Your Guide to the Menstrual Disc

Your new Casco FlipDisc is not nearly as scary as it might look–we promise! In 2-3 cycles and with a little bit of practice, you'll never look back. Say goodbye to pads and tampons, and say hello FlipDisc!

How to Insert a Menstrual Disc

Don’t let the size of the disc fool you–it will be a nice comfy fit once you’ve learned how to properly insert it. The menstrual disc is generally regarded as the next step up from the cup, as it sits up higher in the vaginal fornix, right below the cervix and behind the pubic bone.

Before you insert your disc, make sure it is CLEAN! We recommend putting your menstrual disc in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes before (and after) each cycle. Your Casco FlipDisc is made from 100% medical-grade silicone, so it’s designed to withstand boiling temperatures and be cleaned again and again.

Here are some easy steps to follow for inserting a menstrual disc:

1. Wash your hands with warm, soapy water.
2. Find a position that is comfortable for you, where you can relax and release the tension in your pelvic muscles.
3. Pinch the rim of the disc together. It should be about as wide as a tampon.
4. Insert the pinched disc into your vagina, ensuring it is still folded as you continue to push it towards the cervix. 
5. As you reach the vaginal fornix, let it unfold to cover the cervix in its natural disc shape. Use your thumb or finger to push your disc as far back as it will go comfortably. The rim of the disc should tuck in just behind the pubic bone.

Once it has been inserted, the disc should not cause you any pain. In fact, you should barely be able to feel it, if at all. If you are experiencing some discomfort, it’s best to take the disc out and start over.

After you’ve inserted the disc and you feel secure, you’re ready to wear it for up to 12 hours, depending on your flow. You can wear your disc whether you’re ready to run a marathon, sleep through the night, or even if you’re feeling a little frisky. (Yeah, you heard that right–you can wear the Casco FlipDisc during sex!)

 

Warning: You can wear it during sex but it is NOT an effective contraceptive and it doesn’t protect you from STIs or STDs.

 

One of the cool things about menstrual discs is that sometimes you can empty it without having to completely remove it. You might notice that when you go to the bathroom, some of the blood releases into the toilet. This is known as self-emptying or auto-dumping, and it can be caused by the force of urinating or defecating. It is completely normal, too! Before you finish up in the bathroom, use a finger to make sure the rim is tucked back behind the pelvic bone (so there are no leaks when you least expect it) and you’re good to go.

How to Remove a Menstrual Disc

Time to take it out? This part can be a little tricky, but it will get easier the more you practice. Be prepared for a little bit of mess. While you are learning, try removing it in the shower for a cleaner experience.

1. Wash your hands in warm, soapy water.
2. Find a position that is comfortable for you, where you can relax and release the tension in your pelvic muscles.
3. Insert a finger into your vagina and locate the rim of the disc. Hook your finger under the rim and slowly pull the disc out. Make sure to keep it parallel to the floor to stop spills.
4. Empty the fluid in the toilet or shower.
5. Rinse if a sink is available.
6. Reinsert as necessary.

The Best Way to Clean a Menstrual Disc

When you’re in the middle of your cycle, it’s a good idea to rinse out your disc as often as possible after removing it, but it’s not necessary every time. At least once a cycle, though, you’ll want to do a full cleaning to make sure there’s no bad bacteria. Because the Casco FlipDisc is made of 100% medical-grade silicone, cleaning is super easy.

To fully clean it, all you’ve got to do is boil it in hot water for a few minutes. There are two ways to do this:

1. Insert it into a pot of boiling water for a couple minutes.
2. Place it into a bowl or cup, which you fill with boiling water for a couple minutes.

Once it has been cleaned, let it cool down before re-inserting it. Finished with your cycle? Make sure to store it somewhere clean and breathable to protect it from dust and contamination.

Pro Tip: At a minimum, it is a good idea to boil your menstrual disc once a cycle. The Casco team prefers to do it twice a cycle.

 

BEST PRACTICES

 

How Long Can You Wear a Menstrual Disc?

