How to Remove a Menstrual Disc (Without the Mess)

Key Takeaways:

• Relaxing your pelvic muscles before you reach in makes a menstrual disc easier to remove, since tense muscles tend to hold it higher and tighter.
• Gently bearing down, the way you would during a bowel movement, can bring a disc lower and within reach of your finger.
• Keeping a disc level as it comes out, and leaning back slightly, helps limit spills during removal.
• Removing a disc in the shower is one of the least messy options, because any spills rinse straight down the drain.
• A menstrual disc can’t get lost inside the body: the vagina ends at the cervix, and the cervix opening is far too small for a disc to pass through.
• If a disc stays hard to reach after a few calm tries, a healthcare provider or gynecologist can help remove it.

Using a menstrual disc can be a total game-changer: hello comfort, longer wear time, and leak protection! But let’s be real: removing it can feel a little intimidating, and sometimes things get messy.

Here’s the good news: removing a menstrual disc comes down to a few simple moves. Relax, bear down gently, hook the rim, and pull it out slowly while keeping it level.

Below we’ll break down each step in detail, including the shower trick, and what to do if your disc plays hide-and-seek.

How to Remove a Menstrual Disc Step by Step

The easiest way to get your disc out is one calm step at a time. Here’s a quick look at all seven steps before we get into the details:

Step	What to Do	Why It Helps
1. Wash your hands	Soap and water before you reach in	Keeps things clean
2. Relax	Take a deep breath and loosen up	Tense muscles hold the disc tighter
3. Find your position	Sit on the toilet, squat, or prop one leg up	Brings the disc closer to your fingers
4. Bear down, hook, and pull	Push gently, then hook the notch or rim	Brings the disc lower and within reach
5. Keep it level	Keep it upright and lean back slightly	Less spilling on the way out
6. Go slow	Pull slowly and steadily downwards and out	More control, fewer surprises
7. Empty and rinse	Empty, rinse with cold water, then wash	Clean and ready to reinsert

Now for the details, plus a few small tricks that make each step easier.

1. Wash Your Hands First

Start with clean hands! It’s a simple step, but it keeps things hygienic and gets you ready to reach in.

2. Try Your Best to Relax

Your pelvic muscles will try to hold onto the disc if you’re tense, making removal trickier. Take a few deep breaths, shake it out, and try to get your body to relax a bit before reaching in for removal.

3. Find Your Best Position

Try sitting on the toilet, squatting in the shower, or propping one leg up on the toilet seat. Pick whatever feels most comfortable and gives you easy access and an easy cleanup. Different positions change how close the disc sits, so if one isn’t working, switch it up.

4. Bear Down, Hook It, and Pull

First, bear down gently with your pelvic floor muscles, like you’re having a bowel movement. According to Healthline, bearing down can help when you’re having trouble reaching your disc, since it nudges it lower.

Insert a clean finger and hook it under the handy removal notch of your Saalt Disc (it’s designed to make Saalt Disc removal easier). If that’s tricky for you to do, try using two fingers to pinch the rim before gently pulling it out.

5. Keep It Level and Lean Back

As you pull, keep the disc as level as possible to avoid spilling. Leaning back slightly can also help it come out more upright, which means less mess.

But keep in mind that if your disc is pretty full when you go to remove it, there likely is going to be some spilling no matter what, since the disc does need to fold a bit to be removed.

Once the disc reaches your vaginal opening, tilting it slightly upward helps keep everything contained until you’re ready to empty it.

6. Go Slow and Steady

There’s no need to rush removal. Pull the disc out slowly and steadily to keep things under control and prevent leaks as best as you can.

7. Empty and Rinse

Dump the contents into the toilet or sink, then rinse the disc with cold water first (to avoid stains) before washing it with warm water and your Saalt Cup Wash (or another gentle, fragrance-free soap).

Empty your disc at least every 12 hours, and sanitize it between periods by boiling it or using a steamer.

Watch: How to Remove a Saalt Disc

Sometimes it’s easier to see it than read it. This quick instructional video walks through Saalt Disc removal from start to finish, notch and all:

 

 

Tips for Mess-Free Menstrual Disc Removal

Got the steps down? These extras are all about how to remove a menstrual disc without mess, so your bathroom (and your underwear) stay a whole lot cleaner.

Try the Shower Method

If you want the least messy option, remove your disc in the shower. Squat, relax, and follow the same steps, and any spills rinse right down the drain.

It’s a great move for your first few tries or on heavier days. Not a shower person? Sitting over the toilet or bathtub works too.

Once it’s out, rinse your disc with cold water, then wash it with warm water and a gentle, fragrance-free soap before you reinsert.

Try the Two-Handed Approach

Some people find it easier to use one hand to remove the disc while the other hand helps keep it pinched as it comes out to help avoid a splash. This can give you better grip and control while also keeping your disc level.

