Understanding the body is always important, but it can get a little confusing, which is why we decided to go back to the basics to talk about the cervix.
So what is the cervix?
Anatomically speaking, it’s the cylinder-shaped neck of tissue that connects the vagina and uterus.
It’s located at the lowest part of uterus and is composed mainly of muscular tissue with two portions: the ectocervix, which can be seen during a gynecological exam. This has an opening in the center known as the 'external os', that acts as the 'door' - or a passage - between the uterus and the vagina. The other part is the endocervix, which is basically a tunnel through from the external os into the uterus. The diagram below will helpfully be helpful for those who're visual learners like us!
Your cervix is pretty the connection between the outside world and your reproductive organs — and therefore the cervix plays a role in both pregnancy and childbirth.
Depending on where you are at in your menstrual cycle, the cervix produces mucus that either prevents or promotes pregnancy. It's 'door', the 'external os' we spoke of earlier, opens and closes to let sperm in during and just after intercourse. When you are menstruating, your cervix opens a small amount to allow the passage of menstrual flow. During childbirth, the cervix dilates widely to allow the passage of life. Should you become pregnant, your cervix will create a mucus plug that acts as an extra level of defense against various germs and pathogens from the outside world.
All of which is to say that the cervix is an important (and cool if you ask us!) part of the body.
Now that we have the technical stuff out of the way—let’s talk about the tactical aspects of the cervix like how yours is unique to you, how to find it, how to measure it, and what it means for menstrual cups.
How Do I Find My Cervix?
First off, your cervix changes locations throughout your menstrual cycle and those changes are quite unique to your body. With that said, the easiest (but perhaps the messiest) time to find your cervix is during your period. If you are worried about making a mess or blood makes you a little woozy—the shower is a great place to do this. You may want to consider practising this a few times during your cycle to see how your cervix moves so that you will have a baseline.
Before you do any exploring—you will need to wash your hands first. Once your hands are clean you will use a finger to locate where your cervix sits. Upon entering you will feel the vaginal walls, which are quite soft and may or may not have ridges. The cervix has a distinctly different feel that is both firm and smooth—sort of like the tip of your nose. You may also feel a small dip or slit, which is the cervical opening.
Typically, the cervix is located in the center of the vaginal canal. But, it could also point in other directions if you have a tilted, tipped, or retroflexed uterus. When it comes to the shape of the cervix it’s most commonly round, but the shape may change depending on where you are in your cycle.
How Do I Measure My Cervix?
We talk of cervixes as sitting at low, average or high height.
It’s important to know the position of your cervix as this can affect the way you should insert your Hello Cup and can also finding the right cup for you.
Our standard Hello Cups are made for people with an ‘average’ cervix height - but we often find people with a high cervix are able to use them too.
To determine the height of your cervix, use our handy Cervix Measurement Guide.
If you have any questions when it comes to using this cervix measurement guide, or choosing the right Hello Cup for you, please don't hesitate to contact us on [email protected].
Your Cervix And Menstrual Cups
So what the heck does all of this mean when it comes to picking out a menstrual cup?
Selecting a menstrual cup that fits inside of your vajayjay without being too long is crucial for your comfort. If a cup is too long to fit beneath your cervix without it sticking out, this may mean you have a low cervix – and you’ll need a specific low-cervix cup.
As noted, our standard Hello Cups are designed for people with an average cervix height, but people with a high cervix often find they can use them, too.
If you have a low cervix, our Low Cervix Hello Cup will be the best cup for you!
P.S: If you aren’t sure which size Hello Cup to use you can take our Size Quiz!
The gist is that our XS cup is our softest and smallest. It’s the perfect choice for teenagers, petite users or for those who prefer a ‘mini’ tampon. Our S/M cup is what we refer to as our “one size fits most” menstrual cup. We suggest this cup for anyone under the age of 35. If your lady bits feel a bit more ‘roomy’ or you are over the age of 35, our size L cup would be our suggestion. If you are physically fit regardless of age we find that our S/M size cup works best.
And there you have it… you’re a cervix master.
