Can You Use a Menstrual Cup or Disc with an IUD?

Key Takeaways:

• Many people can use a menstrual cup with an IUD (intrauterine device), but research suggests cup use may raise the chance of the IUD slipping out of place. That’s why it’s worth talking with the healthcare provider who placed your IUD before you start.
• The concern with menstrual cups and IUDs centers on taking the cup out, not wearing it. Pulling a cup out while its suction seal is still in place, or accidentally pinching the IUD strings that hang into the vagina, can tug the IUD out of position.
• People who use a menstrual cup with an IUD can ask their provider how long to wait after insertion and whether the IUD strings can be trimmed shorter. They can also pinch the base of the cup to break the suction seal before pulling it out.
• A menstrual disc doesn’t use suction; it rests in the wider space around the cervix, so there’s no seal to break during removal. Hooking a disc out can still catch the IUD strings, though, and no studies have looked at menstrual discs and IUDs directly yet.
• The NHS suggests checking your IUD strings regularly, such as after each period. IUD strings that feel longer, shorter or missing, new cramping, or unusual bleeding can be signs the IUD has moved and are worth a call to your provider.

You’ve got your IUD contraception sorted, and now you’re eyeing reusable period care too. So, can you use a menstrual cup with an IUD? For many people, yes, with some caution and a conversation with your clinician first.

Studies suggest a menstrual cup may raise the risk of IUD expulsion, mostly when suction or a pinch on your IUD strings happens during removal. The good news: menstrual cups and discs can still fit into your routine with a few smart habits.

Below, we get into what the research actually says, why a disc behaves differently than a cup, and the removal moves that go easy on your IUD.

Can a Menstrual Cup or Disc Dislodge Your IUD?

As period cups and discs gain popularity, more research is being conducted to confirm their safety and efficacy, in particular answering the question of whether period cups are safe to use with an IUD.

Let’s cut right to the chase: when considering the research that has been conducted thus far, there could be an increased risk of IUD expulsion with menstrual cup use.

Here’s a quick look at how each product sits and what to watch for when it comes out:

Right now, there are no medical studies assessing the risk of IUD expulsion with menstrual discs. There are a few studies that look into IUD expulsion with menstrual cups.

It’s important to differentiate between the two products, because menstrual cups rely on mild suction to stay in place, while menstrual discs are held in place by their rim in the vaginal fornix.

A menstrual cup sits lower in the vaginal canal, and researchers point to two likely mechanisms for IUD expulsion with menstrual cup use: suction that can dislodge the IUD as the cup comes out, and fingers accidentally pulling on IUD strings, which hang through the cervix into the top of the vagina. That’s why removing the cup, not wearing it, is the risky part.

How a Menstrual Disc With an IUD Works Differently

A disc skips the suction. It rests in the vaginal fornix (the wider space around your cervix), with its rim tucked behind the pubic bone, so there’s no seal to break. That’s a real difference for anyone weighing the menstrual disc IUD question.

Still, removal means hooking the rim close to where your strings hang, and no studies have looked at discs and IUDs directly yet.

What the Research Says About Menstrual Cups and IUDs

Short version: a few studies suggest people who use a menstrual cup are more likely to have their IUD slip out of place, but the research is still pretty thin.

Doctors call this IUD expulsion, which just means the IUD moves partly or fully out of the uterus. It can happen with or without a cup, so let's start with how often it happens on its own.

A 2014 study in Obstetrics & Gynecology tracked expected IUD expulsion rates over three years, with no cup in the picture:

Put simply, about 1 in 10 IUDs came out within three years without a cup involved, and age mattered more than whether the IUD was hormonal or copper.

A few other risk factors doctors have linked to IUD expulsion include:

• Having an IUD come out before
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Being younger
• Getting the IUD placed right after giving birth

What Studies on Menstrual Cups Found

With that baseline in mind, here’s what the research on menstrual cups and IUDs has found so far:

• The biggest study so far:

  A three-year trial followed about 1,100 people with copper IUDs, and roughly a quarter of them used a menstrual cup.

  After one year, 14% of cup users had their IUD come out, compared with 5% of people who didn’t use a cup, according to early results in Obstetrics & Gynecology. About a third of those cup users said it happened while they were taking the cup out.

