Viral TikToker claims menstrual cup "sucked out" their cervix
A person has gone viral on TikTok after claiming their menstrual cup – a more environmentally friendly alternative to sanitary towels and tampons – "sucked out" their cervix.
Taking to the social media platform, Lux (who is the co-founder of period relief brand Somedays) stitched their TikTok with a clip that said: "Your period cup can't actually suck out your cervix."
But, in their follow up clip, Lux said, "Yes it can, and it did." Recalling their experience, the TikToker said they'd used the FemmyCycle period cup which allegedly "sucked" their cervix "outside" of their body, resulting in a visit to the hospital.
Taking a deep-dive into what happened, Lux said in another video: "This is a story time about how the FemmyCycle menstrual cup pulled my cervix outside of my body." Continuing with their version of events, Lux points out that the design of the FemmyCycle cup is different to other period cups, and shows a screenshot of how it looks.
Noting that they've been an "avid cup user for 10 years", Lux added: "This one is essentially shaped like a turkey baster. Like, when you squeeze the end of this [and it] sucks all the liquid up. Well, that's what happened, but with my cervix."
Recalling the experience, they said: "I pulled on it and tried to break the seal and it felt a little bit different... And so I put my finger up inside and felt around the opening, [around] that little tiny hole and realised that the cup had popped open inside of me and suctioned my cervix into it." They went on to explain that the cup had "filled" with their cervix, and that "the bottom of the ball was just on the outside of my vagina so I could see my cervix."
Eventually, using a definitely do-not-try-at-home method, Lux was able to remove the period cup, but went to the hospital to make sure everything was okay. Since then, they claim their pelvic floor is "absolutely destroyed", meaning they struggle with incontinence. "I'm not saying that all menstrual cups are bad," they ended their clip. "But I just think that this particular design is terrible."
While Lux makes it clear in their clip that the design of the FemmyCycle cup is what they believe to have caused the issue, their experience still left some TikTokers questioning the safety of menstrual cups in the comments. "I better stick with pads," said one person, with another commenting: "New fear unlocked."
Can your menstrual cup "suck out" your cervix?
So, can your period cup actually "suck out" your cervix? According to Dr Nitu Bajekal, consultant gynaecologist and co-author of Living PCOS Free, the answer to that question is, no – although she doesn't comment on the specific design of the FemmyCycle cup in question.
As for the other run-of-the-mill menstrual cups out there, the expert tells Cosmopolitan UK: "It is not possible" to suck out your cervix using a period product.
"Technically the menstrual cup sits in the vagina and not over the cervix. However, it is possible the user may either push it too high so it is close to the cervix or may leave it for longer than recommended."
Dr Bajekal went on, "The cervix is part of the uterus (neck of the womb) so it cannot be detached either in part or completely from the uterus except through a surgical operation, or very, very rarely because of a traumatic vaginal birth." However, the expert adds, "if unnatural force is used because the cup has been perhaps left in too long and too close to the cervix, it is possible it will cause swelling and bruising of the cervix."
If this happens, the gynaecologist explains you'll need to seek out medical attention for removal and that it's likely that the swelling and bruising will settle in a day or two once the cup has been carefully removed.
As for how you can tell if your period cup is sitting too close to your cervix, Dr Bajekal says: "If, with a finger, you can feel that the cup is high up, you can gently pull it down after releasing the pressure, or reinsert it." Try not to worry though, as the expert reminds us that period cups (as well as tampons) cannot get lost inside your body.
"Knowing the different parts of your body and how they work is really important when it comes to avoiding panic and using menstrual or contraceptive methods properly," she tells us. "[This also means that] when things go wrong, you know to seek timely medical advice."
Cosmopolitan UK has reached out to FemmyCycle for a response.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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