We won't keep you in suspense: there's only one indication that your menstrual cup is too small: when you have to empty it too often. So why do some brands tell you to go up a size after 30 or after giving birth?
First thing to know: you must choose the size of your menstrual cup according to your flow.
When it comes to menstrual cups, as with tampons, the size depends on your flow: weak, medium or strong, it is (almost) the only parameter to take into account.
To find out more, we invite you to read our article: How to choose the size of your cup?
In all cases, the walls of the vagina touch each other.
It does not matter whether you are under or over 30 years old, whether you had a vaginal delivery or not.
It's true that your perineum may be a little loose after a vaginal delivery. But if there's one myth we'd like to shatter, it's that you become so loose after childbirth or after the age of 30(by the curse of age, no doubt?) that a menstrual cup won't fit in the vagina anymore and will slip out.
Besides, when you choose tampons as your period protection, no one recommends getting a bigger size after giving birth so they don't fall out, right? So why should it be any different with a menstrual cup?
Even though there are a few cases of women who have their cup slipping, this is often due to a lack of tone in the perineum. In this case, we always advise you to consult a midwife or a physiotherapist, because the perineum is extremely important and this is a clear sign that it is necessary to go through (or go through again) absolutely essential rehabilitation work.
Blood cannot pass down the sides of your menstrual cup
As the walls of the vagina touch each other 'at rest', when a cup is placed inside, it will nestle against the walls of your vagina, which are very elastic, and the top ring will create a tight barrier. There is no reason why the ring should not touch the walls of the vagina. So the blood will not be able to get past it.
Here is a diagram:
To conclude: the cup is only too small if you have to empty it too often
If you feel that the wearing time is too short with your current cup, it is indeed too small (or has become too small)
The change in flow is often due to external factors: for example, if you have just had a copper coil fitted, it can be complicated for the first few months.
If you are leaking when your cup is not full, it may be due to other factors, and we invite you to read our article on reasons and solutions to leaks.
