Australia's specialist college for obstetrics and gynaecology, RANZCOG, mentions period cups by name in its contraception clinical guideline, approved in July 2024. Among the groups in whom IUD expulsion rates may be higher, it lists people concurrently using a menstrual cup with intrauterine contraception.
So can you use a menstrual cup with an IUD? Australian health advice doesn't rule it out, but timing, string checks and warning signs all matter. Here is what local sources say.
Quick answer: Yes, you can use a period cup with an IUD once the first couple of days after insertion have passed, going by healthdirect's advice. RANZCOG notes expulsion rates may be higher in cup users, so feel for your IUD string about once a month and ask the doctor or nurse who inserted it about your own situation.
How soon after IUD insertion can I use a menstrual cup?
For the first couple of days after an IUD goes in, healthdirect advises avoiding tampons, menstrual cups, sex, baths and swimming. Its page on the intrauterine contraceptive device doesn't set a longer wait for cups. Because RANZCOG says expulsion is most common within 3 months of insertion, ask the doctor or nurse who inserted your IUD whether they would like you to hold off for longer.
Does using a period cup make an IUD more likely to come out?
It might. RANZCOG says expulsion rates may be higher in people using a menstrual cup at the same time as an IUD, and lists this alongside other factors such as adolescence, fibroids with heavy menstrual bleeding and a previous expulsion. Overall, the guideline puts the risk of an IUD coming out at approximately 5% at five years, mostly in the first year and particularly within 3 months of insertion.
How do I check my IUD string?
Feel for the fine thread that comes out through your cervix, the way your doctor or nurse shows you after insertion. healthdirect suggests checking about once a month. RANZCOG advises feeling for the threads within the first 4 to 6 weeks after insertion and then at regular intervals, such as monthly or after your period, so the end of each period can double as your check.
How can I take my cup out carefully with an IUD in place?
Ask the clinician who inserted your IUD to show you where the string sits, so you know what to keep clear of when you reach for your cup. The Australian sources we used don't give step-by-step cup removal advice for IUD users, so follow your clinician's guidance and take your time rather than pulling quickly.
Still weighing up copper against hormonal? Read our guide to IUDs.
When to see a doctor
healthdirect recommends seeing your doctor if cramps and bleeding after insertion last more than a few days, and seeing a doctor straight away if you notice:
- unusual vaginal discharge;
- pain in your lower tummy;
- pain during sex.
The Better Health Channel adds that anyone who becomes pregnant with an IUD in place should see a doctor or nurse as soon as possible. Book in too if you can't feel your string or think your IUD has shifted.
Common questions
Can I swim or use tampons straight after getting an IUD?
Not for the first couple of days. healthdirect lists tampons, menstrual cups, sex, baths and swimming as things to skip for a couple of days after insertion. You may also have cramps and some bleeding for a few days, and it suggests seeing your doctor if those continue for longer.
How common is it for an IUD to fall out?
It is uncommon, but it does happen. RANZCOG's 2024 guideline estimates the overall risk of expulsion at about 5% at five years. The Better Health Channel says an IUD coming out is more common in the first 3 months after insertion, which is why regular string checks matter most early on.
Will a copper IUD make my period heavier?
It can. healthdirect says copper IUDs can make periods heavier and longer and can cause spotting, while hormonal IUDs can bring irregular bleeding or spotting. If your flow increases, Lunette recommends Size 2 for a heavier flow; it holds 30 ml, compared with 25 ml for Size 1.
Choosing a cup to use with your IUD? The Lunette period cup is made in Finland from 100% medical-grade silicone and, with proper care, lasts up to 10 years. Our period cup size guide compares both sizes by flow and cervix height, so you can pick the one that suits you.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Your GP, nurse or family planning clinic can give guidance that fits your circumstances.
