Just sometimes, you might notice a bit of urine in your menstrual cup, which can cause you to overthink it. Why? How? It can be puzzling! Your menstrual cup is intended to catch blood and is placed in your vagina.
In contrast, urine comes out of your urethra, which is a completely different opening located just above the vaginal opening. Therefore, the two shouldn’t directly mix due to the anatomy of your body.
However, if you’re finding that there seems to be urine in your menstrual cup, here are a few possible explanations:
Why Is There Urine In My Menstrual Cup?
1. Removal Mishap
If you happened to pee just before or you’re about to after removing the cup, there might be a little urine still near the urethra (on the vulva) that you mistake as coming from the cup.
During removal, there might be a bit of pressure applied around your bladder and urethra, especially if you accidentally squeeze the cup. This doesn’t mean urine gets into the cup, but it could cause a tiny bit of it to leak if your bladder is full. It’s more like laughing or coughing and having the urge to wee-wee.
And, let’s face it, sometimes the removal process can get messy. You might actually pee a bit just as you pull the cup out, given the position you’re in or the pressure from your fingers as you reach for the cup.
HOW TO FIX IT
Don’t fret. It happens and is part of getting to know the best way to manage your cup. Always try to empty your bladder before tackling the cup. Also, be gentle and patient during removal.
Give yourself time to get the hang of it all the time. It’s all about practice and getting comfy with the process. Soon, these little mishaps will likely become rare.
2. Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is basically when you leak urine by accident. It happens because the muscles around your bladder are weak; thus, the very least pressure from laughing or coughing might end up with urine in your cup.
There is also the case of pressure! During the process of inserting or removing the cup, there’s a chance of putting pressure on your bladder without realizing it. If you have urinary incontinence, leakage is possible here, which could lead you to believe that the urine was in the cup to begin with.
HOW TO FIX IT
Managing this condition shouldn’t be that complex. Knowing it’s a common issue might help you feel a bit more at ease. Women of all ages can experience urinary incontinence for various reasons, so you aren’t alone.
Peeing before inserting or removing your menstrual cup can help. If you realize it’s a frequent issue, then simple exercises that aim to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles (like Kegels) can be your go-to. Of course, if this doesn’t seem to help it, talking to a doctor for personalized advice and solutions should be that quick fix.
It’s worth noting that incontinence can be temporary for others, perhaps because of an infection or even just being in a rush and not emptying the bladder completely before dealing with the cup.
3. Improper insertion of the menstrual cup
The way you insert your cup could play a trick on you. When it’s not placed correctly, it might not fully open inside you, or it’ll just sit at a weird angle. While this doesn’t directly cause urine to leak out, it can undoubtedly lead to a feeling that might make you think so.
Also, if you don’t insert it right, and it ends up pushing against your vaginal walls, your urethra and bladder will feel a bit pressurized. Such pressure might cause a feeling to pee, or just unexpectedly, it could squeeze a bit of urine out. This situation is more about your body’s reaction to the cup rather than mixing pee with menstrual flow.
HOW TO FIX IT
Inserting your cup appropriately would rule out this confusion. Find a right fold that works for you and ensure the cup fully opens once inside you.
It might take a bit of practice, but once you get it down, your cup should feel comfortable, and it shouldn’t press on your bladder or make you feel like you’re leaking urine.
4. Pressure on the Bladder
Your bladder is like that small room that stores urine, and you know, it sits pretty close to your vagina. Because they’re neighbors, any little change in one impacts the other.
When your cup is larger or not positioned right, it can accidentally press against the bladder. This doesn’t mean it’s pushing directly on the spot where urine comes out, but rather, it’s squeezing the bladder’s general area.
This pressure can cause you to feel like peeing more often. It gets even more interesting when you try to remove the cup. The process might push a bit against your bladder, adding to the squish on it.
And getting into a position like squatting or sitting on the WC while taking the cup out might accidentally release a little pee at the same time. The urine wasn’t in the cup already, but more about a little escape happening right in the process of removing it.
HOW TO FIX IT
First up, pay attention to your menstrual cup when it’s in. If it feels uncomfortable or you’re making more bathroom trips than usual, chances are it’s pressing on your bladder. Try a different size or shape.
You can also get a bit more practice with positioning, as that can make a huge difference. The goal is for your cup to sit comfortably inside without pushing on anything else.
Sometimes, just being mindful of how full your bladder is before dealing with your cup can help, too. If you empty your bladder before removing your cup, you lessen the chances of an unexpected pee moment.
This Is a Wrap!
It’s great knowing urine and menstrual fluid leave your body in two different pathways, so under usual situations, urine should not end up in your menstrual cup. When it seems there’s a mix-up, it’s often due to pressure being placed on your bladder.
Improper insertion and removal of cups are often the culprit. Both ways apply pressure on the bladder. And you know the structure of our anatomy places these two close to the V-opening.
This proximity means any added pressure from a not-quite-right cup fit can make you feel the urge to pee or even cause a small leak at the moment of removal.
So, what’s our takeaway? Ensure you’ve got the size and shape that fits you just right. Also, learn the best folding technique for insertion and the most comfortable positioning for removal.
Most of all, listening to your body is crucial. If your menstrual cup makes you feel a persistent urge to pee, or it’s uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to try a different approach.
It can be a learning curve, but it’s all about finding what works best for you. Ever in doubt? Reaching out to a healthcare provider ASAP. They can offer advice that tailors to your situation.
