It is estimated that 20 to 25% of menstruating people have a retroverted uterus. This is a common anatomical variation (like being left-handed!), which generally has no impact on health, periods or pregnancy.
But when you want to switch to a menstrual cup, the question arises: does it change anything? Will the cup stay in place? Here is the technical guide to understanding your anatomy and positioning your protection correctly.
Table of contents
1- What is a retroverted uterus?
Simply put: it's a question of angle.
- Anteverted Uterus (Standard): It tilts forward, resting gently on the bladder. This is the case for 75% of women.
- Retroverted Uterus: It tilts backwards, towards the rectum.
This does not affect how it functions. It is simply a different orientation.
Anteverted Uterus
(75–80% of cases)
Retroverted Uterus
(20–25% of cases)
2- Compatibility: Can you use a cup?
The answer is YES, in 99% of cases.
Why? Because the menstrual cup sits inside the vagina, not inside the uterus. And even if the uterus tilts backwards, the vaginal canal maintains roughly the same orientation.
As this diagram shows, the cup has plenty of room to open up and collect the flow, which drains through the cervix regardless of its angle.
The cup sits in the vagina and remains effective.
3- The specific case: Low cervix + Retroversion
There is one technical exception. If your uterus is retroverted, your cervix (the opening) may sometimes point strongly forward — almost horizontally.
If your cervix is HIGH: No problem at all.
If your cervix is LOW (less than 5cm from the entrance): This is where it gets more complex. The cervix may press against the cup or take up all the space inside, causing leaks or discomfort.
Rare case: Very low cervix pointing forward (risk of discomfort).
4- The advantage of La Cup Luneale (Stemless)
This is precisely where design makes all the difference in atypical anatomies.
- The problem with stemmed cups: If you need to position the cup very low (due to cervix orientation), the stem will protrude and rub against the vulva. This is painful.
- The Luneale solution: Thanks to the Moonpad design (no protruding stem), you can position the cup very low — right at the vaginal entrance — with zero discomfort. It is often the only cup tolerated by people with a low cervix or a strongly retroverted uterus.
Not sure how high your cervix is? Do the finger test: insert one clean finger — if you can feel the cervix within two knuckles, it is low. Our customer care team can guide you!
