Common period product questions

Can I sleep with a tampon, menstrual cup, or disc in?

You technically can sleep with a tampon in, but it has to stay under that 8-hour mark to keep TSS risk low. If you’re a 10–12 hour sleeper, or you know you’ll crash hard and forget, tampons are not the best overnight choice. Cups and discs are better built for long stretches—they’re approved for up to 12 hours for most brands, as long as you’re healthy and empty/clean them correctly. If your flow is super heavy, consider a cup/disc plus period underwear or an overnight pad as backup. Waking up in a blood bath is not a personality trait.

Are menstrual cups or discs safe if I have an IUD?

Many people safely use cups and discs with an IUD, but there are a few rules. Ask your provider to trim the IUD strings so they’re not hanging super low in the vagina. When you remove your cup, always pinch the base to break the seal before pulling down—don’t yank by the stem like a lawn mower. Discs sit higher, around the cervix, and some providers prefer them with IUDs for that reason. If you ever feel sharp pain, can’t find your strings, or your bleeding/cramping suddenly changes, get checked to rule out partial expulsion.

How do I know if my period is too heavy for pads or tampons alone?

If you’re soaking through a pad or tampon every 1–2 hours for several hours, waking up multiple times at night to change, passing clots bigger than a quarter, or feeling exhausted, lightheaded, or short of breath, your period is not just “heavy,” it’s a medical issue worth attention. You might benefit from higher-capacity products like cups or discs, but the real move is getting evaluated for anemia, fibroids, bleeding disorders, thyroid issues, or hormonal imbalances. Heavy bleeding is common; that doesn’t make it acceptable. You deserve to bleed without it wrecking your health.

Can teens or people who’ve never had sex use menstrual cups or discs?

Yes. A hymen is not a “seal” and virginity is a social construct, not a medical diagnosis. Cups and discs can be used by teens and people who’ve never had penis-in-vagina sex. You may want a smaller, softer cup to start, and lube is absolutely allowed. The learning curve can be steeper if your pelvic floor is tight or you’re anxious, so go slow, breathe, and practice on a lower-stress day of your cycle. If insertion is extremely painful no matter what, that’s a sign to talk with a provider about pelvic floor tension, vaginismus, or other conditions—not a sign your body is wrong.

What if I leak through every period product I try?

Chronic leaks are usually a sign of mismatch: product capacity vs your flow, wrong size or position, or underlying medical stuff. For heavy bleeders, stacking methods (cup or disc + period underwear or pad) is often a game-changer. If your cup/disc is still leaking, you might need a different size/shape or help with positioning around your cervix. But if you’re flooding through ultra tampons and overnight pads regularly, get evaluated for heavy menstrual bleeding, fibroids, PCOS, or bleeding disorders. Leaking doesn’t mean you’re dirty or dramatic; it means your gear and your healthcare haven’t caught up to your reality yet.

If you’re still side-eyeing your uterus and wondering what’s normal, what’s fixable, or what product setup would actually make life easier, you can always drag your questions to Gush and let it be your non-judgy, ultra-nerdy period friend on call.