Around ovulation (when you’re most fertile) the cervix is often higher in the vaginal canal and tends to be a bit softer. Close to and during menstruation, many women’s cervixes move lower in the vagina and become firmer. Your cervix can also move throughout your period as well. So it’s best to measure when you are on or close to your period.
1. Wash your hands thoroughly. Insert your clean index finger into your vagina. Keep moving until the tip of your finger is touching your cervix. You’ll be able to distinguish your cervix from the rest of your vagina, as the tissue is a little bit firmer than your vaginal walls. It feels a little like the tip of your nose with a hole in the middle.
2. Mark the depth with the tip of your thumb.
If you can only get the first knuckle of your finger in then you have a very low/short cervix height. If you can get the second knuckle in then you have an medium/average cervix height. If you can fit your entire finger into your vagina before you touch your cervix (or if you can’t touch it with your finger at all) then you have a long/high cervix.
Knowing your average cervix height has helped women in the past decide which brand of menstrual cup to use as they traditionally have stems attached. Because we all have different length fingers - there’s definitely a margin of error to this method. So, if you want to get really accurate you may want to check the measurement on your finger beside a ruler.
If you have an average to shorter cervix, you most likely won’t need to use the ribbon at all. And further still, if your cervix is sitting rather low you will most likely prefer the mini cone.
Some women may choose to start off with a Midi cone (larger size) for the first two days when their period is at its heaviest and the cervix is higher. Then finish the remainder of their period on a Mini cone (smaller size) when their cervix may lower and flow is lighter.
Attaching the silicone ribbon is completely optional, so experiment with it or without to see what works best for you!
