Can You Pee with a Menstrual Cup In?

March 14, 2025

If you’ve recently switched to a menstrual cup, you might be wondering: Can you pee with a menstrual cup in? The simple answer is yes! But for some users, it may feel slightly different due to how the cup interacts with your pelvic anatomy.

In this guide, we’ll dive into:

How a menstrual cup affects urination
Why peeing might feel different
What to do if peeing feels uncomfortable
Whether you can poop with a menstrual cup in

Anatomy 101: How Does a Menstrual Cup Affect Urination?

To understand why you can pee with a menstrual cup in, let’s go over some basic anatomy.

You have three separate openings in the pelvic region:

Urethra – Where urine exits the body
Vagina – Where a menstrual cup sits
Anus – Where bowel movements occur

A menstrual cup is placed inside the vaginal canal and does not block the urethra. However, since the vagina and urethra are very close together, some users notice a slight change in their urination experience.

Can Using a Menstrual Cup Affect Urination?

For most people, peeing with a menstrual cup in is completely normal. However, some may experience:

1. Slower Urine Flow

If your menstrual cup presses against your urethra, it might make urine flow a bit slower than usual.

2. Increased Urge to Pee

A large or firm menstrual cup might press on your bladder, making you feel like you need to pee more often.

3. Difficulty Emptying Your Bladder

If the cup is positioned too high or is pressing on the bladder, you may feel like you’re not fully emptying your bladder.

Tip: If you experience discomfort, you can try adjusting the position of your cup or switching to a softer cup.

Peeing Comfortably with a Menstrual Cup In

If peeing feels unusual or uncomfortable with a menstrual cup, try these expert-backed solutions:

1. Adjust the Position of Your Cup

If your cup presses on the urethra, try inserting it lower in your vaginal canal.
Make sure your cup is angled slightly toward your tailbone, not straight up.

2. Try a Softer Menstrual Cup

A softer menstrual cup puts less pressure on the bladder and urethra. If you have bladder sensitivity, consider brands like:

3. Trim the Stem (If Needed)

If the cup’s stem is too long, it may create unnecessary pressure. You can trim the stem slightly (only if your cup allows it).

4. Relax Your Pelvic Floor Muscles

Tension in your pelvic muscles can make urination feel restricted. Relax and take slow breaths while peeing.

5. Lean Forward While Peeing

Tilting your body forward can help shift the cup away from the bladder, allowing urine to flow more freely.

Do You Need to Remove a Menstrual Cup to Pee?

No! You do not need to remove your menstrual cup when you pee. However, if you find that your urine flow is heavily restricted, or you feel uncomfortable, you can remove and reinsert your cup afterward.

Can You Poop with a Menstrual Cup In?

Just like peeing, you can poop with a menstrual cup in. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Your Cup May Shift

Since your rectum and vaginal canal are right next to each other, a bowel movement may push the cup slightly downward.

2. You May Feel Increased Pressure

If you’re straining during a bowel movement, you may feel like your cup is shifting.

3. Your Cup Could Be Dislodged

For some people, pushing hard can cause the cup to move or even come out.

Tip: If you’re worried about your cup shifting, check its position after pooping and readjust if needed.

Pooping Comfortably with a Menstrual Cup

Use these tips to avoid dislodging your cup while pooping:

Use a Firmer Cup – A firm menstrual cup is less likely to be compressed by bowel movements.
Relax and Don’t Strain – Straining can push your cup lower. If possible, try to breathe through the process.
Hold Your Cup in Place – If you’re worried about dislodging the cup, you can gently press on your perineum (the area between your vagina and anus) to keep it in place.
Check Afterward – If your cup feels like it has moved, simply wash your hands and reposition it.

If you frequently experience your cup shifting during bowel movements, you might want to try a firmer menstrual cup or adjust the placement of your current cup.

FAQs: Peeing and Pooping with a Menstrual Cup

1. Why do I feel like I have to pee more often with a menstrual cup?

Your cup may be pressing slightly on your bladder. Try repositioning it or switching to a softer cup.

2. Should I empty my menstrual cup after peeing?

No, you do not need to empty your cup every time you pee. Empty your cup every 8-12 hours or sooner if it feels full.

3. Can a menstrual cup cause a UTI?

A menstrual cup itself doesn’t cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), but improper placement may prevent full bladder emptying, increasing UTI risk. To prevent this:

Ensure your cup is not pressing on the urethra
Always wash your hands before inserting or removing your cup

4. Can I use a menstrual cup if I have bladder sensitivity?

Yes! However, opt for a softer menstrual cup to avoid bladder pressure. Some great options include:

Saalt Soft
Lena Sensitive
Asan Light Flow

5. My menstrual cup falls out when I poop. What should I do?

Make sure you’re inserting the cup high enough in the vaginal canal.
Try a firmer menstrual cup that stays in place better.
Hold your cup in place with a clean finger while pooping.

Final Thoughts:

Peeing and pooping while wearing a menstrual cup is completely natural and safe. If you experience discomfort, small adjustments in positioning or choosing a different cup firmness can help.

Every body is unique, so take time to experiment and find what works best for you. Soon enough, using a menstrual cup will become second nature!

References

Hennegan, J., Orozco, A., Head, A., Marino, J. L., Jayasinghe, Y., & Lim, M. S. C. (2023). Menstrual cup acceptability and functionality in real-world use: A cross-sectional survey of young people in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 63(1), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13910
Prip CM, Jakobsen LK Ureterohydronephrosis due to a menstrual cup BMJ Case Reports CP 2025;18:e262035.