Pee in cup
Last month, on the last day of my cycle, I purchased the diva cup. The first time I tried it, it worked great. I did not pee during those hours. It worked great, no leak, I could actually see the blood inside the cup and it was comfortable.
I used it after just to get the practice of putting it in. When I peed I had a problem. I went to pee and the cup felt extremely full and heavy. I tried to pee and only a trickle came out. I removed the cup and the pee gushed out. The cup was full of pee that has been sitting in it. Not only that, it smelled bad since the pee had been sitting in it for a while.
Yesterday I saw a spot of blood twice when wiping so I decided let me try the cup again because I’m excited about having it.
I put it in. Feels comfortable. Go pee. Pee regularly comes out but at the very end of the steam, cup begins to feel heavy. I remove, again pee inside. I rinse and put back.
What an I doing wrong? Is it the position? I have a low cervix, is that the problem? I know it’s inserted all the way, only the stem is near my entrance.
Firstly, I’d like to thank all you ladies for sharing your experience when it isn’t the most comfortable topic; it really does help others not feel alone in their odd experiences.
Secondly, I have to comment on the anatomy conversation; yes, there are 3 openings that Generally do not connect and each exit the body at distinctly different locations. However, speaking as a nurse who has catheterized many women in my career, you might be surprised by how many women have a urethra that exits the body just inside the vaginal canal. Textbooks picture the “standard” anatomy and rarely the slightly less often encountered. Typically the exit is less than a centimeter from the vaginal opening, but in the vaginal canal nonetheless. I am one of those women, which I only learned when I needed to be catheterized for a surgery and my nurse was having a difficult time. Most of us don’t take time to look for our urethral opening.
It can make catheterization a little more difficult sometimes, particularly if the woman doesn’t have much mobility in their hips, think elderly ladies. It can also be the source of more UTIs than “normal”. It can also explain why some women feel their urinary flow is disrupted/impeded while wearing a menstrual cup, particularly a large or firm cup as it can apply pressure on the urethra through the rather thin shared wall with the vagina or block the urethral opening.
From what I can gather my cervix is also low, given that having an average to moderately larger than average partner can make sex painful since the vaginal canal is short and my cervix gets angry when it is bothered. I cramp for days after a pap smear. I have to use a “teen” menstrual cup otherwise the bottom of the cup fully pokes out. I also have not had any children, if that matters.
Now, on to urine in the cup; I’m not sure if having a vaginally exiting urethra and low cervix is what makes it possible for urine to collect in a menstrual cup, or even if the liquid in the cup is definitely or probably urine.
What I do know is that I recently began using a menstrual cup and have been experiencing pressure on my urethra, even with a small soft cup, which has created occasional incontinence when my bladder is especially full and the occasional feeling of disrupted flow of urine or dribbling and the accumulation of a watery fluid in my cup which occurs even when my period is light, but I have not experienced any occurance of UTI or yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis since using the cup.
Keep in mind that urine is Sterile until it exits the body, unless you have a current UTI or bladder/kidney infection. People seem concerned about urine being in places that it shouldn’t be, but having a sterile liquid there shouldn’t actually be a problem; the only problem is when bacteria from a foreign object (the cup or your fingers) or the outer vaginal skin is introduced into the vagina, so be sure to keep those things very clean.
My questions:
Has anyone actually had their fluid tested? What were the results?
Has switching to a different cup helped?
Have any of you ladies looked for your urethra and noticed it is just inside the vaginal canal also and have been experiencing these issues?
After reading these, I have a theory.. I’m having the same problem. And I wonder if, since the cup is pushing up against the uthrean tube and creating pressure/blocking, and taking out the cup releases it.. if when you de-suction the cup, the last teeny little bit of pee immediately escapes and flows into the freshly emerged cup. Which would make it look like there had been pee in there the whole time. Idk just a thought
I am a bigger girl with a low cervix, and this happens to me too! This was the only place I found people talking about it. I’m a few years too late to this thread, but if anyone with the same problem stumbles upon this, I hope it’ll help them to know they are not alone.
The first time I wore a cup, I was not on my period, but I wanted to try it out before I actually had to worry about leaks. Later, I found clear, almost yellowish liquid in the cup, and thought nothing of it. I didn’t wear it long, though.
