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DIVA™ Cup Insertion & Positioning

It’s important to remember that the DIVA™ Cup is not inserted or positioned like a tampon and isn’t worn high near the cervix. Instead, it must be inserted horizontally (toward the tailbone and not up like a tampon) and then rotated easily at least once in either direction to ensure that it’s positioned properly.

Sometimes it helps to try the different folds and allow the cup to open before it’s all the way in. This way you can rotate it more easily and ensure that the cup is fully opened before pushing it all the way in.The best way to practice insertion is to take a deep breath, relax your vaginal muscles and then aim the cup toward your tailbone.

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Pay close attention to your wrist on the hand that is holding the cup. Be sure that as you insert, you aren’t twisting your wrist upwards or doing a “J” motion, but rather that it’s staying straight. If you are turning your wrist as you insert, the menstrual cup is most likely being inserted upwards, rather than horizontally.

We also recommend trying the “push-down” fold, as it can help the cup glide in and open easier and allow you to better position the cup. When you insert the cup horizontally, you should feel it slide into place at the base of the canal and once rotated, should open fully. If you find that the cup is moving up the canal, it’smost likely not fully open. 

Insertion Video

Relaxing the muscles is key as the vaginal muscles are what hold the cup in place and tense muscles will make both insertion and removal uncomfortable. Practicing how to insert a menstrual cup after a hot shower or bath may also help as the muscles are usually more relaxed. Alternatively, running your menstrual cup under warm water may help with easier insertion.   

To relax the muscles: take a deep belly breath, breathe out and release the vaginal muscles (similar to the feeling you have after having to urinate and finally being able to).  

 Note: The tightest part of the vaginal canal is right at the opening. When people feel this tension, they stop inserting it thinking that it cannot be inserted any further. Once past the opening, however, it should be easier to continue to insert as instructed.  

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When inserting, you also want to be sure not to push the tip of the stem further than ½ inch (1.27 cm) into the vagina (4). Inserting the DIVA™ Cup too high may cause leaks and may also make removal more difficult.

The stem of the cup should sit just at the opening of the vaginal canal, between the labia. As the cup is angled horizontally into the vaginal canal, the stem will rest just inside the opening and should not cause irritation as it’s lying flat and not up like a tampon in the canal.

  • Trimming the stem
  • Rotation  
  • Removal

    • If the stem irritates the urethra or vaginal opening once it is positioned correctly, you may remove the cup and trim the stem slightly but no shorter than one quarter (1/4) inch (0.6 cm).

      Cutting the stem completely will make removal difficult. 

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    • Finishing insertion as you rotate the cup can be a great technique for those who have strong vaginal muscles or a tighter vaginal opening. Insertion and rotation are one fluid motion. This allows you more control during rotation and can help ensure the cup is fully open and sealed. The cup should open as you insert, that is normal.  

       It is still important to rotate the cup in either direction. Although you may feel it open, it does not mean it has opened all the way. Often it may feel as if the cup is open, but after feeling around the cup, you might realize that there is still a part of it that is folded in.   

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    • Once inserted, try sliding your finger along the outside of the cup and your vaginal wall, pressing gently on the sides of the cup. This should open the cup fully, creating the seal and will make rotation easier.  

      Taking a deep breath and relaxing the vaginal muscles should help the cup pop open, as the vaginal muscles are what hold the cup in place. Finally, in order to create the seal with the vaginal muscles, grip the base of the cup (not the stem) and turn the cup one full rotation (360 degrees) in either direction.   You can also insert the cup about halfway, pause, and then turn the cup one full rotation as you push it in the rest of the way.  

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    • When removing the DIVA Cup, once again, remember to take a deep breath and relax the vaginal muscles. 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.  

      Gently pull the stem horizontally until you can firmly pinch the base of the menstrual cup to release the seal. Squeeze the cup gently and angle it slightly sideways while moving it from side to side to ensure the seal has released as you remove it. When it is completely removed, keep holding the cup upright so that the contents remain inside the cup. Empty the contents into the toilet, rinse it out, and re-insert.   

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