Once you’ve decided it’s time to try for a baby, you and your partner may be tempted to try a variety of strategies based in medical literature and ancient lore. Sure, you’ve heard about things like elevating your legs after penis-to-vagina sex or eating the “right” foods when trying to conceive, but one of the most trending fertility tips may be using a menstrual cup as a “sperm cup.” Yes, that’s right.
The device is best known as an environmentally friendly, reusable alternative to tampons, but through word of mouth and the internet, some creative couples have started talking about using menstrual cups to get pregnant.
“This study proves that many couples who want to get pregnant faster or don’t want to spend money on expensive fertility treatments are using menstrual cups as part of their fertility plan in a variety of ways,” said Shelley Ross, M.D., OB-GYN , women’s health expert, and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women’s Intimate Health .
“One option is to have sex and have your partner ‘pull out’ and then deposit the sperm into a menstrual cup,” says Dr. Ross. “Some people insert the menstrual cup into their vagina immediately after sex (penis in vagina) to ensure the sperm are in the right position near the entrance to the uterus.” Dr. Ross points out that couples who are undergoing artificial insemination can also use this method. It’s an interesting concept. If you want to learn more, read our information on the “sperm cup” method for trying to get pregnant.
Do ‘sperm cups’ really help you get pregnant?
According to Dr. Ross, the device can definitely aid in your efforts to conceive: “Every time you ejaculate, there are millions of sperm swimming around,” she points out. “A menstrual cup with sperm inside can only allow the sperm to travel in one direction, toward the egg.”
“Just one sperm needs to penetrate the egg for fertilization to occur,” she continues. “After the egg is fertilized, the cells continue to divide and eventually migrate to the uterus where implantation occurs.”
Dr. Ross also points out that keeping sperm close to the cervix and uterine opening for an extended period of time can increase the chances of conception. “Healthy sperm can live for three days,” Dr. Ross explains. “The longer the sperm remain near the cervix and uterine opening, the more likely they are to travel back up the fallopian tubes and fertilize an egg.”
“There are no specific guidelines for using a menstrual cup to keep sperm in your cervix, so it’s best to leave the cup in for as long as possible.” She recommends following the general guidelines for menstrual cup use: no more than 12 hours.
Leaving a menstrual cup inserted for any longer than that “can change the pH level of your vagina, potentially causing a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis (BV),” says Danielle A. Scola, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist with the Texas Association of Fertility Specialists.
What people think about using a “sperm cup” on women who want to conceive
Julia Denison, a mom from Sunnyside, New York, says she’s been using the Mooncup (the British version of the DivaCup) since she realized the cost-effective device meant she’d never have to buy tampons again, so she kept it handy when she was trying to conceive.
“I had been trying for nine months to have my current daughter, so I wanted to try anything that could help increase my chances of conceiving when I was ovulating,” Denison says. “I read somewhere that some people use soft cups to keep the sperm close to the cervix after sex, and since I already had one, I thought I’d give it a try.”
Denison says it’s easy – just insert it after sex, like you would during your period, and leave it in for a few hours. “And I got pregnant the first month I tried it!” she says. “It could just be a coincidence, but I think it helped, and if I were to try it again, I’d definitely do it again.”
Denison’s story is similar to others who have found success using this method. Carly McBride, from Springfield, Virginia, said she became active in the TTC online community because she and her husband struggled with male infertility.
“I think I heard other women on period/fertility tracking app forums say that menstrual cups have helped them,” McBride says. “I thought it was worth a try, so I bought a soft cup from the pharmacy. Most women say to keep one by your bed and insert it right after sex. I always forget, so I quickly run to the bathroom to grab one. I can’t say for sure that the soft cup was the reason I got pregnant after a year of trying, but I believe it was.”
She encourages others to consider this method, but suggests experimenting first, as menstrual cups can be a little tricky to insert if it’s your first time. (To insert the cup, press the sides of the cup together, then fold it in half to make a “U” shape. Then hold the folded sides together with your thumb and index finger, with the curved end pointing away from your palm. Then insert the cup like a tampon, pressing the curved end of the folded cup horizontally into your vaginal opening. Finally, grasp the base of the cup and rotate it once in both directions. Once the cup has rotated all the way, it will open fully and you’ll know it’s in the right position.)
“Compared to other fertility treatments, it’s a very small investment,” McBride added. “It doesn’t work for everyone, but the low cost makes it worth a try!”
Megan Hunt of Sparta, New Jersey, also became active in the TTC online community after experiencing a miscarriage. “After my own miscarriage, I joined a miscarriage and pregnancy support group where women were talking about using menstrual cups,” she says. “In desperation, a month before starting IVF, I started using a soft cup immediately after sex, with my legs elevated and left on for at least a few hours. At my next IVF appointment, I had a basic ultrasound and lo and behold, I was pregnant.”
Is it worth trying a “sperm cup” while trying to conceive?
While menstrual cups may not be a common or well-studied method of conception, if you’re trying to conceive, it may be worth researching them and discussing them with your healthcare provider.
Some people’s experiences may be anecdotal, but it’s possible that the cup has helped them. But remember, if you’re having trouble conceiving or have questions about starting a family, talking to your doctor is the best place to start.