Expect Some Extra Fluid

Sometimes, a little blood or fluid is left behind in the vaginal canal after removing your disc.

Usually, if you’re in the shower or over the toilet, it’s easy to rinse or wipe away, but it’s important to keep in mind that this may show up a little later, even after you’ve replaced your disc.

Our best-kept not-so-secret way to deal with this? Wear a pair of Saalt Wear Leakproof Period Underwear to catch any residual flow from removal or reinsertion. Regular and Light absorbencies are both made to back up a cup or disc. Au revoir forever stained undies!

Plus, leakproof underwear is a great backup should your disc overflow before you’re able to change it too. Peace of mind, plus comfort? Sign us up.

Keep Wipes Nearby

A quick clean-up can make the process feel way more manageable too. We recommend having a Saalt Intimate Cleansing Wipe or two handy for a comfortable & gentle wipe-down.

Gentle on your vulva and safe for silicone discs, they make this the perfect removal sidekick; then simply flush it (one at a time) or toss it.

It’s that easy!

Practice Makes Perfect

If it’s your first few times, don’t stress; it gets easier! After a couple of periods, you’ll find the technique that works best for you. The more you use the disc, the more confidently you’ll pop it in and out.

What to Do If Your Menstrual Disc Feels Stuck

First things first: take a deep breath. A disc cannot get lost inside your body. Your vagina is a closed space that ends at your cervix, and the tiny opening in your cervix is far too small for a disc to slip through to your uterus.

So if your disc feels stuck inside, it’s usually just sitting a little higher or tucked further back than usual.

Here’s a quick look at what might be going on and what to try:

What’s Going On	What to Try
It moved up into the fornix (the space around your cervix)	Bear down gently or squat to bring it lower
Your muscles are tense or starting to cramp	Wait a few minutes, breathe, and try again
You have a high cervix	Try different positions, like propping one leg up
The rim is hard to reach	There’s no tampon string, and you can’t grab the stem like with a cup, so insert a finger alongside the disc and hook the front rim or your disc’s notch

A few more things worth knowing if you’re dealing with a stuck menstrual disc:

If you’re a first-time user, this is especially common, and it can happen more often with a higher cervix.

If you’re thinking, “It’s stuck behind my pubic bone,” give your body a few minutes, then go back to step 2 (relax) and step 4 (bear down, hook, and pull). Switching to a different finger or hand can make the rim easier to catch, too.

Try not to tug hard on whatever you can reach, since that can cause discomfort. And if you’ve ever had a menstrual cup stuck and had to pinch the base to break the seal, good news: a disc generally doesn’t rely on suction, so there’s no seal to break.

If you’ve tried for a while and still aren’t able to reach it, or something just doesn’t feel right, reach out to your healthcare provider or gynecologist. They can help, no judgment (they’ve truly seen it all).

Find the Right Saalt Disc for You

Give these tips a shot and see what works for you. If you’re still finding the right fit, the Saalt Disc comes in two sizes, both made from 100% medical-grade silicone: Regular for new disc users or a high cervix, and Small for a lower cervix or lighter flow.

Not sure which is the right size? The Saalt Disc Duo is a pack of 2 with both sizes. With proper care, each disc lasts up to 10 years, which means a lot less disposable waste. And hey, if period discs aren’t your thing, that’s okay too!

A menstrual cup, like our Saalt Cup, may be your perfect match instead. The goal is to find what makes your period experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. 💖 You’ve got this!

Menstrual Disc Removal FAQs

Can you remove a menstrual disc during a bowel movement?

You can, and lots of people find it easier, since bearing down while pooping naturally brings the disc lower. Pushing can also nudge a disc out of place or let it partly empty on its own, so it’s worth checking your disc afterward, or simply taking it out, emptying it, and reinserting it while you’re already on the toilet.

How often should you remove a menstrual disc?

Remove and empty your disc at least every 12 hours. You might need to do it sooner on heavier days, depending on your flow. Wash it with a gentle, fragrance-free soap at least every 12 hours, and sanitize it between periods by boiling it or using a Saalt Steamer.

How do I know if my disc is self-emptying or not inserted correctly?

Some people notice their disc self-empties when they pee or poop, since bearing down can dislodge it for a moment. A little leaking at those times is common. Leaking all day is a different story: it may point to improper placement, like the disc not being tucked behind your pubic bone, or the wrong size for your body. A differently sized disc may fit better.

Can you pee with a menstrual disc in?

Yes. A disc sits in your vaginal fornix, tucked behind your pubic bone, and you pee from a separate opening (your urethra). So you can pee with your disc in place. If you notice a little leaking after you go, push the disc back up with a clean finger so it’s snug again.

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.