Menstrual cups have taken the market by storm. They are easy to clean, reusable for up to a decade and one of the most comfortable things you’ll wear on your period. Period discs are rising in popularity because they are comfortable, easy to use, great for women with a low cervix and you can even wear them for no-mess period sex. We explore today why using a menstrual disc will change your life for the better.
How does a menstrual disc work?
A menstrual disc is designed to hug your cervix, but up by your vaginal fornix and then get tucked behind the pubic bone. This situation is ideal for someone with a low cervix as there is nothing actually in the vaginal canal that could poke out or cause discomfort. No more having to worry about what menstrual cup will work for you!
Are menstrual discs better than menstrual cups?
In short, only you can answer that! They both have their perks, it’s up to you to figure out what works best for you. If you’ve struggled with feeling your menstrual cup and being uncomfortable, you might want to try a Pixie Disc. Because the disc is designed to touch your vaginal fornix, you shouldn’t be able to feel it at all.
Another perk you will have with a disc that you physically don’t have with a menstrual cup is mess-free period sex. This fact alone is setting period discs apart in the period community! Discs are designed to hug the cervix and be tucked behind the pubic bone. Because of this, your disc is not obstructing the vaginal canal and shouldn’t be felt by either partner during sex. [insert mind blowing emoji here]
Another point for period discs is the fact that it’s one size fits all. No more worrying about what size menstrual cup will work with your anatomy. (Isn’t this getting better and better?)
What is the difference between discs and cups?
While the concept is similar to each other (silicone cup-like objects in the vagina) menstrual cups and discs do differ slightly. A menstrual cup is bell-shaped and sits in the vaginal canal, creating a seal to the vaginal wall. A menstrual disc is, well, a disc-shaped silicone catch that fits back into your vaginal fornix, where the cervix meets the vagina.
Are menstrual discs safe?
The short answer to this is yes. The concept is similar to a menstrual cup – a medical-grade silicone cup-like device that is designed to be worn inside the vagina and collect menses. Pixie Discs are approved to wear up to 12 hours between emptying and washing! Washing your menstrual cup or disc is crucial to the life of the cup and also to your health. The Pixie Disc fits perfectly in our UV Sterilizer or Pixie Cup Steamer!
How do you insert a menstrual disc?
- Wash your hands, friend!
- Use your thumb and pointer finger to squeeze the rim of Pixie Disc so it looks more like a figure eight.
- You’re going to want to position yourself so your cervix is easy to reach. This is best achieved by sitting on a toilet, one leg up on the shower ledge or in a squatting position. Use your pointer finger to insert the rim of the disc and push as far back as is comfortable. Angle the disc back and down so the rim of the disc tucks around the backside of your cervix.
- Move your finger to the front rim, and push up, tucking the rim behind your pubic bone. This will secure the Pixie Disc and catch your flow.
What about removing a menstrual disc?
You can wear Pixie Disc for up to 12 hours. We recommend that you empty your disc no less than 2 times per 24 hour period. You might need to empty more frequently on your heavy flow days.
Make sure you wash your hands and sit over the toilet. (hint: a lot of us like taking it out in the shower!)
- Make sure your hands are freshly washed.
- Relax your body, and remember Pixie Disc is one of the few period discs on the market with a removal pull-string! Feel around for the thin silicone string and gentle pull. You should feel the disc dislodge.
- If you have cut off your string, insert your finger and hook it behind the front rim of the disc
- Pour your menstrual fluid into the toilet, wash your cup thoroughly with Pixie Wash, and reinsert. If it’s not possible for you to wash your cup, like you’re in a public restroom or camping, you may reinsert as long as your hands are clean. We recommend not going more than 24 hours without actually washing your cup though. This will keep bacteria, odor and staining at bay.
Troubleshooting a stuck disc
First off, relax. If you’re tense, your vaginal muscles will be tense and will make the process difficult. I learned the term ‘Flabby Face, Flabby Fanny’ from @thenakeddula on Instagram. Meaning, if you purposely relax your jaw and face, your pelvic region will respond in a relaxed state as well.
It’s natural to have a learning curve when adjusting to your Pixie Disc.
If you find that you cannot find the pull string or the rim that you tucked behind the pubic bone, try squatting, as this will bring your cervix closer to your reach.
Don’t forget!
Pixie Disc comes with a silicone pull string! We totally understand that using a disc might be a new experience for you and we wanted to make it as stress-free as possible.
You can cut off and remove this string if you find it bothers you, similar to trimming a stem on a menstrual cup. We recommend leaving the string attached until you have mastered removing your Pixie Disc by the rim.
We’re confident that you’re going to absolutely love your Pixie Disc and we’re so excited you’re interested in making a switch to a mess-free, life-changing period! All of our products come with a 100% Happiness Guarantee, which means we are here on the journey with you every step of the way.
