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Do I Have a High Or Low Cervix?
Photo : ‘During the Follicular Phase’, by My Beautiful Cervix Project.
‘How do I know if I have a high or low cervix?’ is probably our most frequently asked question. In fact, it’s pretty difficult to choose the right menstrual cup unless you know your cervix height. Especially when you might spend around £20 a cup, it’s important to have a clear understanding before you press ‘buy’!
Why it’s important
Knowing where your cervix sits will help you understand your own body more—and it will help you choose the right cup!
First, you want your menstrual cup to be comfortable. You don’t want a cup that rubs the opening of your cervix, and you certainly don’t want a cup that’s too long and poking out.
Second, you want a cup that’s easy to insert and remove. If the cup’s too big, then it might press against your bladder or hurt your vaginal canal when you try to put it in. If it’s too small, it might be difficult to reach and grip to pull it out, especially if you have a heavy flow.
If it’s the right fit, the entire menstrual cup should sit comfortably inside your vagina. If you want to keep a stem, your cervix measurement should include the full length of the cup plus the stem. But if you’re going to trim the cup, make sure you consider just the length of the cup (without the stem).
Libby Cup has this nifty chart that tells you the length of our cups. Libby Cups have some of the longest stems, which means you can cut it to the length you feel most comfortable with.
What’s a cervix?
Your cervix is the lower part of your uterus, which connects the uterus to the top of the vaginal wall and extends down the vaginal canal. The position of the cervix changes because everybody is different. Here’s a picture of the typical female anatomy.
How to find your cervix
Your cervix will move up and down throughout your cycle. During your bleed, it will drop by around 1 cm— this might be the best time to try and find it (if it’s not too sensitive at that time).
The cervix can be found at the top of your vaginal canal. Note that some people have a tilted cervix, which can tilt either towards the rectum or the belly.
To find your cervix, insert your index finger into your vagina and lightly feel for something that’s sort of hard, smooth and rounded. Your cervix might feel like the end of your nose, with a small dip in the centre. If you think you’re touching ‘something’ but are unsure whether it’s your cervix, then it most probably is! It will feel like something different from your vaginal walls, which will feel softer.
Is my cervix high, average or low?
Once you’ve found your cervix, try measuring how far up it is. Take your finger out and measure the place you got to with a ruler.
- High: 55 mm (2.25″) or higher
If your finger is all the way inside your vagina (approximately 55 mm), then your cervix is high.
If you can’t reach your cervix, even during your bleed, then it’s very likely that you have a high cervix. A longer cup with a much longer stem will be best for you. People with a higher cervix and longer vaginal canal are more likely to experience their cups wriggling up.
If you have a high cervix, then the Libby Cup A might be best for you.
- Average: 45 mm (1.8″) to 55 mm (2.25″)
If the opening of your vagina is at your middle knuckle (around 50 mm), then your cervix is average.
If you have an average cervix, then the Libby Cup B might be best for you.
- Low: 44 mm (1.6″) or lower
If the first knuckle sits at the opening of your vagina (44 mm or less), then your cervix is low.
People with a low cervix will need to find themselves a much shorter cup. This may limit your choice of menstrual cup because any cup that doesn’t fit inside won’t be comfortable. Thankfully, you now know your cervix height and can choose a cup that fits you perfectly!
If you have a low cervix, then the Libby Cup C might be best for you.
If you’ve measured your cervix height and are still having trouble fitting your cup, then check out the following blogs:
Written by Heather Sanderson and edited by Nina Giblinwright.
Jan 7, 2021