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Can you sleep with a menstrual cup in? Yes, you can! In fact, compared to bulky pads or tampons, many DivaCup users prefer it. But don’t take it just from us — even your OBGYN would say so.
“Menstrual cups are designed to be worn for up to 12 hours without risk,” Dr. Matthew Casavant, a board-certified OB/GYN with over two decades of experience in his own practice says, “making them ideal for overnight use.”
If you’re someone who menstruates and you’re still unsure, or you’ve had trouble with leaking or discomfort when sleeping with a menstrual cup in the past, don’t worry! We answer all your burning questions (and even include tips) to help ensure you get a great sleep while using the DivaCup, below.
Common Concerns When Using a Menstrual Cup Overnight
1. You’re not supposed to sleep with a tampon in. Why can you sleep in a menstrual cup, though?
You might be well aware, but in case you’re not, remember: Never sleep in a tampon for more than the recommended time (usually between 4 to 8 hours.) Or you could make the switch to the DivaCup which can be worn for up to 12 hours.
“Yes, you can sleep in a menstrual cup,” Dr. Casavant tells Conscious Cycle, “Unlike tampons, which need changing every 4-8 hours to reduce the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS), menstrual cups do not carry the same risk due to their material, which doesn't disrupt the vaginal environment.”
2. Can my menstrual cup get lost inside my body while I am sleeping?
Ok, let’s get one thing straight: It is impossible for a menstrual cup to get lost inside your body, asleep or awake. Why, though? According to Dr. Casavant, a menstrual cup cannot get lost in the body because of your cervix.
“The cervix acts as a natural barrier, preventing anything from traveling beyond the vaginal canal,” he explains, “I recommend ensuring the cup is placed correctly before sleeping to avoid leakage, though.”
Think of it this way. Your 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 it can’t go anywhere.
3. 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, it’s mpossible!)
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.
If this happens, 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 you’re 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.
4. 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.
“While overnight use is generally safe, if you’re worried about your menstrual cup overflowing, it’s beneficial to check the cup’s capacity and your flow patterns,” Dr. Casavant says.
For reference, our DivaCup models hold:
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.
According to Dr. Savant, if you know you have a heavier flow, the easy fix is to make sure you’re getting the right-sized cup. Over time, the measurement lines on your DivaCup help you keep track of your flow and you can make any necessary changes.
5. 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.
6. What if I sleep for longer than 12 hours?
It’s very important that you empty and clean your DivaCup every 12 hours at most.
“For those who sleep longer than 12 hours, consider setting an alarm or experimenting with changing before bed and after waking up to avoid potential overflow,” Dr. Casavant suggests. Or, you can try another reusable option such as our period underwear or cloth pads.
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!
