Periods 101
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Can you pee with a menstrual cup in?
So you’ve just made the switch to zero-waste period care, and it's the first time wearing your menstrual cup, but hang on a second - you’re feeling desperate for a pee!
There’ll be a whirlwind of questions going through your head at that time, such as can I pee with a menstrual cup in? Is it safe? Will the pee go inside my menstrual cup? The first thing you need to do is to take a breather because you’ll be happy to know that it's perfectly safe to pee with your menstrual cup still inside.
But we’re not just going to leave you with that fact. We want you to understand your body better so you can feel safe and comfortable whilst getting used to your menstrual cup.
So, back to the original question.
Can you pee with a menstrual cup still inside?
The short and sweet answer is, yes, you can. You can most definitely pee AND poop with a menstrual cup in. In fact, it's actually pretty simple once you understand your body better. By understanding and being able to identify each of the body parts and what they are responsible for, you can really appreciate how your body is able to do so many amazing things.
Having said that, let’s start off by taking a visit down vulva lane to really make sense of what your body is going through, especially when you menstruate. Then you will be able to fully understand where the menstrual cup sits and why it’s absolutely okay to wear it while peeing and pooping.
Anatomy of a vulva
So this is the part where you learn the names of all your parts. That’s right! It's about time to get to know your intimate bits! First things first, is that you need to know that you have 3 holes, the urethra (where you pee from), the vagina (periods and discharge) and the anus (where you poop from).
Menstrual cups and tampons are worn in the vaginal canal, which is the opening of your vulva beneath the opening of your urethra (the opening through which urine exits.) So, in theory, the menstrual cup does not interfere with urination. As they are two individual and separate holes, your menstrual cup should neither catch nor block your urine path.
Now let's look at the vulva parts in more detail.
Clitoris
The clitoris and clitoral hood are located at the top of the vulva. This organ is made up of millions of nerve endings. The sole purpose of your clitoris is simple: to provide you with a sense of pleasure during sexual activity.
Labia
Next, we have the labia or commonly known as ‘lips’. There are two sets of skin folds around the opening of the vagina. There is a smaller set of labia minora that are hairless and relatively small. A larger set, the labia majora, has hair on its outer surface. The wonderful thing about Labias is that they come in all sorts of colours, sizes and shapes, which makes them unique to each individual.
Vaginal opening
The vagina is an amazing thing. It stretches to accommodate a penis, a baby and two placentas. It’s the second most popular destination for sperm after the egg itself, and it generates a whole new being from a tiny cluster of cells. It can be complicated, but that’s because it’s got the most important job in the world.
The anatomy of the vagina is shaped like a tube or a pear. During the menstrual cycle, the vagina becomes active and releases the menstrual flow (which is made up of the lining of the uterus and the menstrual fluid). Your period cup is placed in the vagina to collect your menstrual fluid.
It’s also the place where sexual intercourse can happen and the natural passageway for a baby to pass through during childbirth. It may seem like the vagina is a tiny part of your body, but it is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful parts of the body.
Urethra
Next we have the urethral opening. Located neatly just under your clitoris, the urethra is a tiny hole where you pee from. It is a tube connected to the bladder that releases urine. Many people have the misconception that menstrual flow and pee come from the same place, but that is not true. While it may appear that the urine is passing from the opening of your vaginal canal, the urethra is actually a separate channel that allows urine to pass.
Anus
Finally, there is the anus, which is the third exit hole. There is a hole at the opening of the rectum, which is responsible for releasing bowel movements (poop). The anus sits slightly away from the vaginal opening, so you’ll have no problem going to the toilet for a poop whilst wearing your menstrual cup or tampon.
Do you need to remove a menstrual cup every time you pee?
The answer is no. Having learned about how urine exits the bladder through the urethra, as well as how menstrual blood (plus mucus, secretions, and the uterine lining) exits from the vagina, you now know that you should have no problem peeing with a menstrual cup in. But what happens if you start to experience problems? There are several factors to consider when it comes to wearing a period cup comfortably, but one of the most important is how you insert and position your cup.
Oh and if you're worried about dropping your menstrual cup down the toilet (it happens!) we've got a blog all about what to do.
The importance of menstrual cup positioning
Another common question we get is, ‘why do I feel the urge to pee when my menstrual cup is in’? Sometimes if the menstrual cup is not inserted correctly or placed too low, it can push against the bladder, giving you the feeling of wanting to pee or slight discomfort. To avoid this, you’ll need to readjust your period cup to avoid pressure on the bladder. Alternatively, you may find that the period cup size is not quite right for you. Check out our menstrual cup size guide to find the right cup size for you.
If you have any questions about your menstrual cup, we’ll be happy to help. Email customercare@wearemooncup.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