After that first day, I had gotten the hang of wearing a cup, so, when my period started I put the cup in. I noticed I felt pressure in my abdomen, and had an urge to pee. Since I know the anatomy and that it’s fine to pee with a tampon in, I went to pee with the cup still in, and I felt it get heavy and had a weak stream. I took the cup out and it spilled a little because it was so full. I smelled it, and it was pee….
This has happened to me every time I wore that cup until I switched to a softer cup and adjusted my use of it so that it works for me. I get it up there right under my cervix (that helps alot with the urine issue) and empty it every time before I use the bathroom, so it doesn’t fill with urine. Still, a little bit gets in there sometimes.
I would love to get it checked out by a doctor, but I’m uninsured, so tweaking the use of the cup will have to do for now.
This has happened to me too! Almost every time I wear it.
I’m a bigger girl with uh…bigger lips lol, and whenever I REALLY have to pee and hold my legs together it leaks and is pushed up into the cup somehow 😑 very annoying.
I am 2years late after this thread.. I also have the same issue of urine filling my cup. The issue must the cup is a larger size. As the cup sits due to air-suction ,now the larger cup covers the end urine hole too. I am guessing this.
Same thing happens to me!!! It’s definitely pee!! I wonder how this happens. I am not otherwise experiencing any other pain or uncomfortability so I’m not in a rush to see a doctor. It would just be nice for the situation to be explained.
I always recommend seeing a doctor if something seems out of sorts. While forums can be a good source of information, they should not be used to replace a medical professional. I would hate for a reader to have a serious health risk but told by peers that it’s nothing to be worried about.
Although Endometriosis affects an estimated 200 million menstruators worldwide, it’s not always the first diagnosis. While many have noticeable symptoms, others (about 25%) are asymptomatic or think that the pain is nonrelated; back pain, leg pain, diarrhea, constipation, headache, etc. which we (the public) don’t always associate with menstruation. Many let it go for years before mentioning it to their doctors.
As a mom, I always told myself “too much to do, just power through”. 🙁 Not a very good speech to tell yourself.
General Practitioners didn’t use to come to that conclusion (but they’re getting better) since it’s not their specialty … but then again, “general” is just that.
While I have not been diagnosed with Endometriosis, I have several of the symptoms. However, both of my sisters had hysterectomies for it (and other issues) in the last 10-12 years, and my daughter (28 yr old) went to a few different doctors for her pains. She ended up in the ER one day to have several tests performed that had nothing to do with the reproductive system, although we have a long family history of reproductive problems that were brought to their attention. When I found out that she was in the ER, I told her to make an appointment with an OB-GYN and share her symptoms as well as that she has had no luck in trying to conceive. She was not diagnosed with endometriosis.
I’m glad that you got the correct diagnosis and the help and relief that you needed.
I’m also glad that I was able to provide some helpful information. Although it might seem like I’m one of those, “you’re imagining things” doctors, I’m just stating that there is a possibility that it’s one of the more common bodily functions of normal watery discharge. Something all menstruators experience but may not be aware of until it’s collected in a cup.
– Estrogen causes the production of more fluids turning discharge watery.
– Exercising commonly creates larger amounts of fluids.
– Sexual arousal releases lubricating fluids.
– Vaginal atrophy with menopause can cause discharge to be watery.
With vaginal fistulas, a person would experience vaginal and urinary infections that keep coming back. It would cause leaks and foul odors. They may experience irritated or infected skin around the genital area. If a person is using a menstrual cup, it would act as a urinary catheter and collect urine frequently. Since none of these were mentioned in any of the previous comments, it wouldn’t have been my conclusion…but I’m not a doctor. You can see how easily something can be misdiagnosed, especially in a forum of non-doctors.
Vaginal fistulas are formed by damaged tissue. Normally from previous surgery; hysterectomy or c-section, or certain types of pelvic cancers, radiation treatments, and such. Again, I suggest seeking medical attention if you or anyone else feels they may have a vaginal fistula. It will likely need a corrective procedure or surgery.
Since I have collected pale yellow liquid in my cup a few times, I will definitely be saving it to bring to a doctor to test. In the several years of answering this question, I have not heard of anyone who had this done to verify it.