You can wear your menstrual disc for up to 12 hours (depending on your flow). This means changing it at least twice a day!

If you have a heavier flow, you may feel more comfortable changing it more often than that–it is not the same for everybody, because every body is different. Knowing how to use your disc and when to change it requires getting to know your flow.

 

What You Can (and Can’t) Do While Wearing One

Your Casco FlipDisc shouldn’t get in the way of your life. Check out all the things you can do while you’re wearing one:

1. Swim
2. Run
3. Study
4. Sleep
5. Workout
6. Travel
7. Use the bathroom
8. Have sex

Wait... I Can Have Sex with my Menstrual Disc In?

The cool thing about a menstrual disc is that it sits right under the cervix, so your vaginal canal is unobstructed. (A menstrual cup, on the other hand, sits inside of the vaginal canal.) If you wear your disc correctly, it should not get in the way. Contact by a penis, a finger, or a toy will not cause damage to you or the disc, but it might get dislodged and cause a little bit of spillage (at worst).

Can I Sleep with a Menstrual Disc In?

Yes! You can sleep no problem with a menstrual disc, because it offers up to 12 hours of leak-resistant protection. This is one of the best reasons to make the switch. You can sleep in (on your white sheets) without all the worrying that comes with wearing pads overnight. Average tampons can only be worn for 8 hours, and most users find they need to change their tampons more frequently than that. All signs point to your new Casco FlipDisc as your go-to nighttime period product.

Can I Use a Menstrual Disc if I Have an IUD?

The abbreviation for Intra-Uterine Device, an IUD is a common form of long-term birth control inserted into the uterus. It comes with strings, which raises the question of whether you can use an IUD and menstrual disc simultaneously. In theory, because discs are suction-free, they are IUD-friendly. Sometimes the suction created from a menstrual cup can cause the IUD to dislodge. However, due to the proximity of the disc to the strings of the IUD, it is a matter of both personal preference and personal safety.

If you are thinking of doing so, please speak with your gynecologist first. Some people prefer to talk with their gynecologists before IUD insertion to ensure that the strings are not too long. It is possible for the strings to be shortened to reduce the risk of dislodging the IUD.

Remember, we are not doctors, so we can’t provide you with medical advice. It is important for you to do what is best for your body, and always to contact a medical doctor with any questions regarding your personal health and well-being.

Can I Use it While Pregnant?

No. Please speak with your gynecologist about period management while pregnant.

Can I Use a Menstrual Disc During Menopause?

People going through menopause tend to prefer menstrual discs and cups because they do not contribute to vaginal dryness like tampons do. You can set it and “forget” it, then go about your day, and you don’t have to worry about whether or not you’re covered.

Can a Virgin Use a Menstrual Disc?

Yes. If you are worried about your hymen, please speak with a gynecologist.

There can be a steeper learning curve with a disc than there tends to be with a menstrual cup. It is important that you get to know your body well, especially so you can find the period product that works best for you.

Is a Menstrual Disc Good for Heavy Flow?

It’s a great solution for menstruators with a heavy flow. A disc has much more capacity than a pad or tampon, since those products absorb, instead of collect.

Your disc also has the capability to auto-dump. What’s that? Sometimes, when you sit to use the restroom, the pressure needed to produce a bowel movement can be just enough for the disc to slightly dislodge and release some of the contents into the toilet. (It’s super easy to pop back into place, too–just insert a finger and replace the rim behind the pubic bone.) This can help extend the length of time you can use your disc during the day, especially if you have a heavy flow.

How Long Does a Menstrual Disc Last?

Your Casco FlipDisc is guaranteed to last a minimum of 10 years, though it may last longer due to the high-quality 100% medical-grade silicone we use to make it.

Do I Need a Menstrual Product Cleaner?

You do not. All you need is a pot and clean water. We advocate that everyone clean their disc a minimum of twice a cycle. Please visit our section on how to clean a menstrual disc.

Why do companies market menstrual cup cleaners? Sadly, because menstrual cups and discs are a sustainable product, many companies feel the need to market an additional add-on product to increase their revenue.