• The three-year results:

  When the full results were published in 2024, 23.2% of menstrual cup users versus 9.4% of non-users had their IUD come out. Cup users also had a higher risk of accidental IUD removal, and the link held for one of the two copper IUDs tested but not the other, so IUD type may matter too.

• What those researchers concluded:

  IUD users should be cautioned that concurrent menstrual cup use increases the risk of IUD expulsion, and expulsion risk continues with ongoing menstrual cup use. In plain terms, the risk didn’t fade for people who kept using a cup.

• A small 2019 case series:

  Doctors in Colorado described seven people (10 IUDs in total, since a couple of them had it happen more than once) whose IUDs came out while they were removing a menstrual cup. Many said they had accidentally pulled or pinched their IUD strings.

• An early, short study:

  A 2012 study of 930 people getting an IUD found no extra risk with the use of menstrual cups or tampons. About 2.5% of IUDs came out in the first six weeks, regardless of menstrual hygiene product use. That's a short window, though.

What the Research Adds Up To

A 2023 systematic review (basically a study of studies) pulled together the research on menstrual cup use and intrauterine device (IUD) expulsion.

Across seven reports, it counted 73 cases of partial or total IUD expulsion, with expulsion rates among menstrual cup users ranging from 3.7% to 18.6%.

The authors’ verdict: there’s a possible link between IUD expulsion and concomitant menstrual cup use (using a cup while you have an IUD), but the evidence is limited and better studies are needed.

The research also didn’t track which cups people used, how long their IUD strings were, or personal risk factors for IUD displacement or expulsion.

So for now, caution makes sense when using menstrual cups with IUDs.

The good news is that the riskiest moment, taking the cup out, is also the one you have the most control over.

How to Use a Menstrual Cup Safely With an IUD

Maybe you’re still considering making the switch to a menstrual cup or disc even with your IUD (yay you!). Here are some things that may help lower your risk of expulsion.

1. Talk to your clinician first:

   Let them know you’d like to use menstrual cups with your IUD so they can weigh in on your IUD type and history before you use a menstrual cup and IUD together.

2. Wait for the green light after insertion:

   There’s no universal waiting period, but the NHS notes an IUD is most likely to move or come out within three months of being fitted, so ask when it makes sense to use a cup.

3. Ask about trimming your strings:

   Some cup makers suggest asking whether your clinician can cut the IUD strings shorter so they’re less likely to get pinched during cup removal. Shorter strings could make it trickier to remove an IUD later, though certainly not impossible.

4. Check your strings after each period:

   The NHS suggests checking that your IUD is in place regularly, such as after each period.

How to Break the Seal Before Removing Your Menstrual Cup

The goal is to break the seal on your menstrual cup before removing it, not after. Here’s a menstrual cup removal technique worth practicing:

1. Wash hands and relax: Relax your pelvic floor muscles completely. Tensing can draw the cervix and cup higher.
2. Locate the base, not the stem: Gently follow the stem upward to locate the base of the cup. Never yank on the stem alone, as pulling against active suction can tug on the IUD. Pinch the base of the cup until you feel the suction release.
3. Ease the cup down slowly: Keep the base pinched to prevent re-sealing, and slowly walk the cup out in a gentle zig-zag motion, ensuring your fingers are clear of your IUD strings.
4. Final check: Once you’re done removing the cup, check it for your IUD before emptying it.

Signs Your IUD May Have Moved

If you use an IUD, it can sometimes shift or slip out without much warning, which is why checking in matters. According to the NHS, it’s time to get help if you can’t feel your IUD strings or they feel different.

Strings can feel a little different as your cervix changes throughout your menstrual cycle, but strings that seem longer, shorter, or missing, new cramping, or unusual bleeding are all worth a call to your clinician. The NHS also advises using backup contraception until your IUD has been checked.

Can You Use a Menstrual Disc With an IUD?

So, can you use a menstrual disc with an IUD? Many people can, with the same care at removal.

If you are uncertain about whether a Saalt Cup is right for you, you may want to consider using a Saalt Disc instead. As we covered above, a disc doesn’t rely on suction, so there’s no seal to break.

As an added benefit, the Saalt Disc can be worn for less-messy period sex! The Saalt Disc is not a contraceptive and will not protect against STIs, but its low-profile shape and position in the vaginal fornix allow it to be used during penetrative sex.

