IUDs + DivaCups: Perfect Partners or a Bad Idea?

A Crotch Doctor Myth Buster - by Harry de Haas

Menstrual cups have developed an almost cult-like following. They're reusable, can be worn for hours, create far less waste than disposable pads and tampons, and once people get comfortable using them, many swear they'll never go back.

DivaCup is one of the best-known brands, but “menstrual cup” is the category.

So what's the problem?

If you have an IUD, there's something you should know.

The Myth: “You can't use a DivaCup with an IUD.”

Not exactly.

An IUD sits inside the uterus. A menstrual cup sits below it in the vagina. Plenty of people use both.

But the IUD has strings that extend through the cervix, and that's where things can get complicated.

Research increasingly suggests that menstrual-cup users may have a higher risk of IUD displacement or expulsion. In one large copper-IUD study, 23.2% of cup users experienced an expulsion within 36 months compared with 9.4% of non-users, although the risk varied substantially by the type of IUD.

So no, your DivaCup isn't necessarily going to suck your IUD out. But accidentally pulling or dislodging an IUD is a real possibility.

Why Do People Love Menstrual Cups?

For menstrual management alone, there isn't one medically “best” choice for everybody. Pads, tampons, menstrual discs and cups all have advantages.

But cups have some compelling ones: they're reusable, economical over time, produce very little waste and have high satisfaction among people who become comfortable using them. A major systematic review found menstrual cups to be a generally safe option, with leakage similar to or lower than disposable products in the studies that directly compared them.

The downside? There's a learning curve. Insertion and removal take some practice, and having an IUD adds another consideration.

The Crotch Doctor Verdict

Love your DivaCup? You don't necessarily have to give it up because you have an IUD.

But don't treat the combination casually.

Release the cup's seal before removing it rather than simply pulling downward, be careful not to catch the IUD strings, and know what your strings normally feel like. Professional contraceptive guidance specifically advises cup users to avoid pulling the IUD threads and to release the seal before removal.

If your strings suddenly feel different, disappear, or you experience unusual pain or bleeding, get the IUD checked and don't assume you're still fully protected against pregnancy until its position has been assessed.

Bottom line: Menstrual cups have a lot going for them. But when there's an IUD upstairs, pay attention to what's happening downstairs.

This article is for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for individualized medical advice.