We believe in helping the planet by creating less waste, and do not market a cleaning agent for that reason. Plus, you don’t need one.

Is a Menstrual Disc Messy?

No, not by nature. It can be difficult to remove at first, due to the depth at which a disc is worn. If you remove it at an angle parallel to the floor, so that the fluid stays in the catch, there’s a much lower risk of spillage. Removing your disc should become natural for you within just a few cycles.

When you’re first starting out, it can be helpful to insert and remove your menstrual cup in the shower, even if you aren’t on your period. This is a great way to acclimate to using it without making a mess of your bathroom.

Does It Smell?

No. When blood is exposed to air, bacteria can form, and that is what causes the smell–that’s why pads and tampons smell. When you use a cup or disc, the fluid is contained within your body, which can help keep it from smelling.

Is a Menstrual Disc Uncomfortable?

If used properly, you shouldn’t even feel it. Correct insertion and removal should be painless. If it hurts, please consult your gynecologist.

Will It Get Stuck Inside Me?

No. It might seem difficult to remove at first, but that disc has nowhere to go but out. Your cervix prevents the disc from being able to travel up into your body.

Like auto-dumping, if you bear down like you’re having a bowel movement, it might help dislodge the disc, making it easier for you to remove.

Since the Casco FlipDisc doesn’t create suction when it’s inserted, there’s no seal you have to worry about breaking before pulling it out. Locate the rim of your disc and release it from behind your pubic bone. You should be able to remove it with ease. 

Will It Cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?

Menstrual discs do not increase the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS). They are a safer way to manage your period. In fact, many believe that they’re healthier than tampons in regards to bacteria growth for a number of reasons, including:

1. They do not use chemicals to make them absorbent.
2. By collecting rather than absorbing fluid, period cups do not disrupt vaginal pH.
3. They do not dry out the vagina.

What Is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?

Toxic Shock Syndrome is a rare condition caused by an overgrowth of a specific kind of bacteria. It results in a drop in blood pressure, and, in extreme cases, may result in death. TSS is known to affect menstruating women, especially those who use super-absorbent tampons. TSS is a rare condition: There are only 3 to 6 cases per 100,000 people annually, according to experts.

It isn’t just related to tampon use either. TSS comes from toxic bacteria that makes the body go into shock. This bacteria may be transmitted through surgeries, childbirth, and other infections.

How do you decrease your risk? Follow feminine products’ instructions. High absorbency tampons and those that include rayon may increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome, according to the obstetrician-gynecologist referenced above. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with a doctor.

Casco FlipDisc contains neither rayon nor absorbs your flow. If you have a history of TSS, please speak with a doctor before use.

 

TROUBLESHOOTING

Why Is It Leaking?

There could be a few reasons why your menstrual disc is leaking. If it’s uncomfy, too, there’s a chance that it was inserted incorrectly. It may not be properly seated at the vaginal fornix, or the rim may not be tucked behind the pubic bone. Placement is important with your new menstrual disc.

The first thing you should try if you’re experiencing leaks is to remove it and re-insert it. Check to make sure it has regained its natural shape and that it feels secure.

If the leaking is chronic, it’s possible that you could be wearing the wrong size menstrual disc. For this reason, Casco offers the FlipDisc in two sizes: 62mm and 70mm. The 70mm disc is slightly larger, which can be a great option for women who have given birth or who have a very heavy flow.

Why Is It Turning Yellow?

It’s completely natural for your disc to yellow with time. Silicone has natural properties that cause it to yellow. This does NOT mean that your disc is dirty or that you should throw it out. However, if the yellow hue bothers you, here are a few ways you can try to get rid of it:

1. Scrub with soap. Sometimes, giving it a good hard scrub is enough to do the trick. Make sure to boil it again before you insert it so there’s no irritation from the soap or its fragrance.
2. Soak your disc in lemon juice for at least an hour before scrubbing and boiling it again.
3. Leave it in the sun to bleach for a couple of hours.