We still recommend consulting with a doctor before switching to a disc, as there is a potential risk of pulling on the string of an IUD when removing a menstrual disc with an IUD in place.

Because menstrual discs are only recently gaining popularity, there is more research needed to determine if they are a better option for IUD users than menstrual cups or tampons.

If your doctor recommends avoiding inserted products but you want to opt for a sustainable product, consider period underwear for your leakproof needs.

Learn: Are disposable menstrual discs or reusable menstrual discs right for you?

How to Remove a Menstrual Disc Safely With an IUD

1. Bear down gently: Engage your pelvic floor (like taking a gentle bowel movement) to push the front rim of the disc forward from behind the pubic bone.
2. Hook the rim from underneath: Insert a clean finger horizontally. Hook your finger under the rim or use the removal notch/finger tab.
3. Avoid pinching blind: Keep your finger flat against the disc rim rather than pinching blindly inside the vaginal fornix to avoid catching your IUD strings.
4. Pull out level and slow: Slide the disc out horizontally, keeping it parallel to the floor to prevent spills and avoid dragging across the opening of your cervix (external cervical os).

Find the Right Saalt Period Care for You

If you feel ready to make the switch to a menstrual cup or menstrual disc, start with fit. Our Saalt Menstrual Cups and Menstrual Discs come in different sizes and firmnesses, and our Saalt Disc comes in two sizes to suit different bodies and flows.

If your doctor advises against internal products with an IUD, you still have a comfortable option. Saalt Period Underwear protects against leaks with nothing inserted, so there’s no suction or tugging anywhere near your IUD strings. It comes in a range of styles and absorbencies, from light days to heavy flow and overnight.

Whichever route you choose, knowing your options makes managing your period with an IUD feel a lot less like guesswork.

Treat your doctor as your teammate: ask for their opinion, weigh the pros and cons together, and do what feels right for your body.

FAQs About Menstrual Cups and IUDs

How long after IUD insertion can I use a menstrual cup?

There’s no single official waiting period, and some cup makers suggest delaying the use of a menstrual cup after insertion. Since an IUD is most likely to move in the first few months, many people ask their clinician at insertion or at a follow-up visit when it makes sense to start. Your clinician knows your IUD and history best.

Can you use a menstrual cup with Mirena or a copper IUD?

Mirena is a hormonal IUD, and both hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs have strings that sit near the cervix. Most research on cups so far looked at copper IUDs, while case reports include both types. Expulsion has been reported with each, so the same removal care applies either way.

Which menstrual cup is best to use with an IUD?

No study has shown that one menstrual cup is safer with an IUD than another, and the research so far didn’t track which cups people used. Fit matters for comfort, so many people choose a cup size based on their cervix height and flow, then focus on breaking the seal before removal.

Can my period push out my IUD?

Sometimes. An IUD that slips out usually does so during a period, within the first few months after insertion. Research has also linked heavy periods and younger age to a higher risk of expulsion, which is one reason checking your strings after each period can be helpful.

Can I use a tampon with an IUD?

Many people do. A study found no increase in early IUD expulsion among people using tampons, though it only followed participants for six weeks. Like cups, tampons sit near your IUD strings, so gentle removal still matters. If your strings ever feel different, check in with your clinician.

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician, gynecologist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, vaginal health, or the compatibility of reusable menstrual products with your body. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately contact a doctor or call your local emergency services.

Sources

• Long J, et al. (2020, May) Menstrual Cup Use and Intrauterine Device Expulsion in a Copper Intrauterine Device Contraceptive Efficacy Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.AOG.0000662872.89062.83
• Brown JE, et al. (2024, June) Menstrual cup use and intrauterine device expulsion in a copper intrauterine device randomized trial. Contraception. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.contraception.2024.110415
• Bowman N, Thwaites A. (2023, January 21) Menstrual cup and risk of IUD expulsion: a systematic review. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9863186/
• Madden T, et al. (2014) Association of age and parity with intrauterine device expulsion. Obstetrics & Gynecology. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000000475
• NHS. Intrauterine device (IUD). https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/iud/
• Clinician.com (2019, August 1) Menstrual Cups: Risk for IUD Expulsion? https://www.clinician.com/articles/144771-menstrual-cups-risk-for-iud-expulsion
• National Library of Medicine. (2012, March 28) Does using tampons or menstrual cups increase early IUD expulsion rates? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22464406/