Good Luck and stay healthy,
Red Herring
@redherringtv
RedHerringTV on YouTube
I think from all that I’m reading here the recommendation should be first and foremost that if you find pee in your menstrual cup you should go see your doctor. PERIOD. It is not at all normal and statistically impossible to have happen by accident with the cup. And especially considering the responses I’ve found when searching this and the lack of information I’ve been able to find on the subject, you should go to the doctor prepared to patiently listen to an anatomy lecture but be prepared also with lots of pointed questions about vaginal fistula.
I have Stage 4 Endometriosis, diagnosed in my 30s. It by no means suddenly popped up in my 30s though, I had had the same symptoms go undiagnosed for all that time. So by now I’m quite used to being told I don’t have the symptoms I’m having. I wasn’t aware that Endo even existed until I dealt with years of infertility. Until I found a really good infertility doctor, the general answer to “I have this weird thing happening to me” had always been “oh you’re just exaggerating, I’m sure it’s normal, you don’t know what you’re talking about, it’s not as bad as you are making it out to be”. And unfortunately without other information it is very easy to believe that repeated mantra over the evidence of your own life because we aren’t living in anyone else’s bodies so we have nothing to compare our experiences to.
To Red Herring, from those who’ve made it here after searching for anything about this, thank you very much for providing the impossible to find information! Even with the suggestion that we’re likely not experiencing what we say we are, you are still the only one I’ve been able to find answering the question of what in the world this might be. And I really appreciate your advocacy for vaginal cups, I think they are extremely important and I wish I’d had one as a teen. I would have been able to say almost 20 years sooner that I had real issues and likely could have made people listen to me. Aside from years of excruciating endo pain that I thought was just me being a wimp, a cup could have also saved me from a number of embarrassing leaks and stained sheets from my insane flow, and quite possibly could have saved me from my dealings with infertility had I been treated for endometriosis at a younger age.
Something to consider when replying to messages you find to be suggesting someone is having something bizarre and rare happen, like this, is that rare conditions while rare, do happen to some of us. And some of us will have them and will need information to explain what is going on. If someone is here researching this, they very likely are among that small number who have this issue. We should be careful to not add to the cycle of not listening to women about their bodies. I’d already encountered all the threads saying this is not possible before finding this one rare gem that gave me a glimmer of explanation. And that push I need to take it seriously.
There are not as far as I can see hundreds of people on here complaining about this, there are a handful, which fits the statistics. We all are accustomed to having periods month after month after month, and are not new to our bodies. While cups may be new to some, others of us have used them for a while before having a problem. And while I’m sure others elsewhere may just not understand how a cup or anatomy works, it seems like those of us on this thread aren’t here asking if perhaps we shouldn’t use a cup because this might happen, we all seem to have tried it and then had this bizarre problem we didn’t think could happen. I for one used a cup for a little while with no problem at all before this started happening.
And actually it’s only because of the cup that I know I’m having this issue. This is the second time for me when using a cup has helped me know more about what the heck is going on with my body. I always suspected I had a heavy flow before I had a cup but only when I started using a cup did I really see how insanely heavy it was and finally learn how far from the average my experience has been. And that heavy flow was also why I initially dismissed what I was seeing. I did not want to believe it when I found urine in my cup and have tried to convince myself it was anything else for a while now. My cup does tend to get fairly full fairly fast, even with the larger size I use. But what I’m seeing is clearly urine though and not any sort of vaginal discharge.
For me it has come with the all the time incontinence you mentioned as well and I did not connect the two because the incontinence is all the time and not just with my period. With my endo everything is worse though the week before and during my period. But incontinence is another one of those things that most people don’t want to talk about, I know I don’t. I wanted that to just be stress or diet, or something “easy” I could keep trying to fix with kegels and diet changes, but maybe now I can find a real answers.
Thank you again Red Herring for the information that I could not find anywhere else. It may be information that I don’t want to think about or deal with because it sounds quite unpleasant but at least now I know I really need to stop trying to convince myself I’m not experiencing what I’m experiencing and get myself a doctor’s appointment, if that’s even possible during this pandemic.
I’m sorry that you feel that everyone explaining the anatomy is pointless, but I speak to people almost every day from 9 to 64 years old who weren’t aware of this.
The only way that a menstrual cup will fill with urine is if there is a type of vaginal fistula (there are several) – a pelvic anatomy dysfunction in which there is an opening, hole, or tunnel that allows urine or fecal matter to enter into the vaginal canal. This medical condition will need to be tested, diagnosed, and treated by a doctor. Most likely surgery. Since none of us are doctors on this website, I would suggest seeking medical advice. A sample of the contents of your cup may be helpful.
