The DIVA Cup offers up to 12 hours of leak-free protection, right? So, why does your menstrual cup keep leaking? 

Don't worry: If you’re Googling ‘Did I put my menstrual cup in right?’ or ‘Menstrual cup leaking when I sleep’ then we've got you civered — especially if you’re experiencing leaking problems when using your DIVA Cup. Let’s dive into the six reasons this might be happening, below, and how to fix it. 

1. You’re New to Menstrual Cups

If you’re new to menstrual cups and notice leaking, it could just be part of the learning curve. Using a menstrual cup isn’t the same as using a tampon. Even though both are internal period products, they’re very different. For starters, menstrual cups collect flow; tampons absorb.

The truth is that many people experience a learning curve when using a menstrual cup for the first time, which is why we have so many helpful resources on our website.

Not sure how to insert a menstrual cup? We’ve got you covered. Confused about how to remove your period cup? No problem. Not sure how to care and clean for your new DIVA Cup? We can help with that one too. And our Consumer Experience Team is always here if you still have any questions or concerns.

Whether you’re using a menstrual cup for the first time or have been for a while, there is most definitely a reason why your menstrual cup keeps leaking, so let’s find it. 

2. Your Menstrual Cup Isn’t Inserted Correctly

The most probable cause of leaking is that your menstrual cup isn’t inserted correctly. Remember: the DIVA Cup is designed to be worn horizontally, toward the tailbone, at the base of the vaginal canal.

“I've seen situations where menstrual cups can leak due to improper placement or seal formation,” Dr. Matthew Casavant, an OBGYN explains.

As the doctor said, the best way to prevent leakage is to insert it correctly. Here are some tips to help with that:

• Relax your muscles and then aim the cup toward your tailbone. 
• Pay close attention to your wrist on the hand that is holding the cup. 
• Be sure that as you insert, you are not twisting your wrist upwards, but rather that it is staying straight. 
• If you are turning your wrist as you insert, the cup is most likely also being inserting upwards, rather than horizontally.
• We would also recommend trying our “Push Down” fold option as this can help the cup glide in easier, open and allow you to better position the cup at the opening. 
• When you insert the cup horizontally, you should feel it slide into place at the base of the vaginal canal and open. If you find the cup is moving up the canal, it is most likely not fully open.

“To prevent leakage, I often recommend trying different folding techniques, like the C-fold or punch-down fold, to see which provides a better fit or seal,” he suggests, “Some patients benefit from repositioning or rotating the cup once inserted. Experimenting with these methods can reduce the likelihood of leaks.”

For further instructions check out our menstrual cup insertion video.

3. Your Menstrual Cup Isn’t Opening Fully

Another reason you might have leaking, Dr. Casavant adds, is that the cup might not be fully open or is positioned incorrectly, resulting in gaps.

The reason your menstrual cup keeps leaking could be because the cup is not opening fully. Often times it may feel as if the cup is open, but after feeling around it, you may realize there is still a part of it that is folded in. 

To fix this, 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.

“Ensuring the cup unfolds completely and creates a vacuum seal can mitigate this issue,” he explains

4. Your Menstrual Cup is Inserted Too High

Another reason? You might not have such a great experience is because you’re inserting your cup too high.

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

The DIVA Cup is designed to sit low at the base of the vaginal canal, pointed towards the tailbone, away from the cervix. If you find that your cervix sits lower and you want to make sure it can still be distant friends with the DIVA Cup, it’s important to know that many people with a low cervix find great success with the DIVA Cup, since it’s designed to sit low. 

If you have any questions about the DIVA Cup and your cervix, our Consumer Experience Team can walk you through it and answer any questions you have. They can be reached at support@divacup.com.

5. You Haven’t Created a Seal

If it’s inserted correctly, the DIVA Cup shouldn’t leak, because you’ve created a seal. If not, you’ll notice.

To create a seal, insert the DIVA Cup, grip the base of the cup (not the stem), and turn the cup one complete rotation – 360 degrees.

Another issue may be that one of the four holes around the brim could be blocked. You can test this by filling the cup with water, placing your palm over the opening, flipping the cup over and squeezing the water out. You want to ensure water is flowing through all four holes. These are important to ensure the seal is properly in place. Here’s a how to video on cleaning the four holes.

4. You’re Using the Wrong Menstrual Cup Size

Size does matters sometimes. When choosing a menstrual cup, it’s important to do your research into what size is most appropriate for you. If you believe you’ve inserted the DIVA Cup correctly but are still experiencing leaking, you might have the wrong size.

The DIVA Cup comes in three different sizes for different life stages:

• Model 0: For lighter flow days; 4 regular tampon capacity ​
  Best for teens under 18 or first-time users
  Fit for slim vaginal canals
• Model 1: For medium to heavy flow days; 5 regular tampon capacity​
  Best for ages 18+
  Most popular size cup
• Model 2: For medium to very heavy flow days; 6 regular tampon capacity​
  Best for ages 35+ or those with wider vaginal canals
  Fit for post-partum bodies

However, just because you fit into one age group doesn’t mean that will necessarily be the right fit for you. If your DIVA Cup doesn’t feel right, connect with our Consumer Experience Team and they can help you.

5. You Have Strong Pelvic Floor Muscles OR They Need to be Strengthened

Some women have also found that if their menstrual cup leaks, rides up near the cervix, or slides down, the vaginal muscles (pelvic floor muscles) may need to be strengthened utilizing exercises such as Kegels.

Alternatively, it may also be due to having strong vaginal muscles.

Either way, if you think this could be the problem, we recommend you talk with a healthcare provider or a pelvic health physiotherapist as they can offer you some additional insight.

Check out our guest post by Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Keri Martin Vrbanac on Your Pelvic Health and the DIVA Cup.

6. Your Menstrual Cup is Full

Finally, the answer could simply be your menstrual cup leaking problems are because it’s full and overflowing. Some people experience heavier periods and find they need to empty and clean their menstrual cup every few hours, even though the DIVA Cup can be worn for up to 12 hours.

If you notice your DIVA Cup is full when you empty it, and you have leaks, we recommend to empty and clean it more often.

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is based on research and information available at the time of writing. As new research is made available, we will work to update and adjust our content as appropriate. If you have general questions, or concerns related to your own individual circumstances, please contact our Consumer Experience Team, or speak to a healthcare practitioner for more specific questions about your individual circumstances.