1. Start gently, on a day you can relax
Wash your hands. In a comfortable position, insert one clean finger and feel for the cervix, often a rounded, firmer structure with a small central opening. Stop if anything hurts. Measure the depth reached from the vaginal opening to the point where you feel the cervix; a clean disposable ruler or a finger-joint estimate can help you record a rough station.
Do not force a measurement or use a sharp object. The measurement is approximate and changes with posture, arousal, pregnancy history, cycle timing, and individual anatomy.
2. Compare Day 1 with Day 4
Note height, comfort, flow, and whether a product is easy to reach.
Compare without expecting the cervix to stay in the same place.
Repeat on another cycle if helpful. Choose cup length based on the lowest comfortable reach window and the product’s body length, not the stem alone. A long stem can often be trimmed only if the maker allows it.
Tilted uterus: follow your own angle
A tilted uterus does not automatically prevent cup or disc use. During insertion, angle toward the tailbone rather than straight upward, then allow the device to settle where it is comfortable. If the cervix points to one side, a cup may sit off-center; checking whether the cervix is above the cup opening can help explain leakage. Never push through pain to “correct” placement.
When a suction-free disc may be worth exploring
Most discs rest in the vaginal fornix below the cervix, with the front rim tucked behind the pubic bone. They do not form a cup-style suction seal. Some people prefer that feel; others find disc removal or positioning less convenient. A disc is not guaranteed to fit every anatomy and may still create pressure or discomfort.
If cup removal suction is uncomfortable, a disc may be an option to discuss or trial according to its instructions. With a cup, release the seal by pinching the base before removal. For either device, stop if pain, urinary symptoms, or persistent irritation occur.
A pelvic floor physical therapist or gynecologic clinician can assess pain, pressure, trouble inserting or removing products, bladder symptoms, or postpartum concerns.