If you do have a fistula you would probably experience infections, foul odors, and/or incontinence (not the same as stress incontinence) issues regularly. Not just when you have a menstrual cup inserted.
A fistula can be caused by surgery trauma, chronic illness, radiation therapy to the genital area, or damage from childbirth like a tear or infection from an episiotomy wound.
https://www.webmd.com/women/qa/what-causes-vaginal-fistulas
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-fistulas/symptoms-causes/syc-20355762
https://www.webmd.com/women/qa/how-are-vaginal-fistulas-treated
A vaginal fistula occurs in about 1 in 200,000 people. It is, however, very common for a person to have a watery discharge that has a yellow tint.
Main characteristics: watery or pale yellow discharge
Watery yellow discharge is most common right before your period. This is because your vagina is producing more mucus. The yellowish tint can come from small amounts of menstrual blood mixing with normal white discharge.
Very pale, yellow discharge is also common and usually normal, especially right before your period. It’s only a cause for concern if the discharge is also an abnormal texture or smells bad.
https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/yellow-discharge-before-period#causes
If my reply is redundant, I advise a medical professional and not a forum. I’m not trying to be rude, but again, no one on this site is a doctor.
Good Luck
Red Herring
@redherringtv
RedHerringTV on YouTube
Thank God for this forum. I know I’m late to the post but for everyone explaining the anatomy… Screw off. I’d hazard a guess that 99% of the women here know that “there are 3 holes”. I’ve had a period for over 20 years, am well educated and familiar with my body. My cup also fills with urine, especially if I really need to go. Enough with the remarks like “it cannot be urine” anyone have anything helpful to say about what might be happening?
I think it’s possible,sometimes when I sit down to urinate I feel air bubbles coming out of the cup while I’m peeing. So if air is coming out while urine is passing over the labia then something is being sucked into the vagina and could possibly be sucked into the cup.
I just want to say that I’ve been using the cup successfully for months and this happened to me today. It was REALLY low though, I was just expecting to fix it, not get pee bombed. I hope since I’ve been successful you can still be successful too because you will LOVE your cup if it ends up working out for you. I know I could never go back. Best luck.
To help resolve the debate, it IS possible to have a urethra which joins to the vagina, according to Dr Google. It is very rare. It is called urogenital sinus: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16323-urogenital-sinus . If it was high up you’d probably know as it can cause incontinence. If it was lower, it is feasible you’d have no problems and so not realise. These days it is usually diagnosed at a very young age, but who knows…maybe a few decades ago it wasn’t always checked for so it is possible to have an not know??
I know a women who didn’t realise she had 2 vaginas and uterus’s until she went for endometriosis treatment, so weirder stuff can go unnoticed!
If you suspect this could be you, get a mirror and have a look to see if you can see your urethra or not (its a tiny hole couple of mm), or pee in the shower or something to see where it’s coming from, or ask a gynaecologist.
It is unlikely, but feels a lot more likely than wee coming out a normal urethra, working its way up the side of a menstrual cup and flowing inside it ?♀️
..only other alternative is people not knowing the difference between labia and vagina, and from the descriptions above, that seems unlikely ?
Bear with me, I don’t ever think someone is a “moron” and I’m not trying to be condescending. I’m simply trying to shed some light on the situation…as questioned in this forum.
If you’re in doubt and it’s troubling you, please ask your doctor. I asked mine because this question came up countless of times in FB groups (the possibility of urine in a menstrual cup). Although I went to school to be in the medical field and I worked for an OB-Gyn, I am NOT a medical expert. I don’t believe there is one on this open forum and you don’t have to believe me or my doctor. I just share the info that I have. You can take it or leave it – your choice.
Info for those who may not know and do not read further:
There are three ‘holes’ – the urethra (where urine/pee comes out), the vaginal opening, and the anus. Without any medical anomalies, these do not share a ‘tunnel’ at any point.
Tampon vs Menstrual Cup:
Tampons – There is a possibility that there is urine on a tampon. Since the string is hanging or bunched up outside of the body near the opening to the urethra, there is a chance for urine to be absorbed by it. Can it wick enough to fill a tampon?… I’ll be honest, I don’t know.
