release the seal as you remove it. When it is completely removed, hold the cup upright so that the contents remain inside the cup. Simply empty the contents into the toilet. 

If after trying our tips, you are still unable to remove the DivaCup we would recommend that you seek medical assistance for removal of the DivaCup. 

Won’t my menstrual cup overflow if I wear it all night? 

Most likely not. The DivaCup provides up to 12 hours of leak-free protection. Since most people sleep an average of 7-9 hours each night, you shouldn’t have to worry about leaking while you sleep.  

The average person may lose anywhere between 70-80 ml of fluid during menstruation. 35-40ml of that is blood and the rest is mucus and uterine tissue. That means that on average, approximately 50% of what is lost during menstruation is blood.

It is not uncommon, however, to lose between 160-170ml of fluid or up to 80ml of blood. Still, 95% of menstruators lose less than 80ml of blood during the course of their period. This is, on average, over the course of 4-7 days, so it is unlikely that 30ml will be exceeded in one night.

Our DivaCup Model 1 holds 30 ml of menstrual flow, Model 2 holds 32 ml, and Model 0 holds 20 ml of flow. For comparison, the average regular sized tampon holds about 5 ml of menstrual flow. 

However, some people do experience heavier periods and find they need to empty and clean their menstrual cup every few hours. Therefore, it’s a good idea to try the DivaCup throughout the day first to learn your flow. The measurement lines on your DivaCup help you keep track of your flow. You can report these details to a healthcare provider if needed. 

My menstrual cup isn’t full, so why does it still leak? 

We do know of some, who while sleeping, may experience leaking due to their muscles relaxing so much that it loosens the seal of the cup. For this reason, ensuring the cup is angled correctly and inserted properly is important. For more tips on how to insert the DivaCup, check out our video about insertion. If you are still having difficulties, please reach out to our Consumer Experience Team.   

What if I sleep for a longer than 12 hours? 

It’s very important that you empty and clean your DivaCup every 12 hours at most. If you’re not feeling well, or think you may sleep for longer than 12 hours for whatever reason, we recommend you either set your alarm to get up, empty and clean your DivaCup and then go back to sleep. Or, you can try another reusable option such as period underwear or cloth pads. 

It’s also important to know the DivaCup is only regulated to be worn for 8 hours in Australia.

Get a Good Sleep with the DivaCup

Getting enough sleep is so important for your overall health! Even more so when you’re on your period and likely more tired than usual. Although it’s common to have trouble sleeping while you have your period, there are some things you can do to for better sleep during your menstrual cycle. 

Sweet dreams!