Your complete guide to leak-free nights while using a menstrual disc
Tossing and turning because you're worried about leaks? Setting middle-of-the-night alarms to check your tampon? We hear you – and we've been there too.
Here's the thing: your period doesn't have to hijack your sleep. With the right knowledge and the right product, you can actually sleep better during your cycle than you might expect.
So, can you use your menstrual disc safely all night long and have a leak free sleep?
Yes, you can absolutely sleep all night with a menstrual disc – and it might just be the best period sleep you've ever had.
Why menstrual discs are game-changers for overnight use
Menstrual discs offer a reliable, comfortable solution for overnight period care - eliminating the need for midnight pad changes or waking up with leakage anxiety.
Here's the science behind why discs work so brilliantly overnight:
They sit in the vaginal fornix – that's the widest area of the vag, near your cervix. The disc moulds to your vaginal walls, creating a secure seal.
They collect, don't absorb – unlike tampons that can become uncomfortably dry overnight, or pads that can shift and bunch up, discs simply collect menstrual flow, making them ideal for long hours of rest.
The overnight benefits that’ll make you wonder why you waited
✅ Up to 12 hours of protection – Insert before bed, remove when you wake up. That's it.
✅ Sleep in any position – Starfish, side-sleeper, tummy-down snuggler? The disc doesn’t care. Once it’s properly positioned, it stays put.
✅ No dryness or discomfort – Because it is smooth, soft and flexible made from medical grade silicone, unlike hard, fuzzy tampons.
✅ Higher capacity – Holds 4x more than tampons, so even heavy flow nights are covered.
✅ No suction – Unlike period cups, there’s no uncomfortable removal after lying down for hours.
💡 Shop the Hey Zomi Menstrual Disc – designed for comfortable, leak-free sleep.
How your body works with a disc during sleep
Understanding your anatomy makes all the difference. A menstrual disc sits right under the cervix, located at the ‘top end or roof’ of your vagina. This area actually has a name, it’s called the ‘vaginal fornix’. When you insert a menstrual disc correctly, it fully encircles your cervix, moulding to your inner shape and is held in place by your pubic bone and your pelvic floor muscles. It doesn’t dislodge or ‘fall’ out of place while sleeping. Your cervical opening is where your period blood flows out of and this collects inside the disc.
Getting the perfect overnight disc fit: step-by-step
Before bed setup:
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Relax to insert – If you’re new to this, take a few deep breaths. Tension makes insertion trickier. Once you get the hang of it, inserting your menstrual disc will become a breeze.
2. Use water-based lube – Even if you don't usually need it, lube makes insertion smoother and more comfortable. Shop Hey Zomi's water-based lube.
3. Check your insertion angle – Insert towards your tailbone, not straight up. You're aiming to push into the vagina as far as you can, tucking it up behind your pubic bone that sits at the front. You’re aiming to fully cup your cervix, so that rim of your disc encircles it.
4. Check your cervix is fully cupped – You can insert a clean finger under the disc’s thin cavity and feel if your cervix is being cupped fully - one of the amazing design functions of the disc. You’ll have confidence for the night, knowing your disc is sitting in the right place! Check out this video tutorial, using our anatomical model to show you how it’s done.
Pro tip from our community: Try taking your disc on a dry run - totally safe to try using your disc while you’re not on your period and you can practice how to insert, position and remove your disc without needing to rely on it when you’re starting out.
What about heavy flow nights?
No more stained sheets or waking up to swap a full pad (or 3 😳). Heavy periods and good sleep aren't mutually exclusive! Here's what you need to know:
The disc can handle it – With significantly more capacity than tampons, most people find the disc works beautifully even on their heaviest nights.
Backup for peace of mind – If you're nervous (totally understandable!), pair your disc with period underwear. Many in our community swear by this combo for ultimate security.
Know your flow pattern – Some people are heaviest overnight, others during the day. Once you understand your pattern, you'll know exactly how to plan.
Your morning routine: fresh start, every time
Here’s a game-changing tip: Shower power - remove your disc in the shower first thing in the morning.
Why? It's contained, easy to rinse, and you can clean up immediately. Plus, if your flow was particularly heavy overnight, you won't risk any overflow or a really messy removal due to a very full disc.
Morning steps:
1. Hop in the shower straight away
2. Gently remove your disc (remember, bear down gently with your pelvic floor if you need to bring it within reach)
3. Empty and rinse with warm water
4. Reinsert (a tiny bit of lube helps - we love leaving the lube in the shower for easy access!)
5. Start your day feeling completely fresh
Troubleshooting: When your menstrual disc isn’t working as it should
"I woke up to some spotting – is my disc broken?"
Not at all! A few possibilities:
🩵 The disc might not be fully cupping your cervix
🩵 Your disc might not be inserted deep enough. Use lube to get your disc in deeper - we promise it won’t get lost!
🩵 You might not have gotten to the bathroom to empty your disc first thing in the morning. On heavy days, overflow can happen when you wake up. This is something to be mindful of. On medium or light flow days, it isn’t a worry. This is something for you to figure out when you start using your menstrual disc for the first few cycles - how your flow works with the capacity of your menstrual disc.
"I can feel the disc when I lie down"
This usually means it needs repositioning. The rim should be tucked up behind your pubic bone. Try adjusting the angle or pushing it back a bit further.
"I'm worried about toxic shock syndrome"
Great question! TSS risk with discs is extremely low because they're made from non-absorbent medical-grade silicone that doesn’t harbour bacteria the way tampons can (the bacteria breed from the oxygen in the tampon - discs are non-absorbent so you can imagine how low the chances are). There are currently no cases of TSS from menstrual discs. Still, always follow the 12-hour rule and listen to your body.
🧠 Learn more in our disc Tips and Tricks Page
The Hey Zomi customer service team is here to help troubleshoot any issues - so you can reach out to them for support too.
Real talk: What our community says
"I used to dread my period because it meant terrible sleep. Now I actually sleep better – no midnight pad checks, no uncomfortable shifting. It's honestly changed my relationship with my cycle."
– Emma, 28
"The first night I slept with my Hey Zomi disc, I woke up and had to check I was still on my period. No leaks, no discomfort – just a normal night's sleep."
– Sarah, 34
"I was skeptical about sleeping with any internal period product, but the disc is so comfortable I genuinely forget it's there."
– Jess, 25
Sleep and periods: Why should you care?
Getting good sleep during your period isn’t just about comfort – it's about your overall health and wellbeing. Poor sleep can worsen period symptoms like cramps, mood changes, and fatigue. When you're sleeping well, you're better equipped to handle everything your cycle throws at you.
Plus, there’s something deeply empowering about not having your period dictate your sleep schedule. No more setting alarms to change tampons, no more morning sheet checks, no more planning your sleep position around leak prevention.
Sleeping with a menstrual disc isn't just possible – for many people, it's revolutionary. The Hey Zomi disc is designed to work with your body's natural shape and movements, giving you the freedom to sleep however feels most comfortable.
Remember, there might be a small learning curve as you figure out what works best for your body. That’s completely normal! Every person's anatomy is unique, and it can take a cycle or two to find your mojo.
Ready to try it?
Practice inserting your menstrual disc during the day, use a water-based lube to make it even easier, and maybe keep some period underwear handy for extra confidence. Trust us – once you experience a full night's sleep without period admin, you'll wonder why you waited.
Questions about sleeping with your disc?
We're here to help! Reach out through our website chat, email us at info@heyzomi.com, or check out our other guides for everything you need to know about making your disc work perfectly for your body.
Sweet dreams are just around the corner! 🌙