Menstrual Cups – Cups sit inside of the vaginal canal separated by a ‘wall’. The cup is either positioned right below or right around the cervix to collect anything that comes out of it from the uterus.
Heaviness: Some people feel a weight change in their tampon/cup as it is filled. Bearing down in any way or sitting may make it more prevalent and may cause a cup to be ‘pushed out’ or ‘slip’.
Can urine slide up into the cup?: I honestly can not answer this question definitely and have not asked any doctors about this particular topic, but…
1. Gravity
2. If you lay on your back and urinate, then give it enough time to make its way through the folds of your labia, into and through the vaginal canal, squeeze between the vaginal wall and the cup, maybe a little can find its way? I mean, sperm find their way…but then again that’s something totally different.
Only had the cup in for a few seconds:
The vaginal canal always has moisture in it even if you feel ‘dry’. The cup will collect/scoop some of this up when it’s inserted.
Having a urethra a little higher up:
This still does not connect the two ‘tunnels’.
______________________
The vagina is an amazing thing! It cleans itself out constantly in the form of vaginal discharge and cervical mucus. It’s the body’s way of maintaining a healthy pH and good bacterial balance and keeping it lubricated. It’s also the vaginas first line of defense against infection and other germs.
During different times in your cycle, you may notice a change in the discharges appearance or smell. It can be mucousy like egg whites, or thicker and stringy. It can even become watery. Some of these you may notice on a regular basis. Other times it can be thin and light enough to dry on your underwear without detection or absorbed by a tampon showing no color.
On a “normal” daily basis:
The vagina will clean itself by producing a clear, mucus-like secretion. It can also be thin and watery. Sometimes this looks more of a milky-white when it dries on your underwear. The amount will fluctuate constantly.
Before menstruation:
Right before and during ovulation, discharge is normally more stretchy and wet. The body produces more mucus at this time.
After menstruation:
Right after your period, the discharge might be browner. People may refer to this as “old blood”. This is your body cleaning it out.
Lifestyle and daily activities can contribute to changes as well, not just your body’s monthly cycle.
Some people experience a noticeably higher amount of watery discharge during and after working out/physical activities or during and after sex.
Some other things that can increase/decrease or change the appearance, consistency, and amount of discharge are:
Vaginal douches
Hygiene products – soaps & washes
Birth control
A change in Hormones
Antibiotics
Pregnancy
Diabetes
and
Medication, to name a few.
Upsets in the pH and good bacteria balance can lead to vaginal infections.
Changes in the color, amount, consistency, or smell of the vaginal discharge are some signs that there may be a problem. Others may include burning, itching, clumpiness, irritation, or pelvic pain.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be a good idea to seek the advice of your doctor. They may check for Yeast Infections, Bacterial Infections (BV), or STIs, and can treat them accordingly.
Again, ask your doctor if you have concerns.
Congrats on your purchase and your success during your first try with a menstrual cup!
I’m glad that you found a cup that felt comfortable for you…at least while you are wearing it. However, having a slow urine stream leads me to believe that the Diva Cup might be a little too firm for you.
Signs that a cup might be too firm are: feeling like you need to urinate more often, feeling like you don’t completely empty your bladder when you do urinate, a slow urine stream, and constant constipation while using the cup.
You might want to try a cup that’s a little softer than the Diva Cup. If you like the shape and size of the Diva, you might check out the Casco Cup, Halo Cup, Green Cup of Maine, or Hesta Cup. They’re all the same great cup but under different private labels, (shop around for the best price). They’re a tad softer and might ease that pressure off of your urethra allowing you to urinate as regular.
As for urine in your cup, the only way that that can happen is if the cup is sitting outside of your body covering the opening to the urethra, that you’ve inserted the cup into the urethra (highly unlikely!!), or that you happened to be removing the cup at the same time as urinating and happened to catch some on the way out. The vaginal canal and the urethra/bladder are separate openings.
However, you’re not the only one who’s experienced a clear liquid in the cup upon removal. Our uterus and vagina are always cleaning itself out. It’s not always in the form of blood but discharge as well. It can be thin and water-like, creamy, or even thicker like eggs whites.
Vaginal Discharge and Cervical Mucus
I don’t think there’s anything “wrong” with you, it’s just the body’s natural process. You probably didn’t notice it before because it was absorbed by a pad or tampon.
Again, congrats on making the switch